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Estes Park and Colorado Springs
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:05 pm
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:05 pm
Will be visiting family in these two areas of Colorado next week. Suggestions for must see and experiences for an upper 50s couple. We don't ski or hike. Like to stay off of the beaten path for the most part. Never opposed to acting on impulse but would like some general suggestions. Thanks.
12
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:33 pm to Shanegolang
Garden of the Gods in CS is pretty cool and easy to do
Posted on 3/15/24 at 6:28 pm to Shanegolang
ESTES- Trail Ridge Road is a great drive in RMNP. This is my #1 recommendation.
Start early and stop by the Beavers visitors center then continue on. The drive can be a bit intimidating for some but it’s a great way to see the park. You don’t have to drive the entire road. Stopping at the visitors center at the highest point and turning around is enough. It will take the better part of the day once you stop for the many lookout points. Bring a picnic lunch if that’s your thing.
I can recommend many hikes in Estes depending on physical abilities.
Horse back riding is available.
Rafting is available in either location and I can recommend outfits for either.
Reserve a half day for shopping in downtown Estes. Lots of custom made items. The wife always wants to stop at the glass blowing store for a souvenir.
COLORADO SPRINGS - I didn’t care much for CS but Garden of the Gods is there and free. We did it on bikes which I don’t recommend. That was brutal. Unless you find e-bikes. We did the hot air balloon ride which was fun. It was our first time.
Start early and stop by the Beavers visitors center then continue on. The drive can be a bit intimidating for some but it’s a great way to see the park. You don’t have to drive the entire road. Stopping at the visitors center at the highest point and turning around is enough. It will take the better part of the day once you stop for the many lookout points. Bring a picnic lunch if that’s your thing.
I can recommend many hikes in Estes depending on physical abilities.
Horse back riding is available.
Rafting is available in either location and I can recommend outfits for either.
Reserve a half day for shopping in downtown Estes. Lots of custom made items. The wife always wants to stop at the glass blowing store for a souvenir.
COLORADO SPRINGS - I didn’t care much for CS but Garden of the Gods is there and free. We did it on bikes which I don’t recommend. That was brutal. Unless you find e-bikes. We did the hot air balloon ride which was fun. It was our first time.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 11:41 pm to Shanegolang
Stay at The Stanley in Estes Park. It is not a luxury hotel, but has "charm".
See whatever is open in RMNP.
In CS, do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak if open.
Colorado is a state for skiing and hiking though
See whatever is open in RMNP.
In CS, do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak if open.
Colorado is a state for skiing and hiking though
Posted on 3/16/24 at 8:24 pm to Shanegolang
Feed the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain zoo
If it’s a pretty day and you have time, drive from Salida through Canon City
If it’s a pretty day and you have time, drive from Salida through Canon City
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:19 am to Shanegolang
Estes is mostly a sleepy town in the off season. Strolling downtown is like walking any tourist trap area. Lots of t-shirt shops and bad food.
CS
Ride the cog train to the top of Pikes Peak. If you have never been above 14k feet, it is an experience.
CS has the Olympic Training Center. They do tours of all of their facilities.
Air Force Academy and Chapel
Garden of the Gods
Wander around Manitou
Penny Arcade
Cripple Creek if the roads are ok
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Weak food, but interesting experience at the Airplane Restaurant.
Drive up to Denver and go to Meow Wolf.
Bars... several with speakeasy vibes (CS has a big speak history because the city was so conservative)
Brooklyn's on Boulder
The Rabbit Hole
The Archives
Axe and the Oak
Motif Jazz Cafe (Live jazz music, fills up fast)
Shame and Regret (Catholic confessional themed bar)
Chiba (weird, anime themed shite with great food)
CS
Ride the cog train to the top of Pikes Peak. If you have never been above 14k feet, it is an experience.
CS has the Olympic Training Center. They do tours of all of their facilities.
Air Force Academy and Chapel
Garden of the Gods
Wander around Manitou
Penny Arcade
Cripple Creek if the roads are ok
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Weak food, but interesting experience at the Airplane Restaurant.
Drive up to Denver and go to Meow Wolf.
Bars... several with speakeasy vibes (CS has a big speak history because the city was so conservative)
Brooklyn's on Boulder
The Rabbit Hole
The Archives
Axe and the Oak
Motif Jazz Cafe (Live jazz music, fills up fast)
Shame and Regret (Catholic confessional themed bar)
Chiba (weird, anime themed shite with great food)
Posted on 3/17/24 at 7:08 pm to Shanegolang
FYI.
