meetntaters

Greetings!

Wife and 8 year-old are looking for a great place to explore, relax and celebrate life for a few days in mid-September. We've been to Estes Park and absolutely LOVED it! The wildlife was amazing as was the natural beauty of the area.
This time, however we are hoping to find something similar to that in either Breckenridge or Vail. We have never been to either places, but have been to Park City, UT during this time of the year and enjoyed the quaint town while enjoying the resort parks, other amenities, etc.

In order of importance:
1. Wildlife, nature
2. Resort Amenities (pool!)
3. $200-250/nt.

Thanks Fodor's Community!

fmpden

Breck would be very similar to Park City but flat. It is an old mining town with a fair amount of activity but by Sep thing be winding down. Also similar to Estes Park. Vail is a ski resort strung along I-70. The general sitting is not as nice but a lot to do there also.

sf7307

I've been to both in both summer and winter and I'd pick Breck just because I love the town itself (as opposed to the ski village that is Vail, which I also really like, but for what it is, a ski resort, which isn't as great as a summer destination as it is as a winter destination). FWIW, we are renting a place for the summer at a ski resort in California, the difference here being that the ski village is unto itself, and much of the older part of the resort is "in the woods", so I'm looking out at the tree-covered mountains right now....but I'd still like to be able to just walk at the door and be in downtown Truckee, which is more like Breck, but I can't, we have to drive 15 minutes to get there)

meetntaters

Thanks for the replies, Aspen is also under consideration but from initial looks of things, it's closer to Vail then Breck, correct?

sf7307

Vail and Breck are sort of near each other. Aspen is farther from Denver than both, and about equi-distant from Breck and Vail.

sylvia3

Aspen to Vail is 100 miles, Vail to Breckenridge another 40 miles.
I suggest Winter Park: scenery, good fall prices on the resorts there, and lots of activities.plus, it's a short way to Grand Lake and the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Also 30 miles from Hot Sulphur Springs.

Tabernash2

I second the idea of Winter Park and Grand Lake. It's open country, and less developed than Vail or Breck.

Look at Devil's Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, CO. It's between Winter Park and Granby. We have lots of experience there, and love it.

In September, there will be good prices. Get on their e-mail list for specials.
Your 8-year old will love the animals they raise there. Great spa, too, pool, hiking, zip lining, and gorgeous scenery. Really good food, too.