Colorado mountain town recognized as one of the best places to visit this fall

DENVER ( KDVR ) — It’s officially fall. Temperatures are starting to cool and scenes of gold and orange are covering the high country.

There is still plenty of time to grab those hiking boots and take a walk through the changing Aspen groves. If you need a recommendation on where to go, one Colorado town was recognized nationally as one of the best spots to visit this fall.

USA Today scoured the U.S. to find the best spots to visit this fall , and 10 cities and towns were among the best.

According to an expert panel of judges and readers, USA Today named Estes Park as the fifth best place to visit this fall.

Estes Park is among the more accessible mountain towns from Denver, as it takes around an hour and a half drive on U.S. 36. Once you arrive in the town, known as the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park, USA Today says to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.

“The wildlife in Estes Park becomes more active with the arrival of cooler temperatures, and tourists can obtain an ‘I experienced the Elk Rut’ sticker if they happen to spy the local elk during mating season in September and October,” said USA Today in its ranking.

Aside from the wildlife, visitors don’t have to wander far to see glimpses of the vibrant fall colors. During this season, visitors can snap unique photos of the aspens with the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park in the background.

Estes Park offers other fall activities as well. USA Today recommends fall events like the Elk Fest, which runs from Sept. 28-29, and the Pumpkins and Pilsners Fest on Oct. 5.

While you’re perusing down Estes Park’s main street, be sure to stop at The Taffy Shop. The 89-year-old shop was recently named the “Best Candy Store” in the U.S. by USA Today.

Aside from Estes Park, these nine other towns and cities also made USA Today’s best places to visit this fall:

1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
2. Mackinac Island, Michigan
3. Allegany County, Maryland
4. Lafayette, Louisiana
5. Estes Park, Colorado
6. Saratoga County, New York
7. Loudoun County, Virginia
8. Columbus, Ohio
9. Cody, Wyoming
10. Branson, Missouri

If you are looking for a weekend getaway that doesn’t involve sitting in hours of traffic, Estes Park may be the best place you visit this fall.

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