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The idea of a perfect Christmas can mean different things to different people, but the main ingredients often remain the same. Spending time with family, of course, is at the top of that list, as is watching holiday movies as the snow falls gently to the ground outside and a fire crackles merrily inside, and our personal favorite, seeing how everyone decorates their homes with colorful lights, whimsical inflatables, pixel and real Christmas trees, and a joy that is a natural accompaniment to this festive season. For some, traveling to places where temps are warm and beaches are clear is what brings them happiness, but we at Grand Adventure Company are talking to our people, the ones who prefer the original picture we painted and maybe even imagine the mountains in the background, and for them, this guide for seeing Steamboat Springs Christmas lights and displays will bring a holiday that warms the heart.

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Light up the Night, November 29th, Routt County Courthouse Lawn, 6 PM

It’s the traditions that make us fall deeper in love with Christmas and just because you are traveling it doesn’t mean you will have to give up all of yours. The day after Thanksgiving, in addition to being Black Friday, is the traditional date for putting up Christmas decorations, and Steamboat Springs celebrates the right way with this quick but memorable night of lights. People gather on the Routt County Courthouse Lawn, meeting with Santa, enjoying Christmas cookies and hot cocoa, and waiting for our local fire department to drop hundreds of white ping pong balls down on them, each one marked with some sort of special discount to local stores and restaurants. The skies will be dark, the snow will be white and plentiful, and those white balls are destined to be a little difficult to find but find them you will and hopefully before 6:30 when, with the flick of a switch, the colorful lights of the courthouse Christmas tree will light up the night. This brief adventure will offer a holiday singalong, happy children, and the first opportunity to see our Main Street lit up for the season.

Holiday Balloon Glow, December 21st, Steamboat Ski Resort

Join us for an evening of sensory delight. View the beauty of four magnificent hot air balloons that will illuminate the Mountain Village from 5:30-6:30pm. Spectators can stroll among the standing balloons or watch from the warmth of a slope side eatery. Enjoy night skiing and swing by Timber & Torch or The Range Food and Beverage Hall to warm up and enjoy dinner and drinks. Get ready for the Steamboat Light the Night Balloon Glow Celebration to kick-off the holidays!

Santa Visits in His Study, December 2, 9, 16, 17, & 23, Routt County Courthouse Lawn

Not everyone is going to be able to be here Thanksgiving weekend, but the County Courthouse Christmas tree, the lights of Main Street, and more than a few trees on Forrest Avenue will remain lit through New Year’s, ensuring that you will be able to enjoy a shimmering and colorful night every night of your Steamboat Springs visit. And on select nights, although there won’t be any ping pong ball drops, Santa will set up shop in his study, also found on the Routt County Courthouse lawn, waiting to hear your kiddos wish list as he poses for the pictures your children will treasure. These exciting moments are the ones you will remember long after your children have grown and started having children of their own.

Santa Saddles Up, December 14th, Steamboat Stage

Steamboat is excited to bring back the tradition of the Santa Horseback Procession. Santa will ride into the resort from the Torian Plum Area right down the slopes into the heart of Steamboat Square, escorted by legendary locals Bob Dapper and Dean Vogelaar. The event begins promptly at 1:00 pm and takes just a few minutes. Make sure to be here early not to miss it. Immediately following the ride, Santa will be available on the Steamboat Stage to visit with guests and take pictures. Complimentary hot chocolate and cupcakes will be available. Skeeters ice rink will also be open for skating.

A Very Steamboat Holiday Festival, Mid-December, Routt County Courthouse Lawn

For over 100 years, the Routt County Courthouse has represented justice in Steamboat Springs, its stately architecture adding an elegance to our wild west town, but, as you can see from this page, it has also been the centerpiece of our holiday celebrations. The dates haven’t been released as of yet for the annual Very Steamboat Holiday Festival, traditionally held the middle weekend of December, so we will update shortly. In any case, this last festival before the jolly man makes his trips down the chimney offers a few hours of fun (it starts at 11, ends at 2) guaranteed to build the anticipation to new heights of thrilling. Offering Santa in his study where a free family photo can be taken, giving travelers a wonderful souvenir of their Steamboat getaway. Outside in Santa’s Workshop, your little elves will have the opportunity to craft a holiday gift with the help of the elves from our local 4H club. Hot cocoa will be served and the snow will blanket the landscape creating a holiday picture of perfection that you will never forget.

