For our fourth anniversary, we decided to slip up to the mountains before we headed back east for Christmas. We drove up Friday afternoon, and our 2.5 hour drive turned into a four hour ordeal (thanks, Denver, and a GPS that took us through Boulder). A weekend in Estes Park was just what we needed after a hectic fall semester.
Where we stayed in Estes Park
I turned to Groupon and found a lovely condo deal at Boulder Brook on Fall River ($209 for two nights + a wine tasting voucher). The condo was nice and conveniently located. But I did find another $200 charge on my card from them once we got home.
Where we ate in Estes Park
Once we got to town, we grabbed dinner at Village Pizza. We split very garlicky bread sticks, I ordered my usual black olive pizza, and Mac tried a chicken pizza called the “Fowl-itician.” Good food and quick service.
Saturday morning, we stopped for breakfast at the Big Horn Restaurant. I ordered biscuits and gravy, and Mac tried their breakfast burrito. The biscuit was a bit dry, but I found a hair in my hashbrowns which abruptly ended my meal. The waiter was very nice and comped my food, so we tipped him well. We saw a huge bull elk wandering across the parking lot.
We went back to town for lunch after our hike and tried Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Taphouse. We split mile high cheese fries, I tried their brisket sandwich (with a mixture of their tangy and sweet sauces), and Mac had their barbecue chicken salad. My sandwich was amazing, the meat was delicious, and I didn’t even finish my fries.
Sunday morning, we woke up early-ish and ate breakfast at Claire’s on the Park. I took another stab at biscuits and gravy (theirs were made with cheddar biscuits, solid), and Mac had the caprese eggs benedict. The food was good if a bit on the pricier side.
What to do in Estes Park
After breakfast on Saturday, we drove down to Rocky Mountain National Park. We hiked up to Dream Lake and took in the amazing views. From there, we headed back to town and grabbed lunch. We stopped in a shop across the road and found a squirrel friend for Zeb the Welcome Bear (name TBA, Mac suggested Rocky) then decided to go shopping in downtown Estes Park. Two Sasquatch shirts, more Christmas ornaments, and a few pieces of fudge later, we really needed a nap.
We had planned to do our wine tasting before dinner but completely passed out for about three hours. After we regained consciousness, we weren’t hungry enough for a meal but still were peckish, so we went to Safeway and got some fried chicken from the deli. We also stopped in the Stanley Hotel for a quick look. Mac is a huge Stephen King fan (and I am one of the easiest people in the world to scare). We didn’t go on the full tour and wandered around a bit. Only the main floor and basement are open for non-guests or tour participants. We will definitely do the tour if we go back.
Sunday morning, we headed out of town (this time, taking CO 34). We saw some big-horned sheep on the highway (I’m assuming they were licking up the salt). Because it was a two-lane road, I stopped to let the cars coming the other direction go, so I wasn’t driving when I took this. The drive back to the Springs was easy, and we had a great weekend away.
Have you spent a weekend in Estes Park?
mmmmm cheese fries! such pretty views.
Wow what a gorgeous view, I absolutely love it!
Such pretty views.
I’d love to do the tour at the Stanley Hotel.
What a fun getaway! I love groupon for fun trips like this. I always enjoy trying new restaurants when we travel, but ewwww to finding a hair in your meal. That happens to Kevin regularly and it’s such a gross/appetite killer. Glad you got to see some wildlife, explore the area and not have to go too far from home. Makes me miss the mountains 🙂