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!
We at Voyago Vacation Rentals believe there are two types of travelers: the ones who head to the beach every summer, and the ones that understand that the mountains are truly the only place they want to be. Offering long days filled with outdoor adventures, temperatures that never rise too high, and in the case of Estes Park, vacation properties that will comfort and keep you warm on chilly summer nights, this guide to getting a head start on your Estes Park CO summer vacation planning for your Estes Park getaway will give you a better understanding as to why the mountains are going to offer your favorite vacation experience!
Pack for Adventure
Sometimes the most difficult part of vacation planning is trying to figure out how to pack your luggage, but you’ve got Voyago Vacation Rentals on your side, and we make difficult things easy. Your Colorado adventures are going to take place outside mostly; the beauty of our landscape, the moderate temperatures, and your zeal for adventure will ensure that there is nowhere else you want to be. The weather, even in the summer, can get chilly at night, so layers is the key word. Bring t-shirts, jackets, umbrellas, and of course, comfortable walking shoes and extra socks in case your feet get wet. The Colorado sun can be bright, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are highly recommended, and hydration packs can make a long hike feel refreshing. And although we don’t really have to tell you how to pack your carry on, we would like to remind you that a couple of bags of pretzels really won’t hold you over and jerky can help you avoid a hangry flight.
Plan Your Hikes in Advance
The trails of Estes Park range from easy to difficult, ensuring that novice hikers will have a great time and experienced hikers won’t be bored. The Bear Lake Loop lasts less than a mile and is one of our easiest trails, offering stunning views of the lake, the trees, and the mountains. Dogs are not allowed on this trail, but it only takes about 15 minutes to complete, so feel free to leave your fur baby at home if you need to. The Gem Lake Trail extends out just over 3 miles and offers an elevation gain of nearly 1000 feet; it is a moderate trail that features incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park, and of course, Gem Lake, a crystal-clear body of water that offers a reflection of the mountains in its still waters. And last but not least, our diehard hikers simply must experience the Chasm Lake Trail, a favorite of hikers from all over the world. This 8-mile trail has an elevation gain of 2552 feet, and your muscles will feel every step you take, but the views from the peak will be worth every muscle ache!
Prepare to Feed Your Soul
Your vacation meals in Estes Park are going to be the ones you dream about long after you return home, and whether you are preparing to gorge yourself with a hearty breakfast at Mountain Home Café or are thinking that a special occasion meal at Seasoned: An American Bistro will enhance your vacation experience, we can assure you that with every bite you will be feeding your soul. Life is meant to be lived, and you will never feel more alive than when surrounded by your family devouring a meal from any of our local restaurants.
Plan on a Day in the Park
Open Air Adventure Park, located at 490 Prospect Village Drive, offers outdoor adventures you will never forget, featuring ziplines, air boards, and hanging chairs as well as ax throwing adventures, kayak tours in Rocky Mountain National Park, and hiking tours that will make you fall in love with the stunning landscape of the park. Sometimes the best way to get to know the area you are visiting is with a tour and the tours offered at the Open Air Adventure Park will certainly make you fall in love with this part of Colorado.
Plan on Relaxing at Home on Your Estes Park, CO Summer Vacation with Voyago
As much as you will love your outside adventures in Estes Park, it is the moments spent at home in our seasonal sanctuaries that will create the most treasured memories. Relaxing in front of a roaring fire on a chilly summer night, watching the sunset over the mountains every evening of your stay, even playing board games with the kids while gathered around the dining room tables. Every attention is paid to every detail that ensures comfort and luxury, and as you relax, play, and explore all the comforts we provide, you will realize that this vacation is going to go down in your family history as the one you wish you could relive over and over again. Contact us to reserve your favorite Estes Park Colorado cabin today!