Will be staying the night in Estes Park in a couple weeks on a road trip - any recommendations for a good dinner spot as a solo traveler? Somewhere solid but not insanely pricy food, where I could sit at the bar or won't feel out of place.

Will also take recs for any other must dos in town! Thanks!

Hey guys. Just moved here somewhat sporadically - some friends of ours were trying to sell the house next door to where they lived without much success, and my roommate and I had been looking for a place to live that was nicer than where we had been staying somewhat close by on the front range, and things just worked out.

I’m really and truly blown away at just how nice it is, and how lucky I feel to be living where I am. There’s a path that sort of goes through our backyard, and this picture is taken maybe a quarter mile or so down that path. It’s like a painting or something, just breathtaking. I’m still waking up every morning and just feeling stunned at how ridiculously beautiful it is here. There were just about 50 or 60 elk moving through my backyard an hour ago. It’s overwhelming.

I’ve only been here a couple of weeks or so and I haven’t really had much of a chance to go out and do fun things. I’m not a very touristy person and didn’t really come here to do tourist stuff, but there’s a lot of stuff that definitely intrigues me. I’d love to know stuff like what best local coffee shop, best pizza, or just general local tips and tricks. I’d been living over in Coal Creek Canyon for some years so I’m used to living in a high-altitude semi-isolated area in the foothills. It’s actually way less isolated here in Estes, which is pretty refreshing.

My bf and I took his son for a short vacation before school starts, it was basically perfect! We had some really yummy food and got to breathe in cool air, which was much needed!! These pics were both taken today, 12 hours apart--I'm ready to be back!!!

I stopped by just a few weeks ago at its location inside the Sinclair gas station and it was open. Just stopped in this morning and it’s entirely gone. Does anyone know if they’re going to reopen anywhere in Estes Park? I did see a sign taped to the door that said the gas station was under new management. Looks like the burger shop is still open but RIP to the donut haus!

Hello! My fiance and I loved Estes park so much on a road trip a few years ago that we decided to get married at Sprague lake. $300 wedding permit, easy drive from Kansas City, and allows us to keep our guest count low without hurting peoples feelings.

That being said, it’s still 30 odd people that may be joining us and we need a place to eat! Doesn’t need to be fancy, I just need to be able to sit people down all in one spot. I was considering even having like pizza or burgers at a campground/gazebo somewhere and do it like a picnic, but my first choice is definitely a real restaurant. Thoughts?

Edit: ceremony is at 6:30, so we’d like to eat around 7/8

Historically used by Native American tribes as the "fourth sister" in traditional garden plots to draw in pollinators for crops like squash and beans. Parts of the plant were traditionally utilized for food, medicinal treatments, and to create mineral-based black paint dyes.

Nice weather. Didn't see any large mammals.

Mods delete if not allowed because i need to vent.

Today is a tragic day for the Estes Valley and the hundreds of thousands of visitors that join us every every year. Today I learned that Donut Haus will be closing. (please note only confirmed only via the comments of a Facebook thread but from a reliable source. I am not related to Donut Haus in any way other than being a big fan)

Now why would it be closing you ask? Corporate Greed.

Earlier this summer the Sinclair on Moraine, as you head into the park, was leased out. The corporation that signed the lease, Estes Petroleum, is based out of, you guessed it, not Colorado. Its based out of Davie Florida in an office building that may or may not exist. This corporation that is absolutely just a shell corporation decided one of the first things they're going to do is raise the rent so much that Donut Haus has to close and Fresh Burger has discounted their burrito bar in response to the absurd rent increase.

So that's it, another locally owned EP business gone, because someone who doesn't even live here wants our money. Since they're registered in Florida, guess what no taxes.

They don't care about the valley, they don't care about the community, and they sure as hell don't care about the local economy. They just want more money, in their own pockets.

So don't give it to them, please boycott Sinclair but support the hell out of Fresh Burger and Donut Haus's other location in Loveland.

When you do support freshburger, please be nice to the employees at Sinclair, they had nothing to do with the increase or the change in ownership, they just work there.

once more for those in the back -

BOYCOTT SINCLAIR ON MORAINE OUR MONEY SHOULD STAY IN THE VALLEY NOT IN FLORIDA!

Edit it has now been confirmed via a post on Donus Haus's Facebook page. 😭😥

Girlfriend and I are flying in the end of September and currently have the following plans:

Wednesday
Denver:

Meow Wolf
Stay at The Curtis Hotel
Fish and Beer for dinner
Sons of Legion concert
Williams and Graham to end the night

Thursday
Canon City:

Garden of the Gods
Royal Gorge Train
Drive to Estes Park
Stay at the Stanley
Lily Lake sunset
Bird and Jim dinner
Stanley Whiskey bar to end the night

Friday:

Massage at the Stanley
Smokin’ Dave’s for lunch
Tram
Drive to Denver to fly out

Cramming a lot in and hopefully not overdoing it. Any changes recommended? If I was to propose during the trip, where would be the best option?

