Durango is a gem in the Colorado’s box of alpine treasures. It has a rich history of being a frontier-mining town, but also offers a myriad of entertainment and outdoor activities. While many mountain towns are overrun with tourists, Durango make you feel like you’re one of the locals. Not to mention, you can fill up your adventure cup to the brim. With anything from mountain biking to rafting to skiing to rock climbing, a day in Durango doesn’t end without a wild story. The Animas River flows almost as strong as the craft beer. And the San Juan Mountains beg your name. Here, you can slow your pace with a stroll past splendidly restored Victorian buildings in historic Downtown Durango or turn up your weekend and hit one or several exquisite local breweries.
Eat:
For a true farm to table experience, check out Jame’s Ranch ten miles north of Durango. Nestled in the Animas River valley, this 400-acre ranch includes 100 percent grass fed cattle, a spruce tree nursery and an organic vegetable and flower garden. Glass jars of cow’s milk fill a transparent refrigerator; each cow’s name is handwritten in blue ink on the jars. Rolling green hills surround you with the sparkling Animas in view – it doesn’t get much better. We recommend a classic cheeseburger that comes with either fries or a kale salad. Don’t forget to check out the Jame’s Ranch Market, which features handcrafted cheese from the milk of Jersey Milk cows. For a refreshing brew, check out Durango Brewing Company for a variety of creative and unique craft brews. We recommend the Blueberry Wheat. For the best tacos in town check out Nayarit, where you can break out of the taco humdrum with cactus or beef-tongue tacos.
Sleep:
For your stay in Durango, we recommend the iconic Strater Hotel. The Strater is located two blocks from the Durango and Silverton Railroad and right on Main Street, making it the perfect location for all types of entertainment. The hotel boasts an Old West vibe, which includes the world-famous Diamond Belle Saloon. Here, ragtime piano players commence and provide the best early 20th century entertainment. We also recommend the Leland House and Rochester Hotel, a family-owned historic hotel located a block from the Animas River which features the Rochester “Secret Garden.”
Play:
Durango is a recreational mecca and offers a plethora of family-friendly activities, and outdoor activities for all. Spend some time along the Animas River where you can fly fish your heart out. If you want to hike but stay close to town, check out the Animas River Trail, which offers panoramic views of the town and river. Just outside of town, we recommend hiking the Hermosa Creek trail or making the trek to the top of Engineer Mountain. Once the snow hits, there are plenty of options for winter sports aficionados. Ski Purgatory or travel to nearby Silverton Mountain, Wolf Creek Ski Area, Telluride, Ski Hesperus and the small slopes on Chapman Hill. The choice is up to you. And keep an eye out for Snowdown, an annual winter event in Durango that borders on the insane. Events include kayak races down ski slopes, mountain bike races down ski slopes, competitions between fire and police departments and much more.
