It’s not exactly going out on a limb to claim that Colorado families are either confronting a situation in which long work hours mean less time for recreation, or a situation in which a more restricted budget leaves less options for recreation or perhaps some combination of the two. For these and other reasons, planning recreation/entertainment excursions with limited time/money means the stakes are higher than they were in years past. Many families are having to forego that two-week trip, opting instead for something closer to home. Perhaps that “vacation” might also be something that occurs over one weekend, or even one day.

Okay, despite some of the new realities we’re living with, it’s not all bad news. For example, this new dynamic has resulted in more Colorado families improvising in their leisure pursuits, and discovering something, to them, previously unknown: that perfect afternoon for the whole family can be closer than you think. Too many suburbanites are programmed to think that the only options for getting away for the day involve heading straight to Denver or into the mountains. What they don’t know is that during the summer (and other months), many of the towns in the metro area offer a wealth of entertainment/recreation options, with a variety that would satisfy virtually anyone.

Yeah, many presented with this option complain that they simply don’t know what’s going on in these cities. True, for the most part Denver usually gets the “Things to Do This Weekend!” ink, but the Internet has leveled the playing field in that the smaller metro cities now have a user-friendly web presence: not only can you peruse the calendar of events, but you can check out summaries of shopping, dining, activities and options for lodging. Consumers have lately found that the Internet is a valuable resource for discounts and coupons – no different with these sites. Oftentimes you can actually download coupons that can potentially save you significant funds when you arrive at the town.

Not only do the smaller towns offer myriad ongoing activities, but it’s important to remember that even modestly sized cities usually have some sort of major, days-long festival during the year. For example, consider Golden (nestled on the dividing line between the metro area and the foothills/mountains) and its Buffalo Bill Days. Celebrating the city’s most famous bygone resident, the five-day festival this year runs from July 27 to July 31. The biggest annual event in the city, Buffalo Bill Days features a golf tournament at nearby Fossil Trace, mutton bustin’, live bands, kiddie trains, and arts and crafts fair, and many instances of the Buffalo Bill lookalike wandering the grounds.

So, apart from keeping it inexpensive, keep it local this summer when looking for entertainment options. Visitors are apt to notice that the smaller cities are grateful for their tourists, and show it through a friendly and accommodating attitude.

Vacation planning just got more complicated when accounting for the price of gas. Still, some outstanding values are available for those looking for things to do in Colorado. For those looking to maximize their vacation dollars, Golden, CO offers some truly outstanding values. Visit our website today for a complete calendar of summer information and a list of outstanding places to dine and stay.