R + R in Steamboat: Shopping + Hot Springs

This is the third post of three on summertime in Steamboat Springs, CO. With all the activity one can do in Steamboat, a day of r & r may be in order, especially with kids in tow. Rest and relaxation with kids?! Yes…well, as much as it can be with kids…we all know nothing is completely calm with our little rascals around. But with a charming downtown and a kid-friendly hot springs, a day dedicated to shopping and strolling around town followed by an afternoon at the hot springs may just be what the doctor ordered. It certainly was for us.

Steamboat is a real western town, with an old-school western vibe and feel. Walking around the downtown almost feels like you’re on a Clint Eastwood set. This is what makes it such a fun town to cruise around and do some window shopping – or some real shopping. There are plenty of stores to dip into, from clothing to home décor to gift shops. There are also several restaurants – and as I mentioned in my post on summer activities in Steamboat, some of our favorite restaurants are located on Yampa Street down by the river. Like any town, not all the shops are kid-friendly, but a good selection of them are. Here are a couple of my favorites:

F.M. Light and Sons: this is a must visit. A Steamboat classic, it’s been around for 100 years and still going strong. It has a great kids section with the cutest cowgirl and cowboy boots you’ve ever seen. In addition to clothes it has a fun toy section too. My girls love this store, and always walk out with something western to bring back east.

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Off the Beaten Path Bookstore: Steamboat’s oldest book store, it also has a coffeehouse and bakery. It has a nice kids section with childrens’ books and toys, including a section of Melissa and Doug items.

Fuzziwigs Candy Factory: The type of old-fashioned sweet shop you get as excited about as much as the kids do.

Into the West: Not necessarily for kids, but one of my favorite home décor stores with amazing furniture and home accessories. Thought it was worth mentioning.

Once you’ve satiated yourself with some shopping (and there are many more stores in addition to the above), it’s time to hit the hot springs. Steamboat’s famous, historic Old Town Hot Springs is an absolute must visit! We love this place! Extremely family friendly and located right in town, it has hot spring pools, a lap pool, water slides, a mini water park for younger kids, and aquatic climbing walls. And if you really need a break, there is child care and massage therapy as well.

It’s great to have a hot springs to take the kids to, because in a mountain town the temps can vary, and the one thing I hate is getting in a pool with the girls when it’s cold out. But with these pools of warm water, it makes the whole experience that much easier and more relaxing. A couple of the hot springs are adult-only, which I love…leave the girls with a family member and literally soak up the peace and tranquility. And the girls – they love this place. Can’t get enough of it. We have to drag them out when it’s time to go.

Those are my tips for a relaxing day in Steamboat. Hang around town and give your body a rest!

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