Estes Park, Denver area

I am looking for interesting things to see, do and stay in the Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park area in the days of September 18, 19 & 20th.

We are driving from Denver and staying in Telluride from Sept. 10 through Sept 17 and going to be in Denver & Estes Park from Sept 18 through Sept 23. We have reservations at Pine Haven on Fall River Rd from Sept 21 to Sept 23, so I still have to find accommodations for Sept 18, 19 & 20th. Any ideas for things to see and do & stay in any of these places?

Interesting things mean different things for different folks, so what is it that attracts you ? Have you considered staying at different places between Telluride and RMNP ? There is much to choose from depending on your plans already.

I would like to be within 200 miles of Denver for Sept 18, 19 & 20. We are interested in museums, casual hiking and are open to just about anything. I hate to limit the choices of what to do for those 3 days, because my experience is that people come up with things that I never thought of that end up being the highlight of the trip. We are in our late 60's, but pretty active.

(I never have zip lined, for example. Would love to try that...)

Loveland Pass would fill your requirement. US6 over the pass to Dillon. Beautiful views and short hikes up there. And the mountains look beautiful with colour from the autumn foliage. Be aware though that snow can come early up high in the Rockies.

Lifey

The area around Boulder is full of low-key scenic and historic attractions that can easily fill a few days. Some that my wife and I have enjoyed include Buffalo Bill's Grave in Golden, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, the Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining) in Estes Park, Oh My God Road between Central City and Idaho Springs, the casinos in Central City and Black Hawk, Molly Brown's House in Denver... The list could go on, but that should give you some ideas of the eclectic nature of what's available to you.

AZBuck

Years ago, I spent a week in Denver for a convention. Looking for something different to do in the evening, I checked out the gambling towns of Central City and Black Hawk. It was a lot of fun, and the drive up the mountain was spectacular especially the drive back down with the city lights below. There was a free bus between the two cities. don't know if there still is.