Durango, Colorado is not only home to Jim and Amy of Southwest Discovered, but also home to a rich history, amazing attractions, shopping and museums, as well as a cultural hub of the southwest. Check out some of the amazing Durango related topics below.
I’m always adding links as we discover new places, so check back for another looksee soon.
xoAmy
THINGS TO DO IN DURANGO
Animas River Trail : about seven miles of paved trail right along the bank of the river, gorgeous
Art Center and Gallery : downtown on 2nd Avenue, the Durango Arts Center with unique artful gift shop
Baker’s Bridge : Movie location from the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where the famous jump scene took place (fyi, shallow waters, no jumping is actually permitted)
Brew Pubs / Craft Breweries & Distillers : article on our City of Brewerly Love
Burgers : This is a burger town … here’s an article on The Magnificent 7 Burgers of Durango.
Candy Store : Fuzziwigs Candy Factory, downtown
Chocolates : Animas Chocolates at 28th and Main, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory downtown.
Christmas Polar Express Train Rides : kids of all ages meet Santa, sing songs, drink hot chocolate and eat cookies for a joyous ride to the ‘North Pole.’
Dining : Please scroll to section just below
Downtown Durango : shopping, art galleries, dining, boutiques, candy and toy stores, a movie theater, you can spend an entire day or two just discovering the downtown
Durango Train : make reservations as soon as you know your dates, seats fill up quickly. The Knight Sky car has a glass-domed top with overhead views. The Polar Express train runs during the holidays.
Events Schedule official town online guide
Galleries : Durango is an artist’s hub … here is just a taste of galleries I’m familiar with: Azul Gallery, Durango Arts Center, Karen Gabaldon Fine Arts, Diane West Jewelry & Art, Sorrel Sky, Toh-Atin Fine Native American,
Lodging : Please scroll to section below
Movie at The Gaslight : all seats are comfy first class reclining chairs, twin movie theater, downtown
Music in the Mountains : summer music festival with musicians of the highest caliber
Native American Art Gallery : Toh-Atin, longstanding relationships with generations of artists, authentic
Outdoor Adventures : Please scroll to section below
Photo Overlook : high above Durango, Rim Drive has several scenic lookout points for spectacular photo opportunities, along the Fort Lewis College campus
Saturday Durango Farmer’s Market : meet local growers, have breakfast, buy fresh produce, pastries, spa products, organic everythings, and local artwork (seasonal market)
Scenic Drive : through the mountains to Silverton Colorado, an hour north of Durango, weather permitting, businesses are seasonal in Silverton
Signature Spa : beautiful location overlooking the river, peaceful, first-rate massage treatments
Ski Durango Mountain Resort a.k.a. Purgatory
Thursday Burger and Band Night : at James Ranch during the summer, picture postcard perfect outdoor setting, great music, fantastic burgers
DINING IN AND AROUND DURANGO
Absolute Bakery & Cafe : located 30 miles East of Durango near Mesa Verde, homemade, worth the drive
Bread : bakery, local favorite turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo, cash only
Carver’s : the Southwest’s Original Brew Pub, Southwest influenced menu, craft beer
CJ’s Diner : American diner fare with Mexican influences, breakfast and lunch
College Drive Cafe : hearty breakfasts, eggs benedict selection
Craft Breweries & Distilleries : our City of Brewerly Love
Cypress Cafe : fine dining, nice wine list
Diamond Belle Saloon : get your rowdy wild west on, and the food is great
El Moro : inventive menu and decor, steampunk, historic building
Eno : all tapas little plates and nice wine list
Eolus : fine dining, upstairs patio
Gazpacho’s : great family place, New Mexican cuisine, red and green chile
Grassburger : 100% grass fed beef burgers and veggie burger option
James Ranch Harvest Grill and Greens : 100% grass fed beef, organic, scenic, check for summer and winter hours
Ken & Sue’s : special occasion go-to, we’ve never had a bad experience here
Mahogany Grill : fine dining at the Strater Hotel
Mesa Verde Metate Room : fine dining in the center of the park
Olio : located 30 miles East of Durango near Mesa Verde, fine dining, reservations only
Oscar’s Cafe : diner style, favorite breakfast spot, BLTs, chicken fried steak, pies
Tacos Nayarit Mexican Cuisine, authentic, fresh, a favorite
PLACES TO STAY IN DURANGO
A Place at James Ranch / Vacation Rental for 2 : 15 minutes north of downtown, spectacular views, private, they will fill your fridge with farm fresh goodies from their ranch market
General Palmer Hotel : downtown, historic Victorian, in the same block as the train depot
Hampton Inn : 10 minutes north of downtown, on Main Avenue
Homewood Suites : 10 minutes south of downtown
Rochester Hotel : on 2nd Avenue downtown, historic small hotel
Strater Hotel : downtown, a grand Victorian, the first place we stayed in Durango, like stepping back in time
Siesta Motel : 5 minutes north of downtown, reminiscent of vintage Route 66 motels, very clean and affordable, nice helpful owners
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN DURANGO
Animas River Trail : about seven miles of paved trail right along the bank of the river, gorgeous
Cycling, world class
Durango Mountain Resort Skiing a.k.a Purgatory
Feed the Fish at the Durango Fish Hatchery, just north of the downtown bridge
Mesa Verde National Park is only 45 minutes from downtown Durango, check my Travel Page for posts and photo essays of the cliff dwellings and sights
River Rafting : I haven’t posted about the local outfits yet because we have our own tubes, however, online reviews are generally spot-on. Do a google search for “Durango Colorado River Rafting” … this will give you a good idea of what’s available re: rafting, tubing, paddle board and kayaking adventures. Click here for the Durango Visitor’s Center list of Tours and Guides.
Ski Durango Mountain Resort a.k.a. Purgatory
Tours & Guides : list from the Durango Visitor’s Center
