Things To Do
Breakfast
- Creekside Cafe: A family staple. If you go, check out the green chile cheesy grits. The wait is usually long, so go early or plan on strolling down Lincoln for some early morning shopping. - Freshies: Half way between downtown and the ski mountain, Freshies is a great breakfast spot with more space, usually allowing for less wait time. - Smell That Bread: Our favorite bakery! Staples for our family is a drip coffee (no fancy coffee drinks so don't bother asking) and an almond claw. Great spot for a quick bite! - Yampa Valley Kitchen: a slightly upscale American brunch in a historic farmhouse (tip: they have great vanilla soft serve) - Coffee: Off the Beaten Path offers new and used books and serves locally roasted coffee.
Lunch
- Skull Creek Greek: our favorite for a quick bite to eat. Great Greek food and killer gyros. - Back Door Grill: great burger joint. Sister restaurant is in Fort Collins! - Hypnotic Chicken: local Cane's-style fried chicken restaurant.
Dinner
- Mazzola's Italian: a family favorite! Great for both dine in and take-out. Try the bison lasagna, but beware, portions are large! - Laundry: high-end, small plate tapas type restaurant with great cocktails. Located adjacent to Creekside and owned by the same folks! - E3 Chophouse: high-end steakhouse right on the river. It's owned by Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan. The place is super cozy and has great food! - Carl's Tavern: a favorite, especially for happy hour. Would highly recommend their corn bread and brussels sprouts, pairs nicely with a shot of fireball. - Aurum Food & Wine: an upscale American restaurant right on the river with a great patio and a great happy hour. - Fiesta Jalisco: favorite Mexican in town with margaritas that pack a punch. - Brooklynn's Pizzeria: we spent our 2020 Covid summer testing all pizzeria's in Steamboat. This was our winner! - Bésame: a popular tapas restaurant, serves Latin and global-fusion cuisine.
Bars and Late Night
- Sunpies Bistro: our favorite bar. Challenge some people to giant Jenga, enjoy the river in the back, or just enjoy the generations of pictures on the walls. - Mythology Distillery: new distillery just outside of town with a cool tasting room and a fun outdoor area with seats by the fire and lawn games - Schmiggity's: great, local live music bar. If you're lucky, you may be able to sneak in during karaoke night. - O'Neil's: the local Irish bar. - Mountain Tap Brewery: our favorite brewery in town! Rent out a gondola for a private experience, or play some cards or Left-Right-Center in the brewery! - Old Town Pub: a classic pub and a Steamboat historic landmark (built in 1904 with roots as a hotel, hospital, post office, and movie theater) - TBar: a classic ski-bum bar right on the ski mountain (most ski right to it but you can also drive and walk in)
Hiking and Leaf Peeping
- Emerald Quarry: trailhead is right at the end of town - Fish Creek Falls: easy, paved hiking area. Hikes can be 0.5 miles to over 10 miles. There is a cash fee for parking at the site and is often filled with tourists for the easier / shorter hiking. - Hahn's Peak: feeling like you're on a 14er at only 10K feet. It's about a 30 minute drive (partially on unpaved roads) but a lovely hike to be on the tallest peak in the valley. - Zirkel Circle: a 10 mile loop that was Kona's favorite! The full circle can be broken up by stopping at the crystal blue waters of Gilpin Lake and turning around. - Rabbit Ears: the iconic rocks that give the pass it's namesake, you can hike right up to the top!
All Steamboat Things
A few things we love to do in Steamboat.... - Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball (be sure to make a reservation, courts fill up!) - Run on the river trail around the Yampa River - Yampa River Core Trail follows the Yampa River for 7.5 miles through town - Paddleboard at Pearl Lake - Star gaze & soak in the Strawberry Hot Springs (reservations required) - Enjoy the many boutique shops in downtown Steamboat - Walk through the small, free (Emma's favorite) Yampa River Botanic Gardens - The last farmers market of the year will be on Saturday morning on Yampa Street between 5th and 8th Street