Durango: The Scenic Gem of Southwest Colorado

Outdoor adventure:

In winter, you’ll find an activity for everyone in the family…skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and even sleigh rides. Head to Purgatory, just an easy 30-minute drive from downtown, for a day full of snow-filled adventure!

In summer, you’ll enjoy hiking, biking or white water rafting in the perfect southwestern Colorado climate, with many trail heads accessible by foot or bike from downtown. If golf and tennis is your vibe, there is access to multiple courses and tennis/pickleball facilities in the area.

Wellness:

Durango is a dynamic destination for wellness, and you’ll be sure to leave recharged and feeling your best. Starting with the Durango Hot Springs and Spa, you can easily spend half the day experiencing the various pools and spa treatments that they offer. It’s a great way to recover after an intense day on the mountain!

If yoga and pilates are more your style, then you are in luck as many incredible instructors call Durango home. My favorites are Yoga Durango, K-Lea Gifford and Pilates Durango.

If it’s body work you're looking for, you’ll find many experienced practitioners offering massage, cranio-sacral therapy and acupuncture. My experience with Megan at Durango Acupuncture Clinic has been intensely restorative!

Downtown:

Exploring downtown Durango is always a fun way to spend the day. Nearly all of the shops and restaurants are locally owned, no big-box shops here, which means knowledgeable sales staff and unique finds. You’ll find a mixture of outdoor stores ready to equip you for your next adventure, art galleries, gift shops and toy stores. Don’t forget to stop for a photo in front of the historic 19th-century Victorian hotels, or take a ride on the Durango-Silverton Railroad.

Day trips:

Silverton, an old mining town with a classic main street where you can find souvenirs of the old west or book a 4x4 off road adventure, is just about an hour (48 miles) away by car. It’s quite a scenic route! Keep heading north for another 45 minutes and visit Ouray, another old mining town with its own hot springs…if you’re afraid of heights, consider getting someone else to drive

A bit further away (two to three hours depending on the route you choose) is Telluride, a gorgeous mountain town popular with celebrities. It has fantastic, higher-end shopping, delicious food and great hikes and/or skiing depending on the season you visit.

Casual meals:

• Switchback Tacos on Main St. has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with fantastic street-style tacos and superb loaded fries! Or head right next door to Fired Up for pizzas made in their Italian-style wood-fired oven.

Fine dining:

• Eolus on Main St. is a cozy spot for a date night or dinner with friends, featuring locally sourced meat and produce, and a fantastic bar with skilled bartenders.

Takeaway and family meals:

• The Meadow Market has a fridge full of house-made family-sized meals to take and heat when you’re feeding a crowd. Bonus, they also serve fantastic coffee, breakfast and lunch alongside their small but mighty gourmet market for essentials. Bring your pup and enjoy a morning coffee on the patio with a view.

Sweets:

• Animas Chocolate on Main St. is a craft chocolate maker using ethically sourced cacao and offering bonbons, bars and the perfect hot chocolate.