family trip to Colorado
 

We are planning a nine day trip to Colorado for the end of June and need some help. We are a family of 5-- 2 adults and three boys aged 6 months, 6 years, & 7 years. We are thinking of spending time in the following towns:

2 nights in Estes Park
3 nights in Aspen area
1 night in Grand Junction
1 night in Ouray
2 nights in Durango

What do you think of the above? Should we spend more/less time in any of these places? Is there somewhere else that we should go instead? What should we make sure to see/do in each of these locations?

Also need hotel recommendations for each town. Ideal hotel is one that has suites and a pool.

Finally we would appreciate restaurant recommendations. We enjoy restaurants with good quality food that welcome children.

Thanks for your help.
Jeanne

Jeanne - Not sure how you decided on these places, i.e. why Aspen & Grand Junction? You might think about Glenwood Springs or Breckenridge, our favorite family destinations. Glenwood has the great hot springs pool, the hotel connected to it may be booked by now for June but there are others in town. There are many condos in Breck. I have also found with kids its easier to stay more nights in fewer places but you know your kids.

I agree with Betsy that it might be easier to stay in fewer places.

Tell us what you are planning to see and do, and we will be able to give you better information.

We have been on 10 family trips to Colorado. Our boys are 7 and 9.

We are planning on mostly hiking in these locations. Other suggested activities are welcomed however. We want to see RMNP, Colorado National Monument and Mesa Verde at least. Also interested in checking out a ski town such as Aspen (heard that it is one of the nicer ones). Also heard that Ouray is charming...

Regardless, we will definitely start in Estes Park and end in Durango.

Look forward to hearing some feedback on hotels, etc.. Thanks.

I think your choices are fine, but I wouldn't spend 3 nights in Aspen. I would give one more night to Estes Park (or Grand Lake, on the other side of RMNP, so you can spend a whole day on Trail Ridge Road and hiking), and one more night to Ouray (and you have heard correctly - it is one of the most charming towns in Colorado).

In Ouray, we always stay at the Ouray Victorian Inn. It is within walking distance of the main street where all the restaurants are, but it is tucked in against the mountain so it is nice and quiet. Very clean. There are a couple of family suites with a balcony overlooking the river behind the hotel. I think they have a pool, but it may not be very warm. There are some great hot springs in Ouray, which are a fun experience for kids.

Also, if you are planning for Mesa Verde, you will be better off (and enjoy more) if you stay at the Far View Lodge inside the park. The Visitor Center is about an hour and a half from Durango, which is a long drive if you plan to do more than one hike (you can only do one per day). There are also a couple of driving loops through the park with great overlooks of the ruins. Plus, there is lots of wildlife inside the park. You will definitely need reservations if you decide to stay at Far View.

I would spend 2 nights in Estes Park, 1 night in Grand Lake (after spending the day exploring the Trail Ridge Road areas, 2 nights in Aspen, 1 night in Ouray and 1 night in Durango.

Hotel recommendations: Lake Shore Lodge in Estes Park, Grand Lake Lodge in Grand Lake and Hotel Jerome in Aspen, the Best Western in Ouray, and the Doubletree in Durango.

In Aspen, you may be able to rent a condo for a couple of nights. In Durango, I believe that the Quality Inn and the Best Western have suites.

Have fun!

I realize as I hit post that I only listed 8 suggested nights. I would add a night to Durango.

Ok, I shouldn't talk on the phone while replying. I really can count.

9 nights:
2 in Estes Park
1 in Grand Lake
2 in Aspen
2 nights in Ouray
2 nights in Durango

I agree with Beckers - I would only spend 2 nights in the Aspen area and add one night to Grand Lake. You must take the drive over Trail Ridge Road and this will give you the time to do it.

I think Padams is forgetting that you want to see the Colorado National Monument, so you probably do need to stay in Grand Junction.

You might also want to consider visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, near Montrose, on your way to Ouray.

Have a great trip!

I would recommend staying in Glenwood instead of Aspen. You can drive over to Aspen for the day.The Hot Springs Lodge & Hotel Denver are 2 ideas for Glenwood hotels. Anyway, try to hit the hot springs pool in Glenwood, no matter where you stay. There's a good Colorado travel book called THE COLORADO GUIDE. See if you can get it from your local library, the most current edition possible. Have a great trip!

thanks for all the great suggestions!

