Other Great Vacation Destinations

I've lived in Denver for more than 30 years and I'm biased. I think Denver is the best vacation destination as it offers a unique combination of urban, big-city attractions and entertainment, i>and easy access to our close-by Rocky Mountains.

Western vacations

But there are other vacations destinations that I have to admit are pretty great. For example, my wife and I both like South Dakota's Black Hills in the summer and the California wine country just about any time of the year. We're only about a two hour flight from San Diego and it's one of our favorite destinations. LA is great, too, with is Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Las Vegas always makes for a great vacation and another of our favorites is the Grand Canyon.

Rocky Mountain National Park right here in our Colorado is definitely one of our top picks, as is Yellowstone, which is now beginning to show some real signs of life after its big forest fire. Plus, if you drive from Denver to Yellowstone, you get the added bonus of Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.

Yosemite is spectacular as is the Canyonlands area of Utah around Moab – especially Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.

Spokane is a great city – but we like the architecture of Vancouver, BC better. Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city and the jumping off point for great cruises to Alaska.

Then,of course, there's Hawaii. The first time I visited Oahu and Maui, I came home and told several of my friends that if Hawaii isn't paradise, it's probably as close to paradise as I'll ever get.

East coast destinations

We've become such stay-at-home westerners that we don't get out east much anymore. But when we do, we try to spend a few days in both New York City and Washington, D.C.

As a golfer, I find that Hilton Head Island is tough to beat as it offers not only great golf, but wonderful beaches and and great shopping. Plus, it's close to charming Savannah, which is one of our favorite southern cities.

I like south Florida and the Keys. New Orleans (which, incidentally, is where my wife is from) used to be one of our top picks until Katrina hit.

Finally, if miles of great beaches, tropical fruit drinks, sun and sand, snorkeling or scuba diving and para sailing is your idea of a great vacation , you'll love the Caribbean. We think both Bermuda and the Grand Caymans are terrific destinations.

Here are links to information on some of our favorite places.