Dao House’s guidebook
Sightseeing
If you visit the stable, let them know you are our guest for a $5 discount. Here is a review one of our guests left:
This place is something special - not just the beautiful views!!! Make sure you visit the stables!!!! My mother had a stroke several years ago and is partially paralyzed, she has dreamed of being able to ride a horse, and the staff was able to accommodate her needs with respect and care. Thank you Debbie! The experience brought tears of joy to our family, thanks for an adventure we will never forget !!!
Elkhorn Stables
6120 Colorado 7If you visit the stable, let them know you are our guest for a $5 discount. Here is a review one of our guests left:
This place is something special - not just the beautiful views!!! Make sure you visit the stables!!!! My mother had a stroke several years ago and is partially paralyzed, she has dreamed of being able to ride a horse, and the staff was able to accommodate her needs with respect and care. Thank you Debbie! The experience brought tears of joy to our family, thanks for an adventure we will never forget !!!
Waterfalls and not as busy as RMNP. This is the favorite hike for nearly everyone of our employees.
21 locals recommend
Wild Basin Trailhead
Waterfalls and not as busy as RMNP. This is the favorite hike for nearly everyone of our employees.
Mountain Whitewater
1329 US-287Because sometimes you just have to brave the rapids.
Just a mile down the road and worth a visit. Some of our employees occasionally take their lunch down there.
25 locals recommend
Lily Lake
Just a mile down the road and worth a visit. Some of our employees occasionally take their lunch down there.
Great fly fishing near here. This is just one of the local places to help you experience some fly fishing.
14 locals recommend
Kirks Flyshop and Mountain Adventures
230 E Elkhorn AveGreat fly fishing near here. This is just one of the local places to help you experience some fly fishing.
How did I not put this one near the top. Trailhead is one mile down the road and it is the mountain we are located on.
Twin Sisters Trailhead
How did I not put this one near the top. Trailhead is one mile down the road and it is the mountain we are located on.
This one is for the more experienced hiker. It is also the mountain viewed right across the way from our place.
12 locals recommend
Longs Peak Trailhead
1398 Longs Peak RoadThis one is for the more experienced hiker. It is also the mountain viewed right across the way from our place.
Remarkable old church. Stunning architecture. Must see!
It's a Basilica. Blessed by Pope John Paul.
9 locals recommend
Saint Catherine Chapel
10758 CO-7Remarkable old church. Stunning architecture. Must see!
It's a Basilica. Blessed by Pope John Paul.
A variety of boats to rent, peddle carts and bikes too. Plenty of Rainbow Trout to be caught. Picnic table and trails. Bald Eagle sightings are common, along with elk and deer. You might also see a moose. :-)
15 locals recommend
Lake Estes Marina
1770 Big Thompson AveA variety of boats to rent, peddle carts and bikes too. Plenty of Rainbow Trout to be caught. Picnic table and trails. Bald Eagle sightings are common, along with elk and deer. You might also see a moose. :-)
Sandbeach Lake Trailhead
Sandbeach LakeTia insisted this one be on here. She loves hanging out at the beach. :-)
One of the two most popular hikes in the area. Make sure you make a reservation WAY ahead of time.
26 locals recommend
Bear Lake Trailhead
Bear Lake RoadOne of the two most popular hikes in the area. Make sure you make a reservation WAY ahead of time.
The other of the two most popular hikes in the area. Make sure you make a reservation WAY ahead of time.
15 locals recommend
Emerald lake
The other of the two most popular hikes in the area. Make sure you make a reservation WAY ahead of time.
If you book a tour to the RMNP with them, you do not need a reservation to the park. Added bonus, you don't have to drive.
Estes Park Trolleys
1360 Big Thompson AveIf you book a tour to the RMNP with them, you do not need a reservation to the park. Added bonus, you don't have to drive.
Sam recommended this one for our winter time guests. It is an old closed down Ski resort (bunny hill only). Now, in the winter people go there to sled and snowshoe.
7 locals recommend
Hidden Valley
Sam recommended this one for our winter time guests. It is an old closed down Ski resort (bunny hill only). Now, in the winter people go there to sled and snowshoe.
Let a local drive you around and tell you interesting facts about the Rocky Mountains and other local destinations.
7 locals recommend
Green Jeep Tour
157 Moraine AveLet a local drive you around and tell you interesting facts about the Rocky Mountains and other local destinations.
One of my son's first hikes after he moved to Colorado. He was hooked and has now hiked several of the local trails.
Estes Cone
One of my son's first hikes after he moved to Colorado. He was hooked and has now hiked several of the local trails.
Food scene
This guy makes even the naan from scratch! My son loves this place. (So do I.)
8 locals recommend
Himalayan Curry & Kebob
101 W Elkhorn AveThis guy makes even the naan from scratch! My son loves this place. (So do I.)
This one is Deran's favorites. Call them to make a reservation.
25 locals recommend
Twin Owls Steakhouse
3110 South Saint Vrain AvenueThis one is Deran's favorites. Call them to make a reservation.
Why eat here? Seriously? Because you need pie! :-)
(It's good food too.)
13 locals recommend
You Need Pie Diner & Bakery
509 Big Thompson AveWhy eat here? Seriously? Because you need pie! :-)
(It's good food too.)
I hear it is the best breakfast in town. The guests I have sent there concur.
