maria_so

Gretchen, yes, I know . Why I wanted a cabin so they can go in and out to play in the snow. I figured if we go to RMNP, we'll be close enough to the cabins to get back and get back out again later to. The one I'm looking at is close to the entrance. I'm not sure I want to take them to the zoo or the museum. We have a zoo membership here in Houston and go just about every other weekend. Same with the children's museum. I wanted them to see more of the outdoors - perhaps that dinosaur suggestion with the footprints.

WhereAreWe - Good tip for the parking. On that note, it will probably equal out in price and it will save me time. Yes, they do shuttles from the hotel to the airport. That's what I've always done - for about $13 but we need to balance out convenience and price overall. Also, I really like that suggestion for Minnesota. Is it really windy there - like Chicago windy? I don't mind the cold but the wind and cold is another story.

So talking to my hubby so far, we're thinking if we do end up doing Denver, we can fly in and spend a day in Denver. The next day take a day trip to vail to see the town decorated, have lunch, hang out then head back in time for an afternoon nap for the boys. Then the next day head to Estes Park.

Will look at Minnesota to see what options are available at Lake Superior area.

Gretchen

You could do the railroad on the way to Vail.
The museum in Denver I was talking about was the Museum of Natural History or the Art Museum. I dislike the Children's museum in Denver--it's a pay for play room, in my opinion.
I don't know first hand, but Breckenridge might be cuter for Christmas decorations than Vail. And a little closer. Maybe someone can comment on that that has seen them this year.
Vail is a wall of shops and restaurants at the bottom of the mountain and will be decorated I'm sure. Breck is a mountain, and then a cute town all its own.

padams421

The Colorado Railroad Museum is in Golden, CO. My train fanatic is now 15, and he remembers this museum from when he was a little guy.

WhereAreWe

I don't think it's as windy as Chicago. But as with everywhere, it depends on the weather that day. I've gone to Estes Park in winter and spring and when it's windy there, it's pretty brutal. To the point that my friends wouldn't even get out of the car in some areas.

You could also look at the Ely area, it's inland and in the middle of a national forest so that helps keep the wind down. Or somewhere along the Gunflint Trail (it's a highway, not a trail), which starts at Grand Marais about 20 minutes north of Lutsen.

http://www.gunflint-trail.com/things-to-do/winter/

maria_so

Gretchen, so get on the car to the railroad location, do a small trip (how long, do you know?) then get back on the car and on the way to vail? I've been to both vail and breckenridge as a day trip maybe 4 yrs ago and as I remember that, Vail's center area was less exposed and a little bigger than Breckenridge with a little stream, etc? Am I remembering that correctly? Maybe we can head to vail and stop by Breckenridge on the way back? I really do like the train idea...

maria_so

WhereAreWe - It's 3 hours to Duluth...hmmm. Been to Minneapolis during spring and I love that city but a bit too far for the outdoors. Gunflint looks beautiful but it's 4 hours away!

Sleigh rides sounds good though!

WhereAreWe

Well, Yosemite is at least 3 hours from San Francisco so I figured that was within your acceptable driving distance.

Duluth is only 2.5 hours, but yes, Lutsen/Gunflint Trail is about a 4 hour drive from Minneapolis.

Gretchen

Vail is a "planned" community at the base of Vail mountain. I don't quite know what you mean by "less exposed". It's just a "street". We loved it when we skiied there--for skiing. We went back for a dinner recently and were quite A-Mazed at the development. If you want to see shops, etc., I think it would be fine.
Breckenridge is a cute little town--I just think it "might" be more Christmassy, less commercial, cuter, etc etc. Even Frisco might be cute. I certainly wouldn't do both. And I am sure Estes Park proper will be nicely decorated, and it is a cute little town. if you want to go to Vail, just to go to Vail, then I think that is fine.
You can look at the train schedule and see what will fit into a day. It's only an hour train ride.
The railroad museum sounds like a GREAT idea.
OH, and there is a butterfly pavilion in Westminster, just on the outskirts of Denver. It is a LOT of fun for little ones--and me!! Westminster is on the way to Boulder--and maybe on the same side of town as Golden.
Another fun thing is the Celestial Seasonings Tea tour in Boulder. Lots of aromas for little ones.

maria_so

I just mean that the main walking area of Vail has shops all around while Breckenridge is a street lined with houses turned into shops - I guess that the street is wider and there are cars while in Vail it's more of a "park your car at the garage and walk between shops" In any case, both sounds nice. We may check out both. Thanks!

Gretchen

You are definitely going to park your car at vail (for good money too!!) and walk and walk. It is parking deck now. But I imagine that was how it was when you went. It was new to me. May be something to consider with the babes.

Lexma90

Other factors to consider when doing a day trip to Vail and/or Breckenridge. It will be a 2-hour trip one-way to Vail. Breck is 9 miles south of I-70, so that would add about 20 minutes each way from I-70. And time your return so you're not driving back when the skiiers are heading back to Denver after a day of skiing, so you avoid getting stuck in traffic.

