Blog

Read Below as we Visit Estes Park And The Stanley Hotel.

When we started our travels to Rocky Mountain National Park, we heard how beautiful Estes Park was, so we wanted to see it for ourselves!!  Also, when we found out The Stanley Hotel was in Estes Park, we had to stop in!

The Stanley Hotel

You ask, “What is The Stanley Hotel?”  Well we thought it was where the movie, “The Shining” was filmed.  The hotel has a gift shop inside, which is used to promote the movie.

If the movie was filmed there we wanted to see it, since we were passing through, why not?  That’s why we wanted to go.  We did go and our experience was very interesting!!  However, “The Shining” was not filmed at The Stanley Hotel.

Steven King did stay at The Stanley Hotel,  he stayed in room 217.  The hotel does have meaning to Steven King.  His stay did inspire the writing of the Novel, “The Shining.”

The Shining Movie

It has been reported that Steven King had a bad dream during his night stay and when he awoke, he penned the bones to the novel.  The inside of the hotel did have some resemblance to the movie.

I actually watched the movie the other night to have another look before writing this blog.  The outside of the Hotel looks completely different and  come to find out,  The Stanley is not the same hotel front.

The hotel front is of the Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood, Oregon.  The inside was assembled in a studio in England.  So the only real connection to the hotel is the inspiration for the Novel.  But, The Stanley Hotel is known for paranormal activities.  The hotel has also been featured on both Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures.

Since the movie adaptation differed from the novel significantly in many ways in 1997, a tv series named, “The Shining” was produced with The Stanley Hotel being the primary filming location.

So there was some production of “The Shining” at The Stanley Hotel.  “A playhouse version of the main building which adorned the lawn of the Overlook Hotel in the series can be viewed in the basement of the Stanley.”  (Wikipedia)

In 2015, the area in front of the hotel was adorned with a hedge maze to bring a connection between the hotel and the movie.

I’m so glad we got to see the hotel even though the movie wasn’t filmed there! I didn’t know anything about the hotel and the movie connection before we planned our trip to Colorado.  The hotel still was the muse for Steven Kings Novel and that’s enough for us!!

Exploring Beautiful Estes Park

Estes Park is an absolutely beautiful town in Colorado.  Estes Park is where the headquarters of Rocky Mountain National Park is located and it is also a very popular summer resort town.

However, do not just think of Estes Park for a Summer visit but for all four seasons.  Estes Park offers something for everyone all four seasons of the year!Estes Park resides next to the Big Thompson River, overlooks Lake Estes and Olympus Dam.

When we were at Estes Park, the Elk had come down from the mountain.  As the weather gets cooler, the Elk travel down to a warmer climate.  The Elk were grazing around Lake Estes.  What beautiful animals they are!!

Things To Do In Estes Park

There are the many thing to do in Estes park, including camping, hiking, biking, boating, rafting, skiing, and shopping.  Estes Park also offers an Ariel Tram, amusement park, wildlife viewing, tours, museums and  beautiful scenic drives.

“With all its adventures and amenities, including the bench-lined Riverwalk and charming sculpture garden, it’s no wonder that Estes Park repeatedly earns recognition as a top destination. It has earned awards from TripAdvisor, Colorado Parent, the Weather Channel and many Colorado newspapers. After all, it boasts a strong history-and present-of hosting visitors with an authentic easiness that’s congruent with a dream getaway to Rocky Mountain paradise.”  (visitestespark.com)

If you ever have the opportunity, Estes Park is a great place to visit!!  While visiting beautiful Estes Park, do not forget to visit The Stanley Hotel as well.  We know you will be most impressed and happy that you made the visit!!

Happy Travels!

For more informative travel blogs, click the links below:

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2018/10/29/6-wonderful-places-to-visit-on-the-palisades-co-wine-trail/

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2018/10/18/the-breathtaking-views-at-the-rocky-mountain-national-park/