Durango

Things to Do in Durango, Colorado

Located in Southwest Colorado at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, Durango is an escape from the ordinary. This mountain town has many claims to fame, including mountain bike mecca, the best water town, the best scenic train ride, top family ski resort, and even the dog-friendliest destination. Discover for yourself what makes this area a unique and memorable place for people of all types to visit and enjoy.

All Seasons in Durango

Durango’s southwest location and proximity to the mountains ensure the seasonal experience. Even better, during seasonal transitions, you can participate in winter and snow sports at higher elevations or take a short drive further southwest and jump into summer fun. Locals appreciate this feature, and Durango does a great job of promoting seasonal events. You will surely find something going on at any time of year in Durango.

Silverthorne

Things to Do in Silverthorne, Colorado

Nestled along the Blue River in a lush valley with amazing views and access to the Gore Range Mountains, Silverthorne offers the perfect balance of nature and nurture. With gold medal fly fishing on the famed Blue River, hundreds of brands to shop at the Outlets at Silverthorne, a full-service recreation center and performances at the Pavilion, Silverthorne has an activity for everyone. Whether you like to relax and recharge or take on a new adventure, you can always set your own pace in Silverthorne. Silverthorne’s location provides access to 25 miles of National Forest and State Trailheads and 35 acres of open space and parks. Paved riverfront trails provide an up-close and personal way to experience the Blue River. You can walk to your favorite shopping destination, or to sneak away to fish our Gold Medal waters.

Dillon

Things to Do in Dillon, Colorado

The town of Dillon lies in the heart of Summit County, Colorado, with easy access from I-70 at Exit 205. The town and the surrounding communities of Silverthorne and Frisco make for an outdoor adventure mecca year-round. In the summer, the Reservoir (known by locals as Lake Dillon) is the crown jewel, beckoning with inviting watersports that are unique in this landlocked state. The alpine lake is an inviting attraction for boating, rafting, and fishing—and simply enjoying the laid-back lifestyle of a water community.

History

Like so much Colorado history, Dillon’s story dates back to the Gold Rush. Prospectors discovered gold near the headwaters of the Blue River in 1859, and modern-day Summit County’s population skyrocketed as hopeful miners flocked to the area to make their fortunes. The town was incorporated in the early 1880s, but the idea to dam the Blue River didn’t take shape until the early 20th century. The earth-filled dam wasn’t actually completed until 60 years later.

Lake Dillon Attractions

In the summer, Dillon becomes one of the country’s most unique lake towns. The 26 miles of shoreline along the reservoir give the destination a decidedly beach-like feel. At the Dillon Marina—the highest deep-water marina in North America—you can rent water toys galore, from personal watercraft to sailboats. Visitors can rent fishing and pontoon boats in addition to waterski-ready craft.

Themed boat tours include Women and Wine on the Water and Historic Boat Tours, which tells the fascinating story of the area’s rich history. It’s possible to book a charter cruise. The marina even has a sailing school, where you can take an introduction to sailing course or get basic keelboat instruction. A water shuttle that takes people (and their bikes) back and forth between the marinas in Dillon and Frisco. It’s a great way to spend some time on the water and enjoy a one-way bike ride back to your home base.

The Lakeside Amphitheatre

Catch a free lakeside concert at the newly renovated Lakeside Amphitheatre every Friday and Saturday night from June through early September. Taking place each weekend, the concerts feature a wide variety of acts, including national headliners like George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, in addition to local favorites. You’ll find rock, jazz, folk, and orchestral offerings throughout the summer. Movies on the Water are offered on Sundays in July and August, and classic films are shown at the amphitheater weekly. Behind the amphitheater, you’ll find a sandy beach known as Dillon’s North Shore, which is a great spot for relaxing and enjoying the lake.

Farmers Markets

The Farmers Market features a wide variety of Colorado-grown produce, artisan goods, and crafts, with live music giving it a festive flair. This Market runs every Friday from June through September, making it the perfect place to grab something to go for a picnic on the reservoir. Visitors will find one of the state’s best-known farmers markets with lots of Colorado-grown produce in addition to locally produced cheeses, meats, honey, confections, and bread, just to name a few.

