Enjoy Estes Park: Where to eat/drink, stay & play!

(ESTES PARK, CO) — It was basically four years to the day since I had been in one of my favorite places in the United States. Estes Park, Colorado.

The Colorado mountain town was the beginning of an August 2024 family trip, etching more fond memories in a town we visited multiple times growing up.

Now it was time for me to make new memories with my growing family. My wife of nearly 3 years, a son that was turning 2 and a little baby girl on the way, due on December 18, 2024.

Where to stay!

Growing up, Whispering Pines Cottages was our go-to spot. Quiet, rustic cottages right off the Big Thompson River provided an affordable destination for friends and families alike. While we did not stay here on this trip, we had to stop by for my dad to take a photo of the sign (which is a total dad thing to do). I have very fond memories there of wading in the chilly river, shivering like a fool and laughing just as much.

This time we started out at Ram’s Horn Village Resort, tucked away on the outskirts of town, while staying close by to Rocky Mountain National Park. These are beautiful 2-story timeshares, with porches downstairs and upstairs, comfortable sleeping arrangements, full kitchens and great bathrooms. The front office staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and they even offer complimentary hiking backpacks if you need them! I took them up on the offer and loved the hiking carrier as we traversed through Rocky Mountain National Park. We found the resort on Booking.com but you can also find them on Vrbo and AirBnB.

Next we headed to an AirBnB called Redmonds on the Rocks. It’s a rental property right by the Big Thompson River, filled with gorgeous cabins. The cabin’s interior is breathtaking, filled with a very open, spacious social area, super comfortable beds, top-notch amenities in the kitchen, beautiful bathrooms, and even in-house laundry options which came in clutch. This was also nearby one of my all-time favorite coffee shops, which we’ll get to later in this article. To avoid booking fees, I’d recommend going to www.rockymountainspropertyservices.com and work with Renee.

Where to eat!

The foodie scene in Estes Park is top tier. From quick pickups to sit downs on the downtown strip, or steakhouses with scenic mountain views, you can find whatever your heart desires here.

Twin Owls Steakhouse: Located in the Taharaa Mountain Lodge, Twin Owls Steakhouse provides some of the best restaurant views Estes Park has to offer. This is where my wife and I found out the gender of our baby girl, with the waitress bringing a dessert at the end of the meal. Cheesecake for girl, creme brulee for boy. A delicious cheesecake came out to my surprise, yet I was very joyous to learn we would soon have a daughter. A Colorado apple cider started off the meal, followed by a ribeye steak for me and filet mignon for Rachel. To top it all off, there was a rainbow across the valley in front of the restaurant, which I take as a blessing from God over our little girl.

The Post Chicken & Beer: You ever heard of The Stanley Hotel? Maybe you’re a horror film buff like me and enjoy Jack Nicklaus in The Shining. If so, you know what I’m talking about (if not, see the photo above). Located on the property is The Post Chicken & Beer. The Post has a few locations across Colorado, and we had a great time at the Estes Park location.

We started off with baked oysters which were tremendous. I got the half fried chicken meal with fries. My mom got shrimp and cheddar grits, Rachel ordered chicken tender lettuce cups and Bennett got a chicken tender meal. Below the restaurant is a super cool theatre and library with spooky vibes if you’re looking for a Halloween getaway. The servers were very welcoming and the service was fairly quick. Just be prepared to pay $10 to park on The Stanley property! You get a special Stanley coin which you can use on property to help pay for drinks. I kept mine as a souvenir.

Munchin House: Deemed Estes Park’s “Sweetest Spot,” this downtown homemade ice cream shop is an great place to stop by. This is where my wife and I told my parents we were having a baby girl, when I ordered a strawberry ice cream cone to give to Bennett. It was VERY pink, which was perfect for the gender reveal. It was equally delicious. They have multiple cones offerings, some with chocolate or white chocolate drizzle all over them. The owner also owns multiple other shops downtown, so make sure to stop in The Lazy Moose next door and see the biggest pajamas store you’ve ever seen!

Casa Grande: Like I said, there’s tons of food options downtown Estes Park. One of those is Casa Grande. Fajitas, burritos, street tacos and more line the menu of the Mexican restaurant. After a long morning of walking, walking and walking some more, this hit the spot.

Coffee on the Rocks: When I mentioned one of my newest favorite coffee shops of all time, this is it. Yes, the coffee itself is really good. But, the best part of this restaurant is the atmosphere and quacky friends outside. When I was speaking to someone ahead of the trip, she told me that Coffee on the Rocks had “8 billion ducks” that waddle around the property. She wasn’t very far off.

Ducks and geese galore stampeded around a scenic lake and walkway around it, waiting for you to feed them their duck/geese food (which you can buy inside). The frappes were fantastic here, as was just a normal iced latte. If you’ve followed my website for awhile, you know Rachel loves a good frappe while I get a hot coffee, iced coffee, frappe… who knows with me.

There I am with my pops Bruce and brother Kevin.

But anyways, we get a good variety. And Coffee on the Rocks has a great variety of coffee options for you to enjoy. Right behind the property is the Big Thompson River, which offers stunning yet relaxing views.

What to do!

The line should really read, what not to do? There’s so much, but for me, there’s only one place to start. Rocky Mountain National Park.

RMNP is always ranked as one of top national parks around the country, but it’s never quite at the top. I have quite a ways to go in my national park hopping experience. But for me, this is my favorite so far. You drive up the windy yet scenic Trail Ridge Road and can stop at beautiful overlooks to see mountain passes galore. Some stops have trails you can walk out to, and I love how the higher you go up, the cooler it gets. Which is common sense, right? But it still takes you by surprise when you drive 20-30 minutes and it drops 10 degrees, all while the wind is packing quite the punch. But I love it.

Of course you should stop by the Alpine Visitor Center, where you feel like you’re “on top of the world.”

Want a hiking challenge? Climb up the steep steps right outside and get to the highest point in the park.

You better be prepared to breathe heavy and take rests if needed, because the steep ascent in this high of an altitude gives your lungs a challenge. But your lungs are up for it! Go for it. Unless your medical provider tells you not to 🙂

There’s so much more to do in the park, but I’d rather you experience it for yourself. Make stops along the way, pack a lunch and head out on your journey. Take your time, and enjoy the ride.

Lake Estes Trail: With this being my wife and son’s first time to Colorado, we wanted to “take it easy” a bit when we first got here. Overdoing it on your first day is never a good idea. So to still get out and enjoy the beautiful blue Colorado skies and see some scenery, we walked along the Lake Estes Trail. We started downtown near the Visitor Center, and headed towards the lake and around it a bit. It’s a very flat walk that goes right by the golf course downtown, and the journey becomes worth it once you reach the lake. It’s a great way to get acclimated to the Colorado climate.

We didn’t stay in Estes quite as long as I would’ve liked. But aren’t all vacations like that? But this is a good start to send you on your way. I will 100% be returning here, hopefully sooner than four years from now, where I plan to explore Estes Park some more.

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