When you take time to pick just the right place to enjoy a fantastic getaway, you don’t need long to reap the many travel rewards that await. While an extended stay in a destination like scenic Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is sure to inspire in any season, a day trip here can be just as unforgettable for visitors. Sitting in the heart of the stunning Colorado Rockies, plan a stay in Steamboat Springs, a sensational mountain town that’s loved by travelers from near and far. Whether you’re making your way in this direction in the wintertime to enjoy the fresh powder on the slopes, or you’re excited to check out the local hot springs for yourself when you have 24 hours to spare, it’s an experience that stays with you long after your day trip has come to an end.
At Elevated Properties, we believe that a day trip this way is exactly the revitalizing adventure you need and deserve. When you’re in town for the day, we’re more than happy to help you take your getaway to the next level of excellence by offering you access to our world-class rentals packed with amazing amenities!
Visit Steamboat Springs as Early as Possible to Maximize the Fun
No matter when you decide to enjoy a much-needed day trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, you’ll want to make sure to plan out your day so you can get the fun and thrills underway as soon as possible. For those who are traveling in from Denver, you’ll need to set aside around 3 hours of drive time, depending on traffic conditions. Steamboat Springs is situated 156 miles west and can be reached following I-70W and US-40W. The drive in is certainly scenic, so if you’re an early bird, you could pair your arrival time with a sunrise over the mountains. If you’re someone who likes to rest up before a day of fun, consider booking your stay through Elevated Properties and check in the night before so you can get a head start on the day in Steamboat Springs without the drive included.
Treat Yourself to Breakfast at Creekside Café & Grill
Whether you’re looking forward to taking your day trip to Steamboat Springs at a more leisurely pace, or you’re excited to add as much to your itinerary as possible, you deserve to begin the experience on a flavorful note. Doing that means starting things out at Creekside Café & Grill located at 131 11th Street. This inviting and beloved local café is a top-rated breakfast stop in the area that opens the doors at 7:00 am daily and remains open until 2:00 pm. It’s the perfect place to indulge is a cozy and palate-pleasing breakfast experience alongside family and friends, and if you pick a place on the open air patio, you can match your first meal of the day with a great creek view too! Homemade fare and local ingredients define the breakfast experience at the Creekside Café & Grill, where the morning menu hosts everything from eggs and brisket biscuits to waffles, croissants, omelets, pancakes, breakfast burritos, and so much more! The adults in your group are more than welcome to match their plate with a mouthwatering mimosa upon request, but this is also a stop where you’ll find great juice, coffee, and tea options on the menu too.
Hike Your Way to Fish Creek Falls in the Warm Weather Months of the Year
If you find yourself in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for the day in the warm weather months of the year, the ideal follow-up activity to your breakfast is a hike to Fish Creek Falls. Once you’ve fueled up well for the fun ahead, it’s time to lace up those hiking boots, gather your fellow travelers, and get ready for an impressive adventure in nature. Steamboat Springs is a place on the map that’s long been loved for its amazing natural views, and your trip to Fish Creek Falls promises to be a testament to that reputation for excellence. This is often considered one of the most iconic stops in the area with good reason, and it’s great whether you’re in town for the day on your own, as a couple or spending time with family and friends.
When you set out to hike your way to Fish Creek Falls, you’ll be pursuing time admiring a 283-foot waterfall that’s found not far at all from downtown Steamboat Springs. Here, the water cascades over Fish Creek Canyon year-round, with springtime being especially impressive thanks to runoff from frozen winter ice in the area.
When you head out on this adventure, you can pick and choose from a variety of trail options to fit your skill level and preferences. The Overlook Trail is rated easy and is just .25 from trailhead to the falls. It’s designed as a paved path that winds its wave directly to the scenic overlook, making your journey as seamless as possible. You can also choose to explore the trail that runs along the base of the lower falls which is also .25 miles total and rated as an easy trek. The difference is that this route includes a bridge crossing to make the most of the waterfall vistas ahead. The Upper Fish Creek Falls Trail extends your hike to around 2.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet included in the journey. It’s a moderately difficult route to enjoy if you’re looking to pair your views with a challenge and includes gorgeous forested surroundings to indulge in as you hike. No matter what route you select, be sure to have your camera on hand because you’re going to want to capture those beautiful moments in nature along the way.
The physical address for the Fish Creek Falls trailhead is 34165 Fish Creek Falls Road, and you can reach it from Lincoln Avenue which connects with 3rd Street. If you’re driving in, do keep in mind that there’s a $5 parking fee per vehicle in this area and you’ll want to pack sturdy shoes, water, snacks, and plenty of sunscreen to make the most of the fun.
