HERE IS A QUICK BREAKDOWN OF SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO EXPLORE IN ESTES PARK, COLORADO - INCLUDING THE BEST RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND ADVENTURES.
The beautiful mountain town of Estes Park is home to a lot of restaurants - as you would expect from a popular tourist-y location. And while there definitely is quantity we wouldn't say there is 100% quality. But from two people, one of whom grew up in the town, will tell you, once you get off the main strip you can find some pretty delicious meals.
Below are a couple of our favorite places in and around Estes Park that will have you feeling happy and full, especially after a long day on the trails.
\\ Restaurants
Breakfast
Meadow Mountain Café (located in Allenspark) $$ *get there early, it gets BUSY
Glen Haven General Store (the BEST cinnamon rolls) $
Lunch
The Baldpate Inn, a cute, historic inn with salad and pie! $$
Nepal's Cafe, has an amazing lunch buffet $
Peppers Fresh & Fast Mexican Grill $
Smokin Dave's BBQ, especially nice at the Hanger/Golf Course $$
Dinner
Nicky's Steakhouse Restaurant, expensive but delicious $$$
Cafe de Pho Thai, amazingly authentic Thai food $$
Rock Creek Tavern & Pizzeria, great pizza in Allenspark $$
Take-Out
La Mexicana, a local favorite, has amazing breakfast burritos and lunch $
Antonio's Real New York Pizza $$
Fresh Burger Stop, in a gas station but really tasty - and cheap $
Country Market Grab-n-Go Sandwich's $$
Fancy Dinners
Bird & Jim, local, fresh, seasonal specialties $$$
Dunraven Inn, their cannoli's are out of this world $$$
Cascades Restaurant at the Stanley Hotel $$$$
Coffee Shops
Kind Coffee, also has awesome breakfast food $
Inkwell & Brew, eclectic shop with coffee and cartography $
Coffee on the Rocks, wonderful setting near a pond and RMNP $
Now for the fun (-ner) part: the best things to do outside, including hikes in and around the area, dog-friendly trails and mountain bike routes that give you some pretty stellar views (and get your heart pounding).
\\ Activities
Best Hikes
Rated 1-3 in terms of difficulty: 1 is easiest, 3 is most challenging
Chasm Lake, 2
Flat Top Mountain, for the best views try to go all the way to the top of Mt. Otis, 2
Dunraven Glade, a nice back entrance into RMNP, 1
Black Lake, beautiful and often quiet mountain lake 2