Day Trips

Boasting countless views and things to do, the areas surrounding Granby are definitely worth exploring. Nearby mountain towns offer plenty of shopping and recreation for the whole family. Here are some great places to check out while staying in Granby, making for quick but rewarding day trips.

Winter Park

Just a 30 minute drive from Granby is Winter Park, a friendly resort town packed with outdoor activities and unique events year-round. Head to Winter Park Resort and ride the gondola (in winter or summer) to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for big mountain skiing or snowboarding, the resort is the perfect place to play. In the summer, it also offers hiking and a downhill bike park.

Also make sure to check out downtown Winter Park, where you can dine, shop, and explore local businesses, including clothing, art, jewelry, outdoor equipment, hand-crafted furniture, and a wide assortment of gifts and souvenirs. In the summer, the area is a hub for concerts, beer and wine festivals, and other events.

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is about an hour and a half west of Granby and is a fantastic place to visit year-round. When you arrive, take a ride on a gondola or walk around The Village at the base of the ski resort. Skiing and snowboarding are must-do winter activities while world-class mountain biking is popular in the summer. 

Head to downtown Steamboat Springs to experience a variety of shops, restaurants, and an excellent farmer’s market in the summer. You can even rent innertubes and take a float down the Yampa River from just beyond Main Street. Steamboat Springs is also known for its hot springs with two resorts nearby, Old Town and Strawberry Park. Both are  popular options for a day of peaceful mineral water soaking. 

Outlets in Silverthorne

If you are looking for a city-vibe high in the Rockies, be sure to check out the Outlets in Silverthorne. Located about an hour and 15 minute drive southwest of Granby, the drive to Silverthorne is very scenic and offers many opportunities for recreation along the way. The Outlets consist of three separate villages for all of your shopping and restaurant needs. There is a wide variety of stores offering special discounts and deals, making it easy to find something for everyone.

If you don’t plan on shopping, enjoy the scenery all around this pedestrian-friendly area, or check out the Blue River—you can even fly fish! Lake Dillon is also nearby and offers boating and sailing, as well as a paved 18.4 mile trail around the entire lake, perfect for walking or biking.

Estes Park via Trail Ridge Road

Estes Park is a picturesque mountain town nestled on the other side of the Rockies from Granby. Normally a 3-hour drive, in the summer you can get there in under 2 hours via Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in America that winds through Rocky Mountain National Park. There are plenty of sights to see, trails to hike, and high alpine lakes to explore along Trail Ridge Road, which crests at over 12,000 feet above sea level.

Once you get to Estes Park, you’ll find plenty of shopping options and the opportunity to dine at many locally-owned restaurants. Take a stroll downtown and stop in at one of the many famous candy stores to get your sugar fix. Also be sure to check out The Stanley Hotel, the inspiration behind the book The Shining—you can even take a haunted tour of the property!

Be aware the Trail Ridge Road is only open in the warmer months, so make sure to call the Trail Ridge Road Status Line to see if it’s open: (970) 586-1222.