Downtown Estes Park
Downtown Estes Park
4.5
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Restaurants
103 within 5 kms
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80 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,016 reviews
Excellent
613
Very good
276
Average
91
Poor
23
Terrible
13
Kay Eff
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Business
Just pass through this dumb place. Seriously. Everything around Estes is great but this town is just so lame, low quality, and expensive. Yes it is a mountain town, but it rots into inequity unlike any other. Full of old and disconnected people, your kids will be bored, and the food is TERRIBLE EVERYWHERE. It's so bad. I got married up here so I would love to tell you otherwise but I have two things I don't like for every one I do. The longer you spend in Estes, the more you don't like the town. Enjoy the awesome mountains and the park, go hiking and camping! But save your money and mind and just let Estes Park be. You don't need any stupid leather boots, terrible candy, or poorly made dinners. You need that money for a much better, much more awesome time in Loveland, Fort Collins, Boulder, Grand Lake, Blackhawk, Nederland, Breckenridge, Winter Park, or Copper Mountain.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RitaLyC
Chicago, IL385 contributions
Jul 2020
Even though we visited during Covid we enjoyed walking downtown. It was the most crowded place we were but everyone wore a mask and stayed distant. There were lots of interesting shops. We especially like the artisan shops. There is also a lovely river walk with benches behind the shops on one side of the street. Looking forward to visiting again during non-pandemic time.
Written 3 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KKTraveler
24 contributions
Sept 2019
Nothing to do in the evening so crowds are in the downtown area. Lots of shops including fudge, taffy, etc. Restaurants were not that great though. Hope for local artist fairs to be happening so can find more unique items. Trendz at the Park is a very nice home store located on a corner.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RNRuesch
9 contributions
Jan 2020
Estes is a town of many facets. Many stores and a variety of restaurants. This mountain village, located next to Rocky Mountain National Park, is an excellent place for families, couples, or a single traveler. Unique shops (coffee included) and stunning views on the decks of restaurants. I recommend staying a week to take it all in, including hiking in the national park.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelpfulAngel
Atlanta, GA1,447 contributions
Apr 2021
We really enjoyed downtown Estes Park although we couldn't fully enjoy it because it started to rain (we went during spring) so the town was not crowded like I've heard it is other times of the year. It is definitely touristy. Many quaint and cool shops to explore. I love how the river runs right through town. Be sure to walk the river walk and take in the Stanley Hotel, both are so worth seeing. Don't forget to bring home some fresh salt water taffy. The place pretty much closes down after about 5 pm. There are great places to stay too all along the beautiful scenic roads. This is a family town and there is tons for the kids to do. Rocky Mountain National Park is right there, and that will take you at least a full day to see, so plan to stay overnight if you want to get it all in.
Written 6 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
McArthur3
Edinburgh, UK286 contributions
Jul 2022
It’s very rare for me to write a negative review and honestly we loved Estes Park and the downtown area - however the one HUGE negative is the Safeway store. It’s under staffed and seems to have an accepted approach of having huge lines with limited checkout assistants but with lots of staff walking about doing not a great deal. The pricing policy is also suspect with highly discounted prices for ‘members’ leaving visitors paying extreme premiums on the majority of items. I understand loyalty programs exist - we have them here too - but the price hike for non members was farcical and well in excess of anything I’ve encountered elsewhere. It’s not really the members who are benefiting but visitors who are being ripped off. Some commercial competition is needed here. Whilst waiting in line (35 minutes) we chatted with locals and they too were embarrassed by the lack of service and competition.
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
437gerrim
Bixby, OK10 contributions
Jun 2020
We enjoyed two days of leisurely shopping. Strolling down one street on one day, and the other side of the street on another day. Also, don't miss the beautiful flowing stream going through the town with plenty of places to sit. We found not only t-shirts and trinkets; but beautiful blown glass, artwork, and furnishings. Also, please of places to eat and park.
Written 2 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SurfingDoc
East Coast, US156 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Downtown Estes Park is no different from any other tourist town, save for some of the scenery. The traffic-heavy main drag is lined mostly with typical souvenir shops and mediocre restaurants that survive due to their location and the inevitable subsequent volume. No one has to try too hard. (Except for Kind Coffee, they’re awesome.)
There are very cool parts of Estes Park with warmth and soul. Downtown is not one of them. It’s a strangely cold place that doesn’t seem to have a real identity.
There are very cool parts of Estes Park with warmth and soul. Downtown is not one of them. It’s a strangely cold place that doesn’t seem to have a real identity.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin H
Kentucky21 contributions
Apr 2021
Such a cute downtown district with lots of stores for all ages. Trendz was so much fun looking through but was pricey. My teenage daughters enjoyed checking out Lithium. No charge for parking while we were there. I expected to pay, so that was a pleasant surprise. We were in the "off" season, so not sure if there are parking fees during the summer months.
Written 11 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timjstark
Shorewood, WI687 contributions
Aug 2020
Estes Park is great, but it becomes a bit too popular and congested at times. The main streets can become too intense, so taking the RiverWalk will leave one with much better memories of Estes than battling the crowds. Also, parking at the Visitor Center and walking the very short distance to town through the fun tunnel is the way to go.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are Most Shops Open in March. Any recommendations for what to do if your only there for a day
Written 21 February 2018
I think the same shops are open on March that are in December. About 1/2 of them. You can contact the EP visitors cent to be certain. Walking the streets, visiting the Dancing Pines Distillery, dining, and touring the Historic Stanley Hotel, Crags Lodge are just a few things to do in a day. Always drive as far into Rocky MT. National park as possible or walk in also. There is always something to do there! Enjoy your visit.
Written 25 February 2018
Lumpy Ridge Brewery , good beer
Rock Cut Brewery, good beer
no actual food served, just appetizer type things
Written 17 July 2017
There are a couple. Estes Park Brewery and Rock Cut Brewery are about a block off of the main strip.
Written 16 July 2017
We will be in Colorado October 21st to 24th and understand it's the low season. Will these shops and restaraunts stay open during this time of year?
Written 14 September 2016
Most are open year round that are locally owned. Most of them are mom and pop, very few chains.
Written 15 September 2016
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