Local artists exhibit unique clothes and jewelry, handmade pottery and crafts, health/beauty products, and even home goods. Live music gives the market a festival-like atmosphere and a kid’s area with games, entertainment, and live performances. It’s a family-friendly way to spend the morning. You can even start the day right with Yoga in the Park, which is available just as the market opens at 9 a.m.

Dillon for Kids

Bring the kiddos to Marina Park, a great spot to play and have lunch with the family. You can also learn and observe at Dillon’s Nature Preserve or relax at the Town Park. If the Wild West has you hungry for knowledge, check out the Summit Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum. Don’t forget to check out the numerous tennis, basketball, and bocce ball courts. If the Wild West has you hungry for knowledge, check out the Summit Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum.

Delta County

Visit Delta County, Colorado

Rich in culture and history with bountiful orchards, lake-strewn mountains, vast forests and desert canyons. Delta County includes the communities of Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Eckert, Hotchkiss, Orchard City and Paonia.

Salida

Find Adventure in Salida, Colorado

Visitors are lured to Salida by the abundance of outdoor activities, art galleries and shops, local history and the natural scenic beauty of the area. Bordered on the west by the Continental Divide and on the east by the Arkansas River, Salida’s location is ideal for both adventure and relaxation. The Arkansas River runs through downtown Salida and is a playground for rafters, kayakers, paddle-boarders and “beach lovers.” For over 70 years Salida has been the site of FIBArk, the nation’s longest-running whitewater-rafting competition held annually in mid-June. The Arkansas River is recognized as a Gold Medal designation with the highest quality cold-water habitat for fish.

Salida is also a great place to relax, with spas, wellness centers, and hot springs. The downtown Creative District is packed with art galleries, restaurants, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, antique shops and all types of boutique shopping. Treat the kids to the adventures awaiting in family-friendly Salida.

Buena Vista

Explore Buena Vista, Colorado

Buena Vista is a mix of a quiet mountain community and a vital tourist town known for its friendly people bound together by a love of the outdoors, clean-air and small-town living.

Located in central Colorado on the Arkansas River, rafting and kayaking are two exciting activities that draw people to the area. The whitewater park at the end of East Main provides great family fun. Cross the footbridge in the park and you can mountain bike or hike right from town. Like to fish? Recently this part of the river has been designated a Gold Medal fishing area.

Over ten 14,000′ mountains within 30 minutes provide wonderful, scenic hiking and mountain bike trails. Hot springs are open all year.

Quaint shops, galleries, museums, a variety of restaurants, historic re-enactments, concerts in the park, farmer’s markets, and a full calendar of events make Buena Vista a fun place to vacation.

Breckenridge

Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is known as a world-class ski and snowboard destination, and for good reason – Breckenridge Ski Resort spans four peaks and more than 2,300 acres that include five terrain parks, two half-pipes, eight bowls and the highest chairlift in North America. Beyond the runs? Signature winter parties, indie shopping, an award-winning arts district and locally-made libations await. After all, Breck delivers on diversity.

Prospectors discovered gold when they founded this mountain town in 1859. Today, Breck is a quaint mountain town tucked away in the Ten Mile Range. The 154-year-old Victorian town includes one of the state’s largest National Historic Districts with 249 Historic District structures.

Beaver Creek

Things to Do in Beaver Creek, Colorado

With heated walkways, escalators to the slopes and immaculate grooming, slope-side accommodations, warm après-ski cookies and the Ivy League of ski schools, you really are “not exactly roughing it” in Beaver Creek. Despite 300 days of sunshine and 1,805 acres of Colorado grandeur, Beaver Creek also boasts the intimacy of an alpine village, featuring mouthwatering cuisine, blissful spas and captivating performing arts.

