Colorado-Any suggestions on where to stay

[NBFUN]

My family and I are driving to Colorado again this summer and wanted to try out a few new places. Last time we drove to Colorado we mostly stayed around the Denver area, but wanted to branch out this year.

Any suggestions on great family resorts?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

What is the price range you are looking for? Any special amenities that you want?

 

[NBFUN]

I don't have a set budget for the trip. We are open to any suggestions. It will be me, DH, DS (7), DD (3) and my mother-in-law. We love the outdoors and doing things together.

When we drove to Colorado a few years ago we mainly stayed in the Denver area and traveled to Colorado Springs for a day and did Pike's Peak. We loved the Rocky Mountain National Park as well.

We have thought about flying, but we really enjoyed the 18 hour drive last time and stopping at places along the way.

We were thinking it would be great to stay in a lodge in the mountains, but when I look them up, most of them refer to skiing season.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MomtoGKC]

I don't know specific hotel names, but some areas we loved and visited in the fall as well as winter were Steamboat Springs, Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge. I can't wait to take my kids to CO some day!!

 

[lattemomof3]

Estes Park is a fun area. We went last summer. You could find a home to rent (vrbo.com) or there are several resorts there. We went horseback riding in the Mts. one day, with all 3 kids (ages 3, 7 and 10). We did a breakfast ride, where the cowboys made us a big breakfast on the Mt. halfway through, then we finished the ride. Really fun! Another day we rode through part of the national park and played in the snow (in July!) and saw a lot of wildlife. We were able to walk pretty closely up to wild elk. There is a small lake there also, where we rented a boat and drove around w/ the mts. surrounding us. Fun trip!

 

[bjscheel]

We went to Colorado Springs area last year, actually we stayed at Eagle Fire Lodge in Woodland Park. Nice town, small enough to be comfortable in for us country folk. We stayed in one of their cabins. It's not "in the woods", but it's on the edge of town with a view of Pike's Peak. You can have your own little cabin but eat free breakfast in the lodge. I could have stayed there longer. Our cabin had a bed for us, a pullout couch for the kids, bathroom, and little kitchen.

You might also look at vrbo.com as someone else suggested if you want to be more remote. For a while I was hooked on hunting for that perfect cabin to rent in the Gatlinburg, TN area- that trip is tabled for now, but I'm sure there are equally lovely cabins in CO to rent.

 

[czycropper]

My BIL lives in Aurora so we go out there once every couple of years. Last time we went through Rocky Mountain National Park from beginning till end. We stayed in Grand, CO at a wonderful hotel and then stayed in Estes Park. I'll check my stuff and will give you names of hotels. Everytime we go we go to Golden since my DH loves doing the Coors tour

 

[jedijill]

YMCA has a lodge outside of Estes Park that is great and Snow Mountain Ranch outside of Winter Park. http://www.ymcarockies.org/

Glenwood Springs is also a great place to visit and stay. It is right off of I-70 and has a lot of summer activities like horseback riding, rafting, hiking, and the natural hot springs.

Colorado Springs also has a lot of places to visit and things to do.

Jill in CO

 

[*Seanaci*]

We live in CO...and are thinking of staying in a hotel in Loveland for a long weekend next July. It'd put us close to Estes Park (maybe an hour drive or so), shopping (Centerra Shops @ Loveland off I-25) as well as Boyd Lake State park (a day pass is only $5) and you can swim or whatever.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Copper Mountain!!!! They have the BEST summer activities! You will be able to go up and own the ski lifts (there is a little place to eat up there, chairs all along the creek, hiking ect). They will have live bands, bonfires, kids bungee jumping, a mini golf course, all the shops, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. We went every single summer that we lived in Colorado Springs. Depending on your length of stay, I'd do a few days there and then a few days in the Denver or Colorado Springs area to be closer to all those fun places.

