Media Contact:
Claire Molle and Heidi Barfels
Press@VisitEstesPark.com
Celebrate The End Of Summer In Estes Park: A 10-Step Guide
ESTES PARK, Colo., Aug. 23, 2024 – Estes Park, the basecamp to Rocky Mountain National Park, is sending summer on its way in style in 2024 with an array of events and experiences. From family-friendly festivals over Labor Day Weekend to outdoor adventures in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on earth, there’s no better place to enjoy a late summer getaway. Here’s our 10-step guide to making the most of it all.
1. Get Crafty In Bond Park
Make your way to Bond Park in the center of town, where nearly 100 unique Rocky Mountain vendors offer one-of-a-kind arts and crafts — paintings, sculptures, jewelry, woodworking, photography and much more. The free Estes Park Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 2), which has brought skilled artisans to the area for more than 40 years, also features live music and the best local food trucks.
2. Chill Out At The Stanley
The temperatures start to cool down this time of year — but if you really want to chill out, check out the new Ice House Tour at the historic Stanley Hotel. You’ll immerse yourself in the world's only International Cryogenics Museum and learn the fascinating story of “The Frozen Dead Guy,” the inspiration behind Estes Park’s blockbuster Frozen Dead Guy Days festival.
3. Ride The New/Improved Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Labor Day Weekend is your last chance in 2024 to ride the new & improved Estes Park Aerial Tramway. After shutting down for a spell in 2023, the beloved Estes experience has been given a glow-up by its new owners, including expanded parking, new ADA ramps and the refurbished Hungry Chipmunk Cafe and Tram Haus. The main experience — a gorgeous ride to the summit of Prospect Mountain — remains the same.
4. Take It To The Top
More high-altitude fun! Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., takes motorists 12,183 feet above sea level, offering spectacular vistas of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) from virtually every angle. Come October, conditions make it impossible to make this drive, so be sure to enjoy this only-in-Estes adventure during your late summer visit. Please note that RMNP visitors will need a Timed Entry Permit to visit the park through mid-October.
5. Paint Your Masterpiece
Every August during Estes Valley Plein Air, well-known artists from all over the country converge on Estes Park to paint in the open air. On Aug. 30, you can get in on the fun, joining these artists in various locations throughout Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park to try your hand at capturing the region’s beauty with your brush. You can also check out the very best of this year’s offerings at Estes Valley Plein Air Gala Opening Day on Aug. 30 at the Art Center of Estes Park.
6. Create Community On A Hike To Lake Haiyaha
Part of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Bettie Courses, this guided hike (led by women, for women) on Aug. 31 is a great opportunity to meet others who are looking to get outside. The 5.2-mile trek will take you to scenic Lake Haiyaha, passing two more spectacular lakes on the way. Bonus: each unique Bettie course participant will receive a 40 oz. Hydro Flask water bottle to take along on future adventures.
7. Rock Out At The Rock Inn
One of the best live music venues in Estes Park, the Rock Inn boasts a diverse calendar of terrific artists year-round. Over Labor Day Weekend, choose from the country/folk stylings of Minto Sparks (Aug. 30), the rootsy grooves of Sean Flynn (Aug. 31) or Greg Miles’ winning mix of irreverent originals and well-chosen covers.
8. Dine At One Of Estes’ Newest/Coolest Restaurants
Estes Park’s cuisine scene is better than ever. One of the latest additions is Ember, helmed by the husband/wife team of Sean and Rebecca Gafner, who have devised an enticing menu — don’t skip the Ahi Poké Wontons or the Bison Short Rib! Or enjoy fried chicken bliss at The Post, a Guy Fieri fave located in the renovated 1909 Carriage House at The Stanley Hotel. And Bird & Jim’s farm-to-table fare is a perfect Labor Day date night option, with an extensive wine list and delicious “modern mountain” entrees.
9. Sip & Savor The End Of Summer
Whether you’re a spirits lover, oenophile or craft beer connoisseur, Estes Park won’t disappoint. Enjoy 15 flavored moonshines, 4 whiskeys, and flavored vodkas at Estes Park Distilling Co. (and grab a slice or two of local fave Bob & Tony's Pizza while you’re at it). Rock Cut Brewing Company, Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co. and Avant Garde Aleworks will all please beer aficionados, each putting their own spins on classic styles. And don’t forget to drop into Snowy Peak Winery’s downtown tasting room for a sip of some of Colorado’s best. Whiskey lovers should pay visits to both The Vault at the The Stanley (offering some seriously rare bottles and curated tasting sessions) and The Barrel (a Bavarian-style beer and spirits garden with a lively atmosphere). Wherever you end up, you’ll be sure to catch some local music to soundtrack your sips — see who’s playing where.
10. Take In RMNP At Twilight
Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful 24/7. But it might be at its most beautiful right around sunset. For a sweet, family-friendly experience to end your Estes Park day, head to Glacier Basin Campground Amphitheater for an Evening Campground Talk (8pm, Thurs.-Sun.) led by RMNP rangers, shedding light on what makes this part of the world so special.
With more than 150 lodging choices ranging in size, style, and price, the Estes Valley offers accommodations to suit every summer vacation need, from cozy cabins to pet-friendly options. Start planning your Rocky Mountain getaway now.
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About Visit Estes Park
Visit Estes Park is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Estes Park, Colorado. A Destinations International (DI) accredited DMO, Visit Estes Park's mission is to drive sustainable year-round economic growth by encouraging visitor demand. Estes Park, just 90 minutes from Denver, is the basecamp for Rocky Mountain National Park offering outdoor experiences, activities, dining, shopping and an environment that is welcoming and approachable. Known for world-class adventure, resident wildlife and scenic beauty, Estes Park is Colorado’s quintessential mountain town. To learn more, go to visitestespark.com.
