Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, is arguably at its most beautiful in the winter. Elk wander the golf courses blanketed in white. The picturesque, quaint downtown looks every bit like something you’d see inside of a snow globe. Score great deals in
There are so many adventures to be had in Estes Park! Learn the best things to do in Estes Park in winter for a fun-filled holiday.
When you visit Estes Park in the winter, you will find yourself immersed in a snow globe, unlike anything you have ever experienced.
Last week I posted about Where to Stay and Eat in Estes Park In The Winter so if you didn’t get a chance to read it be sure you do! Today I’m back to show you a little more of our trip and things to do. Estes Park may slow down in the winter but...
The temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and the first few holiday decorations are going up. Winter is on it’s way, so I’m getting in the spirit by making a winter b…
Estes Park in winter is beautiful, majestic, and has something for everyone. Here's 9 things to do in and around Estes for you and your family.
Estes Park is one of our favorite winter getaways. Here are all the things to do while visiting Estes Park in the winter with kids!
Since moving near Rocky Mountain National Park we’ve developed a huge love for hiking, and our favorite time of year is winter. Once upon a time I used to find winter hiking very intimidating, it does take more planning, but winter hiking is a true gem. The crowds thin out, the cold crisp air is...
Adventure beyond skiing.
I sat on my couch a few days ago, drinking my coffee, and reading some of my old posts about traveling. It made me miss the days when I just picked up whenever I wanted and took off. Which I did. A lot. I can't necessarily pack a small bag and take a 10 hour road trip anymore, but who's to say I can't pack up my daughter, some spare diapers, toys, sippies, and snacks and take some day trips? I was feeling antsy pantsy for an adventure, just on a smaller scale and within an hour or so from home. So... Estes Park was the place to be! The drive up the mountains, with all it's twists and turns along the Big Thompson River, is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever taken in my life. I say that very confidently. There is absolutely nothing like driving up a mountain. And of course I made a playlist: Heartless Bastards - The Mountain Semisonic - Across The Great Divide The Butthole Surfers - Pepper Jane's Addiction - Mountain Song Ozzy Osbourne - Rocky Mountain Way Led Zeppelin - Misty Mountain Hop Yonder Mountain String Band - 40 Miles From Denver John Denver - Rocky Mountain High Johnny Cash - Your Wild Colorado Townes Van Zandt - Colorado Girl Chevy Chase - Colorado There is a break in the mountain tops right as you pull into the 7,500 foot high valley of Estes Park and the view coming around the corner is enough to knock you off your feet. Our first stop was the Aerial Tramway. This was my view stepping off the bottom platform into our little red hanging bucket which was about to send me up Prospect Mountain by these 2 tiny wires. I was a bit nervous and just wanted to be at the top already. And once you got up there!... The View!!! The View!! THE VIEW!!! You could even see glimpses of the Olympus Dam If you bribed them with peanuts, the chipmunks would walk up to you and take their lunch right from your hand! This made Kalynn wild with excitement, "Chip and Dale, Mommy!! I see 'em!!" Coming back down the mountain was just as shady as going up, honestly. An experience to remember for sure. This is Kalynn's "Red Rum" finger... And speaking of red rum... Of course we had to make a stop at the historic Stanley Hotel. The Stanley was built in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley (of Stanley Steamers) and catered to all the rich and famous Hollywood personalities from way back when. But it's mainly best known for the inspiration behind the fictional Overlook Hotel in Steven King's novel The Shining. The Stanley Hotel is supposedly one of Colorado's most haunted places and has been on multiple television shows promoting it's unexplainable Ballroom phenomenas. I've never taken any of the "ghost tours" nor have I stayed there overnight, but it's on my Colorado Bucket List and I plan on it someday soon! This is the view of the waterfall and restaurant out the back window. Of course I had to sneak upstairs and get a picture of room 217! I packed a picnic lunch for us right before we left the house, so we sat on the front lawns, ate our sandwiches and enjoyed a panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains. Our yogurt was mysteriously missing from the cooler, so I'm assuming one of the ghosties must be a fan of Yoplait. When I was a kid visiting The Stanley, I remember walking off the grounds and down the dirt road a ways to see the fictional pet cemetery which was made after Steven King's novel Pet Cemetery became a movie. I was please to see that it was still there after all these years! It was a bit more run down than I remember, and it's not something most people probably know about, so it was kind of cool to sneak around the side, down the "staff only" driveway and go check it out. After our time at The Stanley, we headed downtown to the local shops and ran into a playground which sat directly on the ledge of the Big Thompson River! Clearly, you can't go to Estes without stopping at the homemade fudge shop. Our last stop before heading home was a little picnic table at the end of Elkhorn Ave perfect for eating cookies. The red rock mountains with the sunset's orange color beaming off of them was the perfect view for our ride home. Kalynn and I had such a fun day, I think we have many more mini trips to plan in our future!
