Steamboat Springs is the perfect place for any getaway, and in more ways than you think. Besides a weekend hiking jaunt, holiday ski vacation, or even a destination trip for the Run Rabbit Run Endurance Race, Steamboat Springs has a multitude of venues that can host your party away from home. Be it wedding, bar mitzvah, family reunion, or company summer picnic, the Yampa Valley is full of unique venues for both large and small groups.
For the romantic wedding couple
Shakespeare did remind us in Romeo and Juliet that “a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.” Enjoy roses as well as many other floral varieties in the romantic gardens of the Yampa River Botanic Park. The city park is situated just across from the Yampa River banks. In the middle of the green is a beautiful covered platform that is surrounded by a pond, green lawn, and of course, the flowers. If you’re a small enough party, you might even consider the park’s Trillium House for your reception.
For the classy teenage celebration
It is always a special day when you can celebrate your child marking a milestone. Whether the event is high school graduation, a bar mitzvah, or even a sweet sixteen birthday party, E3 Chophouse is my recommendation. The indoor and outdoor spaces are large enough to entertain family and friend groups of all sizes, and the wine list and food are exceptional. For three seasons (okay, let’s say two and a half), you can enjoy the entire back patio, which runs directly up to the Yampa River. There is a row of Adirondack chairs lining the fence so folks can relax with a glass of merlot. It is also possible to buy out the entire restaurant for large groups and then you can also choose the music!
For the destination family reunion
The fact of the matter is, if you choose Colorado for your family reunion, you must get in the saddle. There are plenty of guest ranches near Steamboat that cater to small and large groups, and all you have to do is prioritize what you want. No cell phone service with sunsets for days? Maybe head out to Meeker and stay at Trapper’s Lake for a rustic ranch experience. Extraordinary meals and wine, with massage, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing also on the to-do list? Take a look north of town at the Home Ranch, which can accommodate families of up to fifty people, all on-site. If you chose Colorado because your favorite movie is City Slickers, then Saddleback Ranch is a great space that isn’t too isolated, but will give you the real dude ranch experience you’ll be talking about for holidays to come.
