Today is my last day in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I love this town and I am convinced this is where I want to move after college. I stayed with my family from a Saturday in mid-June to a Thursday. Our experience here was amazing. We noticed that everyone here is super nice and helpful. Don't be afraid to talk to the locals. We learned a lot from them on the best places to go. This is one of the nicest cities I have ever traveled to. We learned so much from this trip and I want to share my tips and tricks about visiting "The Boat".
Tips
- Pick up the Explore Steamboat Springs local magazine to see the "Best of the Boat" which are top ranked businesses/restaurants voted on by the locals.
- Also, check out TripAdvisor reviews and Yelp reviews to help make your decisions easier. We heavily relied on reviews to pick our destinations.
- COUPONS - pick up a coupon book at the visitor center or in Gondola Square. You can find plenty of coupons from restaurants to spas to outdoor adventures. Always check to see if there is a coupon for whatever you are wanting to do.
- Portions out here are huge and expensive. The average entree with side is $10. With a family of four, we would always pair up and split an entree. Also, many craft beers on tap at the restaurants and check out each restaurants daily specials and happy hour on their website.
- Take the FREE city bus. Our condo was right on the route of the free city bus. One day we decided to take it downtown to avoid hassling with parking. It was about a 10 minute ride that was definitely worth taking! Also, if you plan on staying out later downtown take the free city bus back to your condo/hotel (if available) to avoid drinking and driving! The bus runs from 6:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
- Inquire with locals about their favorite places. We learned a lot from our servers/bartenders/cashiers about what some "must-do's" are in the town as well as some great hidden gems.
What to Bring
- Bring cash. Some places offer discounts for cash and some places such as the local parks only take cash.
- Sunscreen/Hat/Sunglasses It may not be hot but you are closer to the sun!
- Re-usable water bottle + carrier or small backpack. While we did not plan on it, we spent alot of our time hiking. We were not prepared for this and had plastic water bottles that we had to carry. While it wasn't the worst thing in the world, I would have enjoyed having a small backpack or "fanny pack" like this, or a DIY water bottle carrier like this.
- Jeans and a jacket. Mornings and evenings get chilly!
Things to Do
- 5th and Lincoln - 9th and Lincoln for the best shopping.
- Fish Creek Falls - great little hiking trails and beautiful waterfall $5/car before 4 p.m.
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Fish Creek Falls |
- Strawberry Park Hot Springs - $12/adult $7/teens (17 & under) - this is located 25 minutes outside of Steamboat. The park includes a spa, small concession, clean bathrooms, changing rooms, and 6 different temperature pools. The majority of the pools are about the same temperature as bathwater, with one steaming hot pool and one ice cold pool. I wouldn't have minded having some water shoes to walk in like these. The ground can be slippery and the rock gets very hot walking back and forth to different pools. Wear your swimsuit, bring water and bring a towel.
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Hot Springs |
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Hot Springs |
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Hot Springs |
- If you're already downtown in the afternoon, take a walk down by the river. Start at the Bud Werner Memorial Library located at 13th and Lincoln. We went down there to watch tubers, rafts and people swim in the drop off on the yampa river. TIP- MOSQUITOES ARE BAD BY THE RIVER. BRING BUG SPRAY.
- Yampa River Botanical Gardens - the botanical gardens was beautiful. When you park, take the sidewalk across the soccer field and you will come to the gate. We went in the evening and got eaten up by mosquitoes. I would recommend going in the morning or early afternoon. Its a beautiful walk through the garden and free!
- Horseback Riding - One of the days we wanted to go horseback riding. We researched prices and called for information on several different places. We ended up going to Del's 3 Triangle Ranch. For a 2 hour ride on the mountain side, it was $85. We saved $5/person for paying cash. The owner, Ray Heid, is the nicest little old man. Everyone at the ranch was very nice and accommodating. Ray and Michelle took us on a 2 hour ride on the side of Sand Mountain. We saw a ton of wild life and the horses were great. They were very well behaved. Michelle was very informative and helpful on places we should visit. We were able to have a nice conversation with her and Ray during the ride. Ray had many stories to tell about his younger days. He is an interesting man. He was in the 1960 Olympics for ski jumping and he was in the Olympics again for coaching on the Alpine Olympic training team in 1964.
- The Gondola. Take the Gondola up to the top of Mt. Werner. Tickets are $22/ adult (13yrs+). This was very pricey but after we paid, of course, we found a coupon for $5 each ticket. The coupon book was located inside the booth where you pay for your ticket on the right hand side. We took the Gondola up in the morning and hiked 3-4 hours. Take a water bottle up there and any snacks you may want. There is a restaurant located at the top but, like everything else, it's very expensive. We hike about 5 miles that morning. We took the Vista Trail and the Duster trail. I would recommend going up as early as you can before it gets hot.
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The Gondola |
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Top of Mt. Werner |
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Hiking Trail on Mt. Werner |
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Mt. Werner |
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Waterfall on hiking trail on Mt. Werner |
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Mt. Werner |
Restaurants
I cannot stress enough that unless your stomach is a bottomless pit, share an entree! Your wallet and your tummy will be happy. I promise.
- Ciao Gelato
- Tap House - similar to Chili's/Applebees/Sports bar
- Smokehouse Bar B Que - about $12 an entree, my sister and I shared a brisket sandwich and we were both full after splitting it.
- Carl's - upscale bar & grill - great happy hour w/ 50 cent wings (we ordered 16 for a family of 4 and we were full! The wings aren't small!)
- Slopeside Bar and Grill - Late night happy hour - $8 pizza and $3 drafts after 10 p.m.
- Fiesta Jalisco - Great Mexican food. Fajitas are great, very onion-y but my mom and I shared and we each ate 2.
- Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill - we did not make it here, unfortunately, but all the locals said that their happy hour from 4 - 5:30 is great with $1 tapas (small plates).
- Mazzola's Italian Resturant - another one we didn't make it too but we were recommended by two servers.