Planning a 3 day weekend in September 10, arriving in Denver at 7am on a Friday and flying out on Monday morning. . Not sure where we (3 women in our 50s) should head to for easy hiking, great scenery and food. Do not want to go to RMNP-that's another trip. Easy hikes, a place to stay with a great patio/balcony. Places that have been recommended include Dillon, Frisco, Breck, Usually I enjoy trip planning but swamped with work.. Appreciate any advice.

Dillon and Frisco to my knowledge won't give you a balcony view. Breck could. Vail and Beaver Creek too.

If you do not mind a 3 hr drive, Steamboat Springs might fit your requirements. The drive up 40 is beautiful.

never considered driving that far up but seems like a perfect fit.......just need to think about the drive

It's only an hour more and the drive is easy and pretty.

We just returned from Steamboat, a favorite because of close access to us. However, this year I-70 is indefinitely closed through Glenwood Canyon, and all of that truck traffic is being routed on Highway 40 through Steamboat.
https://www.cotrip.org/home.htm

If that is still the situation when your trip is here, then I'd vote for Breck or Vail.

You could also go to the Bailey/Grant areas. We stayed in a fabulous airbnb in the mountains outside of Grant, and there is a lot of beauty in that area. Just about an hour south and slightly west of Denver. I'm going back in September myself! Do a search on airbnb, there are many stand-alone cabins in the woods in this area.

(I'm just going to add that we did a day trip that included Breck, and having not been there since the late 90s I was aghast. It looked like one jammed up shopping mall. Granted it was the July 4 holiday but...) If that's your thing, though, you'd like it.

Thanks for the heads up....our group was excited about Steamboat. This is being harder than I expected.

Not sure since I heard truck track is in the area because of mud slides. Any other suggestions?

I know you said you don't want to go to RMNP, but why not? Estes is an hour or more closer to DIA than the other locations mentioned. Has great scenery and hiking, two of the things you were looking for. Worth considering anyway.

Also I wouldn't necessarily give up on Steamboat, just be aware it may not be normal this year.

Between fires, flood, smoke there's just a lot of uncertainty planning trips out here these days.

My husband and I want to go to RMNP together. Our bucket list is all of the national parks.

Beautiful hikes off Guanella Pass. Just sayin'. At any rate, I'd try to get it decided soon; Sept. 10 isn't too far away.

True and for that you could stay in cute little Georgetown. Have a great trip.

What time is your flight on Monday ? Do you have to stay in Denver Monday night? Steamboat could be closer to four hours. You don't want to drive that far especially on a return to Denver on a Sunday PM. The Sunday pm drive back into Denver can be pretty dreadful. I would avoid that if you can.

Devil's Thumb Ranch is a special place, just past Winter Park, about 1 hr 45 minute drive from the Denver airport. Lodging choices include cabins and lodge rooms, most with balconies/patios and gorgeous views. We have frequented DTR for many years, and our daughter was married there. Their Ranch House restaurant is special.
DTR is relatively pricey, but they do offer seasonal specials. It's like Ritz Carlton meets Ralph Lauren.
https://www.devilsthumbranch.com/find-your-room/

What time is your flight on Monday morning? Will you need to spend the night closer to the airport?

If you're interested in DTR, it's a spot where you would not need a car. They provide a shuttle into town, if you really need to leave their heavenly ranch. I don't think the Amtrak schedule works for you, but you could consider calling Home James, a car service between Winter Park and the Denver airport. I believe they will schedule a ride for whenever you need it: https://www.winterparkresort.com/pla...ere/ride-to-wp

You do not have to go as far as Steamboat for views. With your limited time you do not want to spend six to eight hours driving. You can do just as well much closer. MoBro's rec above is good. You can get balcony views anywhere BUT very dependent on the orientation of the building. Chances are better in Breckenridge but possible in Frisco, Dillon or even Keystone. Vail is over another mountain pass so I would not go that far. Using Breck as a base you could hike the Mineral Belt trail in Leadville. Or do it on a bike. Hard surface, 12 mile loop that is most flat. Rent a bike and they will haul you to the top of Vail pass for a nearly all downhill ride back to Breck or back to Frisco. You have the Georgetown Loop railroad in Georgetown that is very interesting especially if you do the silver mine tour in the middle.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/fou...tml?aid=304142

Lots of well-priced condos available. We are very familiar with Winter Park, if you have any questions about any particular location.
https://www.booking.com/searchresult...e_landing_city