5 Days

Time Travelers in Colorado’s Canyons & Plains

Get ready to take the kiddos' learning to new heights with Colo-Road Trips Educational Itineraries, trips crafted with plenty of hands-on learning, educational adventures and, of course, stops for ice cream. Each was designed with kids from kindergarten to 5th grade in mind, but the activities, outings and accommodations will be enjoyed by children of all ages — yes, that’s you Mom and Dad. Supplement your trip with trivia, educational videos and games — or just hop in the car and go!
 
During this trip to the Canyons and Plains region, kids will travel back in time and discover the region's diverse history. While the trip centers on the history of the Santa Fe Trail, it also includes other intriguing subjects like Native Americans, frontiersmen, adventurers and the earliest inhabitants — the dinosaurs! 
 
Grab Your Supplies

What You Need

While all that is truly needed is your kid's sense of adventure, a notebook, a writing utensil and plenty of colored pencils will come in handy.

Day 1

activity

Colorado Welcome Center at Trinidad

Please call for current hours.

A knowledgeable staff and volunteers provide destination information, routing suggestions, road conditions, weather…

Educational Activity

All the Places You Will Go!

While at the Trinidad Welcome Center, explore the path you will take during your road trip. Get activity.

Extra Credit

Do You Have a Future Cartographer On Your Hands?

Spend some more time at the Trinidad Welcome Center exploring the maps and orient yourself for the trip. Get extra credit activity.

 

lunch

Las Animas Grill

Bringing Trinidad a freshly made menu, craft beers and cocktails with excellent customer service!

activity

Trinidad History Museum

Trinidad History Museum features the historic Bloom Mansion and Baca House, two residences built in the late 19th century, as well as heritage gardens…

Educational Activity

Channel Your Inner Detective!

Explore Trinidad’s past and its deep-rooted history in the old American West with a trip to the Trinidad History Museum. Get activity.

Insider's Tip

Cool Down

On a hot day, nothing is better than an old-fashioned ice-cream cone from Tutti Scoops, with 16 rotating flavors, malts, shakes and other frozen delights.

dinner

Trinidad Smokehouse

Signature barbecue favorites with delish sides Southwest tacos and fried pickles We also offer great steaks and limited sea food selection. With two…

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activity

Corazon Gallery

lodging

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Trinidad

Take advantage of our pet-friendly hotel's many modern amenities, free hotel features, friendly service, and convenient location near the city's downtown…

Day 2

breakfast

Bob & Earl's Cafe

Providing great food since 1993. Here you can leave the mood of the Interstate behind, and pick up the quieter rhythm of a historic two-lane road on…

activity

A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art

The museum features the paintings, illustrations, and sketches of Arthur Roy Mitchell, known as "King of the Pulp Magazine Covers". The collection includes…

Educational Activity

Ever Wanted to Be an Art Critic?

Here’s your chance. At the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, find questions to ask, details to notice and different ways to think about artwork. Get activity.

lunch

Tees Me Treat Me

Restaurant serving delicious meals, wine and beer. We also sell T-shirts and souvenirs and have an awesome courtyard that is open during the summer…

Trivia

How Much Do You Remember?

As you head out for lunch, review your trip to Trinidad with five trivia questions. Get trivia.

Insider's Tip

Hop on the Road

Head northeast on Hwy. 350 toward La Junta to embark on the next learning adventure.

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activity

U.S. Forest Service, Comanche National Grassland

Comanche National Grassland located in Southeast Colorado

Educational Activity

Discover the Comanche National Grassland.

This National Historic Trail site has wagon ruts, trail markers and exhibits that detail life along the Santa Fe Trail. Get activity.

Extra Credit

Become an Ecosystem Explorer.

 Learn about the ecosystems and wildlife found in Comanche National Grassland. Get extra credit activity.

dinner

Mexico City Cafe

Mexico City Cafe originated over 15 years ago. It was started by Mona Munoz Chaparro. It has grown steadily from it's inception. We now offer an outdoor…

activity

Tarantula Migration

Autumn evenings in La Junta come alive in the most unusual way. It's tarantula migration season! Head toward Comanche National Grassland to spot these…

lodging

Holiday Inn Express La Junta

Our Holiday Inn Express hotel is located on US Highway 50, just minutes from downtown and close to area attractions.

Day 3

breakfast

Christine’s, Rocky Ford

Christine’s is housed in a former church, with plenty of outdoor seating and space for the tykes to roam. This dining gem has all the classics, but…

Insider's Tip

Support Local Farmers

Stop by roadside produce stands like Knapp's Farm Market, located off of Hwy. 50, to support local farmers. Make sure to get some famous Rocky Ford melons — the perfect sweet snack for epic road trips.

activity

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Reconstructed fort temporarily closed to address building safety. Park grounds & trails remain open.

A reconstructed trading post where…

Educational Activity

Imagine You're a Trader on the Santa Fe Trail.

