Coloradans looking for travel recommendations don’t need to go far to hit the nation’s top spot.
That’s according to Men’s Journal, which this week released its list of the 50 best vacation destinations for 2024 and dubbed Ouray the No. 1 must-hit locale. The Western Slope mountain town beat out many of the country’s most prestigious cities, including Denver, which ranked No. 18.
To cull the list, Men’s Journal considered a myriad of factors from geographic range and cultural diversity to the number of city and state parks, culinary distinctions like Michelin awards, unique attractions and how easy it is to get around each respective destination. It also weighed the overall monetary value of a visit and an “adventure” score.
Ouray is, of course, not short on outdoor activities, the pub noted.
A view from the rooftop at the Imogene in Ouray. (Provided by The Imogene)
“Come to Ouray and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped foot in a live-action REI commercial,” editors gushed. “Nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” because of its snow-capped alpine scenery, itineraries here center on playing on these peaks. In the summer and fall it’s all about rock climbing and via ferrata routes, and ice picks come out in the winter for epic climbing on frozen waterfalls.”
The publication recommended capitalizing on outdoor adventure by visiting Box Cañon Falls Park and the easily accessible Cascade Falls, before slipping in for a soak at Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings. For bites and beverages, editors said to hit the newly restored Western Hotel, which boasts a restaurant and saloon; Ouray Brewery, which comes with a side of epic views; and Thai Chili Ouray, which specializes in its namesake cuisine.
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Chattanooga, Tenn., San Luis Obispo, Cali., New Orleans, and Bend, Ore. rounded out the top five in that order.
In Denver, Men’s Journal encouraged visitors to “soak in hops and barley at Oakwell Beer Spa; catch the best concert of your life at Red Rocks Amphitheater; get a taste of the burgeoning Mexican fine-dining scene at Alma Fonda Fina; and check out the sci-fi-centric museum Meow Wolf Convergence Station, which will make you question the validity of time travel.”
See the Men’s Journal top 50 vacation destinations list in full here. The story is one in the publication’s broader Travel Awards series.