Estes Park Travel and Things to Do Guide

As Colorado's original resort community, Estes Park has played host to everyone from gunslingers and ranchers to inventors such as F.O. Stanley, who opened the famed Stanley Hotel here in 1909. Known as one of the finest full-service meeting destinations in Colorado, Estes Park is ahead of the curve when it comes to hosting conference groups, who enjoy its stunning vistas and warm, hometown feel. With so much to offer, it's no wonder Estes Park welcomes nearly three million visitors each year.

Seamlessly combining affordability with accessibility, Estes Park is an easy choice for meeting planners. Just a scenic 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport, visitors can access Estes Park from all corners of the globe. Ranked as the 9th busiest airport in the world, Denver International serves an average of 1,500 flights per day. Once in Estes Park, the convenience continues with a free shopping and hiking shuttle service ready to ferry passengers to attractions and park trails during summer months. Year-round chartered shuttles are also an economical option for groups large and small.

When it comes to meeting venues, planners can take their pick from several top-notch facilities. Topping the list is the new Assembly Hall at the YMCA of the Rockies, with a 10,000 sq. ft ballroom. The YMCA, which started as a camp in 1907 offers over 100 meeting rooms and accommodations for groups up to 4,000. A $42M renovation, completed in 2010, offers 200 new guest rooms designed with the corporate group in mind. Estes Park also offers the phenomenal Estes Park Conference Center. Featuring 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting space including an 8,000-square-foot ballroom – the largest in the region – the Estes Park Conference Center can accommodate social events and conferences of up to 1,000 people. Situated in the heart of the city, the center's soaring timber and native stone fireplace offer attendees a very cozy welcome to Estes Park.

Meanwhile, the celebrated Stanley Hotel offers a majestic atmosphere throughout its 138 guest rooms and 16,000 square feet of meeting space. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the Historic Hotels of America, The Stanley Hotel was recently restored to its former glory with the added convenience of modern amenities such as free wireless Internet access. The hotel is a breathtaking spot to host corporate functions, banquets and team building activities within view of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park has no shortage of unique meeting facilities for planners looking for alternative venues. Draw inspiration from the serene setting of the Taharaa Mountain Lodge, which has hosted meetings, conferences, executive retreats and more in its boardroom and spacious Great Hall. Or, for a taste of local flavor, try out one of the private dining rooms at the Twin Owls Steakhouse, capable of accommodating up to 185 guests, or kick back at the at the tasting room and deck of the Estes Park Brewery. Meanwhile, the stunning Della Terra Mountain Chateau offers 3,650 square feet of meeting space at the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains.

A popular mountain retreat and Colorado's original resort town, Estes Park's economy is based largely on the tourism industry. The town was also the site of the organization of the Credit Union National Association, a milestone in the history of American credit unions.