Sept. 2nd - 7th
 

We loved Colorado so much last year for our honeymoon, we are going back for our 1st anniversary!
We are going to Colorado Springs the first 2 nights, on to Canon City to whitewater rafting and the Royal Gorge on the 4th, and then on to Estes Park to stay at Keno's Llama Ranch, and go hiking at RMNP for the rest of the stay.
I'm looking for suggestions for restaurants and other interesting things to do in all of those areas.
We have been to Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls and Pikes Peak, so I'm needing other suggestions - not the usual tourist things...looking more for the Fodorite type of things! :)
I would really like a GREAT restaurant to take my hubby for our 1st anniversary dinner. We made it a year!!! :)

Are you willing to go deeper into the mountains? You are just playing around with the high tourist areas in the front range. Where do you want the restaurant?

We are definitely willing to go deeper into the mt's, but still w/in driving range of where we are staying. I appreciate the non-touristy things and actually enjoy those areas even more.
Not set on location of the restaurant...just wherever the best is...in any of the locations we are staying...something on one of the mts, very romantic, would be great!

I think if you repost this with something more specific in the title, you will get more responses. We have no idea you are talking about Colorado or looking for restaurants and things to do. Just so you will know, things do not post under a state but just go onto the general US forum.

Gold digger towns Cripple creek and Victor near Manitou springs-Cross Independence pass to Aspen visit the Maroon bells area.Paul

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35057154

This a thread with details on how to visit the Maroon Belles. I think they are the most beautiful place in Colorado.

I just happened to see this post. Fro what it's worth, I wanted to say that Maroon Bells is our favorite place in the state also.

Why Colorado Springs?

Re: Why CO. Springs... we are going to Canon City to whitewater raft on Tuesday, so basically we are taking it easy on Sun and Mon - getting used to the altitude, and resting from the long drive. We stayed one night in that area last year, and thought it would be a good place to rest up before we start in on the whitewater, and hiking...
We also went to the Mason Jar restaurant, and I can't wait to go back - it was great.

You realize that at this time of year that white water fafting is nearly non-existant. The melt is gone and it now freezing at the higher altitudes. You might get a float trip but no rafting. Have you check with the rafting companies to see what they are still offering at that time ot year?

wow I am agreeing with fmpden ;) regarding the rafting. It really is to late in the season for that.

I'd have to say that Colorado Springs is not my favorite area. There are certainly more scenic places in Colorado

A restaurant we loved in the Estes Park area was at the Inn at Glen Haven. I though it very romantic and the food was excellent. Know that I have not been there in years though.

http://innofglenhaven.com/

Co. Springs was chosen in approximation to how far we wanted to drive. We aren't stopping so that was as far as we could make it in one day.
I called the rafting place in Canon City and they said that this year was actually abnormal and that the water level was medium to high right now. But as long as I'm on the river floating I'll be great!
I'll definitely check out the Inn at Glen Haven. Thanks!