Publisher's Letter
My friends at The Group Inc. send me their very informative “Insider” newsletter which I always enjoy, and their recent one relayed several interesting things that we, living in this area, instinctively already know. A new survey reported that Colorado residents are among the most content in the country with Colorado ranking fourth among the 50 states in this Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index...
» READ MORE
Try Estes Park for Your Next Staycation
by Angeline Grenz
Enjoy the perfect day in Estes Park: explore Rocky Mountain National Park, leisurely shop downtown’s many boutiques, and when evening rolls around dine at one of Estes’ excellent restaurants. After the perfect day, spend the night and enjoy another.
 |
The “staycation” is the latest in vacationing vocabulary: traveling within your region, rather than flying out of state. While Northern Colorado has many beautiful natural amenities available for the day trip or overnight stay, not many can match the beauty, variety and convenience of vacationing in our own back yard, Estes Park.
Estes Park enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine and Trail Ridge Road is now open to welcome travelers to the highest majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park. The outdoor lover can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, uninterrupted stargazing, even bird watching.
More urban pursuits include strolling along the downtown corridor taking in specialty boutiques, art galleries, a local brewery, many fine dining restaurants, and locally made candy and other goodies. Lodging ranges from ultra-romantic mountain chateaus to quaint cabins with outdoor activities aplenty. Whatever you choose to do while visiting Estes Park, you enjoy it in the far-reaching embrace of the serene Rocky Mountains.
- Horse Shows – every weekend except Rodeo Week, these shows kick off June 24 with the Rocky Mountain Miniature Horse Show and run till late August.
- Music – Concerts, with music for every taste, will run all summer long. Bond Park will feature music every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. beginning June 14. Performance Park will feature their Thursday Night Live Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. through August 27.
- www.estes-park.com
- www.estesart.com
- www.nps.gov
- www.estesparkcvb.com
- www.enjoyestes.com
Throughout the summer:
Check out the following Websites for all things Estes Park:
Calendar of Events
- 6 – Labor Day Summer Art Walk - visit www.estesart.com for a walking tour map.
- 6 – Fishing Derby - competition and prizes for all ages at the Lake Estes Marina.
- 13 – Rocky Mountain Brewfest - Estes Park Brewery, Estes Park Marathon’s Kid’s Fun Run & Festival
- 13 and 14 – The 19th Annual Estes Park Wool Market
- 14 – Estes Park Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10k and 5k
- 25 – 25th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic
- 26 – Cool Night Cruz-In - muscle cars, hot rods, trucks, and kit cars.
- 27 and 28 – Scandinavian Midsummer Festival - heritage festival celebrating the summer solstice at Bond Park, enjoy music, dancing, and more.
- 4 – Independence Day in Estes Park. Festivities begin with a Holiday Pancake Breakfast and continue throughout the day with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- 7 to 12 – Rooftop Rodeo Parade (July 7) and 83rd annual Rooftop Rodeo. Named the Best Small Rodeo in the country by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, this rodeo features themed rodeos, including“ Rodeo Heritage Day,” “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” “Old Mexico Day,” and “Kids Day.”
- 31 to Aug. 1 – Relay for Life, walk/run benefit for the Cancer Society.
- 1 and 2 – Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Estes Park Conference Center.
- 20 to 23 – Dressage Equestrian Event at the Fairgrounds.
- 28 – Auto Extravaganza at Bond Park. This year will feature British cars.
June
July
August
Angeline Grenz is a freelance writer living in Fort Collins with her husband, Josh, and Saint Bernard, Bella.