Lyons?

[fitz19d]

How is lyons? Worthwhile or just expensive tourist trap? Saw 9 news do a piece. http://www.9news.com/mb/life/style/colorado-guide/tiny-homes-and-canned-beer-this-small-colorado-town-has-big-character/445016663



Ask since it's time to plan our September vacation and staying in state probably. Leaning simple and just going back to buena Vista area. Think it's a bit late and expensive to plan something in wyoming or another nearby state. Trying to not go crazy as thinking a cruise next year. (Alaska?)

[Robb]

Not much in Lyons as far as I know. They have a couple decent restrauants. I see people tubing frequently when were blasting through heading up to Estes Park. I'd focus more on Steamboat or some other mountain town, not sure Lyons is worth a stay.
I'll watch this post to see if I'm wrong.

[Blowby]

Not a large town, coffee, BBQ, beer (Oscar Blues) and ice cream. I didn't think they had a hotel to stay at.

[hurley842002]

It's a nice little spot for an afternoon (we used to picnic there on our weekend drives through the mountains), but I wouldn't dedicate a whole vacation to it, and likely wouldn't even dedicate a whole weekend.

[fitz19d]

Ya, guess i should clarify it would be part of making a 3-4 day vacation in the area. So for example with buena vista we went all over to leadville to coldale etc.

So that's part of it trying to find nice clusters of different things to see/do that are within 4 how's of each other. (Honey moon day at glenwood another at grand lake etc)

[fitz19d]

I know there's some crime but grand junction / fruita maybe worth a trip even if not hunting or fishing?

[hurley842002]

I know there's some crime but grand junction / fruita maybe worth a trip even if not hunting or fishing?
This is where we've been talking about for a mini vacation. I've driven through GJ many times, but that's the extent of my time there.

[.455_Hunter]

If you live in Frederick, just drive over to Lyons for diner and see- it's only 40 minutes away.

I would recommend the Ouray/Silverton area for a long weekend.

[colorider]

Ouray. Outstanding scenery, jeeping,friendly people, and a great hot springs and not hot springs pool. Also a lot of mining history and tours. They have jeep tours where you are not the driver and the roads and scenery are bonkers. Or rent a jeep and drive yourself. It's awesome.

[Great-Kazoo]

Why are you looking at a local 15 - 20 min. drive semi tourist trap for a trip? This is 5ish hours. GJ is 45 min closer with 3x as many people.
http://thermopolis.com/attractions/hot-springs-state-park/


You're a gun owner. Colorado isn't worthy of your money

[Doc45]

Ouray. Outstanding scenery, jeeping,friendly people, and a great hot springs and not hot springs pool. Also a lot of mining history and tours. They have jeep tours where you are not the driver and the roads and scenery are bonkers. Or rent a jeep and drive yourself. It's awesome.

This +100 lol. Ouray is a great place to spend a few days. Yankee Boy Basin is one of my favorite spots in the whole state.

[blacklabel]

Why are you looking at a local 15 - 20 min. drive semi tourist trap for a trip? This is 5ish hours. GJ is 45 min closer with 3x as many people.
http://thermopolis.com/attractions/hot-springs-state-park/


You're a gun owner. Colorado isn't worthy of your money

There are much better things to do with your money and time than going to Thermopolis.

[Great-Kazoo]

There are much better things to do with your money and time than going to Thermopolis.

For some. Lyons isn't one of them.

[blacklabel]

For some. Lyons isn't one of them.

I definitely agree with that but being from Wyoming, Thermopolis isn't a destination.

[Great-Kazoo]

Maybe the OP should do a Taste of Colorado tour. Eating at gun friendly places around the state.

[ray1970]

If you live in Frederick, just drive over to Lyons for diner and see- it's only 40 minutes away.


Yeah, if he rides a bicycle. Otherwise he can probably cut that time in half.

[ray1970]

How many days are you planning for your vacation and what's your budget?

The wife and I do lots of weekend getaways here in Colorado so I might have some ideas.

Although, my preferred September vacation is usually Hawaii. It's a great time of year to go. Kind of between touristy times so prices are down and there aren't hoards of people.

[fitz19d]

Uusually 2-4 with 5 probably being a max.

I usually try to be stingey, but just the last trip to buena vista was a hair over 1,000. (Did the adventure zipline park thing, horse riding, a train, and one other expensive thing I forget.)

She usually loves just driving and seeing the fall tree's etc. I'd love to walk thru more forests and stuff but limited somewhat by that she won't camp so gotta make it back to a hotel. Though I think we have to go in August instead of September due to her work.

[ray1970]

So, as someone else mentioned, the ski towns can be a good option when it isn't ski season. Rooms are cheap and being at altitude gets you away from the higher temperatures here in town. I've done long weekend stays in Winter Park, Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Breckinridge, etc. usually you can get a pretty swanky room for around $60 a night in the off season.

Also, the wife and I recently rented a small cabin on the Big Thompson abouthree or four miles outside of Estes Park. We had our own private deck overlooking the Big Thompson and a hot tub. It was nice because we could just hang out at the cabin and relax until we decided we wanted to do something then it was only a quick drive into Estes Park for food or sight seeing or RMNP for hiking. The cabin was about $150 a night but was well worth it for the peace, solitude, and alone time.

Glenwood Springs is always a good time for us as well. My wife loves the hot springs pool and there is hiking in the area as well as a zip line and an amusement park. The hike up to Hanging Lake is nearby and might be worth doing as well.

[hurley842002]

Also, the wife and I recently rented a small cabin on the Big Thompson abouthree or four miles outside of Estes Park. We had our own private deck overlooking the Big Thompson and a hot tub. It was nice because we could just hang out at the cabin and relax until we decided we wanted to do something then it was only a quick drive into Estes Park for food or sight seeing or RMNP for hiking. The cabin was about $150 a night but was well worth it for the peace, solitude, and alone time.

We've been meaning to do a weekend in one of those cabins along the Thompson, have driven by them many times and thought they looked very peaceful.

[theGinsue]

Lyons is a great town to spend time in. In fact, I spend time there every fall...about 5 minutes each direction while travelling to/from Estes Park. More time than that is just overkill.