Jim and Ellen's Guide to Estes
Food Scene
Best breakfast in town! Great lunch place, too. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Say hi to Nahlia (the owner) for us!
36 locals recommend
Notchtop Bakery & Cafe
459 E Wonderview AveBest breakfast in town! Great lunch place, too. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Say hi to Nahlia (the owner) for us!
Casual fine dining in a rustic mountain lodge. Jim HIGHLY recommends the Elk Medallions!
25 locals recommend
Twin Owls Steakhouse
3110 South Saint Vrain AvenueCasual fine dining in a rustic mountain lodge. Jim HIGHLY recommends the Elk Medallions!
La Cabaña Mexican Bar & Grill
165 Virginia DrMexican cuisine with Excellent views and super margarita's!
Excellent for an afternoon cocktail and appetizer right on Fall River!
13 locals recommend
Nicky's Steakhouse Restaurant
1350 Fall River RdExcellent for an afternoon cocktail and appetizer right on Fall River!
Very good BBQ and great selection of tap beers. Go early to avoid crowds at this popular place!
40 locals recommend
Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Tap House
820 Moraine AveVery good BBQ and great selection of tap beers. Go early to avoid crowds at this popular place!
One of the best new restaurants in Estes, and you can walk there from our Casa Larkspur! Great locally sourced fresh food and friendly atmosphere. We recommend getting a reservation!
67 locals recommend
Bird & Jim
915 Moraine AveOne of the best new restaurants in Estes, and you can walk there from our Casa Larkspur! Great locally sourced fresh food and friendly atmosphere. We recommend getting a reservation!
Drinks & Nightlife
Our fav place for fresh local craft beer! Run by two local guys, Matt and Tracy…tell ‘em we said hi! Usually have a food truck…:-) Occasional live music.
42 locals recommend
Rock Cut Brewing Company
390 W Riverside DrOur fav place for fresh local craft beer! Run by two local guys, Matt and Tracy…tell ‘em we said hi! Usually have a food truck…:-) Occasional live music.
Excellent selection of draft beer, wine, and spirits. Great people watching right downtown on the main drag. Live music some nights.
19 locals recommend
THE BARREL - Estes Park
251 Moraine AveExcellent selection of draft beer, wine, and spirits. Great people watching right downtown on the main drag. Live music some nights.
The newest microbrewery in Estes! Maha and Christian are brewing up some great craft beer, and the views on the patio are outstanding!
17 locals recommend
Avant Garde Aleworks
920 Dunraven StThe newest microbrewery in Estes! Maha and Christian are brewing up some great craft beer, and the views on the patio are outstanding!
Sightseeing
Trail Ridge Road Summit
"Top of The World" drive in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Beautiful lake with a paved trail around all of it! Great for easy hiking and biking.
6 locals recommend
Lake Estes
Beautiful lake with a paved trail around all of it! Great for easy hiking and biking.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful short but demanding hike close to town, no Park pass needed. Go early morning if possible, this one is very popular!
11 locals recommend
Gem Lake Trail
Gem Lake TrailBeautiful short but demanding hike close to town, no Park pass needed. Go early morning if possible, this one is very popular!
Arts & Culture
The history of this old hotel is fascinating...and some think, scary...;-)
32 locals recommend
Stanley Hotel
The history of this old hotel is fascinating...and some think, scary...;-)
Shopping
Estes Park Mountain Shop
2050 Big Thompson AveWhere we shop for our outdoor gear!
Essentials
Where we get our groceries. Can be very crowded, so go early am if possible!
77 locals recommend
Safeway
451 E Wonderview AveWhere we get our groceries. Can be very crowded, so go early am if possible!