Winter Park is a small town with the soul of a big city and the heart of country burg and yet it is also a tourist hot spot, attracting visitors from all over the world. Welcoming travelers with a big smile and with open arms, there is always something to see, something to do, and of course, as we have already discovered, something delicious to eat! This guide to the top five best things to do in Winter Park for tourists will ensure that your stay with us will be exciting and filled with adventure from your first minutes that you walk in the door until it is time to board the plane and head back to your hometown once again.
Cozens Ranch House Museum, 77849 US-40
History books would have been a lot more interesting if they had come with actual artifacts and exhibits, but since they do not, places like Cozens Ranch House Museum will just have to do! Offering a peek into the early days of western life, you will learn about the stagecoaches that traveled through the valley, the homesteaders who struggled to make a good life for their families under harsh conditions, and how laws were made and broken here; William Zane Cozens was once a sheriff in nearby Central City. The wild west was a bit milder in Winter Park, but it still existed, and the Ranch House Museum paints a picture of it all!
Snow Mountain Stables, 1101 County Road 53 in Granby
One lingering part of the wild west is our love of horses, and if you’re looking for what to do in Winter Park, CO to get the thrill of your lifetime, a trail ride offered from Snow Mountain Stables is the best way to do so! Offering trail, wagon, and in the winter, sleigh rides, the beauty of the natural landscape seems even more beautiful when viewed from the back of a gentle steed. Fun for travelers of nearly all ages, Snow Mountain even offers lead driven pony rides for the littlest of travelers. Trail rides last an hour or two, depending on which package you purchase, and begin with lessons to ensure that everyone knows how to ride. Kids 8 and over can join in the fun on a trail ride and in the winter, if you participate in a wagon or sleigh ride, there are no age limits.
Mountain Bike Capital USA
The most popular summer activity in Winter Park is probably not something you were expecting. Known as the Mountain Bike Capital, there are over 600 miles of trails that are just waiting for you to climb on your mountain bike and ride! Since you more than likely won’t be able to fit your own mountain bike in your carry-on, Trestle Bikes at Winter Park Village has bikes, equipment, and helpful and knowledgeable staff ready to help you find your favorite ride. The Trestle Bike Park offers a variety of trails, including one called the cruel and unusual which is usually a favorite of the thrill seekers in your family. For those who prefer a little bit less effort in their ride, Confluence Park, offers hiking paths and easy biking trails.
Fishing in Winter Park
Colorado is a state known for its outdoor sports, and Winter Park is a popular destination for fishermen and women coming in from all over the world looking for the best things to do in Winter Park. Trout is the catch of the day in our mountain village, and with over 1000 miles of streams and rivers, even more lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, there is no shortage of places to drop a line! Fishing poles break down and can be packed in your checked luggage, but if you didn’t get a chance to bring your own gear, Mo Henry’s Trout Shop has everything you need for a day of fishing in the great outdoors. And when you want to catch a lot of fish, Fraser River, a tributary of the Colorado River, is the best place in the region offering trout that can range from 12 to 20 inches in size, guaranteeing that there will be plenty of fish to enjoy for your night’s dinner!
Winter Park Resort, 85 Parsenn Road
Of course, the number one hot spot in Winter Park is named after the town we live in, the Winter Park Resort. Offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter, hiking and biking in the summer months, and a beautiful adventure every day of the year! Ride the gondola to the top, enjoying breathtaking views and sunset happy hours and fly down the mountain on the alpine slide in the summertime and in the winter? Spend the day on the slopes, early evening enjoying après ski, and the nights relaxing comfortably in one of our Winter Park Escapes winter sanctuaries. There is no limit to the fun you can have on the mountain, and no end to the comforts you will find with us; reserve your stay today!