These activities can be enjoyed by young and old alike:
Durango-Silverton Railroad / Mesa Verde / Scenic Drives / Hot Springs / Recreation Center
Durango-Silverton Railroad – The Durango-Silverton train is Colorado’s #2 tourist attraction behind Mesa Verde. The ole time steam train runs from downtown Durango to Silverton some 60 miles straight into the mountains and runs along the Anamis River Valley with incrediable views. Silverton is an old silver mining town and is a poplular place to visit. Reservations are a must. We recommend taking the train up but riding the bus on the return trip. If you have kids along they will probably sleep all the way back on the train anyway and the bus is faster. The train even runs in the winter but the trip is shorter but beautiful! It goes about halfway to Silverton to Cascade Mountain and turns around. Depending on the ages of your kids this may not be an option. Some friends say their children slept the whole way because they were so tired from skiing the day before….but the adults had fun! To learn more click on this link: www.durangotrain.com.
Mesa Verde – Mesa Verde is the famous national park dedicated to the early ‘cliff dwellers’, where 2,000 years ago the ancestrial Pueblo Indians settled for 700 years. The entrance to the park is about 40 miles from the Curry Barn. Take HWY 160 west through Cortez…one of our favorite drives. You will pass through Mancos, a small town that has a great bakery for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Mancos is about 20 minutes from the Barn. Learn more: www.visitmesaverde.com.
Scenic Drive: If you’re up for a drive, love gorgeous scenery, and don’t mind heights, then try a trip looping around Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango. This takes most of the day but it is well worth it. Every town is unique with fun shopping and good restaurants. The roads are high and curvy but very good condition. Truly a great day trip, however, the road between Ouray and Silverton is closed during the winter.
Retail Shopping: Durango is one of Colorado’s top tourist areas so there is a vast array of retail shopping opportunities.
Trimble Hot Springs: This is a nice place to unwind at the end of the day. It’s located at the north end of Durango. They have several pools of varying temperatures and a variety of spa treatments. There are numerous spas for the ladies in Durango.
Durango Recreation Center: New indoor sports center with a water park, hot tubs, lap pools, resistance pool, basketball gym, workout areas, and indoor rock climbing wall. There are lockers, showers, places to dry hair, etc. You can easily spend 3-4 hours here. If it’s the only thing on your schedule go during the morning to mid-day to avoid the local traffic and late afternoon skiers. It’s great to stop there after skiing. Take your swim suits and shower and change into comfy clothes or PJ’s. Towels are available or take our Wal-Mart green towels in the corner cupboard in the master bedroom. Be prepared because once your kids go to the rec center they are going to want to go every day! 970-375-7300. Located on the north end of Durango. You don’t need a membership just pay when you go (very cheap).
