COME TO LIFE | Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park coaster offers thin-air thrills. There’s also a new via ferrata course at Kent Mountain Adventure Center, along with climbing instruction and guided hikes. alfresco beer garden, and window-shop along Elkhorn Avenue, with several new boutiques and eateries. Stop for coffee and sit along the Riverwalk. Take the path east for a tranquil walk around Lake Estes; stop at the marina to rent pontoon boats, paddleboards or kayaks. Estes Park Mountain Shop rents e-bikes, as well. Then, grab a tasting at a handful of breweries and distilleries. Afternoon Downtown Estes is the gateway into the park, but it’s also a destination unto itself. Stop by The Barrel, a seasonal SIDETRIPS Relax in lovely Lyons on your way to Estes. With galleries and public art on nearly every corner and plenty of craft beer, it’s worth a respite. Tubers and kayakers roll through the whitewater park and you can show off at the Dirt Jump Bike Track. Summer concerts send tunes into the mountain air while visitors soak up the relaxed scene. Lyons Quilting has more than 6,500 bolts for sale. Spirit Hound Distillers, Moxie Bread and Lyons Dairy Bar are musts for tasty treats and hanging out. The Redstone Museum offers mountain-town history in an 1881 school house as well as a historic walking tour. Winter’s ice rink means simple cold-weather pleasure. Evening Winter Fun From ice climbing, backcountry split-boarding and backcountry skiing to more relaxed activities like snowshoeing, Estes Park loves winter. It’s easy to get there year-round and offers an alternative to the bustling ski resorts. New snowshoe tours pair with yummy side activities like fondue and whiskey tastings. Connect with Estes Park Mountain Shop, Femme Trek and Kent Mountain Adventure Center for guidance and gear. Wind down with dinner at the storied Stanley Hotel, an elegant 113-year-old, white-pillared landmark. Guided ghost tours reveal how Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining while staying in room 217. Check out the farm-to-table cuisine from Seasoned – An American Bistro, Bird & Jim’s artisan approach and 15 flavors of moonshine at Estes Park Distilling. The Stanley Hotel 108 1-800-COLORADO FROM LEFT: VISIT ESTES PARK/DARREN EDWARDS; THE STANLEY HOTEL/SCOTT DRESSEL-MARTIN.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2023: Page 108
