When an Estes Park getaway is on the calendar, there’s a lot for travelers to look forward to. As scenic and exciting as it is inviting, Estes Park is a vacation destination that has a way of calling outdoor adventurers in droves! The surrounding mountains, lakes, and options for wildlife watching make Estes Park a playground for exploration. That said, if you’re looking to balance your outdoor fun with some in-town adventure too, there are plenty of local Estes Park Colorado markets to explore while you’re here. The following are a few to add to the list when you’re excited to shop local and pick up some great and unique products along the way.
Check Out the Estes Park Farmers Market
If your travel plans bring you to Estes Park between June and September, you’ll be right on time to make the most of the fun that awaits at the Estes Park Farmers Market. This family-friendly gathering is hosted every Thursday from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Estes Park Visitor Center parking lot which is found at the intersection of Highway 36 and Highway 34. The farmers market itself is a treat, but it’s also a scenic experience thanks to the surrounding snowcapped peaks that work as an eye-catching backdrop to your shopping. As you wander through the collection of white market tents, you’ll find Colorado products ranging from fruits and vegetables to homemade honey, pastries, fresh-cut flowers, handmade crafts, locally roasted coffee, and more. The atmosphere is always fun and vibrant, making this a market that many visitors choose to return to year after year. Do keep in mind that when you visit the Estes Park Farmers Market, you’ll want to have cash and credit cards available as some vendors only accept one or the other.
THE DETAILS
Drop by The Country Market While You’re in the Area
Estes Park travelers who are looking for a more traditional market experience during their Colorado stay will find it at The Country Market. Located at 900 Moraine Avenue, The Country Market is open daily from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm making it an easy addition to any itinerary no matter how many activities you’re looking forward to enjoying while you’re in town. The Country Market is a Rocky Mountain basecamp for delicious goods whether you’re looking for soup and hot coffee or you’re more in the mood for a deli sandwich and options to pick up some camping necessities along the way as well. The Country Market is very much a go-to destination for all of your travel needs and a great place to curb a craving as well. The market is set up as a one-stop resource for locals and visitors alike looking for a locally owned grocery option where they can easily access fresh and organic cheeses, produce, meats, and more. Here, you can also count on stocking up on firewood, ice, propane, s’mores supplies, and ice cream too! Even if you don’t need anything right away, it’s still a fun place to stop by and spend some time browsing in good company.
Experience the Handmade in Colorado Expo
An August journey to Estes Park will mean you have an opportunity to enjoy the annual Handmade in Colorado Expo while you’re in town. This highly anticipated market is a celebration of all things creative and made directly in the state. This year, it will be hosted from August 23 through August 25 at Bond Park which is found at 170 MacGregor Avenue. If you swing by on Friday, you can enjoy the creative marketplace between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm while Saturday hours run from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. On Sunday visitors can browse the many handmade crafts on-site between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. There’s no cost to attend the Handmade in Colorado Expo which will celebrate its 17th year in 2024. The market is set up to showcase contemporary crafts and fine art from across Colorado made by independent designers and artisans. You can count on finding everything from clay and wax works to glassware, paper and metal works of art as well as intricated fibers and gorgeous gems. As you connect with local artists at the market, you can also enjoy live music and fantastic fare that makes the experience even more appealing.
Book Your Estes Park Journey Today
There’s no reason to wait when you’re excited to make the most of an amazing getaway to scenic Estes Park. At Mountain Village at Lake Estes, we have the vacation rental accommodations you’ve been looking for when you want to make sure your stay includes luxury, comfort, convenience, and impeccable style standards too. Reach out today to learn more about our inviting options and to start turning those travel plans into a reality. We’re here to handle the details while you focus on the fun and can’t wait to welcome you to Colorado soon.
There are times when a refreshing and revitalizing vacation in the mountains is exactly what you need. When this is the case, there’s no better place to enjoy time away than Lake Estes in Estes Park. This Colorado gem of a getaway destination is a treat for travelers who are looking for easy access to the great outdoors and stunning views to top their stay off in scenic style. While you could certainly enjoy a luxurious retreat in this direction any time of year, the option to make the most of a budget-friendly stay is also available. When you’re hoping to save money, but you don’t want to sacrifice the fun, the following are some great ways to enjoy a vacation in Colorado without breaking the bank.
