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Durango: Sights, Places of Interest & Links |
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Leah
has put together some suggested itineraries for you. |
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1st Day
Tour |
Mesa Verde Tour:
At 9am leave for
Mesa Verde. It's a 45 minute drive from Durango.
Should take 5-6 hours to tour ruins, museum and the scenic drive around
the Mesa Verde loop. It gets mighty hot in the summer afternoons so be
there bright and early in the morning when the park opens. Check this
site
www.mesa.verde.national-park.com
for time, directions and other information. Bring your own lunch (food
there is cafeteria food and expensive) and a good supply of water. Wear
a hat and good walking shoes and don't forget your camera. Don't forget
to check out our
Cortez Coupons
for savings on hotels, restaurants, etc. In the afternoon, walk and shop in downtown Durango. Eat at Gazpacho or China Cafe. In the summer, at 7pm head off for the Durango Pro Rodeo. Get your ticket at the gate. It will not sell out, so no need to buy in advance. Rodeo is only open in summer. |
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2nd Day
Tour
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D&SNG RailRoad Tour:
If You Have 2 Days, spend the first day as
suggested above. In
the morning take a ride on the
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Should
take 8 hours for a round trip summer Silverton ride or 4 hours for
Winter Cascade ride. Take some water and snacks. Upon your return, visit
the
Railroad Museum to learn about the history. First check
out our
D&SNGRR then
follow the link to their website.
Click Here
For Train Reservations! Eat at
Gazpacho or
China Cafe
after the ride. They're all close by the
train depot and it is the best food in town. TIP: You can also take the train to Silverton - spend the night - and come back the next day. Just make your reservations that way. There is no extra charge. We recommend you stay at the Grand Imperial Victorian Hotel built in 1887. This is a wonderful chance to experience this historic hotel, the quaint mining town of Silverton, the Gold Mine Tour and the infinitely interesting historic cemetery. |
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3rd Day
Tour
Click Here
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San
Juan Skyway - Million
Dollar Highway Tour. If
You Have 3 Days, spend the first 2 days as
outlined above.
On the third day, drive the San Juan Skyway, a 235 mile loop drive through the dramatic mountains
and forests of the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests. Arguably
'the' great drive in Colorado, the San Juan Skyway is a drive to the top
of the world. The best time to do the loop
is in the fall, between
September 15 to October 15, when you will be able to see Aspens changing to
brilliant yellows and florescent oranges. Begin your drive at 10am in Durango and take 550 North to Silverton (allow 1.5 hour). Stop at the lookout at Molas Pass for a Kodak moment. In Silverton you can walk around notorious Blair Street and Green Street and visit the many unique shops that offer everything from minerals to hummingbird feed. A visit to the cemetery on the north side of town is a window to the hardships of mining life and should not be missed if you have the time. From Silverton to Ouray (allow 1 hour) you will have a few miles of very challenging driving - but you will be on the inside edge of the road, so relax and enjoy the most beautiful part of the drive. As you are driving into Ouray you will see the turn off on the right. If you are hungry, you can lunch on their Texas BBQ. After the tour, drive toward Ouray and take the turn off on the left to Box Canyon Falls (allow 1 hour). Onto Ouray a very pretty small town built in a box canyon. In town, go to the Ouray Museum (allow 30 min). From Ouray to Telluride (allow 1.5 hour), as you drive through to Ridgeway, pay attention to the wooden fence on your left side that surrounds one of the most beautiful views in the world - this is Ralph Lauren's ranch - it's huge! What did he pay for that fence?! There is a lookout there on the right where you can stop to take photos. Drive straight through to Telluride. Walk around Telluride, take the free gondola to the mountain village. At the very top you can rest and enjoy the view at the top of the world! This last leg of the trip, from Telluride to Durango (allow 2.0 hour) offers some beautiful views, but not much else. Stop at Trout Lake right after Telluride for a beautiful view. You will drive through Rico, Dolores, Cortez, and Hesperus. It is a straight drive with no stops but go slowly through Rico as in the fall this one of the most beautiful parts of the trip. Dinner back in Durango at Farquahrt's, Gazpacho or for something special Chez Grand Mere. |
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4th Day Tour Summer
& Fall
FOR OTHER Hikes
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Engineer Mountain Hiking Tour:
