Few areas can boast such breathtaking scenery as the Estes Valley and Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall. The aspen trees have exploded in color and the wildlife is abundant and readily found. To take in the splendor of the mountains there are three quite beautiful scenic routes to plan, each with something very different to offer.
Restaurants in Estes Park run the gamut from good chow for cowboys and cowgirls, to a magnificent chef prepared service complete with views and ambiance. Fall is a spectacular time of year to come on up to the village of Estes Park; spend the day or spend a week. Without a doubt the splendor of our views alone are unmatched. Below is just a sampling of some of the best choices for dining in the Estes Valley.
See an entire list at the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
Ed’s Cantina
Located in downtown Estes Park, Ed’s Cantina & Grill has been locally owned and operated since 1985. Freshened and remodeled recently, there’s a separate bar and an event room for parties. Continue reading
Estes Park and elk go together like marshmallows and graham crackers. In September and October the local “wapiti”, the Native American word for elk, gather for the rut which is the mating season. The wind carries from far and near the strange sound of bugling elk bulls. It starts with deep “humph” sounds that go quickly up the scales to a very high pitched drawn out bugle, then it drops down to grunts. Continue reading
September 6-9 Estes Park hosts the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival complete with a parade, shows and competitions in jousting, pipe bands, hammer and caber throwing, dancing, singing, harp, a dog show and more. This event truly has something for everyone. Continue reading
This Labor Day Weekend Bond Park, in downtown Estes Park, will be transformed into a spectacular art show with over 100 booths featuring a large diversity of handcrafted treasures. Amazing wood carvings, antler art, metal work, paintings and original art in every medium, all handcrafted, will be offered.
The Five Time Winner of the PRCA “Best Small Rodeo of the Year” award is back! Kick up your heels and enjoy some western hospitality at the Estes Park Rooftop Rodeo!
Six days of festivities begin with the traditional Rooftop Rodeo Parade, Continue reading
MAY
4-6 and 11-13 – Deathtrap, Hempel Family Program Building, YMCA of the Rockies, 7 pm, adults only $15.
5 -24th Annual Estes Park Duck Race, begins at Nicky’s Resort on the Fall River at 12 noon, duck drop at 1 pm, ends at Riverside Plaza in downtown Estes Park, $20. Contact 970-586-9519 or epduckrace.org.
5 – Spring Sidewalk Sale, Elkhorn Ave. downtown, 10 am, free. Contact 970-577-9900; 800-443-7837. Continue reading
The Estes Valley is fortunate to have an excellent Library, one that is gearing up for two very popular sales. The Friends of the Library will put on the annual Used Book Sale at the Estes Park Conference Center on Aug. 5, 6 and 7. Then they regroup for their Holiday Book Sale at the Estes Valley Library, December 2nd and 3rd.
The all-volunteer Friends of the Library raises the majority of its money from the two annual used book sales. Both sales take hundreds of volunteer hours to sort, table, transport, display and sell thousands of titles. But the hard work pays off to the benefit of the library and its patrons. Last year the summer sale earned $27,900 while the holiday sale topped $5,690, a new record. Continue reading
AUGUST
3 – 7: Hunter Jumper Festival, 8am until done, Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, 970-577-9900, Free.
5 – 7: Friends of the Library Used Book Sale, 4 to 8pm Friday, 9 to 5pm Saturday, 11 to 8pm Sunday, Estes Park Conference Center, 970-586-8116, Free.
8: Jazz Big Band Concert, 7pm, Performance Park Amphitheater, Free.
11: Dick Zavodny Polka Band, 7pm, Performance Park Amphitheater, Free.
12: Wild Okipa Marimba Ensemble, 7:30pm, Hemple Building, YMCA of the Rockies, 970-586-3341, Free.
13: Auto Extravaganza Vintage Car Show, 10 to 3pm, Bond Park Downtown, 970-577-9900, Free.
17: Deja Blu, 7pm, Performance Park Amphitheater, Free.
18: Estes Park Village Band, 7pm, Performance Park Amphitheater, Free.
19-20: Senior Professional Rodeo, 7pm, Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, 970-577-9900, $12 Gen. Admission; 8 and under free, Box Seats $20.
19 – 21: Paragon Dressage Horse Show, 8am ëtil done, Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, 970-577-9900, Free.
21: Draft Horse Show, 8am, Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, 970-577-9900, Free.
24: Kim Lankford, 7pm, Performance Park Amphitheater, Free.
25: Matthew Gurnsey, 7pm, Performance Park Amphitheater, Free.
Continue reading
Visitors to Estes Park this time of year receive a special treat. Throughout all of spring and early summer look for mountain goat kids and big horn sheep lambs clinging to rocky cliffs and elk cows grazing with their calves in the meadows. Near the creeks and rivers of the Estes Valley you might see black bear cubs, mountain lion kittens and coyote pups. Now is the time to visit and appreciate the beauty of new life in the wild. Continue reading
