Estes Park is such a romantic town to be in, it’s no wonder that it’s considered as one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world. There’s many activities for couples in and around the Rocky Mountain National Park, but we thought we’d help you plan your getaway and make some everlasting memories. So here’s a list of our favorite 15 romantic things to do in Estes Park and the surrounding areas. Enjoy!
Photo by Images of Rocky Mountain National Park
Watch the Sunrise
There’s nothing more romantic than getting to watch the sun rise with your partner and seeing the warm glow of the sun light up the Rocky Mountains. Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect spot with an easy lake trail, plus, you just might see a moose grazing in the lake waters! Not only will you beat the crowds by heading to the National park early, but you’ll start your day with a beautiful picturesque sunrise.
See the entrance information for Rocky Mountain National Park here.
Read our post on the 2021 RMNP Timed Entry Permit System here.
Photo by the 4 Seasons Inn
Stay at a Bed & Breakfast
What better way to enjoy a romantic getaway than staying at a bed and breakfast in Estes Park! Our town has so many romantic places to stay, it will be difficult choosing one over another. Want to stay walking distance to downtown, or in a remote cabin in the woods? The choice is yours!
Enjoy up to $65 off your first stay if you book with Airbnb!
Photo by VisitEstesPark.com
Tour Estes Park
Enjoy a day of shopping with your loved one through our quaint town of Estes Park. Walk through local art galleries, enjoy a sweet treat at one of the many taffy and ice cream shops, shop for souvenirs, or take a stroll beside the Big Thompson River. There’s so many unique shops, you’re bound to find something you can’t live without!
Photo by the YMCA of the Rockies
Spend a Day at the YMCA
We know spending time at the local YMCA doesn’t sound like a very romantic day date, but the YMCA of the Rockies is such an amazing place, we couldn’t leave it out! Not just for family-oriented couples, our YMCA offers everything from axe throwing, to roller skating, escape rooms, and more!
View the whole lineup of activities the YMCA of the Rockies offers here.
Go “Treasure Hunting”
Enjoy modern day treasure hunting with your partner by Geocaching in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which you follow GPS coordinates to find locations with hidden containers or “caches” all around the world. It’s a wonderful way to explore the town while challenging your seeking skills!
Learn more about Geocaching and get the app here.
Picnic Date in the Rockies
Connect with nature by your loved ones side with a romantic picnic date in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Our favorite spot is Moraine Park as the entire valley is open to exploring and there aren’t any restoration area restrictions here. It’s the perfect sunset picnic spot to watch the wildlife and get away together.
Take a Scenic Drive
Estes Park is not lacking in the area of scenic drives as almost every highway you take in / out of the area is bound to have some beautiful views. Take a scenic drive around the Estes Valley, or even into the Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’d like to have a guided experience, take a private tour with a company like Explore Estes for a unique experience with just you and your partner!
Book a Private Tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park with Explore Estes
Couples Massage
Lay down and de-stress as you and your loved one get whisked away to a world of relaxation. There’s no better place to get a romantic couples massage in our small town than Elements of Touch. You’re on vacation, why not pamper yourself!
Schedule a couples massage with Elements of Touch Wellness Spa here.
Go Horseback Riding
If you’re a more adventurous couple, take a ride on the wild-side with a scenic horseback riding tour through the Rocky Mountains. Sombrero Stables is located just outside of downtown Estes Park and is the perfect way to spend a romantic afternoon.
Book a ride with Sombrero Stables here.
Spend an Afternoon at the Lake
Take a stroll along gorgeous Lake Estes. You and your loved one can rent a tandem bicycle and ride around the whole lake with fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains all around you. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as elk love to play in and around the water! If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, rent a kayak from the Estes Park Marina and enjoy some time sitting atop the lake.
Rent a boat or bike from the Estes Park Marina here.
See the Leaves Changing
If you want to see the leaves changing during fall. There’s no better time to visit Estes Park than during Autumn Gold Festival on the last weekend of September. Bask is the golden colors of the changing leaves and make sure to keep your ears open as the elk begin to bugle. With a line-up of bands to come, this weekend festival is sure to be a wonderful time for you and your loved one!
Learn more about the Autumn Gold Festival here.
Pop the Question
What’s more romantic than proposing to your loved one in the National Park! Plan a nice hike to catch breathtaking views and epic waterfalls and pop the question at your destination. Our recommendation is to hike to Dream Lake as this is where we got engaged!
View some suggested hikes from the Rocky Mountain National Park website here.
Dinner in the Mountains
Enjoy some fine dining at the Twin Owls Steak House where you can share a romantic dinner overlooking the beautiful Rocky Mountains. You can’t go wrong with this classy restaurant with their wide selection of steaks, wild game, and seafood that’s paired with their expertly-curated wine list and hand-crafted cocktails.
Take a look at the menu for Twin Owls Steak House here.
Related: Top Restaurants & Best Places to Eat in Estes Park, Colorado
Photo by the Stanley Hotel
Ghosts & Toasts
Hold your loved one tight as you go on a spooky ghost tour through the historic Stanley Hotel. Be sure to book your tour days in advance as these tend to fill up quickly. Once you’re done, sit down and relax at the The Whiskey Bar within the Stanley Hotel and enjoy a huge variety of delicious cocktails.
Book your Stanley Hotel Ghost Tour here.
See the cocktail menu for The Whiskey Bar at the Stanley Hotel.
Photo by Images of Rocky Mountain National Park
Stargaze
“Half the park is after dark.” Even though Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t a designated International Dark Sky Park, it still has plenty of amazing views of the cosmos once the sun goes down. Take a blanket, some cocoa, and cuddle up for a show of twinkling stars. If you’re daring, you won’t get any closer to the night sky than at the top of Trail Ridge Road. At more than 12,000ft above sea level, you’re not going to get any better views than here.
If you plan to make the full drive to the top, we recommend driving even more slowly than the posted speed limits as many sections of the road do not have safety rails. Also be sure to bring extra layers, food, water, and flashlights in case of an emergency.
Read more about protecting the night sky from the National Park Service here.
We hope we’ve helped you create the perfect date itinerary for you and your loved one with this list of romantic things to do in Estes Park! Are there any date ideas that we missed? Or have you tried any of our recommendations before? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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