There are so many adventures to be had in Estes Park! Learn the best things to do in Estes Park in winter for a fun-filled holiday.
This is Estes Park Colorado Print, Downtown Estes Park Poster, Estes Park Rocky Mountain National Park Wall Art Minimalist Custom Winter Town Print by Artica Shown color: White Rock - Kelp more minimalist posters with Estes Park Town: https://www.etsy.com/shop/byArtica/search?search_query=Estes+Park Can't find favorite city or place you want? Make custom request. COLOR OPTION Look the color variations from the palettes showing in photos slide. Chose 'other from palettes' in Color option section. And write your favorite color combination in personalized section or in note to order. Not all possible color variations and palettes are displayed in this listing. But displayed our favorite color combinations for current item. You can see all other color variation and palettes in different listing. And write any favorite color to your chose listing. If you want some special colors, just write to us. All prints are printed in the professional print studios of our production partner in North America, Europe and Australia. Each poster is museum-quality giclée-printed on archival, acid-free matte paper. Colors may differ slightly on the display and on the finished paper. Frame not included. Thank you for shopping at Artica Print Store!
Last week I posted about Where to Stay and Eat in Estes Park In The Winter so if you didn’t get a chance to read it be sure you do! Today I’m back to show you a little more of our trip and things to do. Estes Park may slow down in the winter but...
Find the best things to do in Estes Park, Colorado including Riverwalk, Estes Lake trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Stanley Hotel.
Mountaineering Weekend at the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park, allows families of all types to enjoy a weekend filled with exploration, learning and fun!
Find the best things to do in Estes Park, Colorado including Riverwalk, Estes Lake trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Stanley Hotel.
Looking for the coolest things to do in Estes Park, Colorado? Check out this list of the best things to see and do when you visit.
A complete guide to Estes Park wedding venues, elopement locations, and everything else you need to know about getting married in the scenic Colorado mountain town right east of Rocky Mountain National Park. The first time I drove up the windy roads of 36 and saw the Estes Park valley…
Are you exploring quaint mountain towns this weekend? Discover fun things to do in Estes Park Colorado from hiking to shopping to spotting wildlife.
Wandering in and out of shops with a treat in hand is a quintessential mountain town experience. And when there is a river involved? Even better. Estes Park’s Riverwalk is not-to-miss. Both Fall River and the Big Thompson River flow along the backside of Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park’s main street, and
Are you planning a trip to Estes Park, Colorado? If traveling with kids, these easy Estes Park hikes for kids are perfect to enjoy.
Are you exploring quaint mountain towns this weekend? Discover fun things to do in Estes Park Colorado from hiking to shopping to spotting wildlife.
Explore the best trails near Estes Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Traveling with a dog does require a bit of extra planning, to make sure you can find pet friendly accommodations and attractions in each destination. Nestled in the green forests of the Rocky Mountains is
The best things to do in Estes Park and must-have experiences in Rocky Mountain National Park, your basecamp for adventure in Colorado.
Estes Park is one of our most favorite spots in Colorado. It’s a great place to go in the summer to escape the heat, hike, and just relax. Estes Park is known to be a little crowded in the summers and for good reason, at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park there is...
What better way to celebrate the Halloween season than with a stay at one of Colorado's most haunted hotels?
Answers to all of your burning questions about Estes Park. No one in town fields more questions about Estes Park than the well-informed staff and volunteers at the Visitor Center at 500 Big Thompson Avenue. Want to know the best time to visit? Where to hike? When the deer turn into elk? (Spoiler
Haunted hotels, outdoor adventures, and good food: what more could you want for a weekend away? Don't miss out on these 14 things to do in Estes Park, CO.
I recently took a trip to Kelowna with two of my friends and checked out the Kelowna Mountain Bridges. Here is a review and some photos of my time there.
Weekend getaway to the YMCA of the Rockies, allows families of all types to enjoy a weekend filled with exploration, learning and fun!
Trying to find the perfect vacation rental in Estes Park? Consider Estes Park cabins on the river. These homes make for a perfect mountain getaway, within close proximity to town and Rocky Mountain National Park!
Gillian and Sean's winter wedding at Della Terra Mountain Chateau. From its breathtaking florals to vibrant dancing-this truly was one for the books!
Gem Lake is the perfect morning hike for the family or your active group of friends. This trail will lead you to stunning views and a gorgeous mountain lake just outside of Estes Park, Colorado.
Looking for the coolest things to do in Estes Park, Colorado? Check out this list of the best things to see and do when you visit.
