From the “Mile High” energy of Aurora/Denver to the world’s longest known cave system in Kentucky, this 7-day itinerary blends mountain panoramas with underground marvels. You’ll sample Front Range classics—Rocky Mountain National Park, Red Rocks, and Pikes Peak—then trade alpine air for the cool hush of Mammoth Cave, the Green River, and Kentucky’s small-town hospitality.

Denver was born in the 1859 gold rush, and its modern rhythm lives in Union Station, RiNo’s street art, and a deep farm-to-table scene. Mammoth Cave has drawn explorers since the 19th century; today its Historic Tour and Frozen Niagara reveal limestone cathedrals sculpted over millions of years. Both regions are ideal for hikers and history lovers alike.

Practical tips: Colorado’s elevation (5,280 feet and higher) can affect hydration and stamina—drink water and ease in on Day 1. Summer and fall often require timed-entry reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park; Mammoth Cave tours frequently sell out—reserve early. For speed and comfort, fly Denver to Louisville or Nashville, then rent a car for the cave country base.

Denver (Aurora & the Front Range)

Base yourself near downtown Denver or Cherry Creek for easy access to LoDo, RiNo, Red Rocks, and day trips to the high country. Aurora’s international dining and large parks make great pre- or post-flight waypoints; Denver delivers the museums, iconic Union Station, and a thriving craft-beer and cocktail scene.

• Top sights: Union Station’s Great Hall, RiNo murals, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, City Park Museum District, and day trips to Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Springs.
• Fun fact: Red Rocks’ sandstone monoliths are 300 million years old—your concert seat is older than the dinosaurs.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Denver or hotels via Hotels.com Denver. Neighborhoods to target: LoDo for walkability, RiNo for nightlife, or Cherry Creek for shopping and calmer evenings.

Getting there: Compare fares to Denver on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. A rental car helps for mountain day trips; rideshares and light rail cover city transfers.

Eating & drinking highlights: Coffee at Little Owl Coffee (Third-Wave picks), breakfast at Denver Biscuit Co. (mile-wide biscuit sandwiches), dinner at Tavernetta (northern Italian near Union Station), Hop Alley (spicy, wok-fired Chinese in RiNo), or El Five (pan-Med tapas with sunset skyline views). For cocktails, try Williams & Graham (speakeasy) or Death & Co. in The Ramble.

Day 1: Arrive in Denver, settle in, and taste the city

Afternoon: Land at DEN and check in. Stretch your legs with a LoDo and Union Station stroll—the Beaux-Arts Great Hall sets the tone. If you’d rather let your taste buds lead the tour, book the Downtown Denver Food Tour (3 hours) to sample several award-winning local spots in one go.

Evening: Dine at Tavernetta for silky pastas and wood-fired branzino or head to Hop Alley for bold mapo tofu and cumin lamb. Cap the night with views and a negroni at El Five, or slip into Williams & Graham for a nightcap amid book-lined walls.

Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park—alpine lakes and wildlife

Morning: Coffee and a rosemary latte at Little Owl, then grab a bagel sandwich at Rosenberg’s. Join the Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer Tour from Denver to maximize time at overlooks, meadows, and short trail stops with a guide’s wildlife-spotting eye.

Afternoon: Lunch in Estes Park at Bird & Jim (local game and trout) or Scratch Deli (hefty sandwiches). If Trail Ridge Road is closed (typically late Oct–late May), the guide pivots to lower-elevation gems—still spectacular for elk viewing. Alternative for a shorter day: Red Rocks & Beyond (4 hours) to explore the foothills, Evergreen, and Echo Lake.

Evening: Back in Denver, grab wood-fired pies and oysters at Cart-Driver (RiNo) or savor gelato and amari at nearby dessert bars. For classic ice cream, Little Man’s giant milk can beckons in LoHi.

Day 3: Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak

Morning: Fuel up at Denver Biscuit Co. (try the “Franklin” with fried chicken and sausage gravy). Head south on a guided small-group day trip: Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver. You’ll wander among soaring red fins, then ascend America’s Mountain for views that roll to Kansas.

Afternoon: Lunch in Manitou Springs—Adam’s Mountain Café (vegetable-forward), The Loop (green-chile smothered enchiladas), or Manitou Brewing (elk burgers). Return to Denver with a possible detour to the Red Rocks overlook if the sky is cooperating.

Evening: Celebrate your last Front Range night with a modern Israeli spread at Safta (house-made pita, lamb kebabs) or seasonal plates at Mercantile in Union Station. If you crave one more guided overview, the Best of Denver Bus Tour is a relaxed way to connect dots.

Bowling Green (Gateway to Mammoth Cave National Park)

Bowling Green, Kentucky, is your ideal home base for Mammoth Cave. It mixes college-town energy (WKU), the National Corvette Museum’s automotive heritage, and easy 35–40 minute access to the park’s cave tours, rivers, and trails. Downtown’s handsome square hides strong coffee, chef-driven kitchens, and casual taverns.

• Top sights: Mammoth Cave tours (Historic, Frozen Niagara, Wild Cave), Green River hiking and paddling, Lost River Cave boat tour, National Corvette Museum, and day trips to Bardstown’s bourbon country.
• Fun fact: Mammoth Cave’s mapped passages exceed 420 miles—and counting; new connections are still being surveyed by volunteer cavers.

