advice on Colorado vs. Maine trip

[mmkk]

I know this isn't specifically Disney related but I love the budget boards and I am planning a budget trip for my family next summer to either Colorado or Maine and I need any tips, advice, suggestions for these two states. It will be 14 of us, and its my in-laws anniversary trip. I have already requested info from both states tourism boards to be sent to all four families.

If anyone has any recommendations for lodging for this big of a family with a lower end budget in mind, please share that as well. It could be a cabin/house or several hotel rooms-whichever comes out cheaper. Also any personal recommendations for dining or sights we shouldn't miss if we should go to that particular state.

Thanks to all!

 

[middleofamerica]

A lot of families around here go to YMCA of the Rockies for family get togethers in Colorado. You can see it at ymcarockies dot org. It is close to Estes Park in a very beautiful area. There are lots of places to camp in Colorado if you are looking for even cheaper ways to stay. My family visited Great Sand Dunes National Park this summer and had a nice time. There are so many wonderful things to see in Colorado. In Maine we have visited Acadia National Park and it is really wonderful too. Good luck with your choice!

 

[Soon2B4]

A few places in CO would be Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Estes Park...I like going to Boulder and visiting the Pearl St Mall. I have always stayed with family, so I can't help with lodging. I know there is more, but I am drawing a blank right now. I will add more when I think of them.

I haven't been to Maine in about 15 years. We would visit Boothbay, Acadia, and things in that area. We went to the LLBean store and Bar Harbor once I think. The boat trips are always nice. My parents are planning a trip next summer and they said to go early in June before the rates go up. It is cooler that time of year though. The last time we went we stayed in Southport. When I find out the name of the place from my parents, I'll let you know.

I think this is the place we stayed.

http://www.oceangateinn.com/ogr_home.html

 

[Pumpkinmuffin]

I'm biased, I LOVE Maine! I've never been to Colorado before though....

 

[adkkev]

Try this for Maine: http://www.heartsofmaine.com/

and www.vrbo.com for either state.

What sort of activities might the family be interested? That would probably play a factor is where you end up going.

We are partial to Maine, but Colorado is very beautiful as well.

 

[marie1203]

What time of year are you planning on going? Colorado is a bargain in the summer because winter is our main season.

 

[gk90]

To add to marie1203's idea, Maine is not a bargain from late June to after Labor Day since that's high season there.
If you do go to Maine, Acadia National Park is beautiful.

 

[mmkk]

I noticed Maine's mid-peak season begins mid-late June so maybe we could consider earlier June for Maine, but I do like that the schedule is pretty open for Colorado that time of year.

The family will probably be looking for things that is kid friendly as we will have a 9 yo, two 6 yo's and a 2 yo. We do like the outdoors, which I think both states can easily accommodate that!

So far, there are some great tips, keep 'em coming!

 

[jsmith]

Colorado is a bargain in the summer because winter is our main season.
__________________

Where? When-lived here about 2/3rds of my life-we have two main seasons-winter and summer-the best times for inexpensive things in Colorado are the "shoulder" seasons-from the close of the ski areas-around 15 April to Memorial day weekend and from Labor Day to the beggining of ski season-around 15 November. Spring is cheaper because of hunting season and fall colors but both have good bargins. Unforunately things like resturants and shops are sometimes closed during those seasons. However there are places where you can get good deals anytime of the year. i second YMCA of the Rockies-or snow mountain Ranch which is there facility in Estes Park.
Ive never been to main but there is no real bad time-except march -to visit colorado.

 

[marie1203]

Where?

Mostly everywhere. I worked 5 years in the biggest chain of resorts in colorado. Summers are not even not even close as how busy we are in winter therefore they have to offer better deals to keep people coming. What we called mud season is pretty much dead not a good time to camp or be in the outdoors. Which is April and May.

 

[mom_2_K'Lynn]

We were just out in Colorado end of July this year and it is gorgeous. We did stay in a hotel, but a friend of ours used the website vacationrentals.com and rented a whole house for a great cost. It was a 7 bedroom, 5 bath house and I think she told me they got it for $800 for the week! So give that a shot. Some kid friendly things we did was Santa's Workshop!! It is at the base of Pike's Peak (which is a gorgeous view) and is a giant amusement park!! My 6 year old loved it. It did cost $17.95 per person but you could easily spend all day there!! Another great idea would be to go to Breckenridge and ride the gondolas, they are free in the summer months. We rode them up to peak 8 which has amusement type things to do also. The pass for that was a little expensive $65 for a whole day pass but they had mazes, giant trampolines, and super slides (awesome). We loved the super slides as you take the chair lift up to the top of the hill and ride it down. Hope this helps a little!!!

