This spring and summer had brought a lot of rain to Estes Park and nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, prompting the question: What do you do in Estes Park when it rains? While we certainly an area that is known for its outdoor activities, there are plenty of things to do indoors when the weather doesn’t cooperate. So, here are our favorite things to do in Estes Park when it rains.
Visit a coffee shop
What sounds better than a warm cup of coffee on a rainy day? Luckily Estes Park is home to several coffee shops to warm your spirits. Coffee shops harken a warm and inviting place to not only grab a great cup of joe but to catch up with old friends, curl up with a good book, or savor a sweet treat on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Find our full list of coffee shops here.
Unwind with a good book
Stop in at Macdonald Book Shop to find your next favorite read! This independent book shop has been in business since 1928 and you can find books about Estes Park and Colorado to inspire you, family or friends, to travel, a new novel for your favorite bookworm to get into, or a Colorado-themed cookbook for that chef who can’t get out of the kitchen.
Shop at a local art gallery
Take a piece of your trip home with you by purchasing a piece of art from your favorite Estes Park art gallery. Downtown Estes Park is filled with many shops, restaurants, and plenty of art galleries to keep your eyes entertained. Find everything from beautiful mountain landscape paintings and photographs to unique pottery and hand-blown glass sculptures, all created by local artists. Read here for a full list of art galleries in Estes Park.
Spend a day at the spa
Estes Park is home to several spas that offer a variety of spa treatments and massage setups. Rejuvenate with a deep tissue massage, Swedish relaxation massage, or even a hot stone massage at Affinity Massage and Wellness Center in downtown Estes Park. Rehydrate with a hydrotherapy tub treatment or give your face a lift with a facial from Estes Park Massage Therapy. On the River Massage offers traditional therapeutic massages in addition to extra services like a detoxifying herbal body wrap, mud wrap, and an aromatic salt glow.
Visit a winery
Visit Estes Park’s only winery, Snowy Peaks Winery, for a glass of vino to complete your day. The winery features over 30 different Colorado boutique wines that visitors can sample and purchase. They also offer locally made artisan cheeses, crackers, and other gourmet foods to compliment your wine tasting. The tasting room is open year-round, every day from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Or buy a bottle and bring it back to your cozy cabin or cottage at Rocky Mountain Resorts.
Indoor climbing wall
For those who just can’t stop, even when it’s raining, visit Estes Park Mountain Shop and ascend their indoor climbing wall. Take your adventurous spirit indoors and test your skills at rock climbing at the Estes Park Mountain Shop. For beginners, there are lessons available and equipment to rent.
Stay at Rocky Mountain Resorts
Or course, one of our favorite things to do in Estes Park when it rains is curl up by the fire inside your cozy cabin at Rocky Mountain Resorts. Featuring a wide variety of lodging options for all types of vacations, including romantic getaway cabins to large vacation homes. Our vacation rentals offer comfortable and cozy surroundings with all the amenities of home, making for a perfect place to kick back and relax on those rainy days.