Aspen

Vacation in Aspen, Colorado

Ahhh, Aspen, Colorado, where do we start? The name alone conjures images of majestic mountains, outdoor adventure, healthy living, divine dining, music festivals, and exceptional shopping. To the world, Aspen means “The Good Life.” And yes, this town has everything the good life has to offer. But there is even more—Aspen’s got soul.

It is a world-class destination with outdoor adventures from skiing to biking, with a flair for arts and culture, but still maintains enough small-town charm for year-round residents to call it home. Aspen truly is a unique diamond nestled in the rough of the Rocky Mountains that has a knack for bringing big city features to you in a way that defies the ordinary. Learn more about Aspen via the Aspen Chamber and Resort Association or sign up for a FREE Visitor’s Guide.

Vail

Things to Do at Vail Resort, Colorado

Throughout the US, Vail Resort is synonymous with the American alpine experience. Situated high up in the Gore Valley and surrounded by the White River National Forest, this community is ideally located in proximity to all the Rocky Mountains have to offer. Vail Ski Resort opened on December 15, 1962, boasting one gondola, two chair lifts, eight ski instructors, and a $5 lift ticket. Since then, this resort has become the most extensive ski area on a single mountain in the United States and caters to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Today, this area consists of three distinct communities: East Vail, Cascade Village, and West Vail. To learn more about how these communities together make a world-class resort. Additionally, neighboring Beaver Creek Resort is a stand-alone resort and community.

Access this region via Eagle County Regional Airport, just 37 miles away, or 2 hours and 15 minutes from Denver International Airport, 92 miles.

About Vail Mountain

The resort’s three base areas are Golden Peak, Vail Village, and Lionshead. During the winter season, signs with grooming reports and trail access information are posted daily at all three base areas. Trail maps for those unfamiliar with the mountain can be found at all lift ticket windows, on-mountain lodges, and throughout the base areas. Visitors should also familiarize themselves with the skier responsibility code on the trail map.

Adventure Ridge offers excellent activities for families and kids. Tubing, ski bikes, a children’s snowmobile track, and ice skating are available.
Home to some of the world’s best ski and snowboard instructors. Lessons are available for all levels of skiers, snowboarders, or telemark skiers. Newcomers to these activities are strongly advised to take a lesson—your knees and elbows will thank you for it later!
The FREE PEAKS program is the best money and timesaver for multiple-day skiers and snowboarders. Contact any of the lift ticket offices to make a purchase. Open until 4:30 p.m. daily.
Blue Sky Basin is one of the farthest-to-reach areas and is accessible by several lifts and trails from the front of the mountain. The area has no dining options, but a warming hut and bathrooms are available.
Tired legs are dangerous. If your legs are tired, download on the Vista Bahn, Riva Bahn, or Gondola rather than taking your chances with an injury.

Learn more about central Colorado.

What’s Happening at the Resort

Their signature events have become very popular. They feature activities such as Top of Mountain Yoga, the Apres Spring Series, a Tase of Vail, GoPro Mountain Games, and more.
Of course, there is skiing and snowboarding at Vail Mountain. World-renowned back bowls, Golden Peak, and Blue Sky Basin.
There are plenty of hiking trails. See their Hiking Guide and information about Adventure Ridge. There is also more about gondola access hiking.
Extensive mountain biking trails with gondola access.
A long list of events going on in the community.
Plan your wedding in Vail.
Vail Dance Festival.

With a European feel, Vail Village and Lionshead Village are designed to accommodate pedestrians. Take a stroll through the villages down the heated cobblestone walkways to enjoy fire pits, sculptures, and water features. As well as its reputation as a legendary mountain town with world-class skiing, plush accommodations, fine dining, and fantastic shopping.

Vail has the Family in Mind

Consider this entire area a giant playground for kids, families, and adults. This resort is packed with places to explore, activities, events, new adventures, and quality time to make lasting memories.

Exploring Arts & Culture

Diversity of cultural and educational activities is an attraction for locals and guests. The community considers its cultural scene top-notch, with access to theatre, music, arts, and educational experiences that will enlighten and lift the spirit.