Explore the Local Yampa River Botanic Park
Once you’ve had time to admire the falls, it’s time to make your way to the Yampa River Botanic Park in town where you can slow things down and unwind at your own pace for a while. You’ll find the Yampa River Botanic Park located at 1000 Pamela Lane and it’s open to the public May through October. There’s no cost to visit, but you will want to bring your appreciation for beautiful views with you to this 6-acre retreat that’s loved for its serene vibes.
The Yampa River Botanic Park boasts no less than 60 themed gardens on-site showcasing gorgeous florals and foliage that are native to the Yampa River Basin. As you wander along the trails, you’ll find benches to settle in on, gorgeous sculptures to admire, and fun water features too. The gardens come with educational labels in place so you can learn more about what you’re admiring along the way, and if you’re lucky enough to drop by in the summertime, you might just find that your day trip aligns with one of the weekly guided mediation sessions or yoga classes hosted here. There’s also a summer concert series held at the Yampa River Botanic Park, making it a place you might just want to return to in the evening after dinner for added fun and entertainment.
Dine in Vibrant Style at Salt & Lime
By this time in the day, there’s a good chance that cravings are calling once again. When you have an afternoon appetite to attend to, head over to Salt & Lime at 628 Lincoln Avenue. This is an upbeat eatery in town where you can count on enjoying authentic Mexican fare at its best. While the experience promises to be flavorful here no matter where you settle in, there’s something truly refreshing about a place on the rooftop patio. Salt & Lime always has great lunch specials on the menu for patrons to enjoy, but whether you go with the quesadillas, tacos, casita bowls, or a burrito, you’ll want to make sure you pair that with a house margarita that promises to delight the taste buds.
Shop Your Way to Great Moments Downtown
Your lunch enjoyed at Salt & Lime puts you within easy reach of downtown shopping fun. This is the perfect follow up to your meal when you’re the type of day tripper who enjoys commemorating new places with a fun souvenir or two! Downtown Steamboat Springs is a fantastic place for those with a passion for historic architecture, and a love for Western heritage. It’s also where you can spend quality time popping in and out of unique boutiques selling everything from cowboy boots and hats to keychains, women’s apparel, jewelry, handcrafted art, home décor, and more.
Treat Yourself to Relaxing Time at Old Town Hot Springs
Your day trip to Steamboat Springs won’t entirely feel complete until you’ve taken time to unwind in the historic Old Tonw Hot Springs while you’re here. Located at 136 Lincoln Avenue, Old Town Hot Springs is a place where healing waters have been working their restorative wonders on locals and visitors alike to the area for well over 100 years.
Old Town Hot Springs offers its guests access to multiple on-site pools fit for soaking in naturally fed spring waters during a visit. Of course, if you’re heading this way with kids included in your group on your next day trip, you’ll love that this destination is set up with water slides for little ones as well! There are also lap pools to check out if you’re hoping to include some quality exercise into your day of fun, and the full fitness center on-site is accessible to guests as well. Guests at Old Town Hot Springs are often impressed to learn that the pools fed by mineral-rich waters here are filled by the ground at about 300 gallons per minute. You’ll have options to check out eight different soaking pools during your stay, giving you plenty to look forward to enjoying no matter when you arrive.
The Old Town Hot Springs is typically open weekdays between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm as well as on weekends between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm. While you don’t need a reservation to visit, you might want to bump this activity to earlier in the day if you’re heading to Steamboat Springs during a peak travel season when there are more tourists to contend with.
Enjoy Dinner in Your Luxury Rental Booked Through Elevated Properties
The very best way to end your day of day tripping fun in Steamboat Springs is from the comfort and rental of your luxury retreat booked through Elevated Properties. Whether you stay in Steamboat Springs in a rental condo at Bear Claw that defines casual mountain elegance, or you choose to indulge in the ultimate standards of luxury at our Edgemont Community, you’ll enjoy access to a gorgeous, spacious and inviting home-away-from-home that’s part of our preferred mountain collection.
Each of our rental properties is designed with a full kitchen, making it simple to end your day with a delicious home-style meal. This can be enjoyed at a formal dining room table indoors, or outside on a furnished balcony, giving you options to pair your plate with mountain views and stargazing. In addition to the luxury of a spacious condo to enjoy, our guests have access to our heated pools and whirlpools as well as a fitness center, fire pits, a parking garage, and a private lounge as well.