 

[Green Tea]

thebroadmoor

 

[cjnix29]

we stayed near Colorado Springs. Rented this amazing house, ENORMOUS! for less than 1200 for the week. Within driving distance to many, many activities. We went in August. Did pike's peak, garden of the gods, great sand dunes. It was a great vacation! found the house through vrbo.com.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My dh had s conference to go to and took the 2 ds to the Keystone Resort, I think its near Breckenridge. They had a ball. Iknow they did fishing, panning for gold, a trip up the moutains etc.

 

[NBFUN]

Thank you so much for all the replies....I can't wait to start planning!

 

[rubato]

As someone who grew up in Colorado, let me just say that Denver isn't Colorado. There is so much beauty in this state once you get past the Denver area. If you want mountains, you might try Estes or Grand Lake if you don't want to go too far. I grew up in Crested Butte and it's absolutely beautiful. There's also Mesa Verde if you want to do something completely different. Then, there are the ski resort towns. Very beautiful in the summer. Check out the state parks. Any towns around them will have lots of places to stay. I go back every year to go hiking and white water rafting. I can't help you with resorts. Sorry. We usually just rent a cabin or bring the RV.

 

[thelionqueen]

Since you are driving in, I wanted to suggest our favorite summer spot-Silverton/Molas Lake.
My husband and I are both CO natives, and we found this little spot of heave about 10 years ago, and go nearly every summer. It is quite a distance from Denver and wouldn't have suggested it unless you wanted to venture away from Denver, or are coming across the state. It is South of Grand Junction (and Silverton) and North of Telluride (which is also beautiful). The lake is nestled between 2 mountains at about 12,000 ft. There is limited lodging, but the views and hiking are (IMHO) the best in CO.

If that is a bit too adventurous I would also suggest Estes Park and Glenwood Springs, both excellent with great lodging and amenities. Enjoy your stay!

 

[cinmouse]

I travel to CO a few times a year for work and always stay at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs...it is about an hour from Denver and I have extended my trips to include some sightseeing and most things are only about an hours drive.

 

[Cherbear013]

I live in Woodland Park, near Pikes Peak so I'm very familiar with all these areas. My fiance and I love the Durango area. The drive through Ouray is breathtaking - they call it Little Switzerland. You should decide what type of activities or sites you want to see so you can narrow down the locations. There are alot of great areas around the state but you won't be able to see everything. Durango is about 8 hours from Denver, Estes Park is 2 and Steamboat is another couple hours. Good luck!

 

[Earstou]

I second the Durango area.
The Durango-Silverton train can be fun. If you don't want an all day experience with the train, you can take the bus one way.
Mesa Verde is nearby, and we always hit the Sand Dunes on the way to Durango.

 

[PeterBanning]

Most peope that know Colorado will tell you to go beyond Denver for the "true" Colorado experience. I've lived in Denver, Winter Park and now on the western side of the state. The longer I live here, the more I realize just how diverse the state is. Here are just a few of my opinions.

As already stated, the mountains around Ouray have got to be the most spectacular. However, its nowhere near as resort like as the ski towns. Great hot springs. Most of the recreation is centered around hiking and four-wheeling.

Someone mentioned Crested Butte. I love CB in both winter and summer. Great skiing, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. CB is also on the remote side, but has more amenities than Ouray due to the ski area. Its also not real easy to get to. On the up side, its not as crowded.

I'm partial to Winter Park/Grand County. I lived there for several years and still have family there. It's much easier to get to from Denver and no shortage of activities. Grand Lake is just as close to RMNP as Estes, but less crowded. Check out Devil's Thumb Ranch. Shameless plug, my brother works there. Quick Google should get you to their web site.

Grand Junction makes a nice hub for accessing the western side of the state. Its a fair sized city with easy 2-3 hour drives to a lot of great places (Aspen, Ouray, and even Moab, UT another place everyone should see.

For something different, one of the best kept secrets of Colorado is the Great Sand Dunes National Park. An amazing place right where you would least expect to see it.

Sorry for the long winded response, but I could really go on. I'm very passionate about the state in which I reside. Please feel free to PM if you would like more detailed information or any help planning your trip. Enjoy Colorado, wherever you go.