Colorado summer trip recommendations?
 

Planning a week trip in early August - family reunion type of get together. Was hoping for recommendations for locations in Colorado and/or any agencies for vacation home rentals? We have three couples in our party, including three toddlers.
We were looking for a location with plenty of hiking, outdoors stuff, areas to stroll with the kids, and interesting restaurants - not to take the kids - but for the adults to attend. Cities that are easily accessible would be preferred.

Thanks for tips. I've only been to Colorado once previously - had a nice time in Aspen during the winter months. Haven't the faintest clue for where to go in the summer, however.

You could go to Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone. I'd search for VRBO or the individual places.

like gretchen says, vrbo.com or cyberrentals.com or greatrentals.com can find you places all over, also local real estate offices often do vacation rentals in resort areas.

the first 3 sites are an owner to rentor sites. you deal with individual owners their terms and conditions. many do not take credit cards... and make sure you understand their cancellation policy.

I have used vrbo and haven't had any problems but be very specific in your questions. does it have ac, it that central air or window. is their parking for the # of cars you will have etc...

forgot your other question. grand lake or estes park ( either end of rockymountain national park) telluride, colorado springs. altho estes park is touristy that also means there are a lot of choices for doing things and with toddlers that might be better for you.

We love Estes Park. I've used vrbo.com and many do take credit cards and I've found their cancellation policies to be comparable to hotels, or even more lenient. But I guess it depends on the individual owner.

Sue

We usually go the first week of August to the Vail/Beaver Creek area. We acutally stay in an area between the two called Eagle-Vail and rent a home or two on the golf course there. This location is great if you have cars, if not, stay in Beaver Creek or Vail. The Minturn Market is my absolute favorite thing to do. They have this every Saturday during the summer. You can purchase all kinds of fruits, vegetables, homemade goodies, crafts, jewelry and gourmet items.

We've been doing this for well over 10 years and generally go with two or three other families. We like this location as it's easy to drive to and close enough to Breckenridge for a daytrip to play on the Alpine slide or to Glenwood Springs for the Hot Springs. Plenty of hiking trails around. You can ride the gondola in Vail and there is a great kids play area at the top. Of course Vail has wonderful restaurants for adults night out! We most often rent thru VRBO.com but have used the Vailnet website to rent directly from an owner and have also used Prudential Gore Range properties.

Thanks for everyone's replies. Will check things out. BNK

I recommend you look into Steamboat Springs. I like it better in the summer than winter. It's a beautiful wide-open setting, away from it all feeling.
It's further from Denver-- about 3.5 hours' drive, maybe-- but it would probably be less tourist-packed than Estes or Summit County or Vail.
Or there's Winter Park for lots of activities and less crowds. About 1.5 hours from Denver.