As already pointed out, parking rates in Vail are sky-high - I think $20 (maybe $25?). You can park for free in town in Breck. But you're right about the layout, Vail is car-free in the center part, and Breck is not. Both towns have a gondola; I'm not sure whether non-skiiers can ride free or not, but it's something to check out. The stream in the middle of Vail (there's a river in the middle of Breck, too) will be all or mostly snowed in and/or frozen over.

Another possibility, that is open in the winter, is a visit to a mine. The one I'm most familiar with is Country Boy Mine, just outside of Breckenridge. You should research whether there are mines closer to Estes Park.

Looks like the Georgetown railroad only runs in the summer.

Gretchen

Really? I looked and they have a Santa train. I think they change the engine in winter--that was the thing I found--it would be pulled by a diesel after October. But it does need to be checked--which was why I originally looked and posted because I thought it might be just summer.
If they didn't go to Vail and jjust to Breck, it would only be about an hour and a half trip.
I doubt the gondola is free for non-skiers but there is a restaurant at the top which might be fun (at least, used to be!!)

WhereAreWe

More ideas:
Portland/Mt. Hood
Seattle/Mt. Ranier or Olympic National Park
LA or San Diego/Bear Mountain/Big Bear Lake
Las Vegas/Brian Head in Utah, close to Bryce
Phoenix/Arizona Snowbowl outside Flagstaff

You've got almost a year before your trip, might as well consider everything.

Gardyloo

I suggested Vancouver upthread but it sounds like it's going to be Colorado.

maria_so

Hi Gardyloo. No, not yet. Still looking at options. Just hadn't had time to google each suggestion. Thanks for yours!

bushwacker

The only place for you is Smugglers Notch, Vermont. We are in FLA and skiied there for three winter trips from my sons age of 3-5. Once he was six and could no longer take free lessons there we go out west.
They have all that you are looking for and the adult skiing is whatever you need from beginner bunny slopes to expert cliff skiing. One year we visited Boston. Another we went through the Adirondacks, Lake Placid and another we flew into NYC and drove up there.
Smuggs exceeded our expectations. We visited in January and February on our trips so not sure what you would find in December. I believe they are busy during the holiday season but with the village atmospher you wont have any problems for quality family time. They have sledding, snowshoeing, skating, swimmming pool and a great kids play area with bounce house activities. I have never worked for them, don't own stock or have any ties to the area. I just think it is the greatest winter place on earth for families with young children.

padams421

Vail is much easier with small children than Breckinridge because of the pedestrian only areas in Vail Village and Lionshead. The children can walk freely without constantly having to hold mom and dad's hands or be in a stroller. At the end of the Covered Bridge Street is a small playground behind the last building. The playground might be snow covered but it's a quiet spot to let the kids play in the snow. Also, you can ride the gondola in Lionshead up to mid Vail for free after 2pm. At the top of the gondola, you'll find an ice skating rink and snow tubing, a restaurant and a place to get hot chocolate. A free shuttle bus runs between Vail village and Lionshead.

Smuggler's Notch is a great suggestion but don't know if it fits your budget.

maria_so

Hi folks. sorry disappeared for a bit. was waiting to get tickets and we just did. we did decide on denver. so leaving on 12/26 and returning on 1/1. was able to book embassy suites convention center for the first 2 nights and was in the process of booking this 2 bedroom log ranch home in a 2 acre property about 1.5 miles from the entrance to RMNP and the town when I started looking at average snowfall. It says that becuase estes park is in the sunnier side of the great divide, that whatever snow they get melts right away and the snow really only keeps at the higher elevation and that what they do get are gale force winds in december (40mph). I was kind of hoping we can just open the door to the cabin and let the boys out for awhile, then back in to warm up by the fireplace, and back out again. On top of that, the wind sounds terrible. Is that true that they don't accumulate much snow in late december there? Has anyone experienced estes park in late december?

http://www.vrbo.com/429211?cid=E_inq...ryconfirmation


this is what we're looking to rent for 4 nights, btw. should we look at another town now? any advice would be great. the whole point was for the boys to play in the snow...

spirobulldog

The snow in Colorado isn't normally the type you make snowballs or snowmen out of. It's a very dry snow, mainly good for sledding, skiing, boarding. I think this year they haven't received much snow, so you never really know for sure. Heck, you might even consider waiting to go there until the summer, take a hike in the higher elevation of RMNP and let them play in the snow there(there will be snow there in July).
Another "must do" spot with kids this age is Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, IMOP. It is best around the 1st of June, because the creek is running at that time.

Gretchen

I would look for a condo in Breckenridge. The one we rented one time would have the ability to do what you are describing. While the description of Vail's lack of car traffic is correct, the walk is just up and down a street of shops and restaurants. Breck has sidewalks!!
I am still a bit leery of these tykes being really young for this--it is COLD COLD.
In Denver take them to the Museum of Natural History and maybe even the Denver Art museum for the Indian exhibits. Denver folks, what's the kitschy Mexican restaurant that kids LOVE--Buena? OP, it has a show, the food is passably good, and not very expensive.
another place for taking kids to dinner is White Fence Farm--good family style food, has a little exhibit, slide, entertainment.