The temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and the first few holiday decorations are going up. Winter is on it’s way, so I’m getting in the spirit by making a winter bucket list for our trip to Estes Park, Colorado.
Go Sledding
Sledding at Hidden Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park is our favorite winter activity.
Snowshoe
Snowshoeing is a fun way to explore Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter. You can rent snowshoes locally at retailers who rent out gear in Estes Park.
Winter Hike
Some of our favorite winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park include Alberta Falls, Moraine Park, and Lily Lake.
Drink Hot Chocolate
Sipping a steamy cup of hot chocolate is the best way to warm up during the winter months. Our favorite places to get a hot chocolate are Kind Coffee and Trailhead Restaurant. For more ideas, we wrote a fun post last winter about the Best Places to ‘Have a Cup of Cheer’.
Shop for a Christmas ornament
One of our favorite holiday traditions is visiting one of the Christmas Shops in downtown Estes Park and letting each of our girls pick out a special ornament to hang on our tree. The town has several Christmas shops including The Spruce House and The Christmas Shoppe.
Sit by the fireplace with a good book
Our cabin has a great fireplace in the living room and I love to sit next to it and read books while the snow falls outside our window. I wrote a post for fellow Book Lovers here.
Star Gaze
Fascinated by outer space? The Estes Park Memorial Observatory schedules private viewing sessions for groups who enjoy learning about astronomy.
go to a Movie theater
Estes Park has two movie theaters, Reel Mountain and the Historic Park Theatre & Cafe. Both venues are showing Frozen II this winter – a movie that our daughters want to watch again and again.
float down the lazy river
The Estes Valley Community Center opened a new pool with a lazy river, slides and water play area. There are resident and non-resident fees to use the facility.
Attend a local festival
The winter is full of exciting events in Estes Park including:
- Estes Park Tree Lighting Ceremony – 3:30-5:30 pm on November 23, 2019
- Catch the Glow Parade – 5:30 pm on November 29, 2019
- Estes Park Holiday Wine Fest – November 30 – December 1, 2019
- Estes Park Winter Festival – January 19 – 20, 2020
- Wine and Chocolate Festival – February 8, 2020
Check out the Estes Park Event Complex’s website for more information.
art groove
The First Friday Art Groove events in Estes Park celebrate local artists. A Winter Trolley will run between the galleries. Art Groove events are from 5pm to 8pm on December 6, January 3, and February 7. The event is free to the public.
Enjoy a quiet moment of reflection
This time of year can be hectic with events and shopping. My natural inclination is to have a to-do list running through my head. Seeking out quiet places to reflect on the year will help me maintain a sense of peace and appreciation.
rocky mountain tot 