Attractions Nearby Estes Park, Day Trips and Excursions

(Estes Park, Colorado - CO, USA)

Apart from the exceptional attractions within the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is conveniently close for many other top Colorado destinations. Boulder is easy to reach and stands approximately 36 miles / 58 km to the southeast of Estes Park, being a very attractive and youthful city, with attractions to match is appealing persona.

A number of other possible day trips present themselves to holiday makers staying in Estes Park, such as Arvada, Aurora and of course Denver, Colorado's proud capital city. Even the allure and jaw-dropping rock formations and related attractions of the Gardens of the Gods, in nearby Colorado Springs, are just a relatively short drive away.

Boulder

The Boulder Visitors Center is a good place to come when you first arrive here and is located on Pearl Street. Close by, the Pearl Street Mall is a large open-air shopping district and a major feature of downtown Boulder. For a good choice of recreational attractions and hiking trails, head to the Chautauqua Park off Baseline Road, or to the neighboring Flagstaff Mountains or the Gregory Canyon.

Arvada

The close proximity of Arvada means that it is simple to travel here by car. Arvada is only 60 miles / 97 km to the southeast of Estes Park and contains a handful of good attractions suiting all ages and most tastes. The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities on Wadsworth Boulevard is one for all the family, coming complete with a museum and playground for children. Art lovers will enjoy spending time at the MacLaren Markowitz Gallery on Pearl Street, while golfers will no doubt enjoy a round at either the Lake Arbor Golf Club on Wadsworth Boulevard, or at the West Woods Golf Club on Quaker Street.

Aurora

The third most densely populated city within Colorado, Aurora has a population now exceeding 300,000 residents and is around 77 miles / 124 km to the southeast of Estes Park. This city is hardly packed with quality attractions, although the Aurora History Museum is worthy of an hour or two and features free admittance. Located on South Park Road, Aurora's Cherry Creek State Park is also worthy bearing in mind and features a nature center and a number of scenic walking trails.

Cheyenne

Cheyenne is just 88 miles / 142 km to the northeast of Estes Park, where it is the state capital of Wyoming and close to the Great Plains. Known for its past cattle-ranching days, Cheyenne makes for a pleasant day trip in the summer season, when visitors will be treated to horse-drawn carriage rides. Of note is the Nelson Museum of the West, and also the Frontier Days Old West Museum. If you passing through Cheyenne during the month of July, then you may well be able to join in the rodeo and cowboy fun at the city's very popular Frontier Days festival.

Colorado Springs

The state's number two city after Denver, Colorado Springs sits just below the breathtaking Pikes Peak mountain. The number one attraction in Colorado Springs and the main reason that so many tourists come here from Estes Park is the Garden of the Gods, which comprises a series of dramatic red sandstone rock formations, that you simply cannot fail to be impressed by - bring your camera. Alternatively, take a ride of the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway, spend an afternoon at the US Air Force Academy, or pay a visit to the neighboring town of Manitou Springs.

Denver

The largest of all the cities in Colorado, Denver is around 71 miles / 114 km to the southeast of Estes Park and really warrants much more than simply a day trip. Famous for its former cattle industry, Denver has become a friendly and exciting city to visit, with its top attractions including the Colorado History Museum, the Molly Brown House, and the Six Flags Elitch Gardens theme park. The marine exhibits within the Downtown Aquarium are especially appealing to the younger visitors, while for the grown-ups, the magnificent architecture and gold-plated dome of the Colorado State Capitol on East Colfax Avenue is well worth marveling at.

Fort Collins

At just 50 miles / 80 km to the northeast) of Estes Park, the university town of Fort Collins is called home by some 125,000 residents. The Old Town district is where you will find the majority of the historical attractions within Fort Collins, being based around Walnut Street and Mountain Avenue. Various sporting events are regularly staged as the Budweiser Events Center, while is beer is more your kind of thing, Fort Collins boasts no less than five award-winning breweries, such as New Belgium Brewery, where guided tours are usually available. Various mountain trails are close by and take full advantage of the surrounding landscape.

Loveland

The rather romantically named Loveland was founded in 1877 and lies roughly 31 miles / 50 km to the east of Estes Park. There are a number of good reasons to visit the town, namely its 100 open-air art works displays at the Benson Sculpture Garden on 29th Street, and the appealing combination of art and history within the Loveland Museum and Gallery along Lincoln Avenue. A couple of seasonal festivals also stand out, such as the Independence Day celebrations at North Lake Park on July 4th, and also 'Sculpture in the Park' during the month of August.