9 day itinerary for Western United States: Colorado, Nevada, New Mexicop

Itinerary

Here's a suggested itinerary for 9 days in Western United States, covering Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico:

Day 1: Denver, Colorado

• Arrive in Denver and check into your hotel
• Visit the Denver Botanic Gardens, which features over 50 gardens and collections spread across 24 acres
• Take a stroll through City Park, which has plenty of green space and a lake
• End the day with dinner at one of Denver's family-friendly restaurants

Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

• Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is about an hour and a half from Denver
• Spend the day hiking and exploring the park's trails and scenic drives
• Don't miss the Trail Ridge Road, which offers stunning views of the park's mountains and valleys
• Return to Denver for the night

Day 3: Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Drive to Colorado Springs, which is about an hour south of Denver
• Visit Garden of the Gods, a public park with towering red rock formations and hiking trails
• Take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area
• Return to Colorado Springs for the night

Day 4: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

• Drive to Mesa Verde National Park, which is about 6 hours southwest of Colorado Springs
• Spend the day exploring the park's ancient cliff dwellings and learning about the history of the Ancestral Pueblo people
• Stay overnight in nearby Cortez, Colorado

Day 5: Four Corners Monument and Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah

• Drive to Four Corners Monument, which is about an hour and a half from Cortez
• Stand in four states at once (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico) at this unique landmark
• Continue on to Monument Valley, which is about 2 hours from Four Corners
• Take a guided tour of the valley's iconic red rock formations and learn about Navajo culture
• Stay overnight in nearby Kayenta, Arizona

Day 6: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

• Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, which is about 3 hours from Kayenta
• Spend the day hiking and exploring the park's trails and scenic overlooks
• Don't miss the sunset at Yavapai Point, which offers stunning views of the canyon
• Stay overnight in nearby Tusayan, Arizona

Day 7: Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Nevada

• Drive to Hoover Dam, which is about 4 hours from Tusayan
• Take a guided tour of the dam and learn about its history and engineering
• Visit nearby Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which offers plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking
• Stay overnight in nearby Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 8: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

• Visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is about 30 minutes from Las Vegas
• Take a scenic drive through the park and stop at the various overlooks and hiking trails
• Return to Las Vegas for some family-friendly entertainment, such as a magic show or a circus performance
• Stay overnight in Las Vegas

Day 9: Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Drive to Albuquerque, which is about 6 hours from Las Vegas
• Visit the ABQ BioPark, which includes a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden
• Take a hot air balloon ride over the city and surrounding area
• End the day with dinner at one of Albuquerque's family-friendly restaurants

I hope this itinerary gives you some ideas for your trip! Let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.