We just had a foot or more of snow here in the Springs.
Gonna be hard to do much especially if you are not used to it.
We just had a foot or more of snow here in the Springs.
Gonna be hard to do much especially if you are not used to it.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 6:22 pm to Shanegolang
quote:
ESTES- Trail Ridge Road is a great drive in RMNP. This is my #1 recommendation.
I agree but the view is exceptional driving west to east.
Posted on 3/19/24 at 7:10 pm to Shanegolang
Cog railway to Pikes Peak.
Posted on 3/20/24 at 10:15 pm to Shanegolang
Seven Falls
Picnic at Helen Hunt falls
Garden of the Gods
—also at places like this and HH falls, don’t consider it hiking. Consider it going on a really cool hike. You don’t have to go far.
Royal George
Cripple Creek
Fargo’s Pizza
Air Force Academy chapel
Cheyenne Mountain zoo
Broadmoor Resort
Flying W Ranch
Cliff Dwellings
Cave of the Winds
Lot of microbreweries
Walk the old Colorado city area and the downtown CS area. Manitou Springs too.
Posted on 3/21/24 at 11:27 pm to Shanegolang
Gonna hijack this thread since it kinda relates to my question
Trying to plan a trip this summer with my 2 oldest kids (13/16), thinking of doing RMNP. Have to drive since my 13yo can have weird sensory issues and don’t need her freaking out on a plane. But I love a good road trip, not a terrible 2 day drive from north Alabama. We took a couple road trips like this out west growing up (one that involved an RV that burned to the ground in the middle of nowhere Nebraska lol) and it’s some of my favorite memories. My dad passed away last summer and I just really feel like this trip would do me some good and also introduce my teenagers to that part of the country.
Anyways, I’m planning to use my Hilton points, do y’all think staying in Boulder would be a terrible idea? Estes Park sounds more ideal but I kinda have to budget this trip and I have enough points to cover the stay. Planning for 5 nights, think that would give us enough time to not feel rushed even if we have to drive an hour in/out, may even head down to CS for a day, I don’t know.
Am I way off thinking I can set up shop in Boulder for this trip?
Trying to plan a trip this summer with my 2 oldest kids (13/16), thinking of doing RMNP. Have to drive since my 13yo can have weird sensory issues and don’t need her freaking out on a plane. But I love a good road trip, not a terrible 2 day drive from north Alabama. We took a couple road trips like this out west growing up (one that involved an RV that burned to the ground in the middle of nowhere Nebraska lol) and it’s some of my favorite memories. My dad passed away last summer and I just really feel like this trip would do me some good and also introduce my teenagers to that part of the country.
Anyways, I’m planning to use my Hilton points, do y’all think staying in Boulder would be a terrible idea? Estes Park sounds more ideal but I kinda have to budget this trip and I have enough points to cover the stay. Planning for 5 nights, think that would give us enough time to not feel rushed even if we have to drive an hour in/out, may even head down to CS for a day, I don’t know.
Am I way off thinking I can set up shop in Boulder for this trip?
Posted on 3/22/24 at 4:33 pm to Shanegolang
Trail Ridge Road won't be open all the way across right now. Go to Bear Lake, that should be accessible, although you need to be able to walk on snow and ice. Shopping in Estes is fun. Food-wise, be sure to go to the Himalayan if you like Indian food, Grubsteak or Penelope's for burgers, and Claire's for absolutely anything. Bird & Jim restaurant is exceptional as well. Walk through Moraine Park , go as far as Many Parks Curve for the views if the road is closed, and enjoy the incredible canyon just west of Loveland on the way in. Just drive the real estate. The Windcliffe development on Hwy 66 on the west side of town has incredible views.
If you're in CO Springs, go to The Loop in Manitou Springs for some of the best Mexican food anywhere. The Chiles Rellenos are the best you've ever had -- better than Pancho's back in the day. Great Margaritas, too.
Have fun; it's gorgeous everywhere you go.
If you're in CO Springs, go to The Loop in Manitou Springs for some of the best Mexican food anywhere. The Chiles Rellenos are the best you've ever had -- better than Pancho's back in the day. Great Margaritas, too.
Have fun; it's gorgeous everywhere you go.
Posted on 3/26/24 at 3:33 pm to Shanegolang
We rented a Jeep and hit some off-road trails, it was a good time.
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