Have Your 4th of July Weekend Vacation in Estes Park, Colorado

The perfect place to enjoy your long 4th of July weekend this year is Estes Park, Colorado. Offering more than just a magnificent fireworks show, this tiny town just an hour and a half outside of Denver offers something for everyone in the family and due to the close proximity will not drain your vacation budget on gas! Included in the plethora of activities, Estes Park always offers endless shopping, hiking, and sight seeing; however, during the holiday weekend there is also an Arabian horse show, an antique auto show, a theater performance for children, multiple concerts, and of course a fireworks display.

For the shopper in your family, Estes Park offers tons of shops and boutiques to indulge yourself in. There are stores dedicated to anything your heart desires. Multiple candy shops to take a bite out of your sweet tooth, book stores to give you a little relaxation in the evening after a day of fun, stores for those avid Christmas decoration collectors, and even stores devoted to belt buckles! Within the hundred stores in Estes Park, you are sure to find that special something you are looking for.

For the outdoor lover, multiple hiking trails will keep you busy for days! One of the top trailheads in the area is the Bear Lake trailhead. At the trailhead there is a description of each trail allowing you to choose one that fits your desires from a half-mile nature hike to a ten mile trek up to Hallett Peak. Depending on the trail your choose you will encounter crystal clear lakes, babbling brooks, striking waterfalls, the opportunity to learn about glaciers and sub-Alpine life, and even the chance to cross the Continental Divide. Get the details at http://www.thespiritoftherockies.net/spirit/HikingRMNPTrailheads.html.

For the avid sight-seer, Estes Park offers many opportunities, but by far the best is the aerial tramway ride. With stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding area, the tram will take you to the top of Prospect Mountain. The observation deck at the top allows you to see the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park, and the amazing Longs Peak mountain. You will also have the chance to feed the wildlife or have a picnic in the pines. For more information visit http://www.estestram.com/index.html.

For the horse lover, the 52nd annual Arabian Sport Horse Championship will take place in Estes Park again during the July 4^th weekend. Competitions will begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day and will include dressage to a hack competition. This event is not only free, but those that attend will have great seats at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds as the stadium lights will be turned off for the fireworks display. Call 970-586-6104 for more information.

For the car enthusiast, what is claimed to be the "Coolest Car Show in Colorado" will display antique cars that are at least 30 years old. The show will take place in the park square next to, Estes Park's main street called Elkhorn Avenue. To enjoy these cars, a ticket can be purchased at the entrance for $3 for adults, $2 for kids with 5 and under free.

For the kids, a musical production called The Hobbit, inspired by Tolkein's Lord of the Rings story, will be showing June 30 through July 3 at the Estes Park High School Auditorium. Put on by the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies, tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids. Make sure to be at the auditorium located at 1600 Manford Ave in enough time to get your tickets and be seated by the curtain call at 2 p.m.

For the music devotee, Estes Park offers multiple concerts in the park throughout the summer and the 4^th of July weekend is no exception. The lineup includes Western crooners, Christian music artists, and patriotic tunes streaming from the Colorado Music Festival. These concerts are free and are sure to delight all ages young to old. For more information on who is playing and when call 1-800-44-ESTES.

What would the 4^th of July be without a spectacular fireworks show? Estes Park offers an amazing show claimed to be one of the best in the state. The display will take place over Lake Estes and begins at 9 p.m. Viewing the show by the lake is free, but if you want to park close to the lake it will cost you $5 for each car. The best place to watch the amazing show is anywhere from which you can see the lake.

Estes Park is the place to enjoy this year's 4^th of July weekend. It will accommodate every family member and is sure to keep you hopping. The quick jaunt from Denver will give you plenty of time to enjoy each day of the long weekend and save you on gas money. Make this wonderful small town the place of your vacation weekend.