Durango (Colorado)

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The train depot in downtown Durango from where you can catch the Durango-Silverton train
The train depot in downtown Durango from where you can catch the Durango-Silverton train

Durango [1] is in the southwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is perhaps most famous for the historic narrow gauge railroad that connects Durango with Silverton.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

Durango/La Plata County Airport [2], to the southeast of town on US-160 and SR-172, has commuter air service from Salt Lake City, Denver, and Phoenix.

[edit] By car

The town is well connected by highways from all major compass points, but some care should be taken if driving here from the east via US Highway 160. This spectacular highway crosses high Wolf Creek Pass (nice ski area nearby) east of Durango, in an area that receives a great deal of snowfall, and is often closed for a time during the winter.

[edit] Get around

  • Durango has many rental car agencies, a luxury motor-coach company, local taxi service, local buses and a downtown trolley. Durango is a small quaint town easy to get around on foot or bike.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

The Durango-Silverton train on the route back to Durango from Cascade where it stops during the winter time.
The Durango-Silverton train on the route back to Durango from Cascade where it stops during the winter time.
  • Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Avenue, +1 888 872-4607, [3]. This steam-gauge railroad is one of the great scenic railroad lines of the United States. The train runs round trip tours to the mountain town of Silverton, with time for sightseeing at the far end. The route passes through superb scenery along the Animas River and in the appropriately named "Needles" range of the San Juan Mountains, passing close to three of Colorado's "Fourteeners," mountains with summits above 14,000 feet. Intermediate stops close to the Needles are popular with backpackers and climbers heading into the mountains. The train itself is gorgeous to look at, both inside and out; choose between one of the enclosed cars and its fine old woodwork, or an open-air car with extra viewing opportunities (and lots of cinders in the air from the steam engine—not recommended if you wear contacts or are unwilling to get a little grit in your clothes). Reservations are a must.

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Main Avenue in downtown Durango is a well-known shopping area.
  • Durango Mall, 800 S. Camino Del Rio, +1 970 259-3603, [4]. Standard strip mall tenants, like Linens N Things, Pier 1 Imports, JC Penney, Kay Jewelers, and Sears.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Avenue, +1 970 259-2545, [5]. 6:30AM-10PM. $7-$19.
  • East By Southwest, 160 E. College Drive, +1 970 247-5533, [6]. $7-$30.
  • Ken & Sues, 636 Main Avenue, +1 970 385-1810, [7].
  • Olde Schoolhouse Cafe, 46778 Highway 550, +1 970 259-2257.
  • Olde Tymer's Cafe, 1000 Main Avenue, +1 970 259-2990.
  • Serious Texas Bar-B-Q, +1 877 259-9507, [8]. Main location: 3535 North Main Avenue, +1 970 247-2240. Secondary location: 650 S Camino Del Rio, +1 970 259-9507. Daily 11AM-9PM. Excellent barbeque, with large portions and delicious food. The main location has a great atmosphere, with plenty of signs and memorabilia from Texas, without overloading you. $4-$6.50.
  • Tequila's Mexican Restaurant, 948 Main Avenue, +1 970 259-7655.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Steamworks Brewing Company, 801 E. 2nd Avenue, +1 970 259-9200, [9].

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • [10]Durango Hometown Hostel, 736 Goeglein Gulch Rd, +1 970 385-4115. Office hours: 8-10:30AM, 3:30-8PM.
  • Best Western Durango Inn & Suites, 21382 Highway 160, +1 970 247-3251 (fax: +1 970 385-4835), [11]. Check-In: 2PM, Check-Out: 11AM.
  • Comfort Inn & Suites, 455 S. Camino Del Rio, +1 970 259-7900 (fax: +1 970 259-7901), [12]. Check-In: 3PM, Check-Out: 12PM.
  • General Palmer Hotel, 567 Main Avenue, +1 970 247-4747, [13]. $85-$275.
  • Holiday Inn, 800 Camino Del Rio, +1 970 247-5393 (fax: +1 970 259-4201), [14].
  • Rochester Hotel, 721 E. 2nd Avenue, +1 970 385-1920, [15]. Boutique Historic Hotel with Hollywood Western motif and free WiFi.
  • Strater Hotel, 699 Main Avenue, +1 970 247-4431, [16].

[edit] Get out

  • Vallecito Lake [17] is located 23 miles northeast of Durango. It offers fishing, boating, hiking trails and horseback riding in the summer. Hunting for elk and deer is also available with fully equipped guide services.
  • Mesa Verde National Park [18] makes a reasonable day trip from Durango.
  • San Juan Scenic Skyway
This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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