Guidebook for Estes Park
Sightseeing
Great shorter day hike with excellent views of Estes, Longs Peak, and the Continental Divide. No park pass needed to access the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead.
11 locals recommend
Gem Lake Trail
Gem Lake TrailGreat shorter day hike with excellent views of Estes, Longs Peak, and the Continental Divide. No park pass needed to access the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead.
Awesome longer day hike with amazing views and usually a little less traffic than the national park. No park pass necessary to access the trailhead.
6 locals recommend
Twin Sisters Trail
Twin Sisters TrailAwesome longer day hike with amazing views and usually a little less traffic than the national park. No park pass necessary to access the trailhead.
Beautiful medium hike with excellent views of Longs Peak and Estes Park. No park pass required to access the trailhead.
Estes Cone Trail
Estes Cone TrailBeautiful medium hike with excellent views of Longs Peak and Estes Park. No park pass required to access the trailhead.
Easiest hike in the park to a beautiful waterfall. Park pass required to access the trailhead.
9 locals recommend
Alberta Falls
Easiest hike in the park to a beautiful waterfall. Park pass required to access the trailhead.
Stunning alpine lake at the base of the diamond face of Longs Peak. Not the easiest hike, but totally worth it! No park pass required to access the trailhead.
8 locals recommend
Chasm Lake
Stunning alpine lake at the base of the diamond face of Longs Peak. Not the easiest hike, but totally worth it! No park pass required to access the trailhead.
Worth the drive on America's highest continuous highway. The views are amazing! Park pass required for this drive.
10 locals recommend
Alpine Visitor Center
Trail Ridge RoadWorth the drive on America's highest continuous highway. The views are amazing! Park pass required for this drive.
I actually recommend avoiding Bear Lake unless you go during a mid-week day or in the off season. On weekends, especially holiday weekends, it can be a mad house without any parking.
26 locals recommend
Bear Lake Trailhead
Bear Lake RoadI actually recommend avoiding Bear Lake unless you go during a mid-week day or in the off season. On weekends, especially holiday weekends, it can be a mad house without any parking.
Food Scene
Ed's Cantina & Grill
390 E Elkhorn AveA local favorite for Mexican food and margaritas.
Excellent local coffee shop that roasts their own coffee here in Estes. The staff are super friendly. If you go, tell Becky that I said hello :)
44 locals recommend
Kind Coffee
470 E Elkhorn AveExcellent local coffee shop that roasts their own coffee here in Estes. The staff are super friendly. If you go, tell Becky that I said hello :)
Cafe De Pho Thai
225 W Riverside DrAmazing Thai food!
Antonio's Real New York Pizza
1560 Big Thompson AveMy favorite pizza place in town.
Penelope's Old Time Burgers
229 West Elkhorn AvenueBest local burger joint in town.
Nepal's Cafe
184 E Elkhorn AveFantastic Indian and Nepalese food!
Mama Rose's
338 W Elkhorn AveA delicious Italian restaurant.
Everything Else
Beautiful and historic hotel in Estes that offers ghost tours. Stephen King was inspired to write "The Shining" after staying in the Stanley.
91 locals recommend
The Stanley Hotel
333 E Wonderview AveBeautiful and historic hotel in Estes that offers ghost tours. Stephen King was inspired to write "The Shining" after staying in the Stanley.
Riverspointe Spa
121 Wiest DrNeed a massage? This is my favorite spa in town.
Shopping
Lovely glass art gallery/workshop that has live glass blowing demonstrations all day long.
Patterson Glassworks Studio & Gallery
323 Elkhorn AveLovely glass art gallery/workshop that has live glass blowing demonstrations all day long.
For Bare Feet
126 E Elkhorn AveA sock store! Who doesn't love awesome socks?
Macdonald Book Shop
152 E Elkhorn AveCute local bookstore that also serves coffee and pastries.
Entertainment & Activities
You have to slide down the big slide! Play some mini golf and ride the go karts or the bumper boats :)
18 locals recommend
Fun City
455 Prospect Village DrYou have to slide down the big slide! Play some mini golf and ride the go karts or the bumper boats :)
Got a sweet tooth? This is the place to go. Lots of candy stores to choose from, so be sure to check out Laura's.
9 locals recommend
Laura's Fine Candies
129 E Elkhorn AveGot a sweet tooth? This is the place to go. Lots of candy stores to choose from, so be sure to check out Laura's.
Drinks & Nightlife
Delicious local beer! They have a tasting bar downstairs and a restaurant/bar upstairs. Go for the beer and also enjoy the food if you're hungry.
16 locals recommend
Estes Park Brewery
470 Prospect Village DrDelicious local beer! They have a tasting bar downstairs and a restaurant/bar upstairs. Go for the beer and also enjoy the food if you're hungry.
Wheel Bar
132 E Elkhorn AvePretty much the one bar downtown. They've got shuffleboard!
Essentials
Safeway
451 E Wonderview AvePretty much the only grocery store in town.