Durango is a great city in southwestern Colorado, full of history and charm. The town offers a plethora of outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, biking, and skiing. The dining options are fabulous as well. We arrived in Durango having already spent several weeks on the road (you can read about Aspen and Steamboat Springs here), and just wanted to relax and take it easy. If that’s your plan, below I recommend 4 easy and fun things to do in Durango, Colorado.
4 easy and fun things to do in Durango, Colorado
1. Explore the historic downtown
Durango’s Main Avenue is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is lined with restaurants, shops, and galleries. Take your time and check out the different stores. When you get tired, sit down in one of the many cafes and enjoy a coffee, a snack, or a drink. Durango boasts a lot of outdoor patios, so it’s fun to sit down and people watch. Don’t forget to check out the 11th Street Station, which is a vibrant food truck area with good music and casual food.
2. Have a drink at the Diamond Belle Saloon
The Diamond Belle Saloon is located in the beautiful Strater Hotel and is popular with locals and tourists alike. Definitely stop by for a drink or dinner here. The atmosphere is great and the indoor decor will make you feel like you’re in the Old West.
3. Walk along the Animas River
Once you’ve had your fill of Main Street, head to the trail along the Animas River. The trail is paved and stretches for about 7 miles. You can access it from multiple points in the city, which allows you to make it a longer or shorter hike. The river is also great for rafting or tubing, so if you feel more adventurous, there are options for you.
4. Visit the Railroad Museum
The Durango Railroad Museum is fantastic with lots of interesting exhibits. You can check out steam locomotives and railroad cars, as well as many other railroad-related objects. The museum is free, which is another reason to visit it. You can easily spend 30 minutes to an hour exploring the exhibits. You can also take a train from Durango to Silverton, which is actually a popular thing to do. We didn’t do it due to the pandemic but we’ve heard it’s very scenic.
Want to explore a nearby area? Visit Mesa Verde
Less than an hour away from Durango is Mesa Verde National Park. The park preserves a great collection of Ancestral Puebloan dwellings and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. I highly recommend taking a day to visit the park. You can read about the best of Mesa Verde here.
