exploring estes park, colorado
Estes Park, Colorado, is definitely one of my top three favorite places to visit! I loved it so much that I often daydream about owning a home there someday. While planning our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, numerous people recommended that we stay in Estes Park. I had no idea about the incredible activities available there until I started digging into my research! There's an abundance of things to do in Estes, and I hope my blog will inspire you to enjoy it just as much as we did!
We started our vacation by flying into denver and we laughed planning this trip that we have had layovers in denver a few times, but never had explored colorado. it isn’t too bad of a drive from denver to estes (about 1.5 hours). when i did my research i realized half way to estes park is boulder, and I have always wanted to see it so i planned for us to stop there and explore some before heading to estes.
we were starving when we got to boulder, and stopped for breakfast at a place on my list of restaurants to try called The Buff. The service was exceptional, and they served a delicious chai latte, which is always a big win for me since it's my favorite breakfast beverage! after breakfast we headed to pearl street mall in boulder which has a lot of really great shopping!
my top pick for shops in boulder colorado:
Peppercorn- Charming store offering kitchen supplies. They have a distinctive selection of fantastic products, including kitchen gadgets and gourmet, imported foods. This independent business is nestled in the lovely Boulder community.
Weekends- A boutique clothing store for both men and women, offering a selection of apparel, footwear, jewelry, and home goods.
Where The Buffalo Roam- Fun & eclectic souvenier shop with a variety of clothing & gifts.
As we drove into Estes Park, we were welcomed by breathtaking mountains and elk wandering near the cabins where we were staying. I can honestly say that I fell in love with Estes at first sight! Once we settled into the Airbnb cabin, we set out to explore the Stanley Hotel.
The Stanley Hotel is known for being the inspiration behind Stephen King’s novel “The Shining.” Its rich history dates back to the early 1900s when Yankee inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley built the hotel to alleviate his chronic tuberculosis.
Known for its creepy ghost tours, we decided to book one for the following evening. We chose the Stanley Hotel night tour, which lasts an hour and features a guide who leads you through various areas of the hotel, sharing its history and recounting ghost sightings. There are several different types of ghost tours available, and the hotel also boasts excellent restaurants and a must-visit chocolate shop!
The Stanley Hotel
One of our favorite excursions in Estes was the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. This tram operates in the European cable car style, meaning the cabins travel between the top and bottom stations on a single span of cables. I must admit I felt a little nervous before the ride, but it turned out to be incredibly smooth and not scary at all once we began moving, gliding above the stunning spruce trees!
The tram takes you to Prospect Mountain, which stands at 8,619 feet and offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. Our highlight was the most adorable chipmunks eagerly waiting for a snack (they have food you can buy for them in the gift shop). There's also a charming little café called the Hungry Chipmunk Café, where you can enjoy light bites and drinks while taking in the beautiful scenery!
estes park tramway
Most of our trips to national parks have featured white water rafting. Our family fell in love with this thrilling activity years ago during our visit to Wyoming, and we've made it a tradition to go once a year. we booked a rafting adventure while staying in Estes. After some research, I chose Wanderlust Adventure Rafting. It's just a short drive to LaPorte, Colorado, to reach them. The rafting experience involves Class 3 rapids, which provided just the right level of excitement for us as we navigated the Poudre River, surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountains. We had the best time rafting there, and the staff was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable. They also have a charming gift shop to explore once you're done with your adventure. the water can be really cold (it was in the 40’s in June), make sure to grab one of their wetsuits. I would also suggest bringing warm clothes to change into afterward...we were freezing at the end lol!
our final excursion in estes park was a half day aTV adventure with backbone adventures! my husband loves ATV’s and it was father’s day when we were staying so i set up for a fun day ATV’ing for father’s day. we rented a 4 seater and went on the johnny park trail (It’s about a 30 min drive from the backbone adventures store). this was a great trail because it had a mix of easy and hard terrain. there are great spots to pull over and look out at the mountains, and there are a lot of animal sightings (unfortunately we didn’t see any because we went mid day when they are not out). we spent about 4 hours out there and had an absolute blast!
what to bring for atv adventure:
Closed toe shoes
sunscreen
snacks/water
toilet paper-there are no facilities
On our final day in Estes, we enjoyed strolling through the downtown area, exploring shops and dining. The downtown is charming, offering a wide variety of shopping and delicious food options. The primary streets to wander are Elkhorn Avenue and Moraine Avenue. The ambiance as you walk is truly enchanting, enhanced by the stunning mountain views.
my top 3 restaurants picks in estes park:
Bird & Jim- Eclectic & cool atmosphere with a menu that changes with the seasons focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients
The egg of estes- Really yummy breakfast and lunch nestled in the heart of estes
scratch- Deli with unreal made from scratch Sandwiches. Fantastic Desserts!
My top 3 picks for shops in estes park:
Trendz at the park- Charming boutique featuring one of a kind gifts & Souvenirs
the christmas shoppe- adorable christmas store with a great selection of holiday decorations
estes park mountain shop- great store that provides everything that you need for adventures in estes park & rocky mountain national park
Our trip to estes Park was filled with excitement and adventure! Among my favorite moments was our aTV adventure. I hope my tips for visiting estes park, colorado help you in your planning!
for those curious about our estes park trip, including our accommodations, check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
Happy Travels!
Mandy
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