Day hiking, scenery, AND good food?
Oct 14th, 2003, 05:56 AM
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Day hiking, scenery, AND good food?
We recently returned from one of our periodic visits to Acadia NP/Bar Harbor in Maine. The location offers everything we need for this type of vacation.
Perfect as it is, I can't help thinking there MUST be another spot that comes close.
Places that have fallen short are Yosemite and Olympic NP. Yes, these spots are wonderfully scenic, but we like to go out for a nice meal after a day of hiking, and don't want to drive too far ( perhaps a half hour, TOPS).
Any ideas for another spot in the continental US?
Perfect as it is, I can't help thinking there MUST be another spot that comes close.
Places that have fallen short are Yosemite and Olympic NP. Yes, these spots are wonderfully scenic, but we like to go out for a nice meal after a day of hiking, and don't want to drive too far ( perhaps a half hour, TOPS).
Any ideas for another spot in the continental US?
Oct 14th, 2003, 06:44 AM
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You might like the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks. There are a lot of wonderful day hikes and there is good dining in Lake Placid (e.g. Richard's Freestyle Cuisine, Interlaken, Lake Placid Lodge).
Although I'm surprised Yosemite fell short for you. Where did you eat? Did you try the Ahwahnee?
Although I'm surprised Yosemite fell short for you. Where did you eat? Did you try the Ahwahnee?
Oct 14th, 2003, 07:02 AM
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The Durango area also fits the bill. The scenery in town is just fair, but it gets really stunning just north, west, and east of town, especially if you stay at a B&B. Downtown is also a good place to stay; I like the Strater Hotel, and I hear that the Rochester is also very nice. Durango restaurant prices are reasonable. Season's and Ken and Sue's are my favorite restaurants here.
Oct 14th, 2003, 08:45 AM
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Thanks for the answers so far!
Colorado certainly sounds like a possibility. I've avoided going there because I have a big problem with mountain roads, and I've been told the mountain roads in Colorado are the worst! My husband has patiently driven me SLOWLY, when we need to, maybe we can give Colorado a try some day.
JeanG re: Yosemite,
One restaurant does not a vacation make! I wouldn't hesitate to return, but food was definately an issue.
Colorado certainly sounds like a possibility. I've avoided going there because I have a big problem with mountain roads, and I've been told the mountain roads in Colorado are the worst! My husband has patiently driven me SLOWLY, when we need to, maybe we can give Colorado a try some day.
JeanG re: Yosemite,
One restaurant does not a vacation make! I wouldn't hesitate to return, but food was definately an issue.
Oct 14th, 2003, 03:38 PM
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1.Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Tetons and Yellowstone)
2. Canadian Rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) (I know you said US, but it is easy to get to from US)
Both these are tourist towns (like Bar Harbor) with a wide variety of great restaurants.
We also had good luck with a couple of restaurants in Moab, Utah (Arches National Park and Canyonlands). The town doesn't look like much, but the restaurants we went to were right next to what you could call Fine Dining (it was 1999 when we went--and it was a surpise to find these restaurants in this town).
2. Canadian Rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) (I know you said US, but it is easy to get to from US)
Both these are tourist towns (like Bar Harbor) with a wide variety of great restaurants.
We also had good luck with a couple of restaurants in Moab, Utah (Arches National Park and Canyonlands). The town doesn't look like much, but the restaurants we went to were right next to what you could call Fine Dining (it was 1999 when we went--and it was a surpise to find these restaurants in this town).
Oct 14th, 2003, 07:43 PM
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The roads leading to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado are not difficult or dangerous. The roads *in* Rocky Mountain National Park can get dicey in bad weather, but aren't horrible. There are good trails within 15 minutes of the park entrance, so you can avoid driving too far if the weather's not cooperating. During the summer, you should have no problem, as long as you can handle the altitude.
Estes Park, which is the town at the east entrance, has decent (but not great) restaurants.
Estes Park, which is the town at the east entrance, has decent (but not great) restaurants.
Oct 14th, 2003, 08:07 PM
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The hiking in Zion is so wonderful
(the Narrows is an especially memorable
experience)
and we've always had great luck at
the Bit and Spur(even one New Year's Eve!) right in Springdale,UT
(5 mins. outside the NP). Oscar's has
fabulous food for lunch and breakfast
(not sure about dinner time) and the
Pasta and Noodle was yummy, too.
If you'd like more upscale dining then
head to magical Telluride--the
restaurant at the Hotel Columbia (whose
name escapes me now) is divine. If you
fly into Grand Junction (which is in
a fairly flat part of Colorado, since
steep roads were a consideration for me, too, going in winter) you'll have
an easy, gradual incline to cope with
for about 3 hours....at the end you'll
find you've stepped back in time.
I hear Ouray is wonderful, too, with
hot springs to nurture aching muscles
but I can't speak from first hand
experience as we ran out of time.
I'm currently on my way to Santa Fe
and Taos which seem to offer more
restaurants than anyone could manage
so I may have more suggestions after
this weekend--plan to hike and raft
and eat. Good luck!
(the Narrows is an especially memorable
experience)
and we've always had great luck at
the Bit and Spur(even one New Year's Eve!) right in Springdale,UT
(5 mins. outside the NP). Oscar's has
fabulous food for lunch and breakfast
(not sure about dinner time) and the
Pasta and Noodle was yummy, too.
If you'd like more upscale dining then
head to magical Telluride--the
restaurant at the Hotel Columbia (whose
name escapes me now) is divine. If you
fly into Grand Junction (which is in
a fairly flat part of Colorado, since
steep roads were a consideration for me, too, going in winter) you'll have
an easy, gradual incline to cope with
for about 3 hours....at the end you'll
find you've stepped back in time.
I hear Ouray is wonderful, too, with
hot springs to nurture aching muscles
but I can't speak from first hand
experience as we ran out of time.
I'm currently on my way to Santa Fe
and Taos which seem to offer more
restaurants than anyone could manage
so I may have more suggestions after
this weekend--plan to hike and raft
and eat. Good luck!
