6 Awesome Things to Do in Durango, CO (especially in the Fall)
Autumn in Chicago this year has not been ideal. We've had rain and dreary weather day after day, and have jumped from summer straight into cold winter weather without a break in between. It feels like we completely missed out on fall colors in the city . So with a chance to take some time off work, we knew we needed to head west for some hiking, mountain air and changing trees. Therefore, we made our way to Durango, Colorado, a small town in the 4-corners region of the country. With lots of things to do within the city limits and so much more to check out in the surrounding area, we had plenty of activities for our three day weekend.
Hang Out in Downtown Durango, CO
Downtown Durango is such a beautiful area. With the warmth of Santa Fe and the local charm of the main streets in the Midwest, it's filled with outdoor/adventure stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. In true Colorado fashion, the buildings are all framed with the gorgeous mountain backdrop and nearby Perins Peak, making every photo you take, look EPIC.
One notable stop downtown is the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. This internationally recognized chocolate shop has its headquarters in Durango. The storefront on Main Street sells a large assortment of their famous truffles, chocolate barks, and candy apples. Make sure you sample the peanut butter buckets (their version of a Reese's) and the raspberry truffles whenever you require a major sugar rush.
For a Colorado craft beer experience, head to Steamworks Brewery downtown. With a whole slew of food and beer options, it's perfect for lunch or dinner. We were blown away by Bubble Stuff, their hard seltzer on tap. With White Claw hard seltzer being all the rage back home, it was refreshing to drink an alternative that tasted good AND didn't have a bad after taste.
For late-night cocktails, try The Bookcase and the Barber. This small speakeasy-type bar will have you walking through a door hidden in a bookcase. The small interior is filled with hipster bookstore nostalgia, and the signature drinks on the menu are all inspired by the libations of historical writers.
If you're a midwesterner like me, or aren't used to higher altitudes, be careful when consuming alcohol in Durango. At 6,500+ ft, alcohol will affect you quicker than usual. I had one cocktail and was floating on air afterward :) Stay hydrated!
Ride the Durango Silverton Train
One of the most popular activities in Durango is the Durango Silverton train, which travels along the historic Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The steam locomotive goes round trip from downtown Durango to the town of Silverton to the north. One the 45+ mile trip one way, you'll snake along the edge of the San Juan mountains on the route originally used for gold mining. The train has been running since 1882 so hopping on one of the cars is like stepping back in time. The restored 1st class cabins provide food and beverage options with window seats, while the less expensive open-air cars offer unobstructed views. Riding the train is a full-day affair, giving time for you to wander the streets of Silverton before you return. On holidays, the train hosts unique rides like the Polar Express at Christmas. While we visited in October, families were deboarding with their arms full of pumpkins after picking them in Silverton.
Where to Stay in Durango
There are countless hotels and motels in downtown Durango, so much so that motels make fun of it, with one having a sign that said "the only motel for 150 yards!" However, to get a feel of the laid back culture of Colorado, I highly recommend you stay at an AirBNB instead. We had the opportunity to experience a compensated stay at Durango Like a Local, a convenient and beautifully decorated location on the north edge of town. The AirBNB is a full apartment, complete with kitchen, bathroom, sitting area, and a king-size bed. With a modern black and white color palette throughout with hints of brown leather and wood, it perfectly complements the warmth of the landscape outside.
The views from the AirBNB are also spectacular, with mountains on all sides that glow fiery red as the sun goes down. But one of the best parts of the property is what lies just behind it: the tracks for the Durango Silverton train. Depending on the season, the train will whizz past a couple of times per day. The schedule is on the official website so you can time it to get amazing shots of the famous train as it begins it's trip for the day to Silverton. As I was outside taking photos, the kids on the train got super excited and started waving at me :)
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Hike the Animas River Trail
As you explore more and more of Durango, you'll notice that you're continually crossing over a major river in town. The Animas River is one of the defining characteristics of Durango and has a paved trail that runs along its length. This trail is super family-friendly and is perfect for biking or taking a stroll after dinner. The trail is easily accessible from many of the back patios of Durango restaurants so we decided to do just that. The views are magnificent at sunset when you can see the mountains on the horizon and the river snaking through the trees. It's the perfect little trail to burn off all the calories you scarfed down at dinner.
Explore Honeyville and Pinkerton Hot Springs
Staying on the north side of Durango (especially at Durango Like a Local) provides the perfect excuse to check out some unique stops that many people probably miss while visiting. Honeyville, a local honey distillery that has been in business for over 100 years, is only a 2-minute drive away. You can stop in their large retail shop for everything honey-based you could ever imagine. Taste test honey liquor, honey wine, and honey jams and butters. Purchase honey lip balm and body care products. Or fill your suitcase with bottles of straight-up honey from their beehives on site.
Pinkerton Hot Springs is another one of the unique things to do in Durango. North of Honeyville, this isn't the typical massive hot spring that you can go swimming in. Instead, this much smaller hot spring along the side of the road quietly bubbles up and over the rock formations around it. Initially discovered in the 1800s, this hot spring quickly became a travel destination. It was believed to have healing powers for years, due to the many colors that the water has naturally turned the rock, from blues to greens to bright reds.
Drive the Million Dollar Highway or San Juan Skyway
The driving routes are just as fantastic as the hiking routes in Colorado. For a beautiful drive along cliffs and mountain passes, drive north from Durango to the towns of Silverton and Ouray on Highway 550, a stretch which is known as the Million Dollar Highway. This part of the road is revered as one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S., no matter the time of year. However, caution does need to be followed. The road is filled with blind hairpin turns with steep drops off the sides off the cliffs. With no room for guardrails, you need to be on your toes and keep an eye on the road, which is more narrow than usual. All-wheel drive is recommended.
For a safer drive (yay guardrails!) and still gorgeous scenery, you can head west and then north from Durango along the San Juan Skyway. This route also loops around to Ouray and Silverton and leads past the mountain town of Telluride as well. As you make your way from Durango, you will first pass the Twin Buttes of Durango, two matching peaks with hiking trails all around. As you continue you’ll also drive through the small towns of Dolores, Mancos, and Cortez.
Head to Nearby Mesa Verde National Park
I was so happy to find out that our trip to Durango meant we could cross another National Park off our list. Roughly 40 minutes west of town is Mesa Verde National Park, most known for the ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings located all along the canyons within the park's borders. Unlike many National Parks that are all about the outdoors, Mesa Verde is filled with history and archeological sites you can tour and explore. Drive along the top of the canyon to spot the different dwellings carved from the cliffs, or tackle one of the hiking trails that lead deep into the canyon for a more typical National Park experience. Learn more about hiking Mesa Verde National Park HERE.
With gorgeous fall colors and loads of outdoor activities, Durango was a beautiful town to spend a long weekend. Hiking is abundant, and the locals are some of the happiest and most pleasant we've ever encountered while traveling around the U.S. If you're looking for an outdoor adventure experience that's a little off the beaten path, head to Durango for your next vacation west!
