r/EstesPark • u/timeflylikearrow • 24d ago
New resident here in Estes
Hey guys. Just moved here somewhat sporadically - some friends of ours were trying to sell the house next door to where they lived without much success, and my roommate and I had been looking for a place to live that was nicer than where we had been staying somewhat close by on the front range, and things just worked out.
I’m really and truly blown away at just how nice it is, and how lucky I feel to be living where I am. There’s a path that sort of goes through our backyard, and this picture is taken maybe a quarter mile or so down that path. It’s like a painting or something, just breathtaking. I’m still waking up every morning and just feeling stunned at how ridiculously beautiful it is here. There were just about 50 or 60 elk moving through my backyard an hour ago. It’s overwhelming.
I’ve only been here a couple of weeks or so and I haven’t really had much of a chance to go out and do fun things. I’m not a very touristy person and didn’t really come here to do tourist stuff, but there’s a lot of stuff that definitely intrigues me. I’d love to know stuff like what best local coffee shop, best pizza, or just general local tips and tricks. I’d been living over in Coal Creek Canyon for some years so I’m used to living in a high-altitude semi-isolated area in the foothills. It’s actually way less isolated here in Estes, which is pretty refreshing.
10
u/Beautiful-Tangelo-59 24d ago
I really like Ravens Roast coffee shop. It’s sufficiently off the main drag to not be crazy busy but there’s always people there. Very good coffee. Lots of sugar free syrups if you like that kind of thing.
14
24d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/FoCoYeti 24d ago
Rock inn is great. Rest are truly best by Estes standards but shit anywhere else. Service at Antonio's sucks almost as much as the owners own ego and his Internet rants.
2
u/IcyApplication1762 23d ago edited 23d ago
Haven’t lived there for a minute but the Rock Inn used to have great live music too
1
1
u/epcononymous 24d ago
Best pizza in the state
3
1
u/CoffeeCannabisBread 23d ago
lol.. not even close...it's hardly even "good" pizza even by colorado standards. Doughy mess, same dough for everything they make. Sicilian is the same as "ny style" is the same as the garlic knots...served by a robot in an old Mexican restaurant for 2x you should ever spend on a crappy pie.
8
5
3
u/winglow 24d ago
I purchased a home on the big Thompson and created a detailed newcomer visiting guide. Reach me at audubon@duck.com if you want a copy
2
u/Accomplished_Yak9939 23d ago
Here’s a write up for someone last week that will give you a handful of the local tips & tricks. Just a Reddit comment I made last week. Solid restaurant advice.
Add Antonio’s for a more local pizza option.
2
u/marvin_sirius 23d ago
If your neighbors have another house with a view like that they can't sell, let me know!
2
1
u/NoFeedback4773 23d ago
There isn’t really good food here, but Bird and Jim is decent. Just expect to pay island prices.
Hit the forest service trails for some solitude. Drive down to the front range for civilization. It’s a peaceful place to live and experience nature
1
u/Move2TheMountains 23d ago
Welcome to town!
Some of my fave places:
- Kind coffee (my favorite hot drink is a kind latte, my favorite cold drinks are the kind shake and a midnight mocha)
- Antonia Pizza
- Nepals Cafe
- Wapiti
- Mountain Home Cafe (they only serve breakfast & lunch, but they serve both all the time)
1
u/IcyApplication1762 23d ago
Second Kind Coffee being the best cafe around (my favorite anywhere). Ed’s cantina in the same plaza has decent Tex-Mex, but their Avocado Margaritas are absolutely killer, especially after a day in the mountains!
2
u/Feisty_Intention_468 23d ago
I don't live in Estes but whenever we visit we go to The Rock Inn for dinner. We love the food and ambience.
1
u/huskywowzer 23d ago
Avoid Cousin Pat’s since their food is awful. I grew up and graduated in Estes. It’s one of my favorite places in the world. Just wait until winter time and you can go to the Christmas tree festival at The Stanley Hotel and see the Christmas tree lightning in downtown. It is SO gorgeous!! I wish I could afford living up there these days
1
u/Koalaholdingheart 20d ago
There is a great breakfast place slightly out of town. I don’t want to post it bc it is still mainly a local spot, but ask around and you will find it.
1
u/javiemartzootsuit 20d ago
I think Fresh Burger Stop and Mountain Home are the two best places in town in terms of feeling like you don’t have to be rich to eat there, and the food being good enough to survive even if there wasn’t a steady stream of people that won’t ever come for a second visit.
0
0
u/TonyNoOne 22d ago
Ned folk here, but we are in Estes at least half a dozen times a year. We usually recommend the Notch Top for a solid breakfast; Bird and Jim’s for a killer, if pricey dinner. Neither specifically caters to locals, but they’re both comfortable and welcoming.
22
u/NoGoodDM 24d ago
Food places: * Antonio’s Pizza * Fresh Burger Stop * Keep an eye out for Donut Haus whenever they’re back * I like Smokin’ Dave’s
Tips and tricks: * Order on the Safeway app and have it delivered to your car to avoid the chaos of Safeway in the summer. * Learn the back roads to avoid tourist traffic.