Sorry never been to Maine so no help there!!!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Maine has the obvious advantage of having both oceans and mountains (ok, smaller mountains than CO, but certainly a bigger ocean ) Depending on where you are, they aren't far from each other at all, an hour or two.


Are you looking for "outdoors" as in get away from it all, be out in the woods, or would you prefer to stay with more dining, shopping, amusement sort of options?


If you want to do Maine coast, but want mountains too- a very family friendly area is the White Mountains of New Hampshire. (about 2 hours from Portland.) There is plenty as far as hiking/other outdoor adventures as well as some smaller family-type of amusement parks (Storyland, Santa's Village).

 

[Shock13]

mmkk,
I actually used to work at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch a few years ago. SMR is actually located near Winter Park, CO which is high up in the Rocky Mountains but only an hour and half drive down to Denver so you can easily do a couple of day trips. The drive is very beautiful too. At the ranch, they have all kinds of activities such as horse back riding, guided hikes and other very family orientated stuff. They also have basketball courts and a roller skating rink. Most of the lodging is very motel-like rooms but there are also cabins. But be warned, this is very simple, basic lodgings and the rooms don't have TV's as they are focused on keeping the guests outside and enjoying the wildlife!
They also have a cafeteria that is reasonably priced but again with the nothing being fancy.
The nearby towns are very small but the other resorts also have things to do such as rock-climbing walls and I believe Winter Park Resort has chair lifts that take you up and you come back down on a toboggan-like sled.
Also nearby is Grand Lake which is very large and beautiful. Plus it's only minutes away from the entrance to Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park. You can take a drive up the road to the very highest point and then come back down the other side of the mountain which ends at Estes Park.
YMCA Estes Park Center is also a very good option. I believe it's about an hour drive from Ft. Collins which is a great place that has lots to do.
I hope my info helped!

 

[mmkk]

Maine has the obvious advantage of having both oceans and mountains (ok, smaller mountains than CO, but certainly a bigger ocean ) Depending on where you are, they aren't far from each other at all, an hour or two.


Are you looking for "outdoors" as in get away from it all, be out in the woods, or would you prefer to stay with more dining, shopping, amusement sort of options?


If you want to do Maine coast, but want mountains too- a very family friendly area is the White Mountains of New Hampshire. (about 2 hours from Portland.) There is plenty as far as hiking/other outdoor adventures as well as some smaller family-type of amusement parks (Storyland, Santa's Village).

As far as the outdoors question goes, yes to all! I would love to stay in an area where we are just a little ways away from the shopping and such but yet close enough for the outdoors activities.

And I have already started checking out the YMCA in Colorado! Thank you all for the helpful tips! And if only I could get the $800 week house as PP mentioned that her friend got!

 

[amyy]

http://www.polandspringinns.com/
I am not sure your budget but this place is a really good deal given meals are included.

 

[3goofyboys]

A lot of families around here go to YMCA of the Rockies for family get togethers in Colorado. You can see it at ymcarockies dot org. It is close to Estes Park in a very beautiful area. There are lots of places to camp in Colorado if you are looking for even cheaper ways to stay. My family visited Great Sand Dunes National Park this summer and had a nice time. There are so many wonderful things to see in Colorado. In Maine we have visited Acadia National Park and it is really wonderful too. Good luck with your choice!

I was going to suggest this as well. USA Today listed YMCA of the Rockies in its top 10 places in the country to hold a family reunion (something to note: Red Feather Lakes, also in CO was on the list as well). You are very close to Rocky Mountain National Park and all it has to offer. And you're also very close to Estes which is a cute little town, has tons of shopping and restaurants, and a variety of activities for families. One thing to note about Estes is that summer is actually high season, so not the cheapest option.

Where? When-lived here about 2/3rds of my life-we have two main seasons-winter and summer-the best times for inexpensive things in Colorado are the "shoulder" seasons-from the close of the ski areas-around 15 April to Memorial day weekend and from Labor Day to the beggining of ski season-around 15 November. Spring is cheaper because of hunting season and fall colors but both have good bargins. Unforunately things like resturants and shops are sometimes closed during those seasons. However there are places where you can get good deals anytime of the year. i second YMCA of the Rockies-or snow mountain Ranch which is there facility in Estes Park.
Ive never been to main but there is no real bad time-except march -to visit colorado.

I think it depends on where you're visiting. For ski resorts, yes summer is non-peak, but for many, many other places summer is peak season (see Estes above). I agree, DO NOT visit in March. Heck, I don't even want to be here in March and I live here!

Another place to consider is Glenwood Springs. They have an awesome hot spring pool and a ton of other things to do in town, plus you're within fairly easy driving distance of Aspen, which is a cool place to check out. We go about once a year, spend a ton of time in the pool and just enjoy a nice weekend away. They are another place where summer is the high season.