aettel

Hello!
My boyfriend and I want to spend 4th of July somewhere in the mountains but are having trouble deciding where to go! Do any of you know of towns that have fun celebrations and are also nice resort towns with activities such as horseback riding and maybe downhill mt. biking?

We were thinking about Vail but can't find any 4th activities except for the Avon fireworks. Keystone seems to have a lot, but weren't sure what the town was like. And we'll be flying in/out of Denver so will want something w/in a 3 hour drive.

Any suggestions? We really appreciate it!

Thank you!
Alison

utahtea

We were camping in the Rocky Mountain National Park one year over the 4th of July and really enjoyed the fireworks in Estes Park. People came from all over to see these fireworks and the traffic going back to the Denver area must have been murder! We on the other hand were going back into the park and had very little traffic!

Utahtea

GJLinda

Hello,

Vail is a great place to spend the 4th of July. Great places to wander around the village and along the river.
The Avon fireworks are about the best I have ever seen. They are in the park adjoining Nottingham Lake and usually there a few vendors around.
Vail has a lot of music going on that weekend as it is the start of the summer high season. Check the free patriotic concerts, one on the Beaver Creek "lawn" and I believe one in Vail on a different day of the weekend. Check the Vail Convention and Visitors website. Also check Bravo Colorado which is the group that sponsors the concerts.
There is also mountain biking down the mountain after riding up the lift.
A fun, not fancy parade, is usually held in Lionshead on the 4th.
A fun place to spend the holiday weekend.

yale

The Avon fireworks are awesome. If you stay in Vail, I believe they run a free shuttle back and forth to Avon. But, they usually have music and a little festival at Nottingham Lake (where the fireworks go off) that day. For accomodations right next to Nottingham Lake, check out Beaver Creek West Condos. They're great.

BLYVAIL

Vail has a goofy parade in town in the morning. Many of the participants then wander around the town throughout the day to entertain the guests. Great day just to walk around, eat, sightsee, take the lift up & hike/bike down, wander the village. There's a big lacrosse tourney thru the weekend. Rochester Philharmonic at Ford Theatre.

Vail usually has fireworks on the 4th. Avon fireworks are on July 3rd this year

Head over to Avon - bring a blanket and a jacket, eat festival food and a beer, watch the fireworks. Very crowded but best fireworks in the mtns.

Coskier

Having spent many a 4th at Keystone I can tell you that there are many things to do. That said the fireworks are not that great. If Dillon, the town about 4 miles away has fireworks they are wonderful. Set off over Lake Dillon. Keystone does offer horseback riding and has very good Mtn Biking, both on the mountian where you can take bikes up the ski lift, or many trails where you provide the uphill. We ride most weeknds. Let me know if you want specific information on trails.

In Summit County (where Keystone is ) there will be many celebrations going on. I again would go to Lake Dillon.


Whatever you decide you need to make plans soon, it is a very busy weekend.

You can sometimes find good lodging prices for both Vail and Keystone at
http://denver.craigslist.org/vac/

regynacarbone

I am a native and love Estes Park. Find a room on the river. Rocky Mtn Park is superb. You'll drive through Boulder(make sure you stop and eat!)Also. much closer than Vail and prettier drive.

starrsville

If you were looking for a low-key, old fashioned 4th in a gorgeous setting, my answer would be Lake City. But, sounds like the ski resort towns are more what you are looking for.

Connie

I know it is too far for you but for anyone else wanting to go somewhere on the western slope, Ouray does an AWESOME fireworks show.

Yennif29

Pagosa Springs Colorado (In southern Colorado)is great on the 4th of July weekend. They have fireworks, a carnival in the park and even a nice size (outdoor) craft show. It also has the most romantic and amazing natural hotsprings in the same park. There are great hiking and biking trail all around the area ranging in any ability. If you need any more info e-mail me and I'll tell you where to eat etc. ( I lived there for 7 years) Ouray is also amazing but about 4 hours further ( but georgous drive)!

peterboy

I've heard the the 4th celebration in Telluride has a strong tradition.

I tried to go in 1976 but it was the only year they cancelled it (in protest of the "commercialisation of the bicentennial"). Ah weren't the 70s something. Instead of the blowout/bash we'd anticipated, we ended up camped at Mesa Verde and spent the 4th with the mule deer there.

Thanks Telluride! I haven't quite forgiven you for the letdown.