Estes Park is brimming with art galleries – many filled with works from Colorado artists – for your shopping pleasure. Most are located along Elkhorn Avenue (Estes Park’s main street) where, conveniently, restaurants, coffee shops, and confectioneries are interspersed, making a personalized art walk a day full of great art, good food, and delicious treats. Here’s how to create your own art walk in Estes Park.
First, choose your galleries.
These galleries are listed in order from east to west (with the exception of John Lynch Woodworking, which is located south of and is driving distance from the others) and can be walked in the span of just over one-mile, round trip. We recommend parking at the parking structure just east of and across the road from Wildlife Photo Art. Parking here adds just over a quarter mile to your walk but takes you along a river, public art installations, and contra chimes.
- Wildlife Photo Art – 440 E Elkhorn Ave
- Mystic Mountain Gallery – 410 E Elkhorn Ave
- Aspen and Evergreen Gallery – 356 E Elkhorn Ave
- Wynbrier Ltd Wildlife Gallery – 238 E Elkhorn Ave
- Images of Rocky Mountain National Park – 203 Park Ln
- Golden Leaf Gallery – 145 E Elkhorn Ave #107
- Alpenglow Images & Accents – 145 E Elkhorn Ave
- Earthwood Collections – 141 E Elkhorn Ave
- Patterson Glassworks Studio & Gallery – 323 Elkhorn Ave
- John Lynch Woodworking – 180 Chalet Ridge Ct (Personal showroom, request a viewing by calling John at 970.227.5129)
- Art Center of Estes Park — 517 Big Thompson Ave # 245
Speaking of public art installations, bronze sculptures dot the landscape in downtown Estes Park, many located along this route. Learn more about the sculptures, including where they are located, to incorporate them into your art walk.
Insider tip: the Big Thompson River runs along the south side of Elkhorn Ave, behind the shops that line the street. Most of the shops – and galleries – on this side of Elkhorn have rear entrances accessible from the riverwalk that follows the river. Learn more about the riverwalk.
Next, decide where you will stop for sustenance.
Restaurants, coffee shops, and confectioneries will keep you going; top it off with a visit to the craft beverage maker of your choice once you’re done for the day.
Finally, consider staying overnight.
You can’t visit all the galleries in one day (or try all the sweet treats, let’s be honest) so stay overnight to continue the fun the next day. Traveling with friends or family who aren’t in to art? Check out the many other things to do in Estes Park.
A couple final tips to round out your art-filled visit
Be the artist
Inspired Artisan Market & Studio and Creativity Cabin give you the chance to create the art yourself. Get a do-it-yourself art kit from Inspired, or sign up for one of their workshops or retreats. Select and paint a piece of pottery in house, or take pottery-to-go kits back to your lodgings with Creativity Cabin.
Monday Artisans Market
Every Monday in June, July and August, from 10am to 5pm, there is a local artisans market held in George Hix Riverside Plaza. If your visit occurs over the summer the market is a must-add to your walk.