Things To Do
Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Brew
This is seriously some of the best BBQ I have ever had... and I have had a lot of BBQ in my limited years of life. I highly recommend eating at Smokin' Dave's while in Estes Park. However, it is a popular place to eat so, it may be wise to make a reservation, if available, or eat there for an early dinner.
The Egg of Estes
As far as breakfast goes, the Egg of Estes is one of the best. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and the eggs are cooked to perfection. If you are an egg snob like myself or my father (James G.), you may find this is one of the very few breakfast restaurants that make an egg perfectly. My mother (Angela) speaks very highly of the avocado toast. I would get there early, as the Egg of Estes is also a town favorite.
Dunraven at The Estes Park Resort
This restaurant serves the delicacies. Do not go to the Dunraven expecting to stay on a budget. This is a very pricy restaurant, however, the food is absolutely delicious. I had the lobster tail when I was there last and it was divine!! The breathtaking view in the restaurant also overlooks the Rocky Mountains. I highly recommend making a reservation before venturing to the Dunraven.
WayFinder
The breakfast here was very good. I had their hot chocolate, and it was some of the best hot chocolate I have ever had. My sister (Regan), a coffee snob, reported that the coffee was also very good. If your looking for a good, hearty breakfast, the Wayfinder will serve you well. However, as of May 2021, this restaurant gets our WOKE ALERT! They took our temperature before seating us, which did not go over well with the 'rents. If you can get past the invasion of temperature taking, this is a good place to eat.
The Grubsteak Restaurant
Shopping on the strip and want to stop for a bite to eat? Stop at Grubsteak Restaurant! It is not often you order a burger medium rare, and actually receive a medium rare burger. They made my burger perfectly. They also had my favorite fruity alcohol beverage, it was so delicious. The dining space is quaint and rustic. I highly recommend.
Big Horn Restaurant
Bighorn is affordable dining with great food!! The breakfast portions are ginormous, the eggs are perfectly cooked, and the biscuit is to die for. However, the meals here are heavier and not as healthy as, say the Egg of Estes... which was not an issue for me. The dinner was also very good. I would not recommend the BBQ per se, they smothered my ribs in sauce, and I like my smoked meat to be complemented with a delicious rub rather than sauce. However, the other dishes looked very good. If you are also looking to eat some elk or bison, this place will have some options for you.
La Cocina De Mama
The 'rents love Mexican cuisine. They report that the food, here, was delicious! My mom (Angela) particularly enjoyed the Margaritas. This is a small restaurant with reasonable prices and huge portions. If you like Mexican food, you cannot go wrong here!
Sweet Basilico Cafe
This is a quaint Italian Restaurant. If you are looking for proper Italian, this may not be your restaurant (I am pretty sure they used heavy cream in their Carbonara sauce), however, the food is good. It would be a good choice for dinner. We did not try the pizza, but it looked good.
National Park Gateway Stables
I went horseback riding with National Park Gateway Stables, and it was a great trip. Our tour guide was informative, but also let us just enjoy our ride. The horses know the trails so well. You do not need to know how to horseback ride to feel comfortable riding here. The horses know what they are doing and need little direction. I, personally, love horseback riding. I will say, if you are not used to riding a horse, maybe a shorter tour will do you well. People tend to get sore with longer rides. The trail goes through Rocky Mountain National Park and the views are stunning. It is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
Green Jeep Tour
If you are looking for a fun tour through Rocky Mountain National Park, the Green Jeep Tour is a fun ride. You ride on the back of a Green Jeep and zip through the Mountains stopping at various locations. The tour guides are very informative, it is a great way to get to know the park if it is your first time there. Then, you can go off on your own with confidence!