Estes Park candy and ice cream shops call out from every corner. Really. Well, not really, since most of these shops aren't located on corners. It would be more accurate to say that every five or six shops or so, you run into another of Estes Parks' ice cream and candy establishments. The bit about the corners just sounded good. : )
Caramel Corn 144 E Elkhorn, (970) 577-1216, $ Well caramel corn, of course! Plus other sweets for the sweet.
Caramel Crisp 108 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-9927, $ Ditto the above.
The Chocolate Drop 1751 N Lake Ave., (970) 586-2194, $ My favorite chocolate in Estes Park, and I am a serious chocolate snob, as evidenced by my chocolate website. Alas, they have closed their downtown location! *sniff sniff* You can call and place an order, however. I especially like the chocolate covered strawberries, the truffles, and the coconut haystacks.
Dairy Queen 218 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-4939, $ Ice cream treats plus an assortment of fast food.
Danish Cone Factory 191 W Elkhorn, (970) 586-8624, $ Freshly made waffle cones and a bazillion flavors of ice cream. Need I say more?
Estes Park Times & Old Fashioned Candy 102 W Elkhorn, (970) 586-3623, $ Old fashioned candy shop where you can get your face plastered on an "antique" newspaper.
Grandma's Mountain Cookies 217 W Elkhorn, (970) 577-0967, $ They make big ol' cookies. They're good, but not outstanding. Then again, I am kinda picky about cookies. I have friends that are completely addicted to Grandma's cookies. And you can buy 'em online.
Haley's Fudge 102 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-4207, $ The fudge shop formerly known as Fudgeworks. Fudge and candy, what's not to like?
Laura's Fudge 129 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-4004, $ Laura's creates delicious fudge, candies, and much-loved candy apples. Everything is created fresh on-site.
The Malt Shop 125 Moraine Ave., (970) 586-3542, $ An ice cream lover's paradise with yummy shakes, malts, and more.
Munchin House 130 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-8483, $ Homemade ice cream, coffee, caramel corn, candy, sugar, sugar, sugar, yum!
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory 517 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 586-6601, $ I tend not to like chocolates that are mass produced and then trucked to locations such as this one. Then again, I am a chocolate snob. Lots of people really like Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Shakes Alive! Fruit Shakes 513 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 577-7007, $ Tasty smoothies and fruit shakes made to order. Lots and lots of flavors to choose from and the owners are super-friendly. Some small sandwich items too.
The Taffy Shop 121 W. Elkhorn, (970) 586-4548, $ If you like taffy, stop here for a gazillion flavors. Sometimes they have the taffy machine going in the window; it's fun to watch.
My favorite? That would have to be The Chocolate Drop, because I am a chocolate snob (I am even proprietor of this very fine chocolate information website). The Chocolate Drop makes all of their chocolates on-site, and they use only high-quality ingredients. I've never tastes anything I didn't like there!
If you are a caramel apple fan, try Laura's Fudge. Smoothie lovers should try Shakes Alive!, and shake and malt lovers should check out The Malt Shop. You really can't go wrong at any one of these places... it's hard to make sugar taste bad!
