beckers2482,

Just wanted to wish you both a "bon voyage"! Have a great time in our beautiful state.

What's the significance of the "2482"? You're respective ages? :-D

AL ((d))

Re: fishing in Steamboat.

The Yampa River runs right through it and there are unlimited placed to fish just off the road.

mm

Thanks for the suggestion, mm! He is thinking about Trappers Lake in the Flat Tops - know anything about that?

AL - haha! I needed that laugh. I am trying to get caught up at work and at home before we leave early tomorrow morning. The numbers are a combo of day and year.

I have some different restaurant suggestions for Estes Park. We are up there alot from Denver and have eaten at most of the places.
Oour favorite restaurant is Mary's Lake Lodge in what is called The Tavern restaurant, or on the deck, or by the fireplace if it's chilly. There's the Grandmaison Room there too, and it's very pretty, more formal and expensive. We also like The Twin Owls steakhouse (though it's pricey for dinner) at the Black Canyon Inn, especially their cozy bar for a drink. Orlandos above the Wheel Bar has great steaks. Sweet Basil has good food, though their ambience isn't as nice as the others I mentioned. Otherwise for Italian I'd suggest Mama Roses or Dunraven Downtown. Notchtop Restaurant and Bakery has excellent bagels. And The Donut Haus is a must. The Egg and I is great for breakfast and lunch. For outdoor seating I'd say Mary's Lake Lodge, the Stanley Hotel, or the View Restaurant at Crag's Lodge(dinner only, and they only have 2 or 3 small balconies that hold 2 - 4 people each, but even if you're not on a balcony, the dining room is very nice and there's a good view.) Ed's Cantina also has outdoor tables overlooking the water.

For romance, I'd suggest Mary's Lake Lodge, The Twin Owls Steakhouse or The View restaurant.

Sue

We just returned from Estes Park yesterday. We ate at Mary's Lake Lodge and I had one of the best seafood meals that I have ever had. (and that is saying ALOT!) As Sue mentioned they have two restaurants and in the Tavern you can order off of either restaurants menus. Make a reservation for a window table. The Tavern has live music every night and they are really good musicians. I can't wait to go back again. We also heard great things about Twin Owls, but just didn't have time to go there.

Also wanted to mention how great the tour is at the MacGregor Ranch. It was like being in a time machine.

I didn't even realize this was my original post from 2 years ago when I clicked on this.

Anyways, I would agree that you should probably allow at least 4-5 hours at the museum. My last trip was to see the traveling exhibit from Egypt a couple of months ago which wasn't too bad. I did however think the new space exhibit wasn't very exciting and is very much geared towards kids. Don't miss an IMAX movie either, they have a Lewis & Clark show and Mystery of the Nile which looked interesting. Also right next door to the museum is the zoo and they have a newly remodeled lion exhibit.