Googs

Frisco, Silverthorne or Georgetown?
Driving from Glenwood Springs to Golden, which is best for interesting architecture, lunch, and window shopping? Thanks!

fmpden

Georgetown. Frisco a little less so. Silverthorne is really not a town. It was the workers camp for building the dam and sort of evolved into a town area after the dam was finished.

sylvia3

The Maroon Bells are ALWAYS worth it. (We didn't have to pay anything last fall)

Vttraveler

Georgetown would be my choice. We had a good lunch at the Euro Grill.

Gretchen

Georgetown has cute architecture. Frisco more eating options and shopping, IMO. I can't remember names of places along the street, but there are a lot.
There are places to eat in Dillon (Silverthorne sort of) up on the hill, but it is really just strip malls.

Googs

Thank you fmpden, sylvia3, vttraveler, and Gretchen! I'll get all into plans.

Holy Denver traffic Batman! Took us nearly an hour from airport rental car to Sports Authority Field. We find it funny with all the signs alongside the road that say move over for accidents. And right now I'm watching accidents on local news.

fmpden

I am missing the humor of moving over for accidents. It is state law that you must give clearance for accidents and especially if a cop is on the shoulder with flashing lights. You have to give a lane.

If a bus is at a stop and the yellow light on the bus is flash you must yield to that bus. It is an expensive ticket if you don't.

Tabernash2

Denver traffic is much more congested than it used to be.

But Colorado weather is really showing off for you, Googs! I have been in Winter Park with guests since last Friday. We have had sunny blue skies every single day. Some precipitation is in the forecast beginning Sunday, but not snow. (You never know, though.)

My friends loved Grand Lake. We stopped in the stores that are open now, like the Art Gallery and the homemade fudge shop across the street.

We also stopped at the Grand Mountain Trading Company in Granby, looking for Pendleton wool products. It's an authentic western store with a room in the back for sale items like boots, coats, etc. Right on the main street in little Granby.

They also loved touring around Devil's Thumb Ranch. We had burgers at Heck's Tavern, which they raved about.

Have fun! Please report back.

fmpden

For once I agree with Tabernash2. It has a lot to do with the 200,000 folks that have moved here in last few years. The I-70 corridor from I-225 to I-25 can be a real problem. But still nothing like I-80, 90 around Chicago. Piece of cake in comparison.

Mutti

My son lives in Denver. They often go to the mountains to hike, etc. He says be careful about the traffic returning to Denver as well, especially if it is the weekend. The highway back to Denver is often filled on late afternoons and evenings, especially weekends, with folks returning from their mountain fun. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport! Enjoy your trip.

Gretchen

Apparently Googs hasn't driven in an urban environment with major interstates.
In the 20 or so years I've been visiting my kids in Denver in various parts, at any given time on any given interstate--or University or whatever--there is a traffic jam!!
I actually have found (WHEN we have been there) that a little patience getting back to Denver on Sunday works pretty well.

Tabernash2

Timing your drive on 70 is important.

We usually leave Winter Park after dinner on Sundays, around 8pm, to return to Denver. By then, the traffic is not likely to be heavy.

We don't drive up on Saturday mornings, with the hordes. Much better to drive West on 70 late Friday night.

I know we are spoiled, because we don't have to abide by hotel check-in and check-out times, we plan around them.

(It's still blue sky weather in Winter Park.)

Googs

We're having a superb trip and awesome weather except for a bit of rain in Breck today. IMO Empire Burger rocks!

The accident signs seem unnecessary as all in MN abide by law but don't have signs.

Fun to hear where you've been Tabernash2. We were close by.

Luckily traveling I70 leisurely on Monday and sleeping near airport.

Tabernash2

Googs, I'm glad youre having fun!

We had some high clouds yesterday, but no rain in Winter Park. Today there are more clouds. It could rain this afternoon. I'm heading to Denver mid-afternoon.