Colorado
Trip Ideas|Small Towns

This Charming Town In Colorado Is Perfect For A Summer Day Trip

Grand Lake, Colorado, offers a variety of activities for families, friends, and couples, making it an ideal summer day trip destination.

Published Jun 13, 2016

Written by 

Annie

Are you looking to get away (if only for just one day)? Lucky for us Coloradoans, there are plenty of fun and charming towns perfect for a summer day trip by yourself, with your family, or with a group of friends! However, the town of Grand Lake may be our favorite for these reasons:

alt
Wikimedia Commons
alt
Flickr/Tyler Cipriani
alt
Flickr/Tony Alter
alt
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark

Aside from the obvious fact that the small town of nearly 500 is absolutely gorgeous, it is also full of fun things to do by yourself, with your friends, or even as a family! From outdoor activities (like swimming at the beach, fishing, hiking, and other water sports) to ample shopping along the boardwalk to diverse dining options, there is truly no shortage of things to experience in Grand Lake.

advertisement

Need some ideas for just what to do? Well...

If you are traveling with the kids in tow, you may want to consider...

alt
Flickr/Kent Kanouse

An ice cream stop (or two) at one of the town's parlors, a day at the beach, renting a pedal boat, and/or sharing a pizza at Grand Pizza.

advertisement

Girls' trip? Then why not...

alt
Flickr/bsheets

Hike the beautiful Adams Falls, shop the boutiques along the boardwalk, sip margaritas at Pancho & Lefty's, and see a show at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre.

Mancation? That's easy...

alt
Flickr/Carl Hancock

Fishing on Grand Lake and/or Lake Granby, BBQ and brews at the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill, tee time at the Grand Elk Golf Club, and boating on the lake.

Finally a romantic weekend away calls for...

alt
Flickr/Laura Findley

Wining and dining at the Rapids Lodge and Restaurant, a midnight stroll along the lake, a scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park, and a day-fueling brunch at the Fat Cat Cafe.

As if you needed another reason to love Grand Lake, here is one more: Compared to other Colorado mountain towns, Grand Lake is a quiet, peaceful, and virtually uncrowded oasis in the Rockies!

Have you had the opportunity to visit Grand Lake? If so, what is your favorite thing to do?

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The Tiny Plains Town In Colorado That’s The Perfect Day Trip Destination

Holyoke, Colorado, is a charming small town with rich agriculture, recreational activities, cultural sites, and a vibrant downtown.

Updated Aug 8, 2024

Written by 

Annie

Nearly everyone who lives in or visits Colorado has enjoyed our purple mountain Majesties, but have you ever taken in our perfect plains? If not, you are missing out on an entire side of the state that is often criminally overlooked, and it is time to make a day trip ASAP! Where should you go? We recommend Holyoke, Colorado, a tiny Plains town that offers plenty to see and do:

advertisement

Welcome to Holyoke!

alt
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Facebook

Located in the most northeast corner of the state, Holyoke is home to 2,500 friendly and welcoming residents, plus a surprising amount of things to see and do.

alt
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Facebook

Incorporated in 1888, Holyoke is known near and far for its rich agriculture scene, making the landscape surrounding the town - fields of wheat, corn, and alfalfa - even more enchanting.

alt
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Facebook

In terms of things to see and do around town, Holyoke has it all, beginning with such recreation opportunities as golfing at the scenic 18-hole course, walking and biking around the beautifully manicured parks, and some of the best pheasant hunting in the state.

alt
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Facebook

Are you looking to add a little culture to your trip? No problem, as Holyoke also boasts a theater, museum, and two places on the historic register (The Burge Hotel and the Heginbotham Library, pictured).

advertisement
alt
Heginbotham Library Facebook

As if you needed another reason to visit, Holyoke is also home to a thriving downtown area complete with delicious restaurants, unique shopping, and special events!

alt
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Facebook

Have you ever visited Holyoke, Colorado? What did you think? If you're planning a road trip there, be sure to check out our road trip essentials packing list. Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For even more to do around Holyoke, check out the article below:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/colorado/small-town-winery-co/

Love exploring all that Colorado has to offer? Take a look at this stunning footage of Mesa Verde National Park:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The One Colorado Town That’s So Perfectly Southern

Estes Park in Colorado offers a southern experience with its architecture, food, and friendly atmosphere.

Updated Aug 8, 2024

Written by 

Annie

Are you longing for a vacation down south? Whether you come from a southern state, enjoy the culture, or just flat out love home-cooked dishes, you are guaranteed to find all of the above right here in Colorado, thanks to this one Colorado town that is so perfectly southern. Come with us as we explore Estes Park, Colorado.

advertisement

Located along the beautiful Big Thompson River in northern Colorado, Estes Park is a historic Native American settlement that was later incorporated with the hopes of it becoming a popular tourist destination.

alt
Ronda Kimbrow Photography / Getty Images

Sitting at the headquarters of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is home to nearly 6,000 residents and welcomes an average of 3 million tourists per year.

alt
benedek / Getty Images

While some tourists drive by on their way to RMNP, many stop into town to stretch, eat, or stay the night.

What is it about this small mountain town that reminds us of a southern state? Well, for starters, there is the...

alt
Ricky Batista / 500px / Getty Images

...architecture...

alt
RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

The infamous 420-room Colonial Revival hotel sure reminds us of the historic Colonial buildings you would find in states like North Carolina and Virginia.

advertisement

...food...

alt
Yelp/Ric R.

BBQ, cajun, home-cooked... the gang is all here in Estes! (Pictured is a mouthwatering plate of BBQ from the highly acclaimed Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Tap House.)

...friendly locals...

alt
Sparty1711 / Getty Images

...and an overall sense of patriotism that you can't find just anywhere.

alt
Jim Glab / Getty Images

It is for these reasons and more that we find the town of Estes Park, Colorado to be perfectly southern! What do you think?

Have you visited Estes Park, Colorado recently? What did you think of your experience there? Let us know!

Do you consider yourself to be more of a Midwesterner? Then you are going to love exploring this one town near Denver:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/colorado/denver/fort-morgan-colorado/

Rocky Mountain Park is just outside of Estes Park, but how about exploring another beloved national park in Colorado? We've got some amazing footage of Mesa Verde below:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
Forests

The 2.3-Mile Hiking Trail In Minnesota That Is A Fall Foliage Wonderland

by Trent Jonas
on Sep 19
alt
Nature
Hiking

The 2-Mile Hiking Trail in Pennsylvania That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

by Beth Price-Williams
on Sep 19
alt
Nature
National & State Parks

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in South Dakota That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

by Tori Jane
on Sep 19
alt
State Pride
Need to Know

The Up-And-Coming City In Wisconsin That’s Perfectly Sized

by Trent Jonas
on Sep 19
alt
Trip Ideas
Small Towns

The Fastest-Growing City in Virginia That’s Perfectly Sized

by Beth
on Sep 19
alt