Find a living historian at the Bent's Old Fort and learn more about the way each group lived back in the day. Get activity.

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lunch

Lucy's Tacos

Dishing up fresh tortillas and even fresher ingredients from downtown La Junta.

Trivia

How Much Do You Remember?

Reflect on your trip to Bent’s Old Fort with five trivia questions. Get trivia.

activity

Become a Dino Tracker: Dinosaur Tracks at Picketwire Canyon

Located in the Comanche National Grassland, just south of La Junta, these primitive canyons are home to North America's largest dinosaur tracksite.…

Educational Activity

Ready For an Off-Road Adventure?

Become a dino-tracker during a guided tour of Picketwire Canyon to view dinosaur tracks and rock art. Get activity.

dinner

The Railyard

You might come to The Railyard for well-crafted cocktails, great beer, fresh food, or the mellow atmosphere. No matter what, you’re in the right place…

activity

SoCo FroYo

Self-serve frozen yogurt store with a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings.

lodging

Hampton Inn La Junta

Stay at the Hampton Inn La Junta hotel located off Highway 50 and accessible to a variety of popular cultural attractions. Spend a day on the water…

Day 4

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breakfast

Copper Kitchen

Biscuits and gravy, huevos rancheros and other breakfast and lunch delights. Friendly waitstaff and locally owned.

activity

John W. Rawlings Heritage Center and Museum

Exhibits include early 1900's storefronts of a post office, barber shop, jewelry store, candy shop, and the Bent County Bank, Kit Carson, Festus, and…

Educational Activity

Whoever Guesses Right Wins!

Get ready to play “I Spy” at the John Rawlings Heritage Center. Get activity.

lunch

Carmen's

An authentic Mexican Restaurant serving up an ocean of flavor on its menu and outdoor seating.

activity

Boggsville Historic Site

Come visit this restored mid-19th-century settlement.

Educational Activity

Learn About Thomas O. Boggs.

Learn how Boggsville became the center of commerce and agriculture for the region after the decline of the fur trade. Get activity.

dinner

BJ’s Burgers, Lamar

Youngins and the young-at-heart will enjoy the nostalgia of ordering from a phone at the table. Be sure to order a classic shake!

Insider's Tip

Sweet Cravings

Only the Lamar locals know that the Wash Spott Car Wash has an excellent old-timey soda fountain ice-cream shop tucked inside. It’s worth a visit whether you're getting a car wash or not.

activity

John Martin Reservoir State Park

A sportsman's paradise, the park offers fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, bike riding and boating. Features 109 electrical campsites and 104 non-electric…

lodging

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lamar

With charm, convenience and cleanliness to boot the Holiday Inn Express Lamar is an ideal vacation spot.

Day 5

breakfast

Brew Unto Others

Whether it's a cup of coffee, a fresh homemade treat or some wholesome food, we strive to provide quality products and an environment where you can…

activity

World War II Comes to the Canyons and Plains Region: Granada Relocation Center

This National Historic Landmark is home to the Amache Museum and several interpretive kiosks, which help to tell the story of the site and the people…

Educational Activity

Tour Camp Amache.

Explore the history of the Granada Relocation Center, one of 10 internment camps during World War II. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, more than 7,300 Japanese Americans lived at this camp from 1942–1945. Get activity.

Insider's Tip

Go Birding

If you have a little extra time, the Willow Creek Nature Trail is a short hiking path with some great bird spotting in the town of Lamar.

lunch

La Mission Villanueva

La Mission Villanueva brings you 40+ years of Mexican food traditions, starting with the current owner's mother's recipes.

activity

Colorado Welcome Center at Lamar

Please call for current hours.

Located in the heart of downtown Lamar in the Historic Lamar Railroad Depot, which still services daily Amtrak…

Insider's Tip

Only One Stop Left

Head back toward Lamar on Hwy. 50 as your trip through Canyons & Plains winds down.

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dinner

Los Hermanos Restaurant

Mexican classics like tacos, enchiladas and plates full of Colorado green chili.

activity

Big Timbers Museum

Building erected 1929-American Telephone & Telegraph Co housed repeater equipt for Den-Kans City long distance lines. WWI Poster Collection,10-star…

Educational Activity

Go Treasure Hunting at the Big Timbers Museum.

Put your detective skills to the test with a museum scavenger hunt. Draw or write what you saw. Get activity.

Extra Credit

How’s Your Memory?

Test it out by creating a mental map of your adventure. Get extra credit activity.

Insider's Tip

Check Out this Eccentric Stop

Down the street lies a quirky roadside attraction we’re sure your kids will get a kick out of — the world’s only petrified wood gas station, made out of 175 million-year-old wood. (See this article for more info.)

lodging

Days Inn by Wyndham, Lamar

You will find that the west is the best at Days Inn Lamar hotel off Highways 50 and 287 near John Martin Reservoir State Park. Get a deep sleep on a…

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