Holiday Drone Show, December 14th, Steamboat Square

Join us at Steamboat Resort for an unforgettable evening of magic and wonder! As the sun sets on the sky will come alive around 5:30 PM with a mesmerizing drone show that captures the heart of Steamboat’s spirit and the festive holiday season. Watch as lights dance through the air, creating dazzling formations that will leave you in awe. Bring your friends and family to experience this one-of-a-kind celebration—it’s a night of spectacular sights and unforgettable memories you won’t want to miss!

Steamboat Springs Christmas Wanderings

Some of your favorite light and decoration displays may be found in the neighborhoods in which your Grand Adventure Company holiday hideaway is located. Just like at home, the communities will be filled with homes decorated in their finest Christmas attire, featuring colorful lights, whimsical inflatables, and upon occasion, synchronized music that will make you tap your feet and sing along. Our Colorado locals outdo themselves every year, and as you explore the homes around your escape, you know that in just a few short moments you will be back in your Steamboat Springs vacation rental, sipping hot cocoa, and preparing for the big day. Reserve your favorite escape today!

As we barrel into the holiday season, the first of the big three is urgently knocking at our doors, and for those who would prefer not to answer, spending Thanksgiving in Steamboat Springs, CO may be the perfect way to run away. Offering everything you love about the holiday, including good food, Black Friday shopping, and a Christmas-like appeal, ski season is scheduled to open on November 23, allowing visitors to also spend their days schussing down the slopes. And because snow is cold, days are short, and warmth is needed to fully enjoy the holiday, our Grand Adventure Company holiday hideaways are designed to give travelers a warm welcome to the Centennial state! This guide to why Steamboat Springs is the perfect Thanksgiving destination will give you a sneak peek into an idyllic vacation you will never forget.

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A Preemptive Burn of Calories

While most places, including Steamboat Springs, offer some kind of turkey trot, meant to be help celebrants avoid the consequences of gluttony, the opening of the ski season allows for that same preemptive burn of calories—it’s just a lot more fun! Your ski-in/ski-out sanctuaries will allow you to step out the door and be on the slopes within minutes, and because the resort is open on Thanksgiving Day, you can start out your holiday doing something you really enjoy. On this day that celebrates thankfulness, a voyage or two down the hill can ensure that you have another item to add to your list of things you are thankful for.

Grateful Not to Be Cooking

Cooking on Thanksgiving can be a mixed blessing. On one hand, you get to enjoy all the foods you know and love from holidays past, and meal prep can be a creative enterprise, but on the other hand, there is all that work, all that expense, and not everyone will appreciate your efforts. (Those tiniest travelers of ours can really be tough to please!) The restaurants we have listed below, however, should be open for business on Thanksgiving in Steamboat Springs, CO, with many offering traditional feasts that will fill your bellies while feeding your soul—and all you have to do is sit there and enjoy!

Yampa Valley Kitchen, 207 9th Street

Every year is different, and Yampa Valley Kitchen is known for its brunch and lunch menus more than its dinner ones, but we can promise that every bite will be your favorite when you visit this sweet kitchen for your Thanksgiving meal needs.

Laundry Kitchen & Cocktail, 127 11th Street

For those looking for an upscale dining experience, you need look no further than Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails. Located in the historic building that once served as Steamboat Springs Laundry (isn’t that convenient?), this unique restaurant is known for its small plates and for Oyster Thursdays and its oyster oriented extras. There is no word whether or not they will be offering their oyster menu on Thanksgiving, but whatever is being served is sure to be your favorite!

Aurum Food & Wine, 811 Yampa Street

Aurum is another impactful restaurant that has offered a special meal on Thanksgiving, and if you have ever enjoyed its all-American menu under regular circumstances, we can promise that on Thanksgiving they pull out all the stops!

Black Friday Shopping in Steamboat Springs

Although Black Friday isn’t as aggressive as it has been in past years—more stores are staying closed on Thanksgiving to allow their employees to stay home with family—there are still some really good sales to be had, and because Thanksgiving falls so late in November this year (November 28th, can you believe it?), the shopping time between the two holidays is greatly shortened, making it more important than ever. The good news is that all of the shops of Steamboat Springs will be open and probably offering extended hours on the Friday after Thanksgiving. And the even better news? Shops like Ohana (located at 843 Lincoln Avenue), Wanderlust Boutique (635 Lincoln Avenue), and Moose Mountain Trading Company (824 Lincoln Avenue) will offer gifts you just can’t purchase anywhere else, helping you earn the title of gift giver extraordinaire this year.

