Planning a trip to Estes Park, Colorado? Here are the best things to see and do in Estes Park, CO — list of the top attractions and things to do when visiting Estes Park:
Estes Park, Colorado
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Best Things to do in Estes Park, CO
Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re in Estes Park, CO, you MUST visit Rocky Mountain National Park! It is so beautiful and absolutely worth spending a day or more exploring.
At the time I am writing this, you are required to make a reservation to enter. You can get reservations online here, I recommend booking far in advance if you can!
Check out this Instagram post and save it for a list of the best hikes in RMNP. And of course, you HAVE to drive the Trail Ridge Road!
The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel is a historic hotel in Estes Park that is actually said to be haunted! You can visit the hotel, take a tour (even a haunted night one), enjoy a delicious meal at one of their many restaurants, or get a cocktail at their infamous Whiskey Bar!
Even if you go to just walk around, it’s a beautiful hotel with lots of history and worth seeing. Fun fact: It is the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining and one of The Spookiest Places to Visit in the USA!
Downtown Estes Park
The downtown area of Estes Park, Colorado is full of cute shops, restaurants, and galleries! Spend some time walking around and support the local businesses! Read more about the different shops and activities in downtown Estes Park here.
Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park
Like many small towns in Colorado, Estes Park has a beautiful stream/river running through it. The Riverwalk is a path that runs along The Big Thompson River and Fall River, and it’s a great little walk.
There are lots of benches along the path as well. We grabbed a coffee and some breakfast in the morning and enjoyed it on one of the benches.
Estes Park Tramway
The Estes Park Tramway takes you to the top of the mountain and gives you incredible views of Estes Park (photo below from their website)! You can buy tickets online, it’s $14 for adults and $10 for children.
Due to the coronavirus, they are operating with limited capacity. Masks are required in all buildings, loading areas, and tram cars. Check their website for the most current updates.
Lake Estes
We stayed at the Estes Park Resort that over looks Lake Estes, and it is really is beautiful! According to VisitEstesPark.com, you can “rent canoes, lake kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, motorized fishing boats, pontoon boats and paddle boats from roughly May 1 to the middle of September (depending on the weather)” at the Lake Estes Marina.
Adventure Tour in Estes Park, CO
There are so many awesome outdoor adventure tours to do in Estes Park, Colorado! Including:
Here are some of the highest rated Estes Park tours on Viator:
Look for Wildlife
Estes Park is home to so much wildlife! They’re especially known for their Elks (Rocky Mountain National Park has over 3,000 elk) that often wander into the town.
You can also see mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, and tons of little creatures like chipmunks, squirrels, marmots and more! Check out the Estes Park website for tips on wildlife watching!
Best Places to Eat + Drink in Estes Park, CO
Highest Rated Restaurants:
Estes Park has lots of great places to eat! Here is a list of the highest rated + best restaurants in Estes Park:
Best Bars + Pubs:
There are lots of fun bars and breweries in Estes Park, CO! Here are some of the top rated/most popular ones:
- The Barrel Beer Garden (pictured below)
- Wapiti Pub
- The Slab (pictured below)
- Elkins Distilling Co.
- The Whiskey Bar at The Stanley Hotel
- The Wheel Bar
Happy exploring! I hope this Best Things To Do in Estes Park post helps! If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a DM on Instagram!
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- Colorado Packing List for Summer
- How to Get Your Car Ready For a Road Trip
xx Chels
