Estes Park Movie Theaters

There are two Estes Park movie theaters, both of which are proudly independent of any theater conglomerates. Hooray Estes Park!

Reel Mountain Theater
543 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 586-4227

The larger theater is the Reel Mountain Theater, also known as the Stanley Village Cinema. It has three screens and is open year round. The Reel Mountain Theater does a good job of showing a variety of films, including some indies, and they sometimes have special events like free matinees and family movies. Check their website for special events and discounts. Theater rentals are available.

The Historic Park Theatre
130 Moraine Ave., (970) 586-8904

The other of the Estes Park movie theaters, The Park Theatre, is distinctive for several reasons - one, it is the oldest operating motion picture theater west of the Mississippi. Two, its impressive, eighty foot tower dominates downtown Estes Park. Three, it's haunted.

Any movie buff ought to do themselves a favor by catching a movie at the Park Theatre. It's a gorgeous, slightly funky building with a unique projection system and an antique projector on display. It's haunted by former owner and projectionist, Ralph Gwynn, who built the tower as a symbol of the the woman who jilted him at the altar - all beauty outside, and hollow inside. Like many historic buildings, it's in need of extensive renovations.

Check their website for information on showtimes, wedding packages, ghost tours, and how to donate to the preservation efforts. It is open in the summer only, and has one screen.

Estes Park Film Festival

The first Estes Park Film Festival was held in 2006 at The Park Theatre. I was skeptical, seeing as how I am a famous actress (oh yes!) and film festivals are getting to be about a dime a dozen.

I left impressed. Sean Doherty and Cliff Armitage, the organizers of said festival, did an impressive job, and I enjoyed the lineup of films (especially the one with me in it, tee hee). The now annual event is held in September each year, and they will be adding the Stanley Hotel as a venue this year.