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Estes Park and Colorado Springs

Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:05 pm
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
3411 posts
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.
Posted by UncleRuckus
Member since Feb 2013
7639 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:33 pm to
Garden of the Gods in CS is pretty cool and easy to do
Posted by kciDAtaE
Member since Apr 2017
15694 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 6:28 pm to
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.
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
3411 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 6:52 pm to
quote:

The drive can be a bit intimidating for some


In what way?? Elaborate please. We are definitely going to do this suggestion! Sounds exactly like what we want to know. Thank you.
Posted by Hogwall Jackson
Denver
Member since Feb 2013
5052 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:10 pm to
quote:

Trail Ridge Road is a great drive in RMNP. This is my #1 recommendation.


It’s winter.
Posted by kciDAtaE
Member since Apr 2017
15694 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:13 pm to

It’s gorgeous. But if you’re prone to distracted driving, it could be disastrous.

It’s a very well maintained road but if not used to driving in mountains, it could be intimidating. If you or wife is prone to car sickness, this drive will push you to your limits.

I’ve never had any issues and driven it many times.
Posted by kciDAtaE
Member since Apr 2017
15694 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:14 pm to
quote:

It’s winter.


Good point. I didn’t notice they are going soon. Road will be closed. Scratch the rafting as well.
Posted by MintBerry Crunch
Member since Nov 2010
4830 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:58 pm to
Trail ridge road is closed at the visitors center until summer but it’s closed earlier than that due to the big storm they just had.
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
21233 posts
Posted on 3/15/24 at 11:41 pm to
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
Posted by Duke
Twin Lakes, CO
Member since Jan 2008
35606 posts
Posted on 3/16/24 at 1:29 am to
quote:

The drive can be a bit intimidating for some


quote:

In what way?? Elaborate please.


Trail Ridge Road?

The feet of snow currently covering the road would be the most intimidating bit.
Posted by pjab
Member since Mar 2016
5645 posts
Posted on 3/16/24 at 8:24 pm to
Feed the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain zoo

If it’s a pretty day and you have time, drive from Salida through Canon City
Posted by Crow Pie
Neuro ICU - Tulane Med Center
Member since Feb 2010
25296 posts
Posted on 3/17/24 at 7:26 am to
quote:

In CS, do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak if open.
This and I will suggest Manitoa Springs as well for a lunch and casual shopping including a fantastic dispensary as I have been told.

Manitoa Springs
This post was edited on 3/17/24 at 7:30 am
Posted by Locoguan0
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Nov 2017
4236 posts
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:19 am to
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)


Posted by Don Quixote
Member since May 2023
1573 posts
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:00 pm to
quote:

Air Force Academy and Chapel


FYI, the Chapel is closed for rennovations until 2027
Posted by Tiger328
Member since Mar 2017
467 posts
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:22 pm to
Cave of the winds is neat to kill an hour on same day as Garden of The Gods
Posted by Pikes Peak Tiger
Colorado Springs
Member since Jun 2023
3865 posts
Posted on 3/17/24 at 7:08 pm to
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.
Posted by Adajax
Member since Nov 2015
6116 posts
Posted on 3/18/24 at 6:22 pm to
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 by CEB
Member since May 2023
36 posts
Posted on 3/19/24 at 7:10 pm to
Cog railway to Pikes Peak.
Posted by Tigris
Mexican Home
Member since Jul 2005
12350 posts
Posted on 3/19/24 at 8:00 pm to
quote:

The drive can be a bit intimidating for some

quote:

In what way?? Elaborate please.


You have to be completely terrified of heights to be intimidated by Trail Ridge Road. It's a very easy drive with no serious drop-offs that I know of. That may be more accurate for Fall River Road which is an alternate way up that I like. But even that is not very intimidating.
Posted by NervousNellie
Member since Jan 2021
131 posts
Posted on 3/20/24 at 10:15 pm to

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.

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