Location: Estes Park
Top Things to do in Estes Park
Top 10 Free Things to do in Estes Park, Colorado (CO)
Estes Park is located 7,522 feet above sea level, nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Shops, galleries and boutiques line the main street, which has a quaint, small-town ambiance. Exceptional outdoor adventures await both families and enthusiasts. Wildlife sightings, including elk and big horn sheep, are prevalent. Estes Park is the basecamp for adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, where world-class hiking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and scenic drives abound.
Restaurants in Estes Park
1. Brownfield's
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 300 reviews
Brownfield's is a vacation tradition and a "locals" favorite. Brownfield's is a large souvenir store with an outdoor flavor. They have apparel, hiking goods and Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park/Colorado souvenirs. Their wide selection of quality merchandise is sold at a reasonable price with friendly service. Brownfield's is a seasonal business open from Memorial Day Weekend through early November.
Reviewed By 303LydiaJW
We love visiting Brownfield's! It is a must stop for our family. Excellent quality products, from shirts to mugs and souvenirs in between, best prices in town, and friendly staff make it a favorite place to shop. I would highly recommend putting them on your list of places to shop.
2. Mountain Blown Glass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 250 reviews
A local family owned and operated hand blown glass studio and gallery! Watch live demo's daily!
Reviewed By Leman121 - Roanoke, United States
This was a very interesting place to visit. It was very intriguing to watch him make glass creations.
3. Macdonald Book Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Mayasmommy05 - New Braunfels, United States
Lovely little bookstore, full of different genres and the staff was very helpful. Our family loved roaming around finding some treasures.
4. Aspen and Evergreen Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 167 reviews
Estes Park's finest art gallery featuring the Fine-art Photography of James Frank as well as art by more than 40 Estes Park and Colorado artists. In addition to photography, you'll find an array of original paintings, artisan jewelry, sculpture, exquisite woodwork, blown glass, pottery, sculpture, gourd art, and so much more. We're open all year, will ship your uniquely chosen art to you and offer free gift wrapping. We can't wait to meet you!
Reviewed By angie1027
This is not a "souvenir" shop. They sell handmade items (bowls, mugs, etc), jewelry, and art, primarily made by local artisans. The offerings are beautiful! Some of the items are rather expensive, though there is a wide range of prices. I was looking for a piece of art and as soon as I saw it I was in love. I purchased a small framed oil painting by an artist who is quite local and the lady managing the shop wrapped it with much care and included a sheet of information about the artist (Jennifer Cline).
5. Patterson Glassworks Studio & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
Art gallery and Glassblowing studio . Watch live blown glass demos and check out lots of blown glass in our gallery.
Reviewed By LisaRM - Denver, United States
I have been going to this lovely shop since I was a kid. It's the best glass studio there is! The artists are so kind and helpful and their art is creative, thoughtful and fun. If you are looking for a small piece or a larger, stand-out piece you can find both and everything in between. It's one of my favorite stops in Estes Park. Thank you for creating such inspiring and memorable pieces of art to share with all!
6. The Taffy Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 141 reviews
Estes Park's original Salt Water Taffy Shop, in business since 1935. Made fresh from scratch!
Reviewed By ATXneko
I grew up coming to Estes Park every summer as a kid, and when I finally made it back as an adult with my husband, I was worried that it might have changed too much. When I saw the Taffy Shop, with its original taffy pulling machine in the window and the ornate white wrought iron decorations, I was instantly relieved and fascinated all over again by this charming and delicious gem of a store. The flavors and quality of the taffy is unbeatable. We have been returning to Estes Park regularly since then, and we always make several stops to the Taffy Shop. The best feeling is hearing my daughters both say that they look forward to bringing their own families here someday. I gave my husband a taffy-of-the quarter birthday present one year, and it’s hands down has been his favorite gift ever! Recently, we were visiting and buying boxes for both of our girls. One lives out of town, and the shop made it so easy by handling the shipping for us at a very reasonable charge. Also, after taking care of that order, my daughter asked for a change. The lady who was working that day (Sun. March 1st, 2020) was very kind and understanding, and she went to the back to get the box and make the change. She was awesome!
7. Fall River Jewelry, Coins & Antiques
8. Estes Park Memorial Observatory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
The Estes Park Memorial Observatory (EPMO) is a community resource dedicated to fostering scientific education of children in Estes Park and serving as an educational venue for the community and visitors. EPMO holds events throughout the year in conjunction with the local school system, the Estes Valley Astronomical Society and the Rocky Mountain National Park. The observatory schedules private and group viewing sessions and hosts educational lectures on astronomy, cosmology, astrophotography and special astronomical events such as comet fly-bys and more! We also have fun on going projects like our Human Sundial Project. EPMO is currently offering opportunities for volunteers. Just contact us to get involved and learn about our sky along the way! Can't help? Donate to our Estes Park Observatory and come visit anytime!
Reviewed By gaby5706
Mike was great, the four of us greatly enjoyed his passionate teaching about astronomy. Our ages ranged from 17-28 and though we had no scientific background and honestly, not too much of an interest in Science, we all walked out with a greater appreciation for astronomy and an interest in learning more. It was exciting seeing different constellations, galaxies and planets through the telescope. If we are ever back in Estes we will definitely come back again! Thank you!
9. The Studio Fine Art and Framing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
10. Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By jaynelld - New Orleans, United States
We attended Mass here while visiting Estes Park. It is a beautiful little mountain church with a very large congregation and/or many visitors. Plan to arrive about 20 minutes early to get a seat for Mass. The priest gave a wonderful homily. The church and grounds are lovely.
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