Stay: Search cabins, cottages, and homes on VRBO Bowling Green, or compare hotels on Hotels.com Bowling Green. Prefer to be closer to the park? Look for options in Cave City or Park City.

Getting from Denver: Fly DEN → Louisville (SDF) or Nashville (BNA). Nonstop or 1-stop flights typically take ~2.5–4 hours; one-way fares often range ~$120–$280 per person depending on season. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Rent a car; it’s ~1h20m from SDF or ~1h15m from BNA to Bowling Green.

Eating & drinking highlights: Coffee at Spencer’s Coffee (downtown stalwart), breakfast at Lisa’s 5th Street Diner (classic diner plates), dinners at Hickory & Oak (steaks, whiskey list), The Bistro (seasonal American in a historic building), or Novo Dolce (house-made gelato and Italian comforts). For a pint, try Gasper Brewing Co. near the riverfront.

Day 4: Fly east, Corvette heritage, and Bowling Green bites

Morning: Depart Denver for Louisville or Nashville on your chosen carrier—check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car and drive to Bowling Green; check in via VRBO or Hotels.com.

Afternoon: Explore the National Corvette Museum—engineering exhibits, racing history, and the famous sinkhole story that captivated gearheads. If you prefer an outdoor soft launch, walk the trails at Lost River Cave and hop the easy underground boat tour (weather permitting).

Evening: Dinner at Hickory & Oak (chef-led steaks, seafood, and a deep bourbon library). Then sample local taps at Gasper Brewing Co. or settle into Gerard’s 1907 Tavern for pub fare and a Kentucky mule.

Day 5: Mammoth Cave—choose your adventure underground

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Spencer’s or a hearty plate at Lisa’s 5th Street Diner. Drive ~35–40 minutes to Mammoth Cave National Park. Pick up reserved tickets for a cave tour—Historic Tour (moderate stairs, sweeping chambers), Frozen Niagara (short and spellbinding formations), or for the fit and curious, the Wild Cave Tour (true spelunking with crawling and tight passages). Reserve in advance—tours often sell out.

Afternoon: Picnic near the Green River ferry, then hike the Green River Bluffs Trail (views above river bends) or Cedar Sink (a photogenic karst collapse with seasonal wildflowers). Paddlers can rent kayaks or canoes from local outfitters on the Green River for a mellow float among limestone bluffs.

Evening: If you’re still in the park at dusk, step outside the visitor area to stargaze—the region is pleasantly dark. Back in Bowling Green, dine at Novo Dolce (lasagna, arancini, and gelato) or The Bistro (braised short ribs, shrimp and grits). Ice cream nightcap at Chaney’s Dairy Barn if you swing by on the way into town.

Day 6: Kentucky day—bourbon or bluegrass outdoors

Morning: Option A (Bourbon): Drive ~1h30 to Bardstown, “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Book a tour and tasting at Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon Company (innovative finishes), or Willett (pot still icon). Designate a driver. Lunch at Old Talbott Tavern (since the 1700s) or BBC’s Kitchen & Bar.

Afternoon: Return via rolling horse country. Option B (Outdoors): Stay local—kayak at Nolin Lake State Park, walk the Sand Cave boardwalk (a quick, family-friendly leg-stretcher), or tackle another cave tour. Late lunch at Home Cafe & Marketplace back in Bowling Green for artisan pizzas and big salads.

Evening: Casual dinner at Gerard’s 1907 Tavern (hot brown sliders, bourbon-glazed salmon). If you like live music, check what’s on at Tidball’s, the local stage that helped launch Bowling Green’s rock scene. Toast the trip with a final pour of Kentucky’s finest.

Day 7: One last wonder, then home

Morning: Fit in a short, low-effort Frozen Niagara cave tour if you didn’t do it on Day 5, or opt for Lost River Cave’s boat ride. Brunch coffee at Spencer’s or grab a waffle and latte at Just Love Coffee Café (if open on your day).

Afternoon: Drive back to Louisville (SDF) or Nashville (BNA) for your flight home—compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re extending, Louisville’s NuLu dining and Muhammad Ali Center or Nashville’s honky-tonks await.

Getting between cities and timing notes

• Travel day (Day 4): Morning flight Denver → SDF/BNA (~2.5–4 hours), rental car pickup, and 1h15–1h20 drive to Bowling Green. If you prefer to drive the whole way, plan ~16–17 hours spread over 2 days (I-70/I-64/I-65), with Kansas City or St. Louis as logical overnights.
• Seasonality: Trail Ridge Road in RMNP is typically open late May–Oct. Mammoth Cave tours run year-round but vary by season—book early for summer and holiday periods.
• Altitude and fitness: Spend Day 1 acclimating in Denver; hydrate and pace hikes accordingly. Wild Cave Tour is strenuous—choose Historic or Frozen Niagara for an easier option.

Optional Colorado add-ons (if you swap or extend)

• Rocky Mountain National Park Tour from Denver for a guided nature-focused day.

  

• Pikes Peak COG Railway & Garden of the Gods Tour if you’d like to summit by train.

  

Summary: In one week, you’ll crest Colorado’s iconic peaks, wander RiNo’s murals, and stand under Kentucky’s cathedral-like caverns—two American landscapes that couldn’t look more different yet pair perfectly. From alpine air to subterranean stillness, this itinerary delivers signature sights, smart logistics, and plenty of memorable meals along the way.