A family vacation is truly a wonderful thing, but there will always be one problem: trying to find something that all ages of travelers will enjoy together, especially when you bring the in-laws along on your trip. That’s three generations of humans coming together to find common ground and often failing miserably—unless, of course, your vacation is to Estes Park and you have chosen Voyago Vacation Rentals for your trip of a lifetime. In that case, all you need to do is keep reading to discover all the activities that all ages will enjoy, and we’ve listed some of our favorites below to help you plan your trip to Estes Park.
We All Scream for Ice Cream from Hayley’s Ice Cream, 102 E Elkhorn Avenue
It’s a beautiful summer day, your teens are smiling, your tweens are giddy, and your mom is enjoying this dedicated times with the grandkids, so of course you want to make the good times sweeter with a visit to Hayley’s Ice Cream. Their ice cream is made in small batches in the shop, ensuring that every lick you take will be fresh and wonderful, and they offer 32 flavors of homemade goodness. They don’t offer indoor seating but do provide a large number of tables with umbrellas outside, which on a beautiful summer day, why would you want to be cooped up inside anyway?
A Self-Guided Tour of the Stanley Hotel
Chances are your younger children have not seen the movie The Shining, but most children get excited at the idea of seeing a haunted house, they just don’t like the idea of sleeping in one, so an hour tour of the famous hotel is the perfect activity, one that grandma, mom, dad, and all the kids will enjoy. If your children are under the age of 8, however, this activity should be tabled for a return trip, because they are not permitted on the tour. Exploring the history, the architecture, and just how Stephen King came up with his idea for The Shining is an adventure we recommend to everyone. Ticket prices are $20 for children 8-17 and $25 for adults.
Attend the Elk Fest, September 28 & 29th, Bond Park
The best way to get a true understanding of the place you are visiting and have a great time while doing so is by attending local festivals and the Elk Fest, held at the end of September every year is sure to appeal to children from 2-92 years of age. Offering two days of food and vendor booths, live music, Native American dancing, and elk presentations that educate and entertain the crowds, there will also be bugling contests, and a raptor program that will thrill. This wonderful event takes place during the famous elk rut (elk mating season), increasing the chances that you may encounter the animal as you go about your vacation business, and you will probably hear their calls at night!
White Water Rafting with Colorado River Expeditions, 343 S St. Vrain Avenue
You really don’t have to be a daredevil to enjoy a white water rafting trip down the Colorado. It’s not that scary and for much of the river you will just be enjoying a leisurely ride through some of the most beautiful landscape you have ever seen in this lifetime. Their standard rafting trip lasts between 9 to 12 hours and includes a hot lunch on the shore (comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas are provided) and a fascinating history lesson about the river and Rocky Mountain National Park. This adventure is for those 7 years and older and is definitely one we recommend adding to your itinerary.
Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
There are so many reasons that a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park will be a highlight of your vacation adventures and we love that it is something all ages will enjoy. Hiking along the many trails that traverse the park, keeping your eye out for wildlife as you hike, is perhaps the most popular thing to do inside the park. The Continental Divide trail is a 30-mile one that runs through the middle of the park, but there are shorter hikes that may be more appropriate for the mixture of age groups in your traveling party. Also offering 150 historic structures to explore or photograph, fields of wildflowers, acres of forests, and the Colorado River that flows through the park, there is sure to be many activities inside that everyone in your traveling group will be thrilled to participate in. Summer visitors will need to make their reservations in advance with the park’s Timed Entry Reservation system, and there is a fee to enter the park that must be paid as well.
Chilling in Our Voyago Vacation Rentals Estes Park Retreats
Your best memories may be the ones made in our Estes Park vacation retreats, offering all the ways to relax, play, and just enjoy your time with the family. Contact us to reserve your favorite Estes Park vacation rental today!