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Post by twistedscissors on Jul 21, 2023 22:36:20 GMT
We have been asked to vacation with friends in Estes Park, CO the week of thanksgiving. What fun things to do? Where to eat? Any advice?
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Post by shanniebananie on Jul 21, 2023 23:44:13 GMT
We LOVE Estes Park and just returned after spending a week there.
Eating - Antonio's Pizza, Smoking' Daves BBQ, Ed's Cantina, and Twin Owls (a bit more fancy).
Activities - we did tons of hiking. Not sure what you can do with snow on the ground. Sprague Lake and Bear Lake are very level and easy to walk around.
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Post by hopemax on Jul 22, 2023 0:13:13 GMT
I'm glad someone already mentioned Antonio's Pizza. Anthony is a friend of DH's. We drive up their from the Denver area just for the pizza.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,937 
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jul 22, 2023 0:33:57 GMT
They have a small parade the day after Thanksgiving.
The Historic Stanley Hotel has both tours and different events. I think its a magic show at that time of year.
It will be all lit up for Christmas.
Lots of little shops.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,406
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 22, 2023 1:59:00 GMT
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Post by jovifan on Jul 22, 2023 2:55:59 GMT
Ohhhh I love Estes! I want to get married there someday…haha
I feel like the Rocky Nat Park is an obvious thing. The downtown area is so cute.
The Dunraven is sooo gorgeous . We ate breakfast there, didn’t stay at the resort. But we walked around the lake.
It’s so unbelievably pretty, I got emotional. Just like a postcard. Enjoy!
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Post by aj2hall on Jul 22, 2023 3:28:29 GMT
My oldest worked at the YMCA out there and we visited in April about 5 years ago. There was still snow on the ground at higher elevations but we took a hike to the lovely Emerald Lake in the park. We rented 4 wheelers which was really fun. There’s an indoor climbing gym in town and a climbing wall at the YMCA. The YMCA also has a frisbee golf course and mini golf.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 23, 2023 19:50:20 GMT
I second (or third or fourth) Antonio's pizza. Our favorite breakfast place is Notchtop. Huge pancakes. We have been to the Stanley several times and it is always fun to wander around when they don't have a bear in the reception area. If the weather is decent, head to RMNP and see how far you can go. If you get there really early in the morning, no one is manning the check in booths. Not sure if you still need reservations. We have done Green Jeep tours twice and enjoyed the experienced tour guides' perspective of the park. If you have the time, drive all of the way through the RMNP and on the opposite side is Grand Lake. That is such a cute little town to visit too. It is about 3 miles from the exit of the national park.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 23, 2023 21:26:33 GMT
You won't need reservations to RMNP in November. Trail Ridge Road will be closed at a certain point and it is unlikely you could drive to Grand Lake. A decent number of the shops will be closed as they are seasonal.
You can find some hikes. I recommend having All Trails or Cotrex or both downloaded. Cotrex will give condition of the trails and hikers leave review on All Trails.
Bring a variety of clothes and dress in layers. What feels warm when the sun is up is downright freezing when it goes down.
Be ready to take pictures, especially at night. The Christmas lights are beautiful with the mountains in the background
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