For October 31st’s Halloween celebration this year I decided to stay in Estes Park, Colorado. My first choice was Salem, MA buuut I decided to book the trip too last minute and there weren’t any hotels or AirBnB’s available in the area. Sad and disappointed I was forced to nix that plan and come up with something different. It dawned on me that I live less than an hour from the infamous Stanley Hotel, yes the one that inspired Stephen King to write the Shining, and I had never been inside before. I booked a room for Halloween Night and all my sorrows were gone! The Stanley is on the expensive side, I paid about $250 a night, but it is a historic hotel with a lot of history and conveniently placed close to town and all the major attractions of Estes Park, Colorado. Not far from Rocky Mountain National Park, a mere 5 minute drive to downtown, and the hotel itself having several attractions, I would certainly recommend it. The Stanley has a historic tour and a ghost tour, a restaurant, a café, a bar, in-house performances, two mazes on the front lawn, and more. The Stanley Hotel’s main building opened in 1909 but is in great condition, mixing its history with the modern necessities of your everyday hotel needs. I stayed in a single Queen room. It had a large closet, a dresser, a bathroom with all the amenities (the shower was certainly made for shorter people however), free cable and Wi-Fi, a Keurig and complementary coffee. I found the room to be very nice and spacious and exactly what I needed. I was only one person, more than 1 or even 2 would feel a bit crowded. For instance, you wouldn’t have space for a roll-away bed in that size room. I found the room and the hotel to be absolutely beautiful, charming, historic and would gladly stay there again! I took The Stanley’s Ghost Tour and found it to be a wonderful mixture of history and spooks. The ghosts at The Stanley are friendly and not malicious or creepy, just quirky, playful, and unique. We were shown the infamous room 217 that Stephen King stayed in, as well as given a tour of one of the larger rooms in The Stanley. This tour would be fine for kids or adults, there are only so many spaces available each night so be sure to book your tickets in advance. What else is there to do in Estes Park for Halloween? Well, all the downtown shops stay open until 5pm so you can browse and shop the day away! There are also lots of candy shops, restaurants, café’s and more. In the Old Church Shops there is a fantastic coffee shop called Raven’s Roast and I simply adore this place! It has a lovely atmosphere and aesthetic that you don’t want to miss! I went there twice while in Estes Park, the second time I sat on the couch and read while drinking my latte and was happy as could be. At 5pm on Halloween night all the shops on main street close down and Halloween begins! All the shops put out bowls of candy and decorations as people and animals come dressed for trick-or-treating. People of all ages are encouraged to participate and to get in on the treats. Several times the shop owners insisted that we take some candy. And at least one candy shop was handing out caramel apples! Afterwards you could grab some dinner, catch a show at the Stanley, or get a drink at a local bar or pub. It’s a great family-friendly place to spend Halloween! Review and Tips for Estes on Halloween?
I hope you get a chance to see Estes Park, Colorado someday! Better yet, try to visit during Halloween to have a fun and memorable experience at this unexpected but noteworthy Halloween destination. Much Love, Jess
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AuthorJessica Marie Cunningham - Intentional lifestyle blogger, aspiring author, and podcast host. All things Slow Living, Books, Writing, Art, creativity, Christianity, and personal stories. Archives
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