Colorado Ladies

beckyritchie04

New member
My husband and I are leaving tomorrow for the great state of Colorado. We will be spending 2 nights in Denver and 2 nights in Colorado Springs. We plan on going to Pikes Peak, white water rafting, and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. We are super excited but since we have never been to either of these places, I thought I would see if you ladies could give us some insight. So, I have some questions:

Do yall have any hikes that you really like inside the RMN park?

Are there any local fav. restaurants (not too expensive) in either of these cities that yall could recommend?

Any other activities that you think would really be fun for us to do while we are there? We would really like to stick with the outdoorsy stuff since we won't have our little one with us.

Thanks ladies :)
 
Ooooooh, Garden of the Gods!! It's all sorts of fun shaped rock out croppings that you can hike around. Extremely beautiful too! I think we went there on the way to Pike's Peak, but I could be wrong. Lemme google it......Here!
 
Awesome, we will for sure go to Garden of the Gods. Thanks so much for the recs. Anyone else have any good places to eat or go to?
 
what about our zoo! it rocks and it's reasonable...they also have yummy soft-serve! :thumbup:

i'm trying to think of other stuff. you need jenny...she's lived here her entire life and she's generally a colorado genius!
 
We went to RMNP last summer and I want to say we did the Mills Lake trail? It leaves from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. It wasn't overly difficult and the view was gorgeous.

As for Colorado Springs, I definitely recommend Garden of the Gods as well, it's a really neat place. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is pretty nice too if you like zoos. One place I definitely don't recommend is Seven Falls. It's a total rip-off. :thumbdown:

For Pikes Peak, I'd recommend trying to go up in the morning in case any storms roll in. The entire peak can become covered in clouds and well it's not really worth going up there when it's like that. (I unfortunately learned this from experience. :D)

Places to eat, I really love The Loop in Manitou Springs. It's a Mexican restaurant and they have some of the best margaritas as well.

I live in Colorado Springs so if you have any other questions, just let me know.
 
We went to RMNP last summer and I want to say we did the Mills Lake trail? It leaves from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. It wasn't overly difficult and the view was gorgeous.

As for Colorado Springs, I definitely recommend Garden of the Gods as well, it's a really neat place. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is pretty nice too if you like zoos. One place I definitely don't recommend is Seven Falls. It's a total rip-off. :thumbdown:

For Pikes Peak, I'd recommend trying to go up in the morning in case any storms roll in. The entire peak can become covered in clouds and well it's not really worth going up there when it's like that. (I unfortunately learned this from experience. :D)

Places to eat, I really love The Loop in Manitou Springs. It's a Mexican restaurant and they have some of the best margaritas as well.

I live in Colorado Springs so if you have any other questions, just let me know.

WOW! Thanks so much for all the tips and advice. I really appreciate it!
 
My husband grew up about an hour away from Colorado Springs and so I've visited there a couple of times (especially when his half-sister was born a few years ago and had to be kept in the neo-natal unit there).
Great food: Giuseppi's near the RR tracks in Colorado Springs is delish.
57 Diner (my husband thinks that's the name?) in Denver is cool if you like a 50's style diner. Red Top Hamburgers has awesome burgers in Colorado Springs.
Touristy things: Air Force Academy is supposedly nice but we didn't get to see it as it was within 1 year of 9/11 and was still on high alert. If you have a chance, Breckenridge is cool and there are places around there that you can see over the Continental Divide (which is beautiful on a clear day). And of course, another vote for the Garden of the Gods.
 
Estes Park, CO is something else that you should do! Its a little town in the foothills (about an hour northwest of Denver) and it is picturesque! Gorgeous little town with sweet lil shops and lotsa homemade ice cream!
 
Lizzy, are you and Jenny near Colorado Springs? I am headed there for a business trip in October I think and I'd love to meet you gals if it was possible!
 
oh, Pam! that would be fun!! we are 2 hours away. no biggie! we could totally do it, if it landed on a weekend (since jenny's a workin girl now). :) let me know!!
 
Ok, Ok OK! I'm here! Everyone just CALM DOWN. lol

Ok, so here's the low-down on stuff to do in Colorado.....

Garden of the Gods is so great. GORGEOUS and just very typical Colorado scenery.

One of the best hikes in RMNP is the Bear Lake Loop. The terrian is pretty varied and the scenery is GORGEOUS. Its a pretty popular hike and you might even see some snow at the top. But, like Lynette said, be sure to head out early 'cuz our storms roll in in the afternoons and you don't want to be on the mountain when they come.

For restaurants, I'd suggest Beau Jo's Pizza. They are a Colorado CLASSIC and have delicious pizza. Here's a link to their locations... http://www.beaujos.com/locations.cfm

If you're going to be in Denver, you have to check out the 16th Street Mall. There is tons to do and see as well as lots of really yummy places to eat. The Denver Pavillions is the main part of LoDo (lower downtown) and there is a Hard Rock Cafe, Coyote Ugly Bar, and a huge movie plex.

Like Liz said, the Denver Zoo is really great and the weather should be perfect. We have a season pass and we just love it. The Denver Museum of Natural History is right next to the zoo and is also really neat. Here's their lin if you want to see what exhibits they have right now.... http://www.dmns.org/main/en/
I should also add that they have an amazing IMAX theater at the museum that is a must-see if you've never been.

Ok, and lastly, you should at least *try* to get up to Estes Park. Its just such an amazing drive up the canyon and the town is just gorgeous. The restaurants are all wonderful too so you can make a whole day of it!

Uh, I think thats it for now. I'll try to think of some other stuff.

27 years of Colorado living is finally paying off! lol
 
Ok, Ok OK! I'm here! Everyone just CALM DOWN. lol

Ok, so here's the low-down on stuff to do in Colorado.....

Garden of the Gods is so great. GORGEOUS and just very typical Colorado scenery.

One of the best hikes in RMNP is the Bear Lake Loop. The terrian is pretty varied and the scenery is GORGEOUS. Its a pretty popular hike and you might even see some snow at the top. But, like Lynette said, be sure to head out early 'cuz our storms roll in in the afternoons and you don't want to be on the mountain when they come.

For restaurants, I'd suggest Beau Jo's Pizza. They are a Colorado CLASSIC and have delicious pizza. Here's a link to their locations... http://www.beaujos.com/locations.cfm

If you're going to be in Denver, you have to check out the 16th Street Mall. There is tons to do and see as well as lots of really yummy places to eat. The Denver Pavillions is the main part of LoDo (lower downtown) and there is a Hard Rock Cafe, Coyote Ugly Bar, and a huge movie plex.

Like Liz said, the Denver Zoo is really great and the weather should be perfect. We have a season pass and we just love it. The Denver Museum of Natural History is right next to the zoo and is also really neat. Here's their lin if you want to see what exhibits they have right now.... http://www.dmns.org/main/en/
I should also add that they have an amazing IMAX theater at the museum that is a must-see if you've never been.

Ok, and lastly, you should at least *try* to get up to Estes Park. Its just such an amazing drive up the canyon and the town is just gorgeous. The restaurants are all wonderful too so you can make a whole day of it!

Uh, I think thats it for now. I'll try to think of some other stuff.

27 years of Colorado living is finally paying off! lol

Thank you so much for all the detailed information. We really appreciate it! You are the best :)
 
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