An anonymous traveler once remarked that the American outdoors is so beautiful, it must have “won the geographical lottery.” This statement is more true than most of us realize: from the mountains to the prairies, from the deserts to the inland lakes that border our neighbors to the north, the United States boasts a startling array of vacation destinations. Looking for mountain views and a small town atmosphere? You might want to consider taking your next vacation in Buena Vista, Colorado.
Buena Vista, CO is situated in the center of the state and boasts a population of fewer than 5,000 yearlong residents. People who have traveled up and down the east coast in search of Civil War historical museums and battle sites may be interested to learn that Colorado has historical towns with a surprising amount of Wild West history. Any sightseeing adventure might begin in St. Elmo, an historical “ghost town” from the Gold Rush era.
The town of Buena Vista CO is located almost 8,000 feet above sea level, and is located within easy driving distance of more than 10 “14ers,” or mountain peaks that are more than 14,000 feet tall. Thinking of making a tour of east coast colleges? You might want to start by climbing Mount Yale, Mount Harvard, and Mount Princeton close to Buena Vista CO. There are also more than 1 million acres of national forest close by, and a trail that extends for more than 100 miles.
Looking for places to stay? There are mountain resorts that do feature periodic room discounts, and things to do in Buena Vista CO can be as simple as taking a quiet walk around town or visiting nearby natural odorless hot springs. Spending time contemplating the natural beauty of Colorado and taking time to make friends in town could be the best way to de-stress from work and to increase your productivity when you return.
Surprisingly, Americans do not always take all of their vacation days: only about 25% of all full-time, salaried workers take their entire vacations. As reports of work overload and job burnout continue to increase, experts do recommend that people take the time to plan vacations. If week-long vacations are a little bit inconvenient — who will feed the cat? — places like Buena Vista CO can accommodate travelers who want to take an extended weekend or overnight adventure.
So much relaxation can come from finding your place in nature, and Buena Vista actually means “Beautiful View.” Whitewater rafting, hiking, snowmobiling, and a wide range of other activities may draw traveler to central Colorado, but small town atmosphere and friendly locals may draw them back year after year.
