Things To Do
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP)
One of the main attractions in Estes Park! You will need to purchase a pass in advance of entering the park. See below for pass details: Passes are released at 7:00pm sharp the night before on recreation.gov (make sure you’re logged in and on the website at 6:55pm at the latest). The hiking is phenomenal in the park with a variety of difficulty levels. A less active (but very scenic & popular) option is to drive on Trail Ridge Rd to the Alpine Visitor Center. Trail Ridge Rd is open based on weather and road conditions and has been known to close suddenly, so it's best to check ahead of time. The wedding party is planning on going up to RMNP Saturday (September 21st) in the midday/early afternoon if others would like to join.
Lake Estes Marina
Spend the morning fishing for beautiful trout, paddle-boarding, kayaking, or boating. The Lake Estes Marina offers rentals of kayaks, paddle boards and even a pontoon boat to get you out on the water. You can also take a scenic stroll or bike ride around the lake (bikes available for rent at the marina). There is a 4 mile trail around Lake Estes to enjoy the water, Continental Divide views, and frequent wildlife sightings!
Hiking
There’s plenty of hiking outside of Rocky Mountain National Park if you can’t get a permit. Check out Gem Lake Trail, Lumpy Ridge Trail to Twin Owls, or Hermit Park. We recommend using the app AllTrails or researching trails before you go to understand the length, elevation gain, and difficulty of the hike.
Downtown Estes Park
Downtown Estes Park is a short walk from our venue and filled with shops, eateries, and galleries, and well worth exploring! Inkwell & Brew is one of Sarah's favorite spots for caffeine and crafts! There is a wonderful game store, as well as many outdoor, souvenir, and ice cream shops. Indoor activity options in Downtown Estes include the Inspired Artisan Market and Studio, where you can stop in to make an Estes Park-inspired piece of artwork, The Slab Arcarde, or the Reel Mountain Theater, showing a couple of new releases.
Food and Drink
Estes Park has many good bars and restaurants a short walk from our venue catering to all tastes and price points. KIND COFFEE ROCK CUT BREWING COMPANY THE BARREL ROCK INN MOUNTAIN TAVERN HUNTERS CHOP HOUSE POPPY'S PIZZA & GRILL TWIN OWLS STEAKHOUSE MAMA ROSE'S RESTAURANT THE STANLEY HOTEL – 333 E Wonderview Ave. – From live music to magic shows to a wonderful whiskey bar and fine dining, even if you decide to skip The Shining Tour, there’s lots to do at the Stanley Check the link for the most up-to-date restaurant list. Note, while Estes Park is pretty casual, reservations are recommended at some places during the busy season.
Indoor Activities
HISTORIC LOCATIONS - The Stanley Hotel is a world-renowned destination that Stephen King used as inspiration for his novel (and subsequent movie) The Shining. The Estes Park Museum features more than 30,000 artifacts from the town's history. ESCAPE ROOMS - Time Emporium Escape Room or Estes Park Escape Room BOWLING - The Bull Pin
Outdoor Activities
LIVE MUSIC - 30th Annual Autumn Gold Festival, a festival of beer, bands, and brats, will take place 11-6 on both Saturday and Sunday. ROCK CLIMBING - Performance Park is right in town and is an amphitheater backed by a rock wall. There is also an outdoor rock wall next to the venue for climbing for any intrepid outdoor climbers. I know the bridesmaids will be bringing their gear! OPEN AIR ADVENTURE PARK - If you're looking for some thrills, Open Air Adventure PArk offers ropes courses, ax throwing, and hiking or kayaking tours. FUN CITY - Fun for the whole family, Fun City is right outside Estes Park and is a great location for Go-Karts, Slides, Miniature Golf, Gemstone panning, and much more.