Suggestions needed! (Colorado Springs, Loveland, Georgetown: where to stay, ski resort, motel)

[randtbrown]

We are planning a visit to CO for a scope out visit to see if we think we can really see ourselves living there. We will be in town 11/19-11/25. We have somewhere to stay in CS the first part of the trip, but we would like to take Thursday (thanksgiving) and Friday nights to vacation and just enjoy ourselves. We'd love to be in the mountains- somewhere where we know there will be snow on the ground. We aren't going to ski- so that isn't important. We are traveling with a 10month old baby- so our actual activities are a little limited. We just want somewhere we can wake up to something beautiful. BUT we are on a budget. So the major ski resort areas aren't an option (and the huge crowds really don't appeal to us anyway).

Also, we have to be back to the airport in DEN on saturday by 4:30pm for a 7:50pm flight (leaving room to turn in the car). So we can't get TOO far away I suppose.

Does anyone have a suggestion? Maybe a "secret" spot? Doesn't have to be exceptionally high class- we like to rough it- just has to be safe for baby.

I'm going to post this in several places hoping to get more answers.......

THANKS SO MUCH!

[2bindenver]

i'd go to estes park.

[SouthDenverGuy]

Two choices I think:
Go to Georgetown out I-70. visit the old mining town, then go up and over Guanella Pass (runs out of town). Have a picnic at the top - there should be snow up there, views pretty.
Second and better, would be to drive to Eisenhower Tunnel (about 75 miles) get off before and take Hwy 6 up to Loveland Pass, about 11,200 ft. The drive up and the views are spectacular and you will be on the backbone of the Continental Divide. There are parking areas, have a picnic and take photos....then go home, pack up and move here, like I did after a similar trip to Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak 10 yrs ago!

[SouthDenverGuy]

...or get a motel room in Georgetown or Idaho springs and do both!