With the 4th of July quickly approaching sometimes it is hard not to think about the typical all American-activities like bbq, watching fireworks, going to parades, and entertaining by the pool. After living on the East Coast and in Colorado I feel like I have done everything I can possibly think of for the Fourth- from escaping to the beach to attending what seems like a decade of ordinary Fourth of July gatherings full of food, drink, and everything red, white, and blue.

But no matter if you want to stay close to home in Denver or venture to a new destination in Colorado, here are few alternative ideas for the day and night that would add a spark to anyone’s Fourth of July weekend this year! (And some of them are free!)

Be outdoorsy! Being a Colorado resident does not necessarily mean that you frequent the mountains. So this Fourth of July weekend, experienced camper or not- go camping! Traveling to sites like Clear Creek County, El Dorado Canyon State Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park are all great excuses to get away from novelty parties in the city.

If you are not in the mood for camping, but still want to get a way from the city try heading up to any popular winter ski destination, which have summer activities that are just as fun as their winter ones! Stop by Vail to get your sports fix and watch elite college men and women duke it out in the 2010 annual Vail Lacrosse Shootout. If you have time for a longer trek, you can head over to Aspen for an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration including a free evening concert, or drive up to Steamboat for their Fourth of July Cowboys’ Round-Up Days and enjoy a taste of the wild west with their pro rodeo and cattle drive. Even Estes Park has great activities for this popular holiday weekend including a Classic Car show and Arabian horse show.

Although Red Rocks is a popular summer hot spot, what would be a better night than the Fourth of July to enjoy this venue? Even though the ticket may cost more than what you would usually pay for some 4th festivities, tailgating and being able to see nearly every fire works show in Denver thanks to Red Rock’s outrageous views will definitely be worth it! This year the Blue’s Traveler’s with Rebelution are set to play.

And even if you want to stay close to home this year for the Fourth, you can still avoid the masses of red, white, and blue and check out events in and around Denver. To kick off the weekend journey to the Denver Zoo, where they will be hosting a “zoo-li-cious” ice cream social for zoo members and their guests. At this event you can walk around the zoo, ice cream in hand, while learning more about global conservation efforts in effect for each animal. But if free ice cream and animals just aren’t your thing than head over to the Creek Arts Festival. This, being one of my favorite events for the summer, showcases visual, culinary and performing arts of local artists in the streets of Cherry Creek North.

But just in case you still want to stick to something inherently American, there are fireworks throughout Denver and surrounding areas that will take place all the way through the Holiday Weekend. Happy Independence Day Colorado!