Enjoy a Beautiful Walk Around the Water
There’s absolutely no cost to enjoy great views when you decide to spend time at Lake Estes in good company. Once you arrive, gather your family and friends and spend time strolling around Lake Estes following the Lake Estes Trail. This 3.75-mile loop offers up spectacular vistas over the waves as well as views over the Continental Divide. You can choose to stroll the path on foot or if you’ve brought your bike along for the journey, the trail is cyclist-friendly too. Be sure to add a pair of binoculars to your pack for your time on the Lake Estes Trail because wildlife watching is a fascinating way to spend the day that also doesn’t require you to pay any type of fee to enjoy.
Get Out on the Water in Budget-Friendly Style
When temperatures rise in Estes Park, getting out on the water is a wonderful way to relax, cool off, and enjoy time under the Colorado sun. Lake Estes is a calm and tranquil body of water to explore at your own preferred pace while you’re here. Head over to the Lake Estes Marina at 1770 Big Thompson Avenue and you’ll find it’s simple to rent a kayak for the day at just $25 an hour. You can bring your own on-the-water-on-the-water gear like a paddleboard if you don’t want to spend money on renting equipment as well. Afterward, make time to stroll the banks along the marina and savor great views of passing boats, wildlife, and more.
Take Time to Enjoy Fly Fishing
If it’s tranquility you’re after and you don’t want to spend a dime, a little fly fishing at Lake Estes can go a long way towards the fun. Bring your fishing gear along for the journey and connect with nature while casting a line at the lake from the pier near the Fisherman’s Nook parking lot. Head out early in the day to avoid the crowds and get something exciting to bite too!
Spend Quality Time and Picnic with Family and Friends at Bond Park
While Estes Park is packed with amazing restaurants to check out, there are always options to save on dining and make the most of a picnic with family and friends at scenic Bond Park too. Located at 170 MacGregor Avenue, this park has plenty of green space, offers up great mountain views, and is a top destination for a picnic when you’re looking to enjoy an affordable and family-friendly fresh-air meal. It’s also the site of many community events annually including Elk Fest, concerts, art festivals, and farmers market so you might be fortunate enough to be dropping by when there are on-site activities to participate in too. Bond Park is located close to the center of town, so after a picnic and time playing with the kids, you can spend some time strolling through Estes Park people-watching, or window shopping.
Dig Into the Area’s Past
For history buffs, there’s no better opportunity than digging into an area’s past when you’re there to enjoy a well-deserved vacation. Estes Park is no exception to the rule and when you happen to be here, you can enjoy time at the Estes Park Museum for free. This is a wonderful locale found at 200 4th Street that’s family-friendly and filled with fascinating exhibits and displays. You’ll learn about the tribes, stories, people, and events that have long defined Estes Park as you peruse more than 25,000 historic objects on-site.
Try Local Transportation
If you have plans to stay near the center of town when you make your way toward Lake Estes, there’s a good chance you can leave your vehicle parked and save on needing to fill up on gas during your visit. If you want to get out and explore further but prefer to leave your vehicle behind, Estes Park has a free shuttle during the summer months to consider taking. The shuttle has a variety of local pick-up points to choose from and serves Rocky Mountain National Park’s Beaver Meadows as well between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm daily. If you do head over to Rocky Mountain National Park, be sure to check the National Park Service website ahead of time and plan your trip for one of the annual fee-free days on the calendar to enjoy even more savings.
Book Your Adventure Today
Make sure your Estes Park getaway includes the luxury, comfort, and convenience you deserve by booking your accommodations through the Mountain Village at Lake Estes this year. Reach out today to learn more about our many property options including seasonal rentals that are fit to your particular budget. We look forward to seeing you soon!