If You Have 4 Days, spend the first 3 days as outlined above. Leave
Durango by 7:30 AM (we know it's early, but you don't want to get caught
in an afternoon storm). Head North on Hwy 550 past Purgatory toward
Silverton. Slow down after mile marker 56 (it's between mm 56 and 57), you
will see a rest area on the right and about 30 yards from that there is a
small dirt road on the left - turn in there. It is hard to see, so slow
down. Park at the end of the road on the side of the cul-de-sac. You will
see the trail head heading north, and start there. Make sure you have
plenty of water, a sweatshirt, and some rain gear. It should take 4 hours
to casually hike up and back. This is our favorite summer hike. It is well
marked and fairly popular (so we aren't worried about bears). Almost
anyone can do it, but it can be challenging if you are out of shape or not
used to the altitude. We suggest waiting 2-3 days at higher altitudes
before attempting this hike. This hike is great in July/August when wild
Columbine, Orchids, Primrose, Geraniums, Coneflowers are abundant - and
the views are incredible. Pack a good picnic lunch to eat when you
get to the top (not to the top of the mountain - we don't do that - we
just hike to the big boulder). After the hike you can drive onto Silverton and walk around town. If you have time and you are not too tired drive all the way to the cemetery on the big hill at the north end of town and take the high road after entering the cemetery - you can park on the side of the road. It is very interesting to read the tombstones. There is a book about the cemetery "Over My Dead Body" by Freda Carley Peterson that you can find in Silverton at Outdoor World (Open from May to November) that will give you some more information. The cemetery is a great place to take an afternoon nap if you feel so inclined - so bring a blanket. On the way back to Durango, stop at the look-out at Molas Pass. It's a Kodak moment. Eat dinner before you get back to Durango and avoid the crowds. Stop at the Olde Schoolhouse Pub - right across from the Needles Conoco about 2 miles past Purgatory / Durango Mountain Resort. It's very local and mountain casual. The pizza is fabulous, and the wings and caesar salad are excellent. It is also very reasonably priced. |
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5th Day Tour Summer
& Fall FOR
OTHER Mountain Biking
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Horse
Gulch Mountain Biking
Tour:
If
You Have 5 Days, spend the first 4 days as outlined above. This is the
perfect trail for EVERYONE. It accommodates beginners or advanced
riders, short rides, long rides. You can start this trail any time of day.
It gets dark around 7-8pm, depending on the time of year, so you'll want
to be done by then. The Horse Gulch/Telegraph Trail head is located
just off of 8th avenue and 4th street. If you are coming from the
mall or Wal-mart, it will be on your right hand side. Turn off of
8th avenue when you see Jean Pierre French Bakery. There is parking
right by this store. There will be a gate, and paths going around
either side. This is the beginning of the ride. You'll start
with a half mile climb that many people just walk up. But this
walk/ride is worth it. Once up in the meadow, there are signs giving
variations of different rides. For rides involving the whole family,
or less experienced riders, I would suggest sticking to the "meadow loop".
It is relatively short, and flat with some fun little hills. There
are many options for longer rides. Some of the variations may lead
you to roads, but as long as you pay attention, its not hard to find your
way back to your car. If you have a mountain bike, and want to bring it, great. If not, you can always rent one. We recommend renting from Pedal the Peaks Mountain Bike Shop. If you go for a ride around lunch-time, and are hungry afterwards, go to Farquahrts. Its a family restaurant with a casual atmosphere. Then we recommend a nice soak at Trimble Hotsprings. It is 8 miles north on Hwy 550, and well marked with signs. |
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6th Day
Tour
Tip: |
Animas Loop Biking Tour:
If
You Have 6 Days, spend the first 5 days as outlined above. This is
considered one of the best local rides by Durango area cyclists. There is
a 15-mile loop and a 30-mile loop. The ride is flat and for the most part,
only rising 280 feet one-way. The short route can be ridden in about
an hour, the longer in 2-2.5 hr. Leave Durango's Main avenue at
North City Market on 32nd Street heading due east to a stop sign. Turn
Left onto CR 250 all the way to Bakers Bridge. This route takes you up the
east side of the Animas River Valley. You can cut this short by
turning at Trimble lane and crossing Hwy 550 to CR 203. Take a left and
pedal back to town. If you go the long route, the road goes north
and curves around a KOA campground shortly after Bakers bridge and meets
up with Hwy 550. Ride on the shoulder until you get to Hermosa.
