Boulder County + Estes Park Areas
Delicious
Really great quality of food here. The dishes are large and generally include lots of veggies and great flavor. I recommend pick up. It usually takes a while for the food, but I never think twice about ordering. It's totally worth it! *My favorites are the pad krao pao and the green curry. Coconut ice-cream is a family favorite. Do not mess around with "thai hot". Tell Julie I sent you!
18 locals recommend
Julie's Thai Kitchen
138 Main StReally great quality of food here. The dishes are large and generally include lots of veggies and great flavor. I recommend pick up. It usually takes a while for the food, but I never think twice about ordering. It's totally worth it! *My favorites are the pad krao pao and the green curry. Coconut ice-cream is a family favorite. Do not mess around with "thai hot". Tell Julie I sent you!
Easiest place in town to find... covered in cow print. Fun, novelty stop for an ice cream, burger, hot dog and many other treats.
They now have a candy shop that is really nice!
12 locals recommend
Lyons Dairy Bar
138 Main StEasiest place in town to find... covered in cow print. Fun, novelty stop for an ice cream, burger, hot dog and many other treats.
They now have a candy shop that is really nice!
Pick up some milk for your stay and definitely order a sandwich. 10/10 spot! I grab lunch here all the time. Highly recommend The Cleveland (BLT) on French Bread and their pulled pork sandwiches (I add pickles and onions 😉).
Also, good place to check out practical souvenirs like quality coffee mugs and market bags that say Lyons, CO.
This is a real part of the Lyons experience!
34 locals recommend
St Vrain Market, Deli & Bakery
455 Main StPick up some milk for your stay and definitely order a sandwich. 10/10 spot! I grab lunch here all the time. Highly recommend The Cleveland (BLT) on French Bread and their pulled pork sandwiches (I add pickles and onions 😉).
Also, good place to check out practical souvenirs like quality coffee mugs and market bags that say Lyons, CO.
This is a real part of the Lyons experience!
Stop here for PIE and views on your way to Estes Park. I recommend the Bing Cherry Juice.
Post hike pie.
Pre hike pie.
Also well timed break for those getting carsick as the elevation climbs and the road winds.
Uniquely a business along this road, just like Stone Mountain Lodge! Buy pie, take pictures, use restrooms... travel happy! They also serve food!
9 locals recommend
Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons
12311 N St Vrain DrStop here for PIE and views on your way to Estes Park. I recommend the Bing Cherry Juice.
Post hike pie.
Pre hike pie.
Also well timed break for those getting carsick as the elevation climbs and the road winds.
Uniquely a business along this road, just like Stone Mountain Lodge! Buy pie, take pictures, use restrooms... travel happy! They also serve food!
Good coffee and breakfast/lunch options. Open on weekends in our little town. Cool area to walk around.
18 locals recommend
Barking Dog Cafe
431 W Main StGood coffee and breakfast/lunch options. Open on weekends in our little town. Cool area to walk around.
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Yes, seafood in Boulder. You're welcome.
Gemini
Have a proper Pearl Street moment and stop at a place like this for drinks and small plates.
Great Nepalese/Indian food in Estes
Park! Easy parking nearby.
8 locals recommend
Himalayan Curry & Kebob
101 W Elkhorn AveGreat Nepalese/Indian food in Estes
Park! Easy parking nearby.
Great BBQ and easy to reach. There are locations in both Lyons and Estes Park.
Smokin' Dave's BBQ - LYONS
Great BBQ and easy to reach. There are locations in both Lyons and Estes Park.
Wonderful food and amazing views right before the entrance to RMNP. Also lots of furry little friends that would love for you to share your food, although we ask that you please do not feed the wildlife! (We know they can be quite cute)
Trailhead Restaurant
3450 Fall River RdWonderful food and amazing views right before the entrance to RMNP. Also lots of furry little friends that would love for you to share your food, although we ask that you please do not feed the wildlife! (We know they can be quite cute)
City/town information
Grab coffee and walk around town. You will literally run into live music somewhere as small as it is... There are several unique art installments all along the streets of downtown Lyons. Great restaurants and specialty gift shops. Around Christmas it is well lit and decorated in our little town and we have an excellent Christmas parade with very large trees drenched in lights and local businesses participating.
