Reporting by Nate Trela, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Five Colorado destinations—two mountain resorts, two Colorado Springs attractions, and a hidden-gem restaurant in Denver—stand among the top 1% of spots to visit, stay in or dine at in the U.S., according to rankings from Tripadvisor.
The National Museum of World War II Aviation (No. 6) and Garden of the Gods (No. 11) ranked among the best tourist attractions in the U.S. in the Travelers’ Choice Awards, joined by The Fire Restaurant & Lounge in Denver (No. 17 among “hidden gem” restaurants) on the recently announced awards.
Earlier this year, Limelight Aspen rated No. 15 while Sonnenalp Vail ranked No. 17 in the country on its list of the Best of the Best hotels in the U.S.
Less than 1% of the 8 million listings on Tripadvisor receive enough glowing reviews to get a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best designation, with even fewer making the site’s top 25 lists.
Here are the Colorado destinations that made that renowned list
National Museum of World War II Aviation
The National Museum of World War II Aviation moved up from No. 8 in 2025, standing out with its collection of more than two dozen restored airplanes and exhibits to educate about the importance of the aircraft in winning World War II. Guests can tour on their own or take a guided tour, and kids love the activities. It is in the middle of a multi-phase, multi-million dollar expansion.
Garden of the Gods
The stunning rock formations making up Garden of the Gods offer stunning views and photo opportunities and can be experienced for free. It boasts 21 miles of trails to offer you new hikes, visit after visit, including the wheelchair-accessible Perkins Central Garden Trail.
The Fire Restaurant & Lounge
From dramatic views to expertly grilled dishes, Tripadvisor users rank The Fire among the top restaurants in Denver. Patrons say they love taking in the sights from the terrace, with reservations at sunset highly sought.
Limelight Aspen
Limelight sits in downtown Aspen, with what Tripadvisor says is “easy access to the slopes, local shops, and galleries.” Reviews praise the modern rooms, comfortable lounge and refreshing pool.
Sonnenalp Vail
Sonnenalp sits in the heart of Vail Village, with classic suites that include private balconies with beautiful views. Amenities include heated indoor and outdoor pools, steam room and sauna.
Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network, with an emphasis on consumer finance, legal issues and state laws.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan.
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