...you can’t drive down the main street of Vail?....

There is no main street in the traditional sense in Vail. Vail is strung out along a I-70. Technically you can drive through Vail because there is a frontage road actually along both sides of I-70. You can get off at East Vail and follow the frontage road through Vail to West Vail and get back on I-70. You will see the back side of lots of condos as you drive through. There are some huge parking garages at Vail and Lionhead (just west of the Vail exit). At that time of year, I think the garages are free. The best garage to use is the garage just east of the main Vail exit. Just follow the signs off of the roundabout. Exit the garage and you should be on the path to the wooden cover bridge leading into the main village area for Vail. There is a free shuttle bus the runs the length of the Vail area.

That is a good time to be in Vail. The shops will be having huge sales. We buy most of our ski gear at this time of year. And many of the restaurants will have deals especially for earlier birds.

I still think your schedule is overly ambitious especially the last Monday. After Trail Ridge Road I would head towards Glenwood Springs. There is nothing special about Grand Lake. But the other days are not a whole lot better. You still have long driving distances over mountain roads with young kids.

Forget to comment on the the two night stay requirement. That is not uncommon in the high tourist areas. It is close to peak season in Estes Park because of the leaf changes and the Elk. In ski season you can bump into a week requirement in the ski areas at Christmas/New Years.

Fmpfden explained Vail also and better--you never have been able to drive in Vail--always parking and using their shuttles. Good to know about the parking fee waived.

I'm going to make another pitch for the Denver Art Museums Native American exhibit. I know Atlanta has museums, but it has some truly incredible exhibits of western Indian tribes--totems and canoes from the NW tribes, teepees and elaborate costumes of all tribes, a collection of Maria Martinez pottery--and a video of her making it. Our grands sat transfixed watching it and two of them were 11--boy and girl.
I don't quite know what the capitol area offers you or your youngsters. The exterior of the Denver Library is worth a peek also as you pass.
That Monday looks overcrowded already.
I will also reiterate the Celestial Seasonings tour--kids DO find it interesting. Maybe more than Pearl Street shopping. and the idea of Chataqua offered by other is VERY good.

I think that is Frisco, Texas where you are seeing a Babe's!

While Gretchen is general correct there was a time when you could drive in Vail and there was no shuttle. That was in 66,67 when the gondola came out of Vail to mid Vail. The only closed off area to cars with the little intersection just off the bridge when Vail only extended a block in any direction from that intersection. You could drive up to the gondola for drop off. After the gondola accident, the gondola was moved to Lionshead and the area around the old gondola building was expanded and closed to traffic. There was a time when Vail was nothing but a gondola and two chair lifts.

I have to disagree that Grand Lake is a miss. It's the largest natural body of water in Colorado. I would choose it over Leadville any day. I don't understand the attraction to Leadville, and would drop it off your plan, except as a simple drive-thru or place for lunch.

I'd skip Georgetown, too, unless you're only planning a drive-thru. It's cute, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

Personally, I'd never want to follow your itinerary. Too much moving around, with sites that aren't all that spectacular.

I think it's much better to stay a couple of nights in one place and explore that area (like, from Glenwood Springs, Aspen is close enough to visit). And Independence Pass is a beautiful route back to Denver.

...Too much moving around, with sites that aren't all that spectacular....

Whoa !!! kind of a cheap shot. Fortunately we all do not have the same tastes. Remember there are a couple of young kids involved. Personally think the Mineral Belt trail in Leadville is one of the state's hidden gems especially if kids are involved. I would put it far ahead of a lake. It is unique.

Googs, I forgot to mention that it's a lot of fun to rent a motorboat and tool around Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake. You might have warm enough weather in October to do that. If so, your kids would love steering the boat.

We have rented boats at Shadow Mountain Lake, because they were lower priced. It's connected to Grand Lake.

I'm not sure any of us love their itinerary, but as it is said, it IS their trip.
Seems a lot of "entertainment"/halloween for me.
But it is 'way too much moving around with kids for a short time, to ME. We've all tried to help, and hope they have a great time. Some choose one thing and others choose another.

>

Especially the mint room!

Leadville makes sense if the weather is good. I'll second the Mineral Belt trail. You can also add a stop at the Leadville National Fish Hatchery where your kids can buy fish food (bring quarters), toss it in the holding tanks and watch the trout go crazy. There is also a picnic area and hiking trails. Then stop at Cookies With Altitude for a treat on your way out of town.

The kids might like Woody's Wood Fired Pizza in Golden. Pizza buffet, salad bar and beer. The kids can request their favorite toppings.

I'd skip the state capitol.

We moved around a lot when we vacationed with our then young kids. Keeping them busy made for a happy vacation. Everyone travels differently.