58 locals recommend
Lyons
Grab coffee and walk around town. You will literally run into live music somewhere as small as it is... There are several unique art installments all along the streets of downtown Lyons. Great restaurants and specialty gift shops. Around Christmas it is well lit and decorated in our little town and we have an excellent Christmas parade with very large trees drenched in lights and local businesses participating.
This place is special for its majesty! Family friendly! Enter Rocky Mountain National Park, see an original taffy shop, visit the Stanley Hotel for a tour. The YMCA could entertain you for days.
586 locals recommend
Estes Park
This place is special for its majesty! Family friendly! Enter Rocky Mountain National Park, see an original taffy shop, visit the Stanley Hotel for a tour. The YMCA could entertain you for days.
Sightseeing
Great hiking for beginners and kids/strollers. Nice wide trail with more adventurous trails shooting off it. Nearby and towards Estes Park without dealing with all the traffic.
20 locals recommend
Button Rock Trailhead
County Highway 80Great hiking for beginners and kids/strollers. Nice wide trail with more adventurous trails shooting off it. Nearby and towards Estes Park without dealing with all the traffic.
Insanely good park! Dip your toes in the river! Picnic or grill, and let the kids play in the stream or at the playground. walk to Dairy Bar for an ice cream🍦Do not miss!
24 locals recommend
LaVern M Johnson Park
600 Park DrInsanely good park! Dip your toes in the river! Picnic or grill, and let the kids play in the stream or at the playground. walk to Dairy Bar for an ice cream🍦Do not miss!
No hike required - you can drive right up to it. Easy path around the lake for a nice stroll!
7 locals recommend
Lily Lake Trailhead
No hike required - you can drive right up to it. Easy path around the lake for a nice stroll!
Great moderate/intermediate hike. Beautiful view of the Rockies at the top and has a nice loop around the lake.
Bierstadt Lake Trailhead
Great moderate/intermediate hike. Beautiful view of the Rockies at the top and has a nice loop around the lake.
Gorgeous moderate/intermediate hike - you can hit Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on the way up, or stop at one of these earlier (just as beautiful) lakes which are easier to get to.
15 locals recommend
Emerald lake
Gorgeous moderate/intermediate hike - you can hit Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on the way up, or stop at one of these earlier (just as beautiful) lakes which are easier to get to.
The "highest continuous paved road in the United States" with its highest elevation being 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road crosses to the other side of the Rocky Mountains, and will offer amazing views with no hike needed. Can be a difficult journey if you are not a fan of heights!
25 locals recommend
Trail Ridge Road Summit
The "highest continuous paved road in the United States" with its highest elevation being 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road crosses to the other side of the Rocky Mountains, and will offer amazing views with no hike needed. Can be a difficult journey if you are not a fan of heights!
Kids
Very cool place covered in a trumpet vine, boasting dozens of classic and modern games. Very young kids can use a "step" that they provide. Loved this for our 4yo and would recommend 4 and up for age. Our 2 yo could only hang for a little bit...Light snacks and walkable to restaurant/bar options. Highly recommend this for part of your walk around town experience. Lyons is cute, don't miss it.
12 locals recommend
Lyons Classic Pinball
339 W Main StVery cool place covered in a trumpet vine, boasting dozens of classic and modern games. Very young kids can use a "step" that they provide. Loved this for our 4yo and would recommend 4 and up for age. Our 2 yo could only hang for a little bit...Light snacks and walkable to restaurant/bar options. Highly recommend this for part of your walk around town experience. Lyons is cute, don't miss it.
You can get a day pass to family activities. You can check out schedules online ahead of time.
14 locals recommend
YMCA of the Rockies
2515 Tunnel RdYou can get a day pass to family activities. You can check out schedules online ahead of time.
Impressive indoor pool with lazy river, lap pool, and kid areas. There is also an indoor track, basketball courts, weight room, and more.
11 locals recommend
Estes Valley Community Center
660 Community DrImpressive indoor pool with lazy river, lap pool, and kid areas. There is also an indoor track, basketball courts, weight room, and more.