Great Family Vacation Destinations

By Erin Schmidt

 

The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado proved to be an awesome destination for our family vacation. The YMCA has lodge rooms and cabins/vacation homes for families of all sizes. They have a cafe, 2 dining rooms, a general store, lots of green space for running and every recreational activity you can imagine (playgrounds, indoor pool, craft center, library, every sport, mini golf, stables, etc.). These activities are all very affordable - many are free. There are also youth programs which include summer camps for kids of all ages (must be potty trained). They also have daily religious, family and evening activities. Reservations are done through a 'lottery system' with limited availability during the peak summer season. For Summer & Fall reservations, the members of the YMCA of the Rockies lottery is around early March, non-members is around early April. For more information on the YMCA of the Rockies go to www.ymcarockies.org or call 970-586-3341 (you can request a brochure outlining the lodging information for the upcoming year).

Estes Park is located just outside Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), which offers wonderful hiking trails for all abilities. The YMCA asks for a deposit for use of their child & baby carriers and several stores in Estes Park rent backpacks (for carrying a child) if you are hiking with little ones. Estes Park is a fun town with unique shops; tourist entertainment (aerial tramway, go-carts, giant slide, etc.); lots of ice cream places and has one of the coolest playgrounds we have ever seen.

We certainly give the YMCA of the Rockies a glowing review for a great place for a family vacation. We have never heard anything bad about it. Our kids were 1 and 2½ when we went - we had a great time and we imagine it would be even more fun with older children - you certainly would be able to take advantage of even more that they have to offer. We have compiled a 4-page document giving more in-depth information on fun things to do in Estes Park, recommended hikes in RMNP, playplaces along I-70 (for the road trip), and a Denver by-pass.