best mountain town in the summer?

[JJG]

I've got a 5 yr anniversary coming up in July and we are looking to stay in the mountains somewhere. I grew up in the Springs, but now live in Idaho and my wife hasn't really seen that part of CO.

Of course there are the usual suspects, Aspen, Steamboat etc, but I wanted your thoughts.

Only a few criteria: Somewhere not crazy expensive, but still nice. $350+ per night is not in our budget. Would like to do some horseback riding, general sight seeing, and probably a little shopping and or other local attractions. We are looking at a 2-3 day mini getaway.

suggestions?

[Boobs McGee]

Grand Lake.

You will LOVE it.

[Drunken.Broncoholic]

Just has to be Colorado?

[bronco militia]

vail and beaver creek is affordable this time of year.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Drunken.Broncoholic

Just has to be Colorado?

Yes. Visiting my family in the Springs and leaving the kid with them for a few days.

[Mountain Bronco]

Telluride is the best mountain town in CO hands down. Yes, it is expensive, but not so much if you don't hit it during a major festival or during the weekdays. There are still some inexpensive options (mountain side inn, Victorian Inn etc...) and mid week you can get great deals at places like the Peaks which is an awesome property.

The only downside I would point out is that is a 6 hour drive from the Springs, so that is tough. I would consider Crested Butte as it isn't nearly as far and is a great spot as well.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Winter Park can be a pretty fun place.

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

Steamboat Springs is a great little town. World class lodging and restaurants, cool place to be, excellent bars, and tons of recreation activities, from biking and hiking to floating the mighty Yampa river.

My favorite summer activity there is floating the Yampa, getting out at Sunpies for lunch and a few cocktails, then riding the free shuttle bus back to the start and doing it all over again.

[DomCasual]

Sundance? Park City?

Seriously, though - Colorado towns have Utah towns beat. I have to go with the Boobman. Park City is awesome.

[Tombstone RJ]

Outside fo Colorado Spring? Meh, go with the old stand by: Breckenridge, she's a whore of a good time.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by DomCasual

Sundance? Park City?

Seriously, though - Colorado towns have Utah towns beat. I have to go with the Boobman. Park City is awesome.

We were in Park City last Sept. Had a great time, but it's a little far for this trip.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by bronco militia

vail and beaver creek is affordable this time of year.

A lot of the ski resort towns are gorgeous and very inexpensive. We went to vail and got a room a year ago. Here was our view.

[Boobs McGee]

There's actually a REALLY nice deal right now at vail....hang on a sec and Ill see if it's still going

[Boobs McGee]

Here ya go...two nights at Tivoli Lodge in Vail for $280!
http://www.livingsocial.com/escapes/...8-denver-south


If you decide to check out Grand Lake, there are TONS of things to do...Boating, fishing, hiking up to Adam's Falls, concerts, great restaurants, horseback riding, guided tours, shopping...not to mention you're right at the bottom of one of the most beautiful drives in the country, Trail Ridge Pass that takes you over to Estes.

[SureShot]

Crested Butte. Gotta love the Elk Mountains. Plus Aspen is less than 2 hours away, two vacations in one.

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by TheElusiveKyleOrton

Steamboat Springs is a great little town. World class lodging and restaurants, cool place to be, excellent bars, and tons of recreation activities, from biking and hiking to floating the mighty Yampa river.

My favorite summer activity there is floating the Yampa, getting out at Sunpies for lunch and a few cocktails, then riding the free shuttle bus back to the start and doing it all over again.

Sounds incredibly awesome!



signed, still stuck in florida

[Chris]

Originally Posted by bronco militia

vail and beaver creek is affordable this time of year.

Don't say that I'd have to find a way to go. What is "affordable" anyway?