36 locals recommend
Notchtop Bakery & Cafe
459 E Wonderview AveI hear it is the best breakfast in town. The guests I have sent there concur.
This is a local favorite! They have 3 locations. This one is in the Big Thompson Canyon and is an absolutely beautiful drive. They are also located in Lyons and at the Stanley Hotel. It's not just cherry stuff. Among other things they sell a fabulous meat pie.
6 locals recommend
Colorado Cherry Company at Loveland
1024 US-34This is a local favorite! They have 3 locations. This one is in the Big Thompson Canyon and is an absolutely beautiful drive. They are also located in Lyons and at the Stanley Hotel. It's not just cherry stuff. Among other things they sell a fabulous meat pie.
Nice little pub and 2 of my bosses say the pizza is great.
7 locals recommend
Cousin Pat's Pub & Grill
451 S St Vrain AveNice little pub and 2 of my bosses say the pizza is great.
El Mex-Kal Family Mexican
160 1st StAyla thinks it is the best Mexican food in town!
The Baldpate Inn
4900 CO-7The name is now Seven Keys Lodge. Try the appetizers. Yum!
Another Ayla and Isaac recommendation. It is in a gas station but worth a trip.
23 locals recommend
Donut Haus
860 Moraine AvenueAnother Ayla and Isaac recommendation. It is in a gas station but worth a trip.
Why do I recommend this place? Duh, because the have really good burgers. Try their Buffalo Chicken sandwich. It's like buffalo wings in a sandwich!
14 locals recommend
Penelope's Old Time Burgers
229 West Elkhorn AvenueWhy do I recommend this place? Duh, because the have really good burgers. Try their Buffalo Chicken sandwich. It's like buffalo wings in a sandwich!
Lumpy Ridge Brewing
531 S St Vrain AveLocal Brewery. Need I say more?
If local brews are your thing, then you do not need me to tell you why to go here.
42 locals recommend
Rock Cut Brewing Company
390 W Riverside DrIf local brews are your thing, then you do not need me to tell you why to go here.
Estes Park Brewery
470 Prospect Village DrAgain......
Stores/Shops
Meeker Park Lodge
11733 CO-7Pick up some groceries for your hike/picnic.
Ferncliff
Grocery store. Good prices. Great meat selection. Nice people!
The Country Market of Estes Park
900 Moraine AveThe deli is awesome! (That is a quote from Tia.)
Jace says it is the best candy store you could possibly come across. The staff is super friendly!
The Old Fashion Candy Store Estes Park
184 W Elkhorn AveJace says it is the best candy store you could possibly come across. The staff is super friendly!
Another Jace recommendation. He says it is the best general store in Estes Park. Quote, "You will always find something new and interesting on every visit."
586 locals recommend
Estes Park
Another Jace recommendation. He says it is the best general store in Estes Park. Quote, "You will always find something new and interesting on every visit."
It is right before you enter the Big Thompson Canyon when coming up from Loveland. Unique little shop. There is a tower you can climb to get a view of the nearby waterfall. I also love their play on words. "The best store by a dam site."
The Dam Store
10103 W US-34It is right before you enter the Big Thompson Canyon when coming up from Loveland. Unique little shop. There is a tower you can climb to get a view of the nearby waterfall. I also love their play on words. "The best store by a dam site."
Fun Things to Do
Great way to see the views. Aaron took his children there for his daughter's birthday. He said it was great fun to watch the look's on people's faces when the got off the ride. That everyone from 7 to 70 got off with the biggest smiles on their faces. You control your own speed and most people go back for a second ride.
12 locals recommend
Mustang Mountain Coaster
1180 Dry Gulch RdGreat way to see the views. Aaron took his children there for his daughter's birthday. He said it was great fun to watch the look's on people's faces when the got off the ride. That everyone from 7 to 70 got off with the biggest smiles on their faces. You control your own speed and most people go back for a second ride.
Great way to see all the wonderful views! Aaron says this one is a must see.
30 locals recommend
Estes Park Aerial Tramway Top Terminal
Great way to see all the wonderful views! Aaron says this one is a must see.
A unique zip lining experience and ax throwing too for those with an adventurous soul.
14 locals recommend
Open Air Adventure Park
490 Prospect Village DrA unique zip lining experience and ax throwing too for those with an adventurous soul.
They do wagon rides!
Graham (who is a chef) says the food is good.
14 locals recommend
YMCA of the Rockies
2515 Tunnel RdThey do wagon rides!
Graham (who is a chef) says the food is good.
Tia recommends seeing The illusionist at the Stanley. They do ghost tours in the evenings. It is also where some of the movie Dumb and Dumber was shot and the inspiration of the book "The Shining" by Steven King. Check out their website or Wiki page for more information.
91 locals recommend
The Stanley Hotel
333 E Wonderview AveTia recommends seeing The illusionist at the Stanley. They do ghost tours in the evenings. It is also where some of the movie Dumb and Dumber was shot and the inspiration of the book "The Shining" by Steven King. Check out their website or Wiki page for more information.
All kinds of fun for the family. Mini golf, go-carts, bumper boats and bumper cars, etc. Check out their website for more information.
19 locals recommend
Estes Park Ride-A-Kart
2250 Big Thompson AveAll kinds of fun for the family. Mini golf, go-carts, bumper boats and bumper cars, etc. Check out their website for more information.
Giant Rainbow Slide, bungee trampoline, miniature golf, water walking balls and gemstone panning. Just some of the fun at Fun City.
18 locals recommend
Fun City
455 Prospect Village DrGiant Rainbow Slide, bungee trampoline, miniature golf, water walking balls and gemstone panning. Just some of the fun at Fun City.