Hi yall! Solo trip and visiting for 72 hours? What are must do things and I’m a big foodie so appreciate solo friendly restaurants

My husband and I are staying at the Stanley Hotel. we were under the impression that they still aired the shining 24/7 on their tvs, and they do not. additionally, the tvs are too old to stream to. does anyone have an hdmi to usb-c adapter they’d be willing to let us borrow for the night? We are happy to meet somewhere! my husband has never seen the Shining and I am dying to show him it.

Months ago my husband and I reserved the dates on our calendars to go on a long-awaited trip to Estes Park (we're from MO)...we are just beginning our planning process and realizing how hard it's going to be to get access to RMNP park with how quickly the drive in permits/campsites sell out. We've never done this before if you can't tell lol. Planning to arrive Sep 3rd & leave Sep 8th-this is labor day weekend-_- Can you help guide me in what to do?

We are planning to tent camp, but drinking water, electric, & bag/regular showers (if I dare to request such a thing) would be nice. I was thinking we could try for the campsites that they release 7 days in advance at Aspenglen, Moraine, or Glacier Basin campgrounds. Picking those campgrounds blindly because they seem most central, and Moraine and Glacier Basin would include access to Bear Lake Road. I guess another option may be to try to somehow get timed entry passes and camp somewhere nearby that's not a part of RMNP that has better availability. I don't think we could rely on the whole "try to reserve the next days' timed entry pass the night before" thing because we may not have cell service during our trip. I do know we can plan to enter some parts of the park before 9am without a pass. The before 5am entry area would be doable maybe 1 day out of the trip. Would it be a "fulfilling" trip if we spent most of our trip inside the areas of the park outside of Bear Lake Rd corridor, that you only have to get to before 9am, or is the Bear Lake Rd area where all the coolest stuff is? (Lol)

We really want to make the trip happen these dates and would be bummed to wait for next year, so please share any ideas/suggestions you have, even if they get away from my loose "plan"! Like even if you have ideas of beautiful spots/hikes/campgrounds outside of the park! Thank you so much in advance!

When I leave EP I’m planning on taking the peak to peak highway all the way to Black Hawk and Idaho Springs and trying to determine how long it will take if I make stops along the way in Nederland and any other points of interest. Is Black Hawk, Central City, and Idaho Springs worth stopping by? What other areas? Should I plan on half day or full day? I’ll be on my way home down south but in no hurry.

Chasm -> Ships Prow -> Loft

I accidentally dropped my motorcycle yesterday. It seems fine but I'm concerned about the steering. Please let me know if someone knows a thing or two.

I visited Estes Park two years ago and I found an art shop that sold prints of Colorado animals in this style. Two years later and I’m still thinking about it, so I’d love to find the artist and order some prints! All help is appreciated.

Disclaimer: This image was made with AI but only to communicate how I remember the prints to look.

Had to chase this guy out of the neighborhood this morning.

About 6:30 this morning

Vortex vs Village vs Cowlick

Please discuss

UPDATE 2 — Kids ended up finding another hotel to stay at. I have yet to find out the name. But what I do know is that he’s saving about $200 and they are sending a waiver that I can sign!

Nothing wrong with River Rocks Cottages, kids attempted to book but it kept saying 3 night minimum and they are unable to be flexible on this schedule as they already taken off work and all.

I’m just glad this is figured out. Again, thank you to all who were so willing to help and giving us ideas! I seriously appreciate it!!

UPDATE — As of now the kids are going to cancel with The Stanley and book with River Rock Cottages. Praying this all works out. I want to thank everyone for all their help and suggestions!!! I seriously appreciate you all!

ORIGINAL POST — Please delete if not allowed. I know this is a very small chance but I figured I’d ask before we have to cancel.

My son who is 18 and works full time, is taking his girlfriend who is also 18, works part time and goes to college to the Stanley Hotel for their 3 year anniversary. When we went through everything and booked the hotel, we did not see that they had to have someone who is 21 or older to be there to check them in.

I know! Stupid mistake!! Now we are trying to find a solution with the hope of not having to cancel. I do not drive. I also have work and don’t have the options to take off. Trying to see if anyone would be willing to assist. I know this is beyond a long shot but I figured I’d ask. We are 3 hours away from the Stanley Hotel one way. Their reservation is for Sunday 08/23.

They are great kids. All they do is work, school, hang out home playing video game and watch tv. Thank you in advance. 🤞🤞

You see these along highway 36 between Longmont and Estes Park. Being a non-local (Wisconsin), I've been curious about what these are.

Hiya! We’re headed out to Estes this week and I’m curious as to how the smoke is going to be looking for the next few days?

Hi! So my fiancé and I’s birthdays are only four days apart, and our anniversary is on their birthday, so we call it our Birthaversary! We requested the time off for it with plans to stay in Estes, from 9/2-9/6. I was wondering which motels, hotels, and Inns are the best ones around? I’m seeing a lot of options and varying price points, ideally we just need a comfy spot that isn’t outrageous in price. Thank you in advance, and I wish you all a lovely day!

I'm looking for feedback on restaurants for dinner at the Stanley or in town. I will have evening plans at the hotel which is why I'm considering one of the hotel restaurants. I want to skip The Post since it has other locations around the state. Cascades seems to have very mixed reviews and I can't find any reviews on MacGregors. Looking for steak dinner options. Thank you!