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Boobs McGee

Here ya go...two nights at Tivoli Lodge in Vail for $280!
http://www.livingsocial.com/escapes/...8-denver-south


If you decide to check out Grand Lake, there are TONS of things to do...Boating, fishing, hiking up to Adam's Falls, concerts, great restaurants, horseback riding, guided tours, shopping...not to mention you're right at the bottom of one of the most beautiful drives in the country, Trail Ridge Pass that takes you over to Estes.

this looks promising. Thanks for the link!

Grand Lake sounds great also. Is there a bunch of smoke around?

[Bacchus]

Hey cokksucker, have you ever been to deadwood?

http://www.deadwood.com/splash.cfm



I went there a few years ago. Great historical stuff, mountains, gambling and if you go in August you can see all the motorcycles.

They have a couple of great Lakes close by if you like boating and trout fishing.

[pricejj]

My wife and I went to Steamboat for a couple days the week after Christmas.

1. Saddleback Ranch - Horseback rides (they even have a cattle drive in the summer), innertube hill, and snowmobile rides (in the winter)
2. Strawberry Park Hot Springs - nice and rustic, with pools right next to the river (clothing optional after dark)
3. Forgot the name, but a restaurant where you cook your own steak and Texas toast right in town...lot's of good eats
4. They also have a rec center with heated pools (from the hot springs) and water slides.
5. Tons of hotels

[Powderaddict]

Ouray is where I would go. Great mountain town, lots of stuff to do, fairly reasonable.

It's not as cool, but Palisade can be fun. Lots of wineries, they have a sweet little distillery in town, and the B & B's are reasonable. The fruits grown locally are usually pretty good as well.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Depends on what your looking for.

Winter Park is great for extreme sports like mountain biking and rock climbing.

As for a romantic getaway in the wilderness but just enough entertainment and nice restaurants, I would third boobsmcgee and domcasual and say hit up Grand Lake.

If you do, get the Colorado river lemon trout at MTs, or the lingonberry elk medallions at Backstreet Steakhouse. There is also one of the better breweries in Colorado there downtown. I'd recommend the Wooly booger brown ale at Grand Lake brewery.

[Rother8]

If you're looking for a sure shot, no doubter- go to Pueblo. BEA-utiful.
Great skiing!

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

Originally Posted by pricejj

My wife and I went to Steamboat for a couple days the week after Christmas.

1. Saddleback Ranch - Horseback rides (they even have a cattle drive in the summer), innertube hill, and snowmobile rides (in the winter)
2. Strawberry Park Hot Springs - nice and rustic, with pools right next to the river (clothing optional after dark)
3. Forgot the name, but a restaurant where you cook your own steak and Texas toast right in town...lot's of good eats
4. They also have a rec center with heated pools (from the hot springs) and water slides.
5. Tons of hotels

The name of the steakhouse is the 8th Street Steakhouse. Cook your own meat, really good sides, etc.

On the mountain: Paramount is a little pricey but has absolutely fantastic sandwiches and really unique takes on old favorites (like their fried chicken and waffles - yum)

Saketumi is a very, VERY solid sushi restaurant right next to the hill.

The Truffle Pig is also very good, at One Steamboat Place (a she she lah lah development at the base of the mountain). Awesome muscles and brunch, though I have heard they're not doing their epic weekend brunch anymore.

In town, try out Carl's (sports bar, but with gourmet takes on normal sports bar fare), the Ghost Ranch Saloon (excellent live music almost every weekend), Bella's wine bar (great atmosphere, go before dinner and have some cheese and meat and a glass of wine), and the Sweet Pea Market. If you want something down home, have a shrimp po boy at Sunpies. If you want upscale dining, Bistro CV is excellent.

And for something simple and surprisingly excellent, hit up Rex's. It's attached to the Holiday Inn, but do not let that fool you. They have excellent, excellent food. If they've still got the Jammin' Pork on the menu, you've got to have it once. Outstanding.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Rother8

If you're looking for a sure shot, no doubter- go to Pueblo. BEA-utiful.
Great skiing!

umm no thanks