Non-athletic parents visiting - need suggestions (Denver, Fort Collins: hotel, casinos, live)

[ChiliPalmer99]

I have parents visiting Mother's Day weekend. My parents are in their upper 60's and neither is athletic. They are coming from the Mid Atlantic so I'd like to show them the mountains. Mount Evans Scenic Byway won't be open. Please recommend a byway or pass fairly close to Denver that will be open Mother's Day weekend that would give my parents a decent taste of the mountains.

Thanks in advance.

[bluescreen73]

Peak-To-Peak Highway

You can also drive up to the top of Pikes Peak.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by ChiliPalmer99

Please recommend a byway or pass fairly close to Denver that will be open Mother's Day weekend that would give my parents a decent taste of the mountains.

I'm often in the same spot you're in!

The peak to peak is great. Also, you can drive west on I70 and go through the tunnel at the divide or take Loveland Pass up and around. There is a spot to pull off at the top on Loveland Pass.

My favorite is take them to Leadville. It's about a 2 hour drive and you go over the divide. It's the highest city in the US, has mining museums, tons of fourteeners to look at, and has a few good places for food.

[ChiliPalmer99]

Thanks!

[Gorges]

I would suggest Estes Park and RMNP. The road across the park won't be open all the way, but you can go far enough to get some awesome views, and the views from Estes Park are always great. I've taken visitors there in February and they enjoyed it. Of course, the suggested Peak to Peak Highway also takes you there.

Also, if your parents are only here for a weekend, I'd be careful walking around a high-elevation (10,000 ft) town with little time to adjust to the altitude. I live here and I have trouble just walking the few blocks of Leadville.

[emm74]

Originally Posted by Gorges

I would suggest Estes Park and RMNP. The road across the park won't be open all the way, but you can go far enough to get some awesome views, and the views from Estes Park are always great. I've taken visitors there in February and they enjoyed it. Of course, the suggested Peak to Peak Highway also takes you there.

Estes Park and RMNP would be my vote too. I love EP, it's a charming little town with lots of restaurants and shops to browse in, along with RMNP, which is certainly giving them a taste of the mountains.

If you want to splurge, you could try the buffet at the Stanley Hotel.

Best Mother's Day Brunch In Estes Park - The Stanley Hotel

[StealthRabbit]

3x vote for Estes Park + RMNP (Have them bring their $10 Lifetime National Parks pass!!!! (or now $80 if they delayed getting one, still a bargain!))

Nothing quite as nice as waking up to a crisp and bright spring day in Estes Park! (moonlight walks at lakes are nice too!) many, MANY great cottages / places to enjoy. EZ walks, way too many, but nice shops.

Sprague Lake is about 100ft from parking lot (little incline <5') and there have been moose and elk right near the stream last few times we went.
https://www.thedenverchannel.com/lif...-national-park

Of course Estes Park has adequate elk... There were 17 elk, in the McDonald's drive-up @ happy hour last time we were there.

With Peak to Peak out of Black Hawk or Boulder, you will enjoy 2 hrs IN the mtns and a very nice drive / views / pull-offs.

next trip... schedule Vail / Glenwood Springs / Aspen / Independence Pass (3 day loop, with one night soaking in hot springs)

very nice nearby mtns with hot springs (free hobo pool) is Snowy Range (West of Laramie to Encampment) which has an excellent re-creation village / museum. No crowds in southern WY! (but no shopping / lodges either)

[Katarina Witt]

A third vote for Estes. If you can afford it, stay at the Stanley for a night. You can do their tours if you're into the Steven King stuff. There should be plenty of activity there on Mother's Day weekend. Then come down into Boulder on the way home. If it's a nice day, you could maybe walk a few blocks down Pearl Street Mall, assuming your parents could handle the walk. Get a cup of coffee somewhere on the mall, go to the Boulder Bookstore.

[otowi]

Would you parents think going to one of the mountain casinos to be an exciting thing? Are they coming from a smaller town where Denver's Botanical Gardens or Museum of Science and Nature or the Aquarium may be something spectacular to them?
Otherwise, i concur with Estes or even Leadville. If there are any health concerns re: altitude I would favor Pikes Peak because the overall time at elevation would be shorter if there are issues.

[JrzDefector]

Almost every person who visits me gets dragged out to Pike's Peak to ride the cog rail to the top - they all love it. And we always drive through Garden of the Gods.

Breweries are great too - Colorado Plus is where I take a lot of people, but a trip up to Fort Collins might be better if you want to do an actual tour.

A drive through the mountains - Peak To Peak highway is fun. Start out early and end up at Estes, check out the park. Maybe drive over the pass and spend the night in Grand Lake.

Boulder has a lot to see and do as well.

Botanic Gardens, Butterfly Pavilion, Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks...

The list of things to do is endless, even for people who aren't very athletic. If they like books, a trip to the Tattered Cover is imperative.