Introduction
Durango, Colorado is a fun town. It’s not just for snow sports or even hiking and biking. There are tons of things to do in Durango that don’t involve the outdoors. Here are some ideas:
1. Historic Downtown Durango
If you’re looking for a fun day out in Durango, Historic Downtown is the place to be. Here’s your guide to everything you can do there:
- Eat lunch at one of Durango’s many restaurants. They have everything from Mexican food to pizza and sushi! You won’t be disappointed with whatever you choose.
- Shop at any one of the many cute stores selling everything from clothing to souvenirs!
- Play some games at one of our arcades or go bowling! It’s great fun for all ages!
- Take pictures of all of our beautiful murals painted on buildings throughout town. Some even tell stories about what life was like in the olden days when cowboys roamed around town… just remember not to get too close though because some may look real enough that they might bite off an ear if startled!
- See stars by going stargazing on top of Mount Wilson near downtown Durango–it’ll make up for missing out on watching fireworks (or maybe not).
2. San Juan National Forest
Located in southwestern Colorado and part of the San Juan Mountains, the San Juan National Forest is a federally protected area that was established by Theodore Roosevelt on March 2, 1907. It covers 1,334 square miles (3,452 km2) and stretches across portions of two counties: Dolores and San Miguel Counties. The forest is named after a nearby river; however, it contains many streams that flow into both the Rio Grande River and Dolores River systems.
3. Animas River Trail
The Animas River Trail is a popular place to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. The trail is flat, smooth, and well-maintained, making it an easy walk for all ages. The trail is mostly shaded, so you can expect cooler temperatures in the summer. It’s dog friendly as well!
The best part about this trail? It has drinking fountains and restrooms along the way!
4. Animas River
The Animas River is a whitewater rafting hotspot, and it’s also popular with kayakers and rafters. You can hike along the river, too. There are many fishing spots along the Animas River as well!
5. James Ranch
James Ranch is a working cattle ranch located in Durango, Colorado. The ranch offers many activities to the public including horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. It is also a great place to go for a picnic.
James Ranch has been in business since 1885 when it was founded by James Frank Graves. It has evolved into an agricultural operation that produces certified organic beef and also serves as an educational center for people to learn more about farming practices that work toward sustainability
6. Durango Welcome Center
The Durango Welcome Center is located at 220 Main Avenue. It’s open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, when it closes at 3:00 p.m. The center offers free parking and easy access to public transportation through the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGR) stop nearby, as well as many other attractions and activities in the area including Bird and Wildlife Gallery, Lumberjack Museum, Aspen Historical Society Museum, Mesa Verde National Park Visitor Center, Historic Downtown Walking Tour, Ute Mountain Casino Resort & Spa Hotel & Convention Center Hotel with restaurants like Oskar Blues Brewery Colorado Craft Bar & Grill (located on-site), Black Bear Diner Restaurant and Lounge Bar with live music events held there occasionally too!
The Durango Welcome Center provides visitors with information about local points of interest such as museums (or even mountain biking trails), lodging options within walking distance from downtown Durango near the bus stop facility hours before departure times which can be found online through various websites dedicated specifically toward helping travelers plan before arriving by car
7. Purgatory Resort
Purgatory Resort is a ski resort in Durango, Colorado. It is located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, near the town of Durango.
The resort has four peaks: Bear Peak at 12,570 feet (3,867 m), Purgatory Peak at 12,068 feet (3,688 m), Lone Eagle Peak at 11,887 feet (3,647 m), and Mosca Peak at 11,700 feet (3.587 km). The summits lie on a long ridge line known as ‘The Mesa’ which extends eastward between Lake Como and Cumbres Pass along US Highway 160. The Mesa features steep slopes with high cliffs overlooking deep canyons filled with aspen trees and wildflowers that bloom during summer months when the snow melts from higher elevations caused by global warming or whatever they call it nowadays…
8. Durango Wildlife Museum and Fish Hatchery
You can learn more about the wildlife in the area at this museum, which is located in Durango, Colorado. It’s open year-round and offers free admission, so you can enjoy it any time of day or night! You’ll be able to see live animals like snakes and turtles as well as taxidermied animals from around the world. The museum also has an aquarium with fish from many different places around the world!
The Durango Wildlife Museum was originally opened in 1965 by Dr. Ross Turner who wanted to share his knowledge about wildlife with others so that they might be able to appreciate it too!
9. Durango Community Recreation Center
The Durango Community Recreation Center is a great place to take the kids. It has a gym, indoor pool, and ice rink. There are also basketball courts, tennis courts, and a playground.
10. The Colorado Trail
You can hike the Colorado Trail from the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot to Denver. The trail is 1,000 miles long, but it can be broken up into smaller sections. The scenery along the way changes dramatically depending on how far you travel. At one point you’ll be surrounded by mountains and pine trees; at another point, you’ll find yourself on a mesa with sagebrush and rolling hills punctuated by red dirt roads scattered throughout it.
The best part about hiking portions of the Colorado Trail is that you can stop whenever you want to take pictures, rest your feet or just take in all of its incredible beauty!
11. The Snowbike Experience
The Snowbike Experience is a great way to explore the snowy mountains of Durango. They provide you with all the gear you need so there is no excuse for not trying this. The experience takes about an hour and costs around $75 per person. If you want to make it safer, they do offer a guide who will teach you how to snow bike before taking off on your own. This can be done over 2 hours while riding at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour). There are other locations in Colorado where you can take part in this activity as well but we recommend checking out Durango because it has some great terrain for beginners or experienced riders alike!
12. Animas Mountain Trail
- This hike is a great way to get out and enjoy the beautiful San Juan National Forest.
- The trailhead is located at the Animas Mountain Trailhead, which is only about 3 miles from downtown Durango.
- From there you can hike up to the top of Animas Mountain, which will give you an amazing view of Durango! There are even picnic tables and restrooms up there so you can sit down for lunch or just take a break during your hike.
- It’s a fairly short hike on average but very steep as it climbs over 1000 feet above sea level so it will feel like you accomplished something when reaching the top!
13. Rim Trail/ Campus Loop
This 4.5-mile trail follows a loop around Durango and is a great place to walk or run. You’ll find lots of wildlife and beautiful views along the way, plus it’s easy to get to and close to downtown!
14. Durango Craft Spirits
Durango Craft Spirits is a distillery that makes vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey. They have a tasting room and gift shop where you can sample their handcrafted spirits.
Located in downtown Durango, they are open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.
Conclusion
Durango is a city that has something for everyone. From hiking trails to historic buildings and museums, there is no shortage of fun things to do in this beautiful Colorado town. If you’re looking for some adventure on your next vacation, Durango might just be the place for you!
