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Started By
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Estes Park and Colorado Springs
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:05 pm
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:05 pm
Will be visiting family in these two areas of Colorado next week. Suggestions for must see and experiences for an upper 50s couple. We don't ski or hike. Like to stay off of the beaten path for the most part. Never opposed to acting on impulse but would like some general suggestions. Thanks.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 5:33 pm to Shanegolang
Garden of the Gods in CS is pretty cool and easy to do
Posted on 3/15/24 at 6:28 pm to Shanegolang
ESTES- Trail Ridge Road is a great drive in RMNP. This is my #1 recommendation.
Start early and stop by the Beavers visitors center then continue on. The drive can be a bit intimidating for some but it’s a great way to see the park. You don’t have to drive the entire road. Stopping at the visitors center at the highest point and turning around is enough. It will take the better part of the day once you stop for the many lookout points. Bring a picnic lunch if that’s your thing.
I can recommend many hikes in Estes depending on physical abilities.
Horse back riding is available.
Rafting is available in either location and I can recommend outfits for either.
Reserve a half day for shopping in downtown Estes. Lots of custom made items. The wife always wants to stop at the glass blowing store for a souvenir.
COLORADO SPRINGS - I didn’t care much for CS but Garden of the Gods is there and free. We did it on bikes which I don’t recommend. That was brutal. Unless you find e-bikes. We did the hot air balloon ride which was fun. It was our first time.
Start early and stop by the Beavers visitors center then continue on. The drive can be a bit intimidating for some but it’s a great way to see the park. You don’t have to drive the entire road. Stopping at the visitors center at the highest point and turning around is enough. It will take the better part of the day once you stop for the many lookout points. Bring a picnic lunch if that’s your thing.
I can recommend many hikes in Estes depending on physical abilities.
Horse back riding is available.
Rafting is available in either location and I can recommend outfits for either.
Reserve a half day for shopping in downtown Estes. Lots of custom made items. The wife always wants to stop at the glass blowing store for a souvenir.
COLORADO SPRINGS - I didn’t care much for CS but Garden of the Gods is there and free. We did it on bikes which I don’t recommend. That was brutal. Unless you find e-bikes. We did the hot air balloon ride which was fun. It was our first time.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 6:52 pm to kciDAtaE
quote:
The drive can be a bit intimidating for some
In what way?? Elaborate please. We are definitely going to do this suggestion! Sounds exactly like what we want to know. Thank you.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:10 pm to kciDAtaE
quote:
Trail Ridge Road is a great drive in RMNP. This is my #1 recommendation.
It’s winter.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:13 pm to Shanegolang
It’s gorgeous. But if you’re prone to distracted driving, it could be disastrous.
It’s a very well maintained road but if not used to driving in mountains, it could be intimidating. If you or wife is prone to car sickness, this drive will push you to your limits.
I’ve never had any issues and driven it many times.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:14 pm to Hogwall Jackson
quote:
It’s winter.
Good point. I didn’t notice they are going soon. Road will be closed. Scratch the rafting as well.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 7:58 pm to kciDAtaE
Trail ridge road is closed at the visitors center until summer but it’s closed earlier than that due to the big storm they just had.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 11:41 pm to Shanegolang
Stay at The Stanley in Estes Park. It is not a luxury hotel, but has "charm".
See whatever is open in RMNP.
In CS, do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak if open.
Colorado is a state for skiing and hiking though
See whatever is open in RMNP.
In CS, do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak if open.
Colorado is a state for skiing and hiking though

Posted on 3/16/24 at 1:29 am to Shanegolang
quote:
The drive can be a bit intimidating for some
quote:
In what way?? Elaborate please.
Trail Ridge Road?
The feet of snow currently covering the road would be the most intimidating bit.
Posted on 3/16/24 at 8:24 pm to Shanegolang
Feed the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain zoo
If it’s a pretty day and you have time, drive from Salida through Canon City
If it’s a pretty day and you have time, drive from Salida through Canon City
Posted on 3/17/24 at 7:26 am to DarthRebel
quote:This and I will suggest Manitoa Springs as well for a lunch and casual shopping including a fantastic dispensary as I have been told.
In CS, do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak if open.
Manitoa Springs
This post was edited on 3/17/24 at 7:30 am
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:19 am to Shanegolang
Estes is mostly a sleepy town in the off season. Strolling downtown is like walking any tourist trap area. Lots of t-shirt shops and bad food.
CS
Ride the cog train to the top of Pikes Peak. If you have never been above 14k feet, it is an experience.
CS has the Olympic Training Center. They do tours of all of their facilities.
Air Force Academy and Chapel
Garden of the Gods
Wander around Manitou
Penny Arcade
Cripple Creek if the roads are ok
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Weak food, but interesting experience at the Airplane Restaurant.
Drive up to Denver and go to Meow Wolf.
Bars... several with speakeasy vibes (CS has a big speak history because the city was so conservative)
Brooklyn's on Boulder
The Rabbit Hole
The Archives
Axe and the Oak
Motif Jazz Cafe (Live jazz music, fills up fast)
Shame and Regret (Catholic confessional themed bar)
Chiba (weird, anime themed shite with great food)
CS
Ride the cog train to the top of Pikes Peak. If you have never been above 14k feet, it is an experience.
CS has the Olympic Training Center. They do tours of all of their facilities.
Air Force Academy and Chapel
Garden of the Gods
Wander around Manitou
Penny Arcade
Cripple Creek if the roads are ok
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Weak food, but interesting experience at the Airplane Restaurant.
Drive up to Denver and go to Meow Wolf.
Bars... several with speakeasy vibes (CS has a big speak history because the city was so conservative)
Brooklyn's on Boulder
The Rabbit Hole
The Archives
Axe and the Oak
Motif Jazz Cafe (Live jazz music, fills up fast)
Shame and Regret (Catholic confessional themed bar)
Chiba (weird, anime themed shite with great food)
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:00 pm to Locoguan0
quote:
Air Force Academy and Chapel
FYI, the Chapel is closed for rennovations until 2027
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:22 pm to Don Quixote
Cave of the winds is neat to kill an hour on same day as Garden of The Gods
Posted on 3/17/24 at 7:08 pm to Shanegolang
FYI.
We just had a foot or more of snow here in the Springs.
Gonna be hard to do much especially if you are not used to it.
We just had a foot or more of snow here in the Springs.
Gonna be hard to do much especially if you are not used to it.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 6:22 pm to Shanegolang
quote:
ESTES- Trail Ridge Road is a great drive in RMNP. This is my #1 recommendation.
I agree but the view is exceptional driving west to east.
Posted on 3/19/24 at 7:10 pm to Shanegolang
Cog railway to Pikes Peak.
Posted on 3/19/24 at 8:00 pm to Shanegolang
quote:
The drive can be a bit intimidating for some
quote:
In what way?? Elaborate please.
You have to be completely terrified of heights to be intimidated by Trail Ridge Road. It's a very easy drive with no serious drop-offs that I know of. That may be more accurate for Fall River Road which is an alternate way up that I like. But even that is not very intimidating.
Posted on 3/20/24 at 10:15 pm to Shanegolang
Seven Falls
Picnic at Helen Hunt falls
Garden of the Gods
—also at places like this and HH falls, don’t consider it hiking. Consider it going on a really cool hike. You don’t have to go far.
Royal George
Cripple Creek
Fargo’s Pizza
Air Force Academy chapel
Cheyenne Mountain zoo
Broadmoor Resort
Flying W Ranch
Cliff Dwellings
Cave of the Winds
Lot of microbreweries
Walk the old Colorado city area and the downtown CS area. Manitou Springs too.
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