Colorado Weekend Getaway: Red Rocks and Beyond
One bucket-list concert, breathtaking scenery, and a few days away from it all.
Sometimes you don't need a two-week vacation. You just need a few days somewhere different.
In August 2025, Gina and I headed to Colorado for a long weekend. We'd had a difficult year, and we wanted a chance to get away from work, responsibilities, and the usual routine. No projects waiting for us. No elaborate itinerary. Just some time together.
The main attraction was Red Rocks Amphitheatre. We'd wanted to experience a concert at this remarkable outdoor venue for years, and when we found that the Beach Boys were performing on a date that worked for us, we decided to make the trip.
We splurged on fourth-row center seats, but kept the rest of the arrangements simple. Economy flights, an inexpensive rental car, and an ordinary chain hotel. We weren't looking for luxury everywhere. We wanted a memorable concert experience.
And Colorado had plenty more to offer.
We explored the area around Denver, visited Buffalo Bill's grave and museum on Lookout Mountain, and took a scenic drive toward Breckenridge. Along the way, we enjoyed mountain views, wildlife, and some of the scenery that makes Colorado such a beautiful place to visit.
The concert itself brought a few unexpected surprises, including a personal connection that made the evening especially memorable.
It was exactly the kind of getaway we'd needed: a little adventure, some time together, and memories that stayed with us long after we returned home.
We flew to Colorado for a bucket-list Beach Boys concert at one of America's most spectacular outdoor venues. With fourth-row center seats, a live orchestra, and towering sandstone formations surrounding the stage, it was an evening we'll never forget. Here's what made Red Rocks worth the trip.
The concert brought us to Colorado, but we weren't going to spend the entire weekend at the hotel. We explored Breckenridge, visited Buffalo Bill's grave on Lookout Mountain, and watched bison grazing just outside Denver. Throw in a disappointing $50 meal and an unexpected Doritos jackpot, and we had plenty of stories to bring home.