Planning a trip to Colorado

[Ann-Marie]

We have a TS trade for Estes Park, CO starting August 23rd. We would like to spend the week before in Co. as well, making it a full 2 weeks. Here are some parameters. I have mobility issues, so no hiking or long walks. If I do a long walk, I would need somewhere to rest. We were thinking of flying out the week before and going to Colorado Springs. I am trying to figure out how many days to spend there. We were looking forward to going on the Cog Railroad, but at this point I am not sure if it will be running. Then we thought of spending a few days in Denver. Unfortunately the Colorado Rockies will not be playing that week at home because that is something we would have liked to do. Suggestions on what to do, and how many days in Colorado Springs and how many in Denver. We head to Estes Park on a Friday. I am thinking we will drive back to Denver the day of check out and stay overnight to fly out the next day back home Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[WinniWoman]

Can't help you with Colorado Springs or Denver, but we flew into Denver from NY to stay in Estes Park for a week in June, 2017. We stayed at Rams Horn Resort right at the entrance to RMNP. Driving through Rocky Mountain National Park was awesome and fairly easy to do all the stops along the way and take it all in. You will be fine there.

Estes Park is crowded with tourists and we found parking a big hassle there. Lots of shopping and restaurants and so on. We went to the Lazy B for a real country western barbecue and show. We toured the Stanley Hotel. Then we drove to Boulder and parked and walked and had lunch on Pearl Street. We visited Celestial Seasons Factory and did the tour and also the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art. Views of the Flat Irons were awesome.

Then another day we went to the Red Rock Amphitheater and also Dinosaur Park. They have a bus that can take you along the route to see the dinosaur tracks.

As for the amphitheater they do have elevators and just walking and/or driving around there is so interesting and cool to see.

We cannot do very steep hikes either- plus the altitude can bother people. We were fine with just walks- some long and some short. We paced ourselves accordingly.

If you want to do things in Denver I think your plan of staying overnight before you fly back is a good one.

 

[PigsDad]

I'm just curious -- why Colorado Springs? Manitou Springs (where the cog rail is, and it should be running then) is a fine place to visit, but other than that or visiting the Air Force Academy, to many Coloradoans, Colorado Springs is not really known as a tourist place with lots to see. I would think Boulder and/or Denver would be much more interesting with more to do and see before heading up to the mountains. (Colorado Springs, Denver and Boulder are all on the plains, right next to the start of the mountain ranges). But my perspective as a resident is certainly skewed.

Kurt

 

[Talent312]

I'm just curious -- why Colorado Springs?

There are enuff places to see+do in the area to make a stopover worthwhile...
Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, U.S. Air Force Academy, Olympic Training Center, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Gold Mine Tours (Cripple Creek)...

Especially if you're heading SW toward Gunnison, Telluride, Silverton or Durango.

 

[CO skier]

Manitou Springs (where the cog rail is, and it should be running then)

The reopening of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is currently planned for 2021.

 

[Ann-Marie]

Thanks folks. Maybe we should spend 2 days in Colorado Springs and a few in Denver. I would love to go to the mint but with security and cut backs, I am not sure that will happen.

 

[itchyfeet]

Vail/Avon is an outstanding area to visit. Many beautiful drives from there. We actually enjoy that area more than Estes Park.

 

[Ann-Marie]

We have been to Vail and Avon. When we are in Colorado Springs, we will spending a few hours with a friend of my husbands who lives midway between Denver and Colorado Springs. Nothing is set in stone, so we could check out early and stay the last night somewhere else on the way to Estes Park.

 

[SciTchr]

I live Denver and I vote for Manitou Springs. We have family there and it is a wonderful spot with much to do. We have stayed at The Cliff House and enjoyed walking around the small shops in Manitou and Old Colorado City. Talant312 listed a lot of good activities. I would add a visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and maybe The Broadmoor Hotel. There is a fun English style pub there called The Golden Bee with a piano sing-along in the evening. They used to throw little appliquéd bees at you. We haven’t been for awhile, so not sure if that still happens. If you need a hotel, check out The Cliff House. It is a well located historic hotel with a good included breakfast.