When you’re looking for a place to enjoy a vacation where you can count on easy access to amazing scenery, outdoor fun, and mountain town entertainment too, you’ll find it all waiting for you in Estes Park. This gem of a travel destination in Colorado has long captivated visitors with a passion for the great outdoors. It’s also a hot spot for those who are looking for something a little bit different to add to their itinerary. If you’re someone with a curiosity related to Bigfoot, you’ll want to make sure you make your way to Estes Park in April, when the annual Bigfoot Days come to town!
A One-of-a-Kind Family-Friendly Event
Bigfoot Days will be hosted on April 19 and April 20, 2024, and is presented by The Twisted Griffin. This one-of-a-kind event is designed for family-friendly fun and is a celebration of all things Squatchy. Whether you’re an avid Bigfoot enthusiast or you’re simply interested in learning more about this creature that’s captured the minds and imaginations of people around the world for centuries, this is a local event that’s designed for everyone to enjoy. Participating in the Bigfoot Days in April means you’ll have easy access to talks by Bigfoot celebrities and experts, film screenings, live music, food vendors, outdoor activities for everyone in your traveling crew, and even Bigfoot calling contests to put your skills to the test.
Kick Things off With Fantastic Flavor at Bigfoot Days
The fun gets started on Friday, April 19, 224 with the annual and highly anticipated Bigfoot BBQ. Loved by locals and visitors alike, this BBQ is a chance to come and hang out with Bigfoot celebrity experts while enjoying a delicious dish in good company. The dinner, in great form, is always Bigfoot-themed and includes mouthwatering fare as well as beverages, music, and Bigfoot photos. The Bigfoot BBQ will run from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and you’ll want to make sure to purchase your dinner tickets online in advance as this is part of the Bigfoot days that typically fills up fast.
Enjoy the Best of Festival Fun for Everyone
On April 20, 2024, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, Bigfoot Days participants can enjoy access to the free festival that’s open to everyone. The outdoor event showcases talks and appearances from Bigfoot TV celebrities and experts as well as inflatable games for kids, local food vendors, live musical performances, axe throwing, and eyewitnesses who have seen Bigfoot in Colorado re-telling their stories to enthralled audiences. In 2024, special guests at the festival will include Russel Acord and Ronny LeBlanc from Expedition Bigfoot as well as Ranae Hollan from Finding Bigfoot.
The festival will also include a documentary movie screening on April 20 at the Historic Park Theatre. This documentary is about how a group of Colorado Bigfoot researchers managed to design a Bigfoot contact hotspot of their own. It covers their steps to identifying an alien portal in Bailey, Colorado within a Native American sacred tree. Whether you’re a firm believer or a skeptic, it’s a documentary worth checking out.
When it comes to live musical entertainment for the festival, guests can expect to enjoy the bluegrass musical stylings of Deer Creek Sharpshooters throughout the day. Celtic rock will also be on full display when The McDeviants take to the stage.
Savor the Moment at Bigfoot Days
Flavor is a big part of the fun for those who take time to enjoy Bigfoot days this year and the vendor list for the event is made to impress. In 2024, vendors like Sasquatch Outpost, Treasured Wellness, and Dragons Lair Jewelry & Gifts will all be on hand. Mountain Man Snacks will be providing goodies to guests alongside Kogler’s Bakery, Honey and Ash, Lapis and Lemongrass, and Rocky Mountain Majesty Nuts. SquatchWatch will be present for the event as well as One Craft Giraffe, J&J Welding Plasma Designs, and Meta Markings. If you’re looking forward to trying out the best food trucks in town, you can count on having easy access to Southern Soul Food Truck, Cheese Love Grill Food Truck, and Bloomberries Food Truck during the event. From the Squatchy Donuts to the tasty treats over at Mi Sueno Cookies, you’ll have the options you deserve to enjoy at Bigfoot Days.
Book Your Getaway to Estes Park Today
No matter when your travel plans bring you to Estes Park, the team at Mountain Village at Lake Estes has the vacation rental you need to make more of every moment. Our property options keep you close to the fun while offering up elevated standards of luxury, comfort, and style to enjoy along the way. Reach out today to learn more about our incredible selection of properties across Estes Park and to get started turning your travel plans into a reality. We look forward to seeing you in Colorado soon!