Dear Just Be: My wife and I want to get away Memorial Day weekend, but we want to go somewhere local that is off the beaten path.

Ah, with Memorial Day weekend just two weeks away it is a good time to start making those plans. We are lucky to live in Colorado, one of the nation’s premier travel destinations. We don’t have to travel far to see and do things that people travel half way around the world to experience. Because there is so much to do in Colorado there are some great places that you can get away to that won’t be packed with tourists.

Fairplay is a great little town to getaway to at 9,958 feet above sea level. Founded in 1867, Fairplay is approximately 85 miles west of Denver, right off the most scenic part of Highway 285. From Fairplay you can easily get to Colorado Springs, Aspen or Denver. When you drive into Fairplay you will see signs saying this is the REAL South Park. Were the creators of Comedy Central’s series South Park, who are originally from Colorado, thinking of this area when creating the successful show? I am guessing probably not.

Unlike the television series, the Real South Park and Fairplay are quiet, peaceful and incredibly picturesque. If you are looking for somewhere to go that has a night life and gourmet food, this is not the place. You will have better success finding that going over Independence Pass and into Aspen, but be prepared to be around a lot of people. Surrounding Fairplay is Pike National Forest which consists of 1,105,704-acres and has numerous developed campgrounds and many scenic areas for you to explore with wildlife viewing as a nonstop attraction. Bison herds and Antelope are abundant, and those with good eyes can often spy an occasional coyote, black bear and even mountain lion.

If you enjoy being active while taking in the scenery there are numerous activities for you to participate in such as horseback riding, snowmobiling, and mountain biking. Several tour companies in the area can take you out to see the sights. If you are a fisherman or woman, you have come to the right spot – Fairplay/South Park is considered the Trout Fishing Capital of Colorado.

Before or after spending the day enjoying the scenic surroundings, be sure to dine in one of the great eating establishments that make up Fairplay. In the mornings pick up some pastries and coffee at Beary Beary Tastee Bakery, the highest elevation bakery in the Continental United States and Canada. For lunch, dine at The Brown Burro Café, one of my favorites. They serve up large portions that will keep you going all day. I might be a little biased in this being one of my favorites because my great grandmother grew up on the property and in one of the buildings that makes up the restaurant.

In addition to a selection of places to eat there are a number of places to sleep. You can choose to do everything from roughing it in the outdoors to staying at a Dude Ranch like American Safari Ranch.

Fairplay is one of Colorado’s best kept secrets – a great weekend getaway. Right off the highway, but a place not many people think of visiting. Be one of the first; enjoy the history of Colorado and what it has to offer without being surrounded by hoards of tourists.