Debbie's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Stop #1: The Estes Park Visitors Center, open year-round at 500 Big Thompson Avenue, offers information about dining and activities plus local ambassadors and friendly staff happy to answer all your questions. During the summer you can catch free shuttles to get around town and RMNP.
There is also a free parking ramp with some good viewing areas. We have never used it for a car ;) It is an easy <.5 mile walk. Pick up the Estes Park News (a free weekly events and news paper that comes out each Friday), cruise the racks of info for anything that sounds interesting, relax in the comfy couches, read the bulletin board, etc. After that stop, we begin the transition into Estes Park living, soaking in the beauty of the mountains, village, rivers, wildlife, and lake.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estes Park Visitor Center
500 Big Thompson AveStop #1: The Estes Park Visitors Center, open year-round at 500 Big Thompson Avenue, offers information about dining and activities plus local ambassadors and friendly staff happy to answer all your questions. During the summer you can catch free shuttles to get around town and RMNP.
There is also a free parking ramp with some good viewing areas. We have never used it for a car ;) It is an easy <.5 mile walk. Pick up the Estes Park News (a free weekly events and news paper that comes out each Friday), cruise the racks of info for anything that sounds interesting, relax in the comfy couches, read the bulletin board, etc. After that stop, we begin the transition into Estes Park living, soaking in the beauty of the mountains, village, rivers, wildlife, and lake.
This well done and extremely interesting museum is free, 1 block away, and just the right size for 1 hour visits. They also might be hosting a special talk or exhibit while you are here. We have always enjoyed those. It is family friendly and has a gift shop.
My favorite section is the one about the women who settled out here and the dam project display is a close second. The Vacation House and others in the reclamation district were built for the engineers during the dam project so its part of the history of our house.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estes Park Museum
200 4th StThis well done and extremely interesting museum is free, 1 block away, and just the right size for 1 hour visits. They also might be hosting a special talk or exhibit while you are here. We have always enjoyed those. It is family friendly and has a gift shop.
My favorite section is the one about the women who settled out here and the dam project display is a close second. The Vacation House and others in the reclamation district were built for the engineers during the dam project so its part of the history of our house.
Call and book a tour. It is a long one but worth every penny.
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Stanley Hotel
333 E Wonderview AveCall and book a tour. It is a long one but worth every penny.
Not all things fun and Estes Park need to be outdoors. Kids and adults will enjoy a dip in the leisure pool, a cruise along the lazy river, a soak in the soothing hot tub, or a spin down the waterslide. Adults can also work out, play golf on the simulator, get in a few games of pickleball, or take a fitness class. Day passes are available.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estes Valley Community Center
660 Community DrNot all things fun and Estes Park need to be outdoors. Kids and adults will enjoy a dip in the leisure pool, a cruise along the lazy river, a soak in the soothing hot tub, or a spin down the waterslide. Adults can also work out, play golf on the simulator, get in a few games of pickleball, or take a fitness class. Day passes are available.
Food scene
Dennis and I always eat breakfast here before heading back to the midwest and we usually get the same thing: a baked oatmeal dish that is topped with yogurt and blended strawberries. Delicious! But, we hear they have other great food, too :)
68 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
1675 Colorado 66Dennis and I always eat breakfast here before heading back to the midwest and we usually get the same thing: a baked oatmeal dish that is topped with yogurt and blended strawberries. Delicious! But, we hear they have other great food, too :)
A great local coffee shop. My personal favorite is the kind shake. Casual seating inside and out. Wifi hookup. On the Riverwalk.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kind Coffee
470 E Elkhorn AveA great local coffee shop. My personal favorite is the kind shake. Casual seating inside and out. Wifi hookup. On the Riverwalk.
This is my favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant and just a few blocks away. Pollo a la creme (the spelling might be wrong) is delicious and I have not found it anywhere else. The servings are large. I have enough for 1-2 more meals.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Mex-Kal Family Mexican
160 1st StThis is my favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant and just a few blocks away. Pollo a la creme (the spelling might be wrong) is delicious and I have not found it anywhere else. The servings are large. I have enough for 1-2 more meals.
Sometimes the best part of vacation is grilling out in your own back yard or fixing a crockpot meal to come home to after a day of hiking. Safeway is the grocery store in Estes. It best to go during the week and early or late in the day when the lines are shorter.
77 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Safeway
451 E Wonderview AveSometimes the best part of vacation is grilling out in your own back yard or fixing a crockpot meal to come home to after a day of hiking. Safeway is the grocery store in Estes. It best to go during the week and early or late in the day when the lines are shorter.
Wanting just a burger with fries? Enjoy a flashback to the old days. Great fries and sandwiches.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Penelope's Old Time Burgers
229 West Elkhorn AvenueWanting just a burger with fries? Enjoy a flashback to the old days. Great fries and sandwiches.
Dennis ranks this as the best Mexican Restaurant in Estes because he loves their Menudo. It is an easy 3-4 block walk. The staff is friendly and the menu offers a lot of unique Mexican food, all of which has been great.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Cocina De Mama
361 S St Vrain AveDennis ranks this as the best Mexican Restaurant in Estes because he loves their Menudo. It is an easy 3-4 block walk. The staff is friendly and the menu offers a lot of unique Mexican food, all of which has been great.