Introduction
Montrose is a historic town with plenty of things to do. You can enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding, or just sit back and watch the world go by from the banks of beautiful Lake Fork. There’s something for everyone in this quaint mountain town!
1. Museum of the Mountain West
Located in Montrose, Colorado, the Museum of the Mountain West is a great place to learn about the history and culture of this region. It’s open year-round and has exhibits on everything from mining to Native American tribes to local wildlife and geology. There are also rotating exhibits that highlight special events in the area. The gift shop offers books, clothing, jewelry, and other souvenirs so you can take home something unique from your trip.
2. Ute Indian Museum
The Ute Indian Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon. It is located on the lower level of the University of Colorado campus and has free parking nearby. The museum features exhibits on everything from Ute history, culture, and language to games played by children today. If you’re interested in learning more about these people who were the first inhabitants of this area, then this is a must-visit location!
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm; Closed Monday except for fort holidays. Admission: Free but donations are welcome!
3. Flying Iron Ranch Alpacas
Flying Iron Ranch, located near Montrose, is an alpaca farm that offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages. You can learn about the history of alpacas and how they are raised on the ranch, or you can simply enjoy spending time with these friendly animals. While there are numerous farms throughout Colorado where you may be able to interact with alpacas, Flying Iron Ranch has become popular because it’s not only an educational experience but also one that’s fun for young children who have never seen anything like this before in person! The cost to visit the ranch is $5 per person or $20 per family (children under 6 years old are free).
4. Montrose County Historical Museum
The Montrose County Historical Museum is located at 430 West 7th Avenue in Montrose and is open from 1-4 pm on Mondays, 10 am -4 pm on Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 am – 3:30 pm on Saturdays, and 12-4 pm on Sundays.
The admission fee for the museum is $2 for adults and $1 for children.
The museum has exhibits that focus on early pioneer life in Montrose County, including a one-room schoolhouse with period furniture and artifacts. There are also displays about the history of cattle raising throughout Colorado, as well as an old-time saloon complete with a working bar! The museum hosts special events throughout the year such as Pioneer Days (in September), Christmas at the Museum (in December), and Haunted Hike through Leadville Gulch (in October) among many others!
5. Montrose Water Sports Park
Montrose Water Sports Park is a great place to go for fun in the sun, especially if you want to find out what kinds of sports are available in Colorado.
The park has a variety of water activities including kayaking, tubing, and paddle boarding. If you’re looking for something more relaxing and laid-back, then the tubing is the way to go. You can rent your tube from one of the many vendors that dot Montrose Water Sports Park or bring your own from home! Either way, it’s sure to be an experience you won’t forget anytime soon! There are also places where you can eat, drink and shop during your time at Montrose Water Sports Park so make sure not to miss out on this awesome experience.
6. Ute Trail
If you’re looking for an adventure, Ute Trail is a great choice. It’s located in Montrose County, Colorado, and is part of the Ute Pass Scenic and Historic Byway. There are many beautiful landscapes to see as you hike along this trail: from large fields and meadows to mountain views and creekside forests. The overall length of this hike is 5.5 miles with some steep inclines that can be difficult for inexperienced hikers so make sure that you bring plenty of water with you!
7. Montrose Botanic Gardens
The Montrose Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to go in Montrose if you want to get outside, see some beautiful plants, and learn a thing or two about them. You can also get your hands dirty by helping out with the maintenance of these gorgeous gardens. There are over 200 species of plants at this botanical garden so it’s sure to be interesting for all ages! If you love nature or want to learn more about gardening, this is the place for you! The Montrose Botanic Gardens is open year-round from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mountain Time). To find out more about how much each ticket costs, check out their website here: https://www.montrosespringsbotanicgardensstatepark.com/
8. Covered Bridge Ranch
If you are looking for a great place to visit with your family and friends, then Covered Bridge Ranch is the place for you. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this ranch features an array of animals including buffalo, elk, deer, and bison. Visitors can also see sheep, pigs, and chickens on some days. The ranch is open year-round with events and activities throughout each season. There are several locations where guests can go horseback riding as well as take part in other activities such as hiking or canoeing through their beautiful property which provides great views of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains!
The covered bridge at Covered Bridge Ranch was built over 100 years ago by hand using local materials found nearby on their land like cedar logs from trees that once grew there before being cut down during construction work done by men hired off-site (who came here specifically because this spot happens to be remote). As soon as people saw how much fun it would be getting together every day after school — not just playing sports but riding horses too — they started asking questions about how exactly those animals get trained so they could try it out themselves.”
9. Montrose Visitor Center
You’ll want to stop by the Montrose Visitor Center, located at 110 South 6th St. in downtown Montrose, Colorado. The center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and is located in the historic Montrose County Courthouse.
Visitors will find a gift shop, information center, and bathrooms in addition to a full-scale model of the courthouse that was built in 1898.
10. La Noue DuBois
La Noue DuBois is a French restaurant that has been around since 1989. The atmosphere of this place is great and the food is excellent, but the wine list and menu are equally as impressive. It’s one of those places where you could go with your friends or family, or just by yourself if you want to get some peace.
