A weekend in Estes Park, Colorado
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Just outside the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park (pronounced: "Ess-tiss Park") is the kind of place that feels like stepping into a postcard-towering peaks, charming downtown streets, and that crisp mountain air you can’t bottle no matter how hard you try.
Whether you’re chasing elk sightings, (but for real, don’t actually chase them, or try and pet them.) sipping coffee with a view, or simply craving a break from your everyday life, a weekend in Estes offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm.
Here’s how the weekend went for us.
We went for a girls weekend at the end of April, before the tourist season really starts. The hotel was cheap, and not packed at all. We could enjoy sitting outside and walking around town without walking single file on the sidewalks or in the stores.
Estes Park is about 3 hours from Colorado Springs, a perfect weekend getaway. If you are wanting a girls, solo or family weekend you will find plenty of things to do.
Although the drive through Denver can get congested and bumper to bumper depending on what time you leave.
If you’re not in a rush, you can hit up Buc-cees in Johnstown just north of Denver, for some cheap gas, and get lost in a world of BBQ sandwiches, fountain drinks, fudge, and endless Buc-cees souvenirs. Oh did I mention the bathrooms? Yes, I would stop there just for the bathrooms.
Just be prepared to stand in line and dodge all the people, and you may want to grab a cart. You’ll probably need it.
We ended up going twice, Saturday was of course insanely busy, but Monday was pleasant. You didn’t even have to hold your stuff like a football incase someone bumped into you.
Keep in mind the parking lot on a Saturday, should really come with its own traffic officer, and going inside is like hold on to your hats, but the bathrooms, I didn’t even have to wait in line. Which as you know at any other gas station is unheard of.
It will add time to your drive but it is always worth it!
The road into Estes Park is winding and full of curves, so take your time and enjoy the view. Even as the driver you will still enjoy the views. As a passenger you can look up the steep canyon walls and look for wild life. The walls of the canyon almost glitter or shine when the sun is on them, it really is so beautiful to see.
Photo courtesy Hotel Estes
We stayed at Hotel Estes, a charming two-story spot perched right on the edge of town with beautiful views and a cozy, laid-back vibe. One of the fun little perks? Free popcorn in the afternoons and s’mores kits in the evenings so you can roast marshmallows around the fire pit!
On our first night, we made our way to the fire pit and ended up staying for hours—just chatting, stargazing, and soaking in the mountain air. Even in summer, you’ll want to bring a light jacket once the sun dips behind the peaks. The fire pit area is tucked away from the main road, making it feel peaceful and relaxed, with two fire pits, plenty of seating, and a sweet little playground nearby for the kids to burn off some energy.
Photo courtesy: Hotel Estes
The Stanley Hotel
For just $25 a ticket, you’ll get an hour-long guided tour through two of the Stanley Hotel’s historic buildings—and a peek at some of the areas regular guests never get to see (no guest rooms, though—those are still off-limits). Our guide, Nicole, was a wealth of knowledge and clearly loved sharing the quirky stories and rich history of how this iconic hotel came to be. The day tour included a few light chills and ghostly tales, but if you’re looking for a spookier experience, check out the Stanley Night Tour. That one cranks up the eerie factor!
Before or after your tour, be sure to wander the hotel grounds and check out the lobby and common areas inside. The main hotel also has a small gift shop where you can snag all kinds of fun souvenirs—postcards, hats, artwork, clothing, and even replicas of the famous Room 217 door number and key. (Why replicas? Because guests kept stealing the real door number so often, the hotel had to permanently secure it to the wall!)
Speaking of Room 217—on June 25, 1911, a gas explosion rocked the room, injuring chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson. She survived, returned to work after she recovered, and stayed on until her death. And according to many, she’s still on the job. It’s said her spirit doesn’t appreciate unaccompanied men in her room—she’ll kindly pack up their things and place their suitcase by the door. But if there’s a woman and children staying in the room? She’ll reportedly tidy up, fold clothes, and even make the bed. Now that’s service from beyond the grave.
For families:
Whether you're a history buff, a casual tourist, or just tagging along for the spooky stories, the Stanley Hotel tour is a fun and family-friendly way to experience a slice of Colorado's eerie past—without too many nightmares. (The tour is kid friendly, but they do need to be 8 years old before they are allowed on the tour- per the hotel’s rules. Younger kids would get bored, its a lot of walking, standing and listening.)
For thrill-seekers:
If you're chasing chills and love a good ghost story, the Stanley Hotel is a must-see—just don’t be surprised if you leave with more questions than answers... and maybe a suitcase mysteriously packed by a ghost named Elizabeth.
Down town and shopping:
Downtown Estes Park is full of charm, with its quaint shops lining the riverwalk and main street—you’ll find everything from handmade soaps and cozy flannels to saltwater taffy, souvenirs, and local art. It’s the perfect place to stroll, browse, and maybe pick up a little something you didn’t know you needed.
Just one tip: keep an eye on the sidewalk while you shop and wander—
Some visitors forget—or simply choose not—to clean up after their pets, and let’s just say one wrong step can definitely put a damper on your day.
One of my favorite places to go while visiting a new place is bookstores. Estes Park had two that we tried out. Both were really good, and the shop workers were very friendly and helpful. I love small towns!
The first book store was MacDonald Book Shop, located in downtown on Elkhorn Ave. We arrived right after opening, so the shop was ours while we were browsing. We had just missed Independent Bookstore day (the day before!) but there were still freebies and fun things to look at supporting small/independent bookshops. They had a great selection from children’s books, teens, adults to nature books. Also, they had a section for a local author, I didn’t get to buy one, but I will definitely buy at least one the next time I visit. They looked so good.
Cliffhanger Used Books was not on Elkhorn Ave, but a short distance away. I really enjoyed this one, not only are they used books and pretty inexpensive, you get a great view and the shop workers were so helpful and nice. You could definitely get carried away in this shop, I walked up with a whole stack of books and barely spent $10.
If you’re looking for a cozy and memorable weekend getaway, Estes Park should definitely be on your list. This charming mountain town offers a little bit of everything—classic tourist fun, mouthwatering food (don’t skip the cinnamon rolls!), unique shops, and even a dash of spooky history with a tour of the iconic Stanley Hotel.
And of course, no visit to Estes Park would be complete without spotting a few elk casually wandering through town like they own the place—because honestly, they kind of do.
This post just scratches the surface of what Estes has to offer. We didn’t even make it into Rocky Mountain National Park on this trip, and that alone is worth a full adventure of its own. With so many trails to hike, sights to see, and stories to uncover, one visit simply isn’t enough. Trust me—you’ll be planning your return before you even leave.
