A Year Round Local's Guidebook
Food scene
By far one of my favorite restaurants! You will need a reservation, but if you cannot get one, the bar is open seating on a first come, first serve basis.
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Bird & Jim
915 Moraine AveBy far one of my favorite restaurants! You will need a reservation, but if you cannot get one, the bar is open seating on a first come, first serve basis.
This is a great authentic Mexican restaurant outside of downtown, and close to the Airbnb. There is also a coupon on the back of Safeway receipts that will have a drink special on it.
(also walking distance to 2 great breweries also listed, Lumpy Ridge and Avant Garde)
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La Cocina De Mama
361 S St Vrain AveThis is a great authentic Mexican restaurant outside of downtown, and close to the Airbnb. There is also a coupon on the back of Safeway receipts that will have a drink special on it.
(also walking distance to 2 great breweries also listed, Lumpy Ridge and Avant Garde)
Best if you are looking for a more healthy Tex-Mex vibe. They do not take reservations and it is generally a long wait during busy summer hours. I would suggest planning on doing some walking creekside and window shopping as you wait to be contacted for your table.
Their avocado margarita is surprisingly amazing! I got virgin ones all the time when I was pregnant last winter.
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Ed's Cantina & Grill
390 E Elkhorn AveBest if you are looking for a more healthy Tex-Mex vibe. They do not take reservations and it is generally a long wait during busy summer hours. I would suggest planning on doing some walking creekside and window shopping as you wait to be contacted for your table.
Their avocado margarita is surprisingly amazing! I got virgin ones all the time when I was pregnant last winter.
Great little brewery that is out of the craziness of downtown. Is also walking distance to another great local brewery, Lumpy Ridge.
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Avant Garde Aleworks
920 Dunraven StGreat little brewery that is out of the craziness of downtown. Is also walking distance to another great local brewery, Lumpy Ridge.
An old converted gas station, turned brewery. A 5 minute drive and usually has a food truck available. If not, they allow you to get food delivered. (Check out Warrior Xpress)
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럼피리지브루잉
531 S St Vrain AveAn old converted gas station, turned brewery. A 5 minute drive and usually has a food truck available. If not, they allow you to get food delivered. (Check out Warrior Xpress)
Owned by the Bird and Jim family, this a great spot for coffee, pastries, pizza, & sandwiches. They also just opened their beautiful upstairs spaces that over looks the mountains. My family loves to get drinks and snacks here and bring cards or a game to play up stairs in this beautiful atmosphere!
Bird's Nest
Owned by the Bird and Jim family, this a great spot for coffee, pastries, pizza, & sandwiches. They also just opened their beautiful upstairs spaces that over looks the mountains. My family loves to get drinks and snacks here and bring cards or a game to play up stairs in this beautiful atmosphere!
Sightseeing
Way more fun than I was expecting. You control your speed with how fast you slow you want to go, in case you are intimidated by that factor. There is a height requirement that is more lenient if you are riding an adult AND a child. It also has beautiful views, so don't forget to look up.
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Mustang Mountain Coaster
1180 Dry Gulch RdWay more fun than I was expecting. You control your speed with how fast you slow you want to go, in case you are intimidated by that factor. There is a height requirement that is more lenient if you are riding an adult AND a child. It also has beautiful views, so don't forget to look up.
This is such a great, affordable day activity. The pontoon boats are affordable (especially if split among passengers), as well as paddle boarding and kayaking. Also just a fun place to picnic with great playground and bike rentals to take around the lake.
https://evrpd.colorado.gov/lake-estes-marina
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에스테스호마리나
1770 Big Thompson AveThis is such a great, affordable day activity. The pontoon boats are affordable (especially if split among passengers), as well as paddle boarding and kayaking. Also just a fun place to picnic with great playground and bike rentals to take around the lake.
https://evrpd.colorado.gov/lake-estes-marina
Just a short drive outside of town. Has some of the BEST cinnamon rolls. You may need to call ahead if you want to place in a larger order. The drive back is absolutely stunning. One of my favorite drive outside the park. If you need to walk off your "rolls" (haha) lumpy ridge trailhead is on the way back on the right hand side.
