Golden to Estes Park, via the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Open from 7 a.m. daily, the Golden Diner is a no-fuss, no-frills, All-American sort of breakfast restaurant with a menu to match. There's plenty of delicious eats along the route today, so keep it light, if you'd like. But also don't resist if the buttermilk donut holes are calling, or you're curious to try a Colorado-style breakfast burrito — scrambled eggs, potatoes, breakfast meats, and cheese — here served smothered with the diner's pork green chili. Accompanied by (more) hash browns and toast, the Mountain Man Breakfast Burrito is easily large enough for two to split.

Departing Golden, you'll quickly start climbing into the Rockies via US Hwy 6, which, like the famous "Route 66," is an older transcontinental US highway that's invariably more interesting a road to drive than the major interstate freeways that crisscross the US today.
This particular stretch of highway more or less runs side by side to Clear Creek, a popular recreation site for hiking, kayaking, fishing, climbing, birding, and other outdoor activities. If you feel like it, pull off at one of the roadside turnouts for a closer look at the creek and surrounding landscapes.

On your way deeper into the mountains, today's drive passes through historic Black Hawk, a mining town founded in 1859 that is today a popular casino getaway for Denver Metro Area residents. A short detour to the "Welcome to Central City" sign rewards with views overlooking the adjacent mining town of Central City (also founded in 1859), which was such a major trading hub for local gold camps that it was once known as "The Richest Square Mile on Earth."

If Black Hawk and Central City are time capsules to the past, Nederland is one of Colorado's most eclectic mountain towns, full of unexpected whimsy and character. Case in point: Park in this small shopping plaza and head for the hexagonal-shaped building, where you'll find nothing less than a restored and fully operational early 20th carousel, outfitted with a colorful menagerie of hand-carved wooden animals. (Operating hours for the Carousel of Happiness and these other small businesses vary seasonally.)
Next door, the collection of vintage train cars are actually home to a coffee shop and small cafe — and a welcome respite from any inclement weather. A couple of other small shops in the vicinity worth popping into, if you're inclined, include the Mountain Man Outdoor Store for any necessary (or just for fun) mountain apparel needs, from ultra-warm socks and winter hats to flannel shirts and souvenir tees. And the local go-to for an ice cream treat is Blue Owl Books & Boutique, just across the street — just don't spoil your appetite for lunch.

While Nederland has other restaurants and cafes that are open for lunch, there's something so distinctly Coloradoan about the experience at Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery — saddling up to picnic tables on one of Colorado's many famous bluebird sky days, no matter the season, working your way around a sampler of house brews. Of course, there's indoor seating, too — but then you're missing out on those mountain views.
On the menu, extremely sharable American classics, including baskets of house smoked chicken wings — a totally different take than when wings are fried — loaded nachos, and platters of house smoked 'cue, which includes St. Louis-style ribs, brisket, pork, turkey, and smoked tofu.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Departing Nederland, a small byway sign announces you've entered what's known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway — a 55-mile stretch of highway through protected wilderness areas and national forest that leads to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Opened in 1918 to make Estes Park more accessible to visitors (with plenty of benefits to year-round mountain residents, too) the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway has long been a traveler's route; it's also Colorado's oldest such byway and a very popular route to take in the fall foliage.
Blink and you might almost miss the tiny mountain towns and scenic overlooks along the way, and don't hesitate to pull over if a view or a roadside stop catches your attention. During the summer months into the fall, there's a lot more activity in towns such as Wards and Allenspark, but even in the winter months, certain local gems still open on the weekends.

Housed in a historic log structure right on the scenic byway in downtown Allenspark, the The Old Gallery is a community gathering place that always has local maps, snacks, water, and restrooms for visitors, as well as an outpost of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store, and a dedicated gallery space for local art exhibits, as well. Hours vary greatly by season, but at the minimum, the space opens its doors to visitors on the weekends year round.
Opening Hours: Memorial Day (last weekend in May) – Mid October: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily Otherwise, Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

After the better portion of a day on the road (and some decent milage covered), a great first stop upon arrival at today's overnight destination is the Estes Park Visitor Center, to get your bearings about this mountain resort town that's hosted guests since the late 19th Century. This is also the place to pick up any maps or reading on Rocky Mountain National Park in advance of tomorrow's drive and ask any specific questions. There also just so happens to be free EV parking at the Visitor's Center, as well.
Type: CCS 4 Stations, 4 Plugs Power: 62 kW
Tip: Before driving away, head to the top floor of the parking garage structure for some pretty fantastic views of the surrounding mountains; see if you can spot a large white structure set somewhat apart on a hilltop — that's your first glimpse of the Stanley Hotel.

Fried chicken and cold beer are about as all-American a combination there ever was, and just so happens to be the speciality of the house at The Post Chicken & Beer, the Estes Park location of a popular Denver-area restaurant and brewery micro-chain.
But there's more to the menu than piping hot baskets of fried chicken and boatloads of sides, which include cheddar biscuits, deli slaw, buttermilk waffles (one of fried chicken's other best friends), mac n' cheese, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and kale and quinoa, and seasoned fries.
There are also sandwiches and entrees such as "Not Your Mom's Meatloaf" and a blackened Mahi served with quinoa pilaf and an herb pesto aioli, a whole "greens and grains" section for healthy fare, and some surprisingly sophisticated starters for a fried chicken joint—garlic mojo baked oysters, deviled eggs, or hot curried shrimp toast, anyone?
Not feeling like fried chicken? Head directly to check-in at the Stanley Hotel and make reservations for Cascades Restaurant & Lounge onsite, which has more of a steakhouse-style menu in a historic dining room with scenic views.

If arriving at the Stanley Hotel has you doing a double-take — like there's something oddly familiar about its white facade and red roof lines — that's because the hotel has quite a (notorious) claim to fame. Not only did a stay at the historic 1909 hotel inspire author Stephen King to write The Shining, the subsequent 1980 film starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Stanley Kubrick was also filmed here.
Given not every guest has predilections for staying in a hotel that's very certainly haunted, the Stanley Hotel has in its more recent history has expanded its accommodations on its sprawling property to include much more contemporary options, including modern suites, condos, and boutique hotel accommodations. Take some time this evening to explore the historic property, which is practically a museum itself. Wind down with an evening cocktail or a dram of at the elegant Whiskey Bar, just keep in mind, tomorrow's going to be an early start.
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