Estes Park ColoradoEstes Park Colorado is the perfect place for a beautiful wedding, a romantic weekend, or a family getaway. Or just go and spend a fun-filled day hitting the shops and hiking trails.  © Shaun McCullough Estes Park Colorado HistoryEstes Park was founded in 1859 by Joel Estes. Estes came across what is now Estes Park while on a hunting expedition. He thought the valley had promise as a ranch, so he packed up and moved his family there. The hunting, trapping, and scenery soon attracted many tourists, and some built homes and started commercial ventures. In 1864, William Byers, the editor of the Rocky Mountain News, came for a visit and named the valley after the Estes family. In 1874, the land was surveyed and the town boundaries were established. In 1903, F.O. Stanley, the inventor of the Stanley Steamer, moved to Estes Park. Stanley, who was 53 at the time, had contracted tuberculosis and doctors had given him only one year to live. His health quickly improved in Estes Park, and he fell in love with the place. In 1909, he opened the Stanley Hotel. The hotel was constructed with wood and rocks from the area.
The hotel had running water, electricity and telephones, but it did not have heat because it was built as as a summer resort. The notion that tourists would want to travel there in the winter was not imaginable at the time. The Stanley Hotel remains today, (it has heat now!) and it is a popular destination for weddings and romantic getaways. Stephen King, who once stayed in the hotel, used the Stanley for the inspiration of the "Overlook Hotel" in the Shining. The Stanley has gained worldwide fame for its reputation of being haunted. Both guests and employees have reported paranormal activity. Two of the ghosts they have "seen" are F.O. Stanley and his wife Flora. F.O. Stanley lived to ripe old age of 91. Estes Park WildlifeWhile you're visiting Estes Park you will probably see some interesting wildlife - and a lot of it. Elk are common and sometimes you can even see them walking around the town. During September and October you might be lucky enough to hear the bugling of a bull elk. A bull elk named Samson became the town's mascot in the 1990's.Samson was a gentle elk who frequented the area around Estes Park's YMCA camp. Unfortunately, the story does not have a happy ending. Samson was killed by a poacher in 1995. The poacher was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 6 years of probation, public service, and several thousand dollars in fines. The entire town grieved at the death of this gentle animal. A beer has been named after the elk, Samson's Stout, and a large elk statue near the town limits was also erected in his honor.  Estes Park Colorado DiningThe Wild Rose Phone: 970-586-2806 The Wild Rose serves delicious pasta dishes, as well as steaks, sandwiches and seafood. Be sure to try the peach milkshake. :-) Phone: 970-586-2044 This is a very casual family restaurant serving pizza and Italian dishes. Please note that they do not serve any alcoholic drinks. Phone: 970-586-2277 Phone: 970-586-3542 The best Estes Park ice cream! I recommend the "Grasshopper" milkshake, which is made with mint chocolate chip ice cream. My other favorite is the "Turtle Shake" made with turtle chocolates, caramel, chocolate, and ice cream. All served in a fun old fashioned soda fountain atmosphere.  Estes Park on eBay Check prices, availability or book your Estes Park stay now. Our free search engine helps you to compare multiple online reservation websites from one place. Click Estes Park Lodging. Go to Estes Park Bed and Breakfast Things To Do in Estes Park ColoradoYou might enjoy walking down the streets and seeing the unique shops such as Glassblowers of Estes Park, which has beautiful glass animals, figurines and many other glass items to purchase. Or take a ride on the Estes Park Tramway to see gorgeous scenery from a bird's eye view. Tramway Rates The best times to ride the Estes Park Gondola are early morning or late afternoon, when there will be fewer crowds and better photography opportunities. The tramway runs daily from 9am to 6:30pm from May to September. You can stay at the top, on Prospect Mountain, for as long as you like. More Estes Park Photos Return to the Homepage from Estes Park Colorado Return to Colorado Day Trips from Estes Park Colorado" Go to Estes Park Bed and Breakfast
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