Brad’s Top 5 Mountain Destinations!
As the weather gets warmer, the mountains are starting to call my name!
If you are like me, nothing beats relaxing and having fun surrounded by the lakes, wildlife and beautiful scenery of the mountains.
There are so many awesome places to visit, but to get you ready for the season; I wanted to share my all-time top five destinations with you.
#5 Aspen, Colorado
Aspen has a small town feel but has all the bang you would expect from a bigger destination. Mostly known for skiing, Aspen offers other attractions and plenty of other activities to do. Especially if skiing is not your bag. Stunning views!
#4 Red Lodge, Montana
Nestled in a valley just outside a corner of Yellowstone. Red Lodge is fantastic for exploring the national park. Red Lodge is a little over an hour to the Specimen Ridge Trail, a challenging hike through a petrified forest to a great view of Mount Washburn.
#3 Crested Butte, Colorado
This 130-year-old former coal-mining camp has high pasture formed by jagged mountains etched with hundreds of miles of trails. Make sure to get a four-wheeler and get a map to go on rides like 401, a 14-miler that starts near the ghost town of Gothic, climbs past Emerald Lake, and goes down through various wildflowers. Gorgeous!
#2 Estes Park, Colorado
This popular gateway town for visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park gets the number two slot for both its cool people and its charming town square, Bond Park, surrounded by boutiques and sweet shops. Paranormal enthusiasts will like the fact that its home to The Stanley Hotel where Steven King stayed and based his book The Shining.
#1 Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a mystical place with deep native roots presence plenty of adobe architecture to boot. The rich red Sangre de Cristo Mountains, towering 6,000 feet above town on three sides, make the perfect backdrop. In the heart of the town is an old style plaza with various art galleries, shops and chocolatiers.
Insiders tip: If you want a real treat, visit Eske’s Brew Pub. Handcrafted brews, great pub fare and live, local artists!
As you can tell, these towns offer more than just beautiful mountains. But sometimes, the mountains are all that you need. I hope you get to make your way to one of these beautiful locations, I will see you in the mountains!