Celebrating at Home with Grand Adventure Company

The moments that become the most treasured of memories are often the smaller ones that at first glance appear to have little impact on our travels. Maybe this year it will be the moment when you choose to cook at home in our fully equipped kitchens and your teen asks, “How do you make that stuffing taste so good, and can you teach me?” Or quite possibly it could be the time you spend cuddling on leather sofas watching the Thanksgiving Parade with your kids, perhaps with a fire crackling merrily in the brick fireplace. Whatever memory becomes your favorite, enjoying your Thanksgiving at home with Grand Adventure Company promises to make this turkey day one you will never forget. Reserve your favorite vacation rental in Steamboat Springs today!

Travel has changed quite a bit over the decades and not just due to advances in technology, but more because we no longer are willing to sacrifice comfort and luxury when we explore the world. We have stopped thinking that our Steamboat Springs vacation accommodations are “just a place to sleep between adventures,” and if your vacation journey is leading you to Steamboat Springs, choosing our Grand Adventure Lodging Colorado sanctuaries will be all the proof you need. Offering the comfort you crave, the space you need, and the luxuries you deserve, the difference between condo and hotel will immediately be clear, but if you aren’t yet convinced, this guide will help you see why Grand Adventure Lodging is a far better choice than a hotel.

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The Space You Need

We remember the vacations we experienced as children, vacations we spent with our siblings and parents all sleeping in one room and worst of all sharing a single bathroom. Tempers would flare, arguments would happen, and sleep would be hard to accomplish. When you choose one of our Colorado escapes for your accommodations, however, even the smaller places offer the space you need, and better yet, doors to shut when tensions are high. Not having to share a single bath is especially appreciated in the mornings, as everyone has to get ready at the same time, and when night falls and you return home once again, everyone having their own spaces to retreat to (again with those doors that shut firmly) can help your family regain its peace and harmony.

All the Comforts of Home

Steamboat Springs is famed for its stunning landscape and visitors can’t help but want to spend as much time outside as they do inside, hiking, biking, and fishing in the warmer months and skiing, snowboarding, and sledding during the winter months. But when the sun sets on your day’s adventures, a hotel room won’t provide the comforts our sweet escapes will offer. The sofas in our living rooms will invite you to sink into their cushioned softness, premium beds topped with silky linens will give guests the best night’s sleep of their lives, and when you choose a sanctuary with its own private hot tub, aching muscles will be instantly soothed when you submerge yourself in their bubbling depths, something that hotels rarely offer.

More Ways to Save

Even as our condos may seem to cost more at first, let’s take a moment and explore all the ways you can save money by choosing Grand Adventure Lodging over a cramped and sterile hotel room, starting with our fully equipped kitchens. Offering modern appliances, custom cabinetry, and all the small appliances you need to ensure your beverage needs are all met, although we don’t suggest you eat every meal at home, there are many wonderful restaurants in town that we encourage you to explore but being able to dine with us at least a few times can help the savings add up.

Amenities Make All the Difference

Our vacation homes and condos are designed to be an integral part of your vacation experience, so much so that you may find yourself wanting to spend at least one day at home with us, exploring all the amenities we offer. Condos with community pools are much loved during the warmer months, and the hot tubs, either private or within the community, are appreciated every day of the year, adding healing benefits with a touch of romance as you soak with your favorite traveling partner, perhaps catching sight of a few shooting stars. The romance continues inside with many spaces offering fireplaces in the living rooms (or bedrooms of some of our luxury escapes), deep soaking tubs in en suite baths, and bedrooms so serene, tranquil, and comfortable, retreating to these spaces will make every night your favorite. Also offering barbecue grills, laundry rooms or closets with stackable units, we understand that every detail is important, and we pay attention to them all.

Experience the Luxury You Deserve on Your Steamboat Springs Vacation

Even a luxury hotel room will pale in comparison to what we offer and although each space is different, every guest will feel welcomed and treasured for the entirety of their stay. Updated fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens, state of the art televisions in the bedrooms and living rooms, and high end appliances that will bring the joy back to your cooking experiences, all the luxuries will make you wish your Colorado vacation in the beautiful mountain town of Steamboat Springs will never have to end.

Are you Convinced?

Your Steamboat Springs vacation deserves to be one you will never forget and choosing Grand Adventure Lodging will be the first and most important step. Reserve your favorite Colorado sanctuary today and discover even more reasons our spaces will make all the difference in your vacation experience.