We are same family of 4 couples-all over 50. We vacationed growing up in and around Estes Park Colorado. No kids going this time. We are looking for a 4 bedroom home in Colorado, but interested in towns that are fun and variety of day trips. We enjoy cooking in for the evenings. Looking for homes as well as suggestions on towns to stay.
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Oops, Forgot to mention...........mid July to mid August timeframe! Currently looking at Ouray.
In addition to Ouray - look at The Summit - with Frisco and Breckinridge being very cute towns and offering lots of side trips. You could also split time between there and Ouray/Telluride/Durango.
Ouray is fine but it is down in a valley. You don't necessarily get the expansive mountain views directly in town like you did in Estes. If that matters then consider Telluride, Silverton or Durango instead.
The southwest part of the state is fantastic. I would just stay down there unless you have a lot of time. You could hit Mesa Verde for something different.
Good luck planning and have a great trip.
Winter Park, Steamboat, Aspen are our favorites.
Destinations West is a rental company specializing in higher-end properties in Winter Park, and maybe Steamboat.
We use East West properties for Vail/Beaver Creek.
This past August four couples shared the penthouse in the Luminere Hotel in Telluride. It cost us roughly $500 per person for the week. We got the deal by working around the festival calendar. We loved it. Each couple had a private room with balcony and en suite bath. We had our own hot tub on one deck, in and outdoor dining, fantastic kitchen and easy access to the hiking and biking trails. We took the gondola down to town if we wanted to go out.
I cannot recommend this too highly. It was terrific!
If you are interested in SW Colorado, I would suggest basing out of Durango. It is the most centrally located and makes day trips to Telluride, Mesa Verde, Silverton, Ouray etc. very simple.
It is also one of the "larger" small towns and gives you many more options for accommodations and meals at more reasonable prices.
As you would need 2 vehicles, you could fly into ABQ and then drive the 3.5 hours to Durango. You can fly into Durango, but it is usually more expensive and many fewer flights. Also, car rentals are usually more money too.
I have LOTS of posts on here on restaurants in the area, etc. Click on my name. I have lived in the area for 5 years.
We've visited Ouray twice and loved it both times. Not much going on in the town however, as it's very small. There is some incredible hiking in the area, I believe near Ridgeway...the hike to Yankee Boy Basin and Blue Lakes are two of my favorite.