Things To Do
Rocky Mountain National Park
RMNP is a must see! The hiking options are endless, ranging from easy to technical. It's also extremely driveable, with beautiful scenery and the guarantee of seeing some wildlife, be it mule deer, elk, big horn sheep, or even a moose! PLEASE NOTE THAT A PARK PASS AND RESERVATION (one per car) ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRANCE. These need to be procured in advance, so please see the website for detailed instructions on planning your visit to the Park.
Wildside 4x4 Tours
A great way to explore RMNP without having to deal with the reservation system or navigate the winding mountain roads on your own! Your knowledgeable tour guide will take you up to 12,000 feet in elevation, where you'll see snow and wildlife along the way. The photos you'll come away with will be a priceless memory of your time in the Rockies! We have reserved vehicles in advance for our guests on Saturday morning, 8:00 departure. Please call or email Jennifer Comstock (214-356-2343 or jennifer_comstock@yahoo.com) if you'd like to reserve a spot and she will add you to the tour list. You will pay for your tour when you arrive at Wildside that morning (see website for pricing). We will need a final guest count 72 hours before the tour, so please contact Jennifer at least a week in advance. The trip takes 3.5 - 4 hours, so you'll be back by noon. Please be sure this will allow you enough time to comfortably return to your accommodations and get ready for the 4:00 ceremony.
Kirks Flyshop - Guided Fly Fishing Trips
Have your own A River Runs Through It experience! Kirks Fly Shop offers half and full day guided fishing trips all around the area and in RMNP. Your trip will include all the equipment you need -- rod, reel, waders, boots, flies, etc. -- as well as food and drinks. All levels of experience are welcome, and you're guaranteed to catch a fish!
Mustang Mountain Coaster
Fly around the curves and turns of an open air "mountain coaster" at whatever speed is comfortable for you! Suitable for everyone over the age of three. Check the website for information on pricing -- we recommend the three ride pass as once is not likely to be enough after you've experienced the thrill!
Kruger Rock & Other Hiking Outside RMNP
There is plenty of hiking outside RMNP if you don't end up with a reservation or just don't want to deal with the crowds. The link will take you to the All Trails site for Kruger Rock, one of our favorite hikes just outside Estes in Hermit Park. This park has other options, and there are other trails all around the area. All Trails is a great resource for trails and updated conditions, but also feel free to reach out to Matt Comstock at matt_comstock@yahoo.com if you have hiking-related questions.
Beer, Wine, & Spirits - Oh My!
For a small town, Estes has a LOT of opportunities to enjoy a drink with friends! We currently have six breweries, three distilleries, and one winery, so if you can't catch a buzz here, it's on you!
Mini Golf & Ride-A-Kart
Challenge your family or friends to a round of mini golf or bumper cars next to the river and surrounded by beautiful mountains! Lots of other activities including go-karts and bumper boats, plus local beer and wine.
Shopping in Estes Park
Estes Park is a tourist town, so there is no shortage of t-shirts, ice cream, and souvenirs. BUT, take a stroll along the river downtown and you will find so much more ... We have clothing stores offering everything from hiking gear to upscale womens wear, home decor, galleries featuring amazing (and often local) artwork/photography, and three (yes, 3!) Christmas shops. Estes is known for salt water taffy, and we suggest a stop at The Taffy Shop (choose the OG, since 1935!) where you can watch the taffy being pulled on the original machine and get a free sample to help you choose your favorite flavor. Don't stop at downtown, though. Estes has more shopping to the east (we highly recommend The Mountain Shop for outdoor gear - check out the Bargain Basement), and to the west, where you can find amazing home decor and more at The Mad Moose (stop into the Country Market next door for a delicious handmade sandwich).
Backbone Adventures - Jeep/ATV Rentals
For the more adventurous souls, Backbone Adventures offers daily rentals of jeeps and ATVs you can take four-wheeling on nearby trails. There is a great climb up Pole Hill Rode just outside of town, and the view from the top is breathtaking! Not for the faint of heart, but a memorable excursion if you're comfortable bottoming out.
Horseback Riding
Summer is perfect for trail riding in the Rockies! Estes has a number of stables that will take you out into RMNP or other local trails if you're jonesing for four legs and some fresh air. Pack your jeans and boots, hat optional!
And now for the food ...
Estes Park has a LOT of restaurants for a small town, and all types of food. Not all of it is great, but pretty much every place WILL be packed all day, every day during the summer, so make reservations when you can or show up early and still plan to wait a bit. NOTE: no Doordash/Uber Eats Below are some of our favorites by category: Mexican: Ed's Cantina (get the Avocado Margarita); La Cocina de Mama Italian: Mama Rose's; Sweet Basilico Pizza: Antonio's (no delivery) BBQ: WesTEX food truck; Smokin' Dave's American: Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (live music nightly); The Post Chicken & Beer; Bird & Jim; Wapiti (right on the river) Steak: Twin Owls Steakhouse (magical location/view); Hunter's Chophouse Breakfast/Brunch: Claire's; Brunch & Co; Notchtop; Mountain Home Cafe Deli: Rocky Mountain Deli; Country Market Coffee: on every corner, but try Coffee on the Rocks (check out the duck pond); Inkwell & Brew; Kind Coffee (yes, we have a Starbucks) Ice Cream: Hayley's; Munchin House
Nightlife ... such as it is
They roll up the streets in Estes Park pretty early, even for some of the breweries, but there are a few After Hours places that stay open later. The Wheel Bar is a staple, and it's just that ... a bar, and a bit of a dive (so flock there, young people!). Other options include Lonigan's, Cousin Pat's, and the bar at The Bull Pin (our bowling alley). The Whiskey Bar at the iconic Stanley Hotel is a great place to grab a drink and get a peek at that historic building.
The Stanley Hotel
Yes, it's haunted, and it was the inspiration for Stephen King's iconic book, "The Shining." Tours are available, and it's fun to learn about the long and interesting history going all the way back to F.O. Stanley (co-creator of the Stanley Steamer), who built his "vacation home" in the mountains in 1909 because the fresh air cured his tuberculosis. Tours fill up fairly quickly, so book now if you're interested!
Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course
Play a round in Paradise! We have one of the prettiest golf courses you'll ever see, surrounded entirely by mountains, and often covered in elk! Estes offers both an 18-hole course (with a driving range) and a 9-hole course that can also be used for Disc Golf -- this one is right by Lake Estes and also a big elk hangout. Both courses are public with VERY reasonable green fees and available cart and club rentals. Call or go online to reserve a tee time!