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Attractions
Events
Getting to Estes Park
IN ESTES PARK, LIFE IS the way you wish it could be. This beautiful mountain town, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, is your gateway to the number one mountain destination in Colorado - Rocky Mountain National Park! Here, you'll find so much to do, see and enjoy and you'll discover wonderful treasures, both tangible and intangible, to take away with you.
The inspiring natural beauty of the Estes Park area will lift your spirits. The cadence of the mountain environment will both relax and invigorate you. The friendly faces and hospitality you'll encounter will make you feel at home, and Estes Park will find a special place in your heart.
Estes Park, Colorado, and Rocky Mountain National Park are Colorado's favorite family vacation destination. Rich in history, the town of Estes Park features hundreds of unique shops, galleries, and restaurants for you to enjoy. A variety of lodging properties provide accommodations to fit any budget.
ATTRACTIONS
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is the major attraction for our area. Elk, mule deer, big horn sheep, moose, coyotes and a great variety of smaller animals call the 416 square miles (265,769 acres) of Rocky home. With elevations from 8,000 to over 14,000 feet it has some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere.
Estes Valley Recreation & Park District
Estes Valley Recreation & Park District is a public agency providing parks and recreation programs for members of the community and visitors to Estes Park. • 970.586.8191
COLLECTIONS
The Baldpate Inn is probably most famous as home for several unparalleled collections. The world renowned Baldpate Key Collection is displayed from the walls and ceiling of the Inn's Key Room. Among the thousands are the keys to Westminster Abbey, Fort Knox, Hitler's desk, and Jack Benny's dressing room. Keys as diverse as that for a submarine, jail cell, or a castle are found in the collection along with keys from virtually every country in the world. Visitors are invited to become part of the Baldpate Key Collection by donating their own key. The Baldpate Photograph Collection is equally as noteworthy. Lining the walls of our dining rooms, you will find fascinating autographed photographs of presidents, movie stars, and many historic world figures. Both collections are open to the public at no charge. www.baldpateinn.com
Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park
"We are committed to ensuring that the arts are an essential part of the cultural environment of the greater Estes Valley." • 970.586.9203 • www.EstesArts.com
EVENTS
Rails In The Rockies Model Railroad Exhibition February 13-14, 2010
More than 15,000 sq ft of model railroading along with a fun area for
kids. $5 admission. Children under 12 get in free with an adult.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES • www.estesparkcvb.com/events.cfm
Estes Park Duck Race May 1, 2010
Annual Rotary Benefit Event. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Jazz Fest & Art Walk May 15-16, 2010
2 days of fre great jazz at the outdoor amphitheater at Performance
Park accompanied by a self-guided Art Walk of Estes Park galleries.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Estes Park Antiques & Collectables Show May 29-31, 2010
An annual sale of special finds at more than 55 booths. $1 admission.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Summer Enchanted Evenings, Wednesdays, June - August, Balpate Inn
Wool Market June 12-13, 2010
17th annual fiber festival with 2 days of exhibits, demonstrations,
competitions & vendor booths. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
www.estesparkcvb.com/events.cfm
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival June 26-27, 2010
www.estesmidsummer.com
Fourth of July July 4, 2010
Annual Celebration with Fireworks at 9:30 pm.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Coolest Car Show July 4, 2010
Check out vintage cars from the 1920s and beyond.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
81st Annual Rooftop Rodeo July 6-11, 2010
Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Thursday Night Live Thursdays, June-August, 2010
Seven Keys to Baldpate
Live on stage, Fridays & Saturdays, July 9 - Aug 14, Baldpate Theater
Free live summer outdoor performance series. 970.586.9203
Estes Park Heritage Festival August 21-22, 2010
www.estesparkheritagefestival.com • 970.577.1903
Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival Sept. 9-12, 2010
www.scotfest.com • 970.586.6308 • 800.90.ESTES
4th Annual Estes Park Film Festival September 16-19, 2010
Hosted by the Historic Park Theater.www.estesparkfilm.com • 970.231.2580
Autumn Gold - A Festival of Bands, Brats 'n Beer Sept. 25-26, 2010
A festival of brats & bands in downtown.800.44.ESTES • 970.577.9900
Elk Fest October 2-3, 2010
A celebration of all things Wapiti. Bond Park in the center of
downtown Estes Park. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Surprise Sidewalk Sale October 9-10, 2010
Where the surprise is what you'll find. Downtown Estes Park.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Catch The Glow Holiday Celebration & Evening Parade Nov. 26, 2010
Kick off the holiday season downtown. All activities are fre,
beginning at noon & parade starts at 5:30 pm.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
Holiday House Christmas Bazaar November 27, 2010
Annual bazaar filled with homemade baked goods and crafts.
$1 admission. 970.586.7205
Holiday Home Tour December 4, 2010
An annual tour of showcase homes in the Estes Park area. Tickets:
$12 in advance; $15 on the day of the tour.
GETTING TO ESTES PARK
Getting to Estes Park by Car
It is always a good idea to check road conditions to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Just call the Colorado Department of Transportation automated road conditions phone line at 877.315.7623
Directions to Estes Park from Denver
Take Interstate 25 to Colorado 66 (Longmont - Lyons) exit.
From the small community of Lyons you can travel either US 36 or Hwy 7 (Peak to Peak Highway) to Estes Park. Or you may take US 34 through Loveland, Colorado along the Big Thompson Canyon.
Getting around the town of Estes Park
There is no bus transportation in or to Estes Park. For the Estes Park Limousine call: 970.577.8687. There is a shuttle service: Estes Park Shuttle. For reservations and information: 970.586.5151.
Getting to Estes Park by Air
The nearest major airport to Estes Park is Denver International Airport (DIA) located in Denver, Colorado and is approximately 80 miles away. For more information about DIA, visit their website at www.flydenver.com
LODGING
Visitors to The Estes Valley may enjoy one of our historically registered hotels or lodges and step back in time...
Hotels on the National Historic register include The Baldpate Inn 1917, Crags Lodge opened in 1914, the Stanley Hotel, which opened its Georgian Colonial Revival doors in 1909, and the Elkhorn Lodge, in business for 131 years of continuous lodging and guest ranch operations. It is the oldest guest ranch still operating in the entire Rocky Mountain Region, and the oldest continuously operating hotel in Colorado.
The Spur 66 corridor is a well-kept secret open to visitors for over 100 years. It is the site of the original entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Big Thompson River runs through the heart of the area. The winding road is quiet and scenic, while convenient to the downtown area. Another option is the Highway 34 through Big Thompson Canyon. It stretches from the city of Loveland to Estes Park, and is one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado. Lodging reflects the history of the area with cabins and cottages dating back to the early 1900s.
One can also enjoy the serenity of the Fall River Road, with cozy cottages with wood-burning fireplaces to luxurious suites. This area offers a quiet peaceful choice and is convenient to the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
A resort town is not complete without Bed and Breakfast Inns. Estes boasts over 15, including rustic, family oriented, romantic, modern or historic. All serve home cooked breakfasts and provide the personal touch of an onsite innkeeper.
Campgrounds are abundant throughout the area of Estes. You can find campgrounds for RVs as well as tent camping, in RMNP and in secluded locations outside the park.
