No Rocky Mountain vacation is complete without a visit to Estes Park, Colorado. This town of approximately 6,000 is located 90 miles northwest of Denver and serves as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park’s main industry is tourism, and it is helped by the splendor of the neighboring national park. People from all over the world visit Estes Park on their Rocky Mountain vacations.
Estes Park offers a wide variety of activities. There are many local gift and souvenir shops, most offering a selection of handmade jewelry by local artists. There are also several art galleries, a historical museum, and a couple of spas. A wide variety of restaurants offer everything from coffee and bagels to wild game, so you’re sure to find something for everyone in your family.
Being outdoors is the best way to enjoy your Rocky Mountain vacation, and Estes Park has plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. In addition to camping, hiking, and fishing, you may want to try rock climbing, alpine mountaineering, horseback riding, mountain biking, or river rafting. If you’re a little less adventurous, try golfing or bird watching. A scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park is a perfect way to see wildlife.
Finding a place to stay on your Rocky Mountain vacation is easy. In addition to chain hotels and motels, there are many cabins, lodges, and bed and breakfast inns to choose from. If you prefer to camp, there are several campgrounds in or near the city, as well as in Rocky Mountain National Park and the nearby Roosevelt National Forest.
Without a doubt, the most famous and recognizable building in Estes Park is the Stanley Hotel. It was built by FO Stanley, the co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer car. He originally came to Estes Park in the summer of 1903 to recover from tuberculosis. He decided to stay in the area and opened his hotel in 1909. The elegant Stanley Hotel has hosted many famous guests over the years, including John Phillip Sousa, Theodore Roosevelt, the Emperor of Japan, and countless giants of business and industry. , as well as many Hollywood movie stars.
The Stanley Hotel experienced renewed popularity after appearing as the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s film The Shining. The original story was written by Stephen King after he had stayed at the hotel and experienced encounters with some of the ghosts believed to haunt the Stanley Hotel. The hotel’s ghost has been investigated by the television shows Ghost Hunters and Most Haunted. For those wanting a truly unforgettable Rocky Mountain vacation, you can book room 217, where Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining, or try room 418, one of the hotel’s most haunted rooms.
No matter how you want to relax on your Rocky Mountain vacation, a visit to Estes Park, Colorado can give you a wide variety of activities to choose from. From outdoor fun to fine dining to ghostly encounters, you’re sure to find something to make your vacation one to remember.