I may be alone in this, but we love Aspen and I think 3 nights there is good. With three young ones, I personally would not want to pack up and move around so much, but that's just my opinion. Glenwood Springs is ok, but I wouldn't stay there overnight. The Hotel Jerome in Aspen is VERY pricey, especially for a suite. It's beautiful, but expensive. The Gant is our favorite condo complex, it's near 'downtown' Aspen and has two nice pools and tennis courts. The prices there are reasonable, especially if you shop around in advance. Aspen Square is nice, too, for slightly more upscale condos in town with a pool. For less expensive properties, try Prias Properties and ask about the Chateau Dumont in Aspen town. A bit dated, but clean and good location. for family friendly restaurants, there's a great barbecue place on the main street coming into Aspen-- can't remember the name but anyone there can steer you to it. It was even featured on Oprah's favorite things show. Independence Pass is beautiful, but not a drive for the fainthearted as it's NARROW and winding. Lots of places to hike in Aspen, like the Maroon Bells area. Good river rafting there, too.
I also second the idea of Trail Ridge Road from Estes into Grand Lake. It's a spectacular drive like nowhere else. The Grand Lake Lodge is a rustic and nice place that fills up very quickly, though. It has a nice pool and cabins. Wonderful restaurant there. Also good Mexican food in Grand Lake itself, at Pancho and Lefty's-- very kid friendly. It's a lot of fun to rent a motorboat on Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake or Grand Lake and tool around the mountain lakes for a couple of hours.
Your itinerary is ambitious. Personally, I'd cut it down and move around less. Grand Junction isn't nearly as attractive and charming as Ouray, also IMHO.

Hey MaureenB, I think it is Frias Properties rather than Prias in Aspen. At any rate it is easy to find lodging on www.Aspensnowmass.com. Condos are much cheaper in the summer and can be rented for less than a week. Might be good for a family so you can eat breakfast "at home" before exploring.

I go to Aspen every Christmas and have only been once in the summer but I have friends who only go there in the summer with their three little guys and love it then. I second the Gant for accomadations.

You're right, amwosu, it's Frias. Thanks!
And, jeanne, I've found good deals on Expedia for The Gant in summers past.

jeanned,

I, too, would add a night or two in Grand Lake and drop a night from Estes Park. While you may not find suites in Grand Lake, you can rent just about any size cabin you wish at The Lemmon Lodge--right on the lake. Or if you prefer a pool to the lake check out The Grand Lake Lodge which sits on a hill overlooking the lake and has a pool, jacuzzi, game room, etc.

Estes Park is beautiful but also one of the most touristy mountain towns in Colorado. And a little of it goes a long way. Grand Lake is smaller, more intimate and has boating (2-minute walk from Lemmon Lodge).

By the way, I would also skip Grand Junction in favor of an extra night in either Glenwood Springs, Aspen or Ouray.

Check these out:

www.grandlakelodge.com
www.lemmonlodge.com

AL ((d))

Jeaned,

I'll second the people who are voting to leave out Grand Junction. I live in the Grand Junction area (Palisade). While it is close to a lot of neat places and is a great place to live, it is IMHO not a destination, epsecially in June when it is likely to be very hot. Stay an extra night in Ouray. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of my favorite locations in Colorado. Although family type hiking is limited the views are incredible and would only add a few hours to a day on the way to Ouray. It would be worth it.

BeanMan

These are great suggestions! Keep them coming!

I would axe Aspen, spend another night in Estes Park (or Grand Lake), a night in Glenwood Springs and another night in Ouray.

IMHO, 3 nights in Estes Park is two nights too many. I agree with Al_LaCarte that Estes gets too touristy, even though it is in a pretty setting.

I agree that Estes is too touristy. I think Grand Lake is much nicer and quieter, but depends on your kids. They might like more things to do in Estes.

I would skip Aspen as its the opposite direction of GJ, Ouray and Durango. You'd be adding a couple hours drive time. If you do Estes across Trail Ridge to Grand Lake thru Empire to I-70, then maybe Breckenridge or Vail for your ski resort town. Back to I-70 to GJ and beyond.