11. Montrose Farmers’ Market
The Montrose Farmers’ Market is open from 8 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays, and it’s located at the intersection of Main Street and Center Avenue. The market features abundant fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, and more! If you enjoy cooking or baking with locally sourced ingredients then this is the place for you. You can expect to find everything from organic kale to handmade jewelry at the Montrose Farmers’ Market. If you’re looking for something specific then it might be best to call ahead before heading over; however, if you’re just browsing then there’s no need to worry about making sure every item is perfect because all vendors come prepared with plenty of choices!
12. Cimarron Song Gallery
Here’s a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, especially if you’re into art. The Cimarron Song Gallery is open on weekends and features the work of local artists. If you’d like to purchase any of their pieces, they also have a gift shop with all kinds of artwork for sale.
The building itself is historic since it was built back in 1883 and has been converted into an art gallery today.
13. SOM Sense of Motion Footwear
You can find SOM Sense of Motion Footwear at 2601 Main St. in Montrose Colorado. This shoe store has a wide selection of shoes, boots, and sandals to choose from. They also sell hiking boots for the active person who loves to hike in the Rocky Mountains.
14. Chipeta Lake State Wildlife Area
Chipeta Lake State Wildlife Area is a great place to go fishing. The lake is a popular spot for boating, swimming, and hiking, so you’re sure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. There are plenty of camping spots if you want to stay overnight and enjoy nature even more!
15. Duncan Trailhead
Duncan Trailhead is located in Montrose, Colorado.
Located at the top of Montrose Canyon, this trailhead is part of the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway. The trail can be accessed from either Highway 6 or Highway 65. Numerous trails branch off from Duncan Trailhead, including Lime Creek Trail and South Mineral Creek Trail which can lead you to Lime Creek Falls and Three Way Falls respectively.
The best time of year to go is summer because it’s cool enough for you not to get burned by the sun but warm enough for you not to freeze your butt off! You do need some good hiking boots though as some of those trails are steep! Bring water and sunscreen just in case! Remember: no dogs are allowed on these trails so leave them at home if they don’t like walking long distances (or else they will try to run away).
16. Montrose Recreation District
Montrose Recreation District has been providing recreation opportunities for the Montrose community since 1993. The district owns and operates two pools, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool; a playground; a fitness center; a gymnasium, as well as many other recreational facilities such as tennis courts and basketball courts.
The district also hosts many events throughout the year including summer camps for kids, adult exercise classes (yoga), swim meets, and much more!
17. Cascade Bicycles
Cascade Bicycles is located at 801 Colorado Avenue, and they’re open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The bike shop sells new and used bikes, as well as bike parts and storage solutions for your new ride—or your old one! They also offer cycling apparel that you can purchase at their store or online via the Cascade website (www.cascadebicyclecompany.com).
18. Flat Top-Peach Valley Recreation Area
Flat Top-Peach Valley Recreation Area is located in Montrose, Colorado, and offers camping, hiking, and fishing. The park has two campgrounds with cabins available for rent. Both are open year-round and feature showers, restrooms, and electricity.
The park offers three trails: the flat top trail along the ridge; the north rim trail which goes along the canyon edge; and the south rim trail which follows a series of switchbacks down into the peach valley basin. All three trails offer breathtaking views of both sides of this rugged canyon that drops over 1 mile down to where it meets up with road 258 (Royal Gorge). Each trail offers something unique as well as different challenges for those looking for an adventure!
19. Star Drive Inn Theatre
The Star Drive Inn Theatre is a historic theatre in Montrose, Colorado that hosts independent films and shows. It’s one of the oldest cinemas in Colorado (built-in 1931), but it has kept its charm with a small screen and very low seats. Check out what they have to offer by visiting their site or calling them at (970) 249-9595.
20. Christ’s Church of the Valley
A visit to Christ’s Church of the Valley is a must. The church, which has been in existence since 1970, has seen many visitors and offers multiple services each week. They are located at 7001 S. Lincoln Ave., just off I-70 on South Lincoln Avenue if you need directions.
If you’re looking for a place where everyone knows your name (and also might want to become your best friend), Christ’s Church of the Valley is it!
21. The Boardwalk Shops
The Boardwalk Shops are a great place to shop, dine, and visit. It’s the only shopping center in Montrose with specialty stores and boutiques. You can find many unique gifts and souvenirs here too!
There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes for you to enjoy before or after your shopping spree. The movie theater is popular for families because it has childcare services available at certain times of the day so parents can enjoy their time out together as well as take care of their little ones while they’re there! If you’d rather stay outside, then there’s plenty of that too! You can rent paddle boats, kayaks, bikes—you name it! Or if walking isn’t your thing (or if there’s bad weather), then take a horse-drawn carriage ride through town instead!
Takeaway
If you’re still looking for things to do in Montrose, check out the rest of our suggestions. We’ve got everything from museums and theater to hiking trails and shopping:
- The Museum of Western Art (MWA) houses more than 5,000 pieces of art spanning the last 150 years. There’s also a sculpture garden where you can enjoy some outdoor time while viewing works by artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams.
- If you’re interested in learning about Colorado’s past, go on a tour at the Museum of Colorado Prisons & Penitentiary. You’ll see original cells, solitary confinement rooms, and even an old death chamber!
- Want something fun? Try going bowling at Montrose Bowl Lanes or playing pool at Montrose Billiards Sports Bar & Grill!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this list of fun things to do in Montrose, Colorado. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful town!
