Steamboat Springs, CO – Steamboat’s premier summer home and garden tour, organized by the Guild of Strings Music Festival, will once again include a shortened bike route of 17 miles and will tour Steamboat’s scenic byways stopping at high country kitchens and gardens on Saturday, July 20. The route is planned to encourage riders to get out and enjoy the day, and be inspired by some of the most exclusive homes and premier neighborhoods in the valley. 

This year the homes and gardens will be in downtown Steamboat, Rollingstone, Elkins Meadows and Strawberry Park. The homes are set on secluded properties. You will walk on a rooftop garden, stroll on spacious grounds with a pond, linger by a stream, and relax on patios listening to music from talented local musicians. A featured property on this year’s tour is Elkstone Farm that includes greenhouses; fruit trees of all varieties, herbs, vegetables and flowers. We are pleased to add the Yampa River Botanic Park as a stop on the tour with docents and Master Gardeners ready to answer your gardening questions.

While many ticket buyers choose the self-guided option of the Tour, the 17-mile biking alternative provides a great way to experience the featured kitchens and gardens and take in the sights of the Yampa Valley.  Support vehicles will be available to assist cyclists. The ride is easy to moderate at an elevation of approximately 6,700 feet.  Tour guests wanting a more relaxed mode of transportation can partake of the “VIP Tour” and enjoy an air-conditioned journey to the locations alongside a Master Gardener who provides gardening insight.  The VIP option also includes lunch, a goodie bag, and door to door service.

The Strings Kitchen & Garden Tour kicks off at the Strings Park with a light continental breakfast and live music from 8:30 – 9:30 am. The homes are open until 3:30 pm with last entry at 3:00 pm.  Tickets are available for purchase at the Strings Box Office, by phone at 970.879.5056 x 105, or at www.stringsmusicfestival.com.  Tickets for the self-guided or bike tour are priced at $25 in advance, $30 day of tour, and $65 for the VIP Tour.  Again this year, participants can order a box lunch for $15 that will be waiting for them at the Tread of Pioneer Museum.  Patrons will be able to tour the newly remodeled Museum also on this day. Group lodging is available at a discounted rate for participants at 25% off through Resort Quest (resortqueststeamboat.com).

If you go:  Bring water, wear sunscreen, wear comfy shoes – walking is involved on uneven terrain.  This event is generously sponsored by Centennial Bank with additional support from Steamboat Magazine and ResortQuest

Strings Music Festival’s Mission: The mission of Strings Music Festival is to present innovative programs of distinctive classical and popular contemporary music in an intimate and friendly setting to audiences of all ages, enhancing the cultural, educational and entertainment experiences of the community of Northwest Colorado and its visitors.

Strings Music Festival is a recognized 501(c)3 organization with an active 21-member Board of Directors, a Guild of 65 members, and an additional 125+ volunteers working throughout the season.