Turn Right on County Road 203 just past the Railroad tracks. The
short route is 15 miles, the long route is 30 miles. |
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Mesa
Verde |
Mesa Verde National Park has the finest examples of Ancestral Puebloan
structures and cliff dwellings in the world, dating from about 550AD to
about 1300AD. Mesa Verde has been designated a World Cultural Heritage
Site by the United Nations. It was also rated the #1 “Historical Hot
Spot” by Historic Traveler magazine. Hours: Open daily, year-round. Chapin Mesa Museum is open from 8AM to 6:30AM mid-April to mid-October; 8AM to 5PM the rest of the year. Far View Visitor Center is open from 8AM to 5PM mid-April to mid-October. Ranger-guided tours and self-guided tours are available in Spring, Summer, and Fall. Limited services are available in Winter. Park Fees: Park Entrance Fee for Private Vehicles is $10.00 You can also purchase an annual National Parks Pass for $50, or Seniors 62 years or older can get a Golden Age Passport with a one time processing charge of $10. You must purchase a Golden Age Passport in person (it is not available by mail or telephone). This can be done at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee. At time of purchase you must show proof of age (62 years or older) and be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. For information about these and other passes visit http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm Guided Tours: Half Day and Full Day Tours are available. More than 4,000 cliff dwellings are hidden in the area. Guided tours help you unlock the mysteries of the Ancestral Puebloans. Experience the world of those early Mesa Verdeans with Park-Service trained guides. Balcony House ruins has ranger-led tours late May through late Oct. Visitors must obtain a ticket for the tours at the Far West View Visitor Center the day of their visit. There are no advanced reservations. Click here for detailed tour information www.visitmesaverde.com For more information about Mesa Verde visit their website at: www.nps.gov/meve |
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Durango Pro Rodeo is located at the
La
Plata County Fairgrounds, this PRCA sanctioned professional rodeo is a real treat for adults and
children alike. The rodeo offers real professional circuit western rodeo
competition like bronco bustin', calf roping, bull riding and barrel
racing. They also have a mutton bustin' competition open to children age
7 & under - sign up before the rodeo. Rodeo begins at 7:30pm Check the website below for performance dates. June 20 - Aug 23rd, 2003. For more information, visit their website at http://www.durangoprorodeo.com/ |
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Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is just one of
the many nice reasons to come to Durango. Relive
history with the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a truly spectacular
journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Experience the adventure of traveling by a coal-fired, steam-powered
locomotive on the same tracks miners, cowboys and settlers of the old
west took over a century. For reservations or information call the train at 1-888-872-4607, or visit their website at www.durangotrain.com (All tickets include entrance to the Durango Railroad Museum & the Silverton Freight Yard Museum.) Bus service is available for one leg of the journey with advance reservations. |
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The Railroad Museum brings the heritage of railroading in the Rockies to life through rare
photos, memorabilia and full-size, kid-climbable locomotives. You’ll
get the chance to see the library and fascinating railroad memorabilia,
such as lamps and locks, rare W.H. Jackson photos, railroad art and much
more. You are cordially invited to the museum before or after your
adventure on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. And when
you purchase tickets for the train, you get free entrance to the museum! Durango & Silverton Museum Hours Located at the Train Depot Winter – 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Summer – 7:00 am - 8:00 pm |
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Durango
Mountain Resort |
Durango Mountain Resort is a great place for
recreation both summer and winter. In winter, 2,500 acres of terrain, 11 lifts, 40 miles of groomed trails and 20 feet of annual snowfall, all under a great, big, swallow-you-whole blue sky. A person can’t help but realize they’re surrounded by something more impressive than designer logos. In fact, Outside magazine rates our weather among the best of any ski resort in the country, with giant nighttime dumps bookended by warm, sunny days. And Ski magazine honored Durango as one of America’s Top 10 ski towns. There’s plenty of room for alpine skiing, telemarking, snowboarding, tubing and even snowbiking. And pinch yourself, because, unlike other resorts in winter, lodging availability goes up and prices go down in Durango. That’s right. Availability goes up and prices go down. For more information, visit their website at www.durangomountainresort.com |
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Nordic Ski Center |
The Nordic Center, just
across the highway from the main entrance to Durango Mountain Resort.
Spend a day cross country skiing on snow shoeing on 16 kilometers of groomed trails.
The track is perfect for classic
Nordic or skate-style skiing. Pack a lunch and have a picnic at one of
the many tables with great views of the Needle Mountains. Ski rentals
are available at the base hut. Remember to layer - it can get mighty warm
out there- you'll be peeling like an onion! |
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Hiking & Biking |
FOR HIKING & MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
CLICK
HERE. |
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Durango FAQs &
Insider Tips Great Travel Tips Our Favorite Travel Links |
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Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
http://www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com/ Durango.Colorado Info http://www.durangocoloradousa.com/ |
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| If
you have any questions, comments or if you have any full or half day
trips you would like to add, we would be very happy to share them with
the world! Send all the details to Leah, your Travel Guide, at info@destinationcoupons.com |
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