Top off Those Shopping Bags
What better time to fill up the shopping bags than when the guys are out of sight? Shopping is key on most any girlfriend getaway. From local bookstores, tasty cookie shops, unique art and even a year around Christmas shop, here are some suggestions to set your shopping gears in motion.
Its Christmas year around at the Spruce Shop where shoppers can find all things Christmas 12 months out of the year.
1. Spruce Shop
What beats 12 days of Christmas? How about 12 months of Christmas? This is exactly what you will find at the Spruce Shop. For more than 40 years, the store has sold all things Christmas inside a century-old cottage open year around. You will find ornaments, collectibles and seasonal decorations that will bring the Christmas spirit to any home.
125 Spruce Drive, 970.586.8510
2.The Art Center of Estes Park
There is always new art to be seen at The Art Center of Estes Park. Changing exhibits keep visitors coming back to see the wide variety of local and regional art, including paintings, sculpture, photography, textiles, glass work, and wood carvings. If you are not in the market to purchase art, consider taking a class. Workshops include oil painting, sketching, stained glass, and jewelry-making. Cost is usually in the $50-to-$100 range.
The Art Center of Estes Park
517 Big Thompson Ave., 970.586.5882
3. Macdonald Book Shop does everything a good bookshop should do – which is a lot more than sell books. The store, nestled inside a log cabin, is a book lovers dream. The friendly staff will make excellent recommendations you can save for later or dive right into in one of the many book nooks. Swoop up either a mainstream novel or choose from books signature to Estes Park highlighting hiking guides, edible Rocky Mountain plants or abandoned ghost towns.
Macdonald Book Shop
152 East Elkhorn, 970.586.3450
https://www.macdonaldbookshop.com/
4. Grandma’s Mountain Cookies of Estes Park
Grandma Barb will not only greet you with a variety of warm cookies, but also a smile that takes the edge off winter. Cookie lovers don’t come in just for flavors like oatmeal butterscotch or the cookie sandwiches overflowing with butterscotch filling, either. The store owner, who introduced herself as Grandma Barb, strikes up a conversation with all visitors. She also sells day old cookies with all the profits benefiting an autism foundation. The walls are decorated with pictures from 11 years worth of customers. “I see kids at the mall and say come on up! Grandma wants your picture!” You may even spot some of her 17 grandchildren and 6 grandkids on the wall with a warm cookie in hand.
217 West Elkhorn, 970.577.0967
https://www.grandmasmountaincookies.com/
Order up pizza at family owned Chicago’s Best in Estes Park
5.Chicago’s Best Pizza
Thin or Thick? If you prefer the latter Chicago’s Best Pizza is calling your name! The menu serves up all the classic flavors and also some out of the norm styles, including the hot wing chicken and the white pizza served with Alfredo sauce, chicken and veggies. You can order up a whole pie or just a slice to chow down on in the casual atmosphere among locals and out-of-town guests. If you come in at prime lunch or dinner hours, be prepared to wait, but it will be well worth it! The family owned pizza and sandwich shop sits right off Elkhorn Avenue.
Chicago’s Best Pizza
112 West Elkhorn Avenue, 970.586.4796
