steamboat springs

Location: 156 miles northwest of Denver on U.S. 40
Elevation: 6695, Population: 10

Think skiers in cowboy hats and you'll have a pretty good mental picture of Steamboat Springs in north central Colorado. Yes, there's world-class skiing here, but with an undercurrent of cowboy culture. The broad Yampa Valley brought cattle ranchers here in the 1800s, and the town's signature store still sells Western wear.

Like many of Colorado's most attractive towns, Steamboat Springs has a great hot springs, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, an adventurous drive north of town that brings you to a canyon, beside a river, in one of the most perfect soaking settings imaginable.

But the town wasn't named for these springs. It gets its name from another spring, which used to make a noise like a steamboat.

Steamboat Springs is also home to lots of hot air balloons. Each summer, the town hosts its Rainbow Weekend, with a multitude of colorful balloons rising over the valley, offering riders indescribable views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

Visitors love to hike to scenic Fish Creek Falls, and then ride mountain bikes or hike the surrounding parks and forests. On cool summer nights, everyone goes to Music in the Mountains, a summer concert series, or to the rodeo, which draws the future stars of the rodeo circuit. Just as in winter you'll see future Olympic skiers on the slopes.

Upscale lodgings and fine restaurants round out Steamboat's appealing menu.

Source: Colorado.com

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