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Glen Haven General Store
7499 Co Rd 43Just a short drive outside of town. Has some of the BEST cinnamon rolls. You may need to call ahead if you want to place in a larger order. The drive back is absolutely stunning. One of my favorite drive outside the park. If you need to walk off your "rolls" (haha) lumpy ridge trailhead is on the way back on the right hand side.
A great hidden gem of a hike/trail system, & a great way to get up to Sprague Lake when its completely packed/booked out because you do not need a reservation. I would consider this moderate but the first 15% of it is a heavy incline and do suggest poles and/or proper hiking boots. (Staying to the right and hiking straight up to the Aspen grooves. You can use your gps to sprague lake. You’ll go past a glacier basin campground on your right about halfway) I have done this hike in regular trail sneakers just fine too, just depends on your comfort level.
Also technically you’ll see signs that say you need a park pass because you will be in the park but I’ve never got one in the 12 times or so I’ve done this hike 😇
Also fun to bring a picnic or subs (from the country market) and eat at the top at sprague lake where there are lots of picnic tables and benches. My family and I bring a deck of cards or a game too!
East Portal Trailhead
3498 Tunnel RdA great hidden gem of a hike/trail system, & a great way to get up to Sprague Lake when its completely packed/booked out because you do not need a reservation. I would consider this moderate but the first 15% of it is a heavy incline and do suggest poles and/or proper hiking boots. (Staying to the right and hiking straight up to the Aspen grooves. You can use your gps to sprague lake. You’ll go past a glacier basin campground on your right about halfway) I have done this hike in regular trail sneakers just fine too, just depends on your comfort level.
Also technically you’ll see signs that say you need a park pass because you will be in the park but I’ve never got one in the 12 times or so I’ve done this hike 😇
Also fun to bring a picnic or subs (from the country market) and eat at the top at sprague lake where there are lots of picnic tables and benches. My family and I bring a deck of cards or a game too!
Shopping
The best alternative to the dreaded Safeway. With Safeway being the only main grocery store, we go to country market for our food needs. This way you can avoid the long lines, crazy parking lot, and barren shelves. It’s also just down the hill!
They also have a deli and ice cream stand that you can get breakfast or lunch sandwiches. (Just grab a paper at the counter and fill out your made to order sheet with your name on it, and then pay at the main checkout register)
There is also a laundry mat here!
The Country Market of Estes Park
900 Moraine AveRight downtown and by far The cheapest and best place to get your Estes park souvenirs! This is actually the only place I’d get souvenirs. They are closed Sundays and tend to close early for the season so be sure to look up their hours before going
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Brownfield's - Souvenirs & Outdoor Gear
350 E Elkhorn AveRight downtown and by far The cheapest and best place to get your Estes park souvenirs! This is actually the only place I’d get souvenirs. They are closed Sundays and tend to close early for the season so be sure to look up their hours before going
Rainy Day Activities
This is NOT Chippers. This is called 'The Bull Pin'
The Bull Pin is the only place in town that has a good Happy Hour. 4-6pm; $2off beer, wine, liquor, and food.
This has been newly remodeled and has indoor corn hole, pool, arcade games and more.
Chipper's Estes Park Lanes
555 S St Vrain AveThis is NOT Chippers. This is called 'The Bull Pin'
The Bull Pin is the only place in town that has a good Happy Hour. 4-6pm; $2off beer, wine, liquor, and food.
This has been newly remodeled and has indoor corn hole, pool, arcade games and more.
Such a great place to take the kiddos during a rainy day. Curly Water slide, lazy river, and mini splash park. We bring our 2 boys here all the time.
Please be sure to double check their hours as the differ each day!
There is also a large hot tub that is open outside all day until 6pm.
This is also a great place to get your morning workout in. Also check their class schedules for yoga classes, and more.
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Estes Valley Community Center
660 Community DrSuch a great place to take the kiddos during a rainy day. Curly Water slide, lazy river, and mini splash park. We bring our 2 boys here all the time.
Please be sure to double check their hours as the differ each day!
There is also a large hot tub that is open outside all day until 6pm.
This is also a great place to get your morning workout in. Also check their class schedules for yoga classes, and more.