I'll also add that I used to take my kids on little adventures when they were young and off for summer break. They liked the machinery and conveyor belts at the Coors Brewery as well as the science exhibits at NCAR.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the well wishes. Hearing why you like this or that helps us decide how we’d enjoy it.

LOL jayne1973 – Frisco, TX!

Thanks for the clarification on Vail and parking tips fmpden! Everyone in CO must know about the gondola accident. Scary.

I choose Grand Lake to rest as day two is long and this is the closest lodging after TRR. Unless anyone knows of lodging on TRR…that doesn’t have a two-day minimum.

Thanks Gretchen for your museum enthusiasm.

Good ideas Tabernash2 on Glenwood Springs extended stay and revisiting Aspen. I love lakes, but fortunately we boat most weekends.

Wtm003, for the longest time when food with altitude was mentioned, I always thought there was pot baked in. Fish Hatchery sounds superb.

I value the votes for Celestial Seasonings, but it’s only open 10-4. I will try, but day one we will have woken at 2am Mountain.

We drive two hours, one-way, most weekends to arrive at our cabin, so I think kids can handle daily drives to new locations during trip. If I could do Coors (another 10-4) on first day, I think two nights in Glenwood Springs would be pleasant with the extended options of the area that surrounds. That could also improve the last full day, Monday, to meander back to Denver.

Our family loves Halloween. We’ve already purchased my daughters costume. LOL.

Googs, thanks for posting more about your travel preferences, and for answering our questions, too.

I hope you didn't think I was taking a "cheap shot" at you. That's certainly not what I intended, when I remarked on the sites you are considering. Some posters just like to take pot shots at other posters. Don't let it distract you.

What does your itinerary look like now?

Thank you Tabernash2

I'll be back in a few days -- off to the MN Twins and State Fair!

I was working our itinerary for a two-nighter in Glenwood, then….

The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue is not on during our stay.

The Ghost Walk to Linwood Cemetery has a moderately strenuous hike, so not sure if hubby can walk it. Has anyone been up the trail to the cemetery?

There’s a fish hatchery in Glenwood Springs, has anyone ever been? It’s operated by operated by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.

Thursday
Sports Authority tour
National Center for Atmospheric Research
(evening) Pearl Street Mall
Sleep Boulder

Friday
shortest distance to Bear Lake Loop
The Stanley Hotel
Rocket Fizz
Trail Ridge Road
Sleep Grand Lake

Saturday
Grand Lake to Glenwood Springs via Kremmling and Bond
Glenwood Canyon trails
Ghost Walk through Linwood Cemetery?
Sleep Glenwood Springs

Sunday
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Aspen
Glenwood Hot Springs
Sleep Glenwood Springs

Monday
Breckenridge
Coors Brewery
Red Rocks Amphitheater
(if time) Cathedral Basilica of Immaculate Conception
(drive by) State Capitol
Sleep near airport

The plan logistically looks ok, I think, if that's your travel style. Personally, that schedule of moving so many times, and being in the car so much, would make my family dangerously cranky. I think you're missing the real Colorado. IMHO.

(Please do not interpret this as a cheap shot-- I'm just being honest from my local POV)

We rarely do paid tours, either-- preferring to look around on our own. There isn't much nature exploring on your itinerary. It's so pleasant to just take a walk in the mountains. No guide needed. Get some trail maps and take a hike. Decompress from all the hustle bustle.

We like Aspen a lot, and I recommend you devote a full day in Aspen, from Glenwood Springs. Read up a little on Aspen's Wild West heritage, and recent years' shenanigans (I.e. Hunter S Thompson stories).

It's also fun to: wander in Aspen's original neighborhood with its Victorian homes; catch some outdoor music if you're lucky; go to the skate park if interested; window shop in town; visit the library for a break; have a really nice meal at the Hotel Jerome, or grab a burger in the hotel's infamous J-Bar.

And a visit to Maroon Bells, of course.

(Please do not interpret this as a cheap shot-- I'm just being honest from my local POV)

Hahaha, Thank you, Tabernash2!

It's not our style to advance each day, but so trapped to fit in a ton. ...And a ton, I mean, quarter-of-A-ton from my first itinerary. I'm going mental, as Edward Grimley would say.

Ahhh the Maroon Bells, perfect. That was on the earliest of itineraries! Thanks for restaurant tips. Was hoping to try the vodka nearby, but closed Sunday-Mondays. Is it worth squeezing in on Saturday night?

Try the vodka? Sure. That never closes. Ha

Did I mention we like Aspen? http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...some-aspen.cfm

I imagine the gondola would be open in Aspen to ride to the top of Ajax? Eat at the restaurant at the top if open?

For a drive by in Denver, do the new public library also.