Things To Do in Durango
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
Durango Attractions
While taking a steam-train trip on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is undeniably the area's top attraction, there are other things to do here. Those interested in a close-up view of the city's numerous historic buildings will want to pick up free copies of several walking-tour brochures from the visitor center . Along Main Avenue you'll see the handsome Strater Hotel, the building that housed the region's first bank, and the sites of saloons and other businesses of the late 1800s and early 1900s; while walking down Third Avenue you'll pass several stone churches and some of the finest homes in Durango from the same period, including the house where silent movie star Harold Lloyd lived during part of his childhood.
- Museum
Animas Museum
Durango's fascinating history comes to life at this century-old schoolhouse on the north side of town. Beyond the impressive collection of archival photographs, visitors can get a look at displays covering the pioneer and mining eras, including the classroom outfitted like it was in… - Museum
Durango Discovery Museum
The former Children's Museum of Durango moved to the historic powerhouse on the Animas River. The result is a great kids museum nicknamed “The Pow,” with a multistory indoor playground, science exhibits including a 3-D printer and an Earth simulator, and plenty of fun activities… - Museum
Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum
The rainbow trout that hatch here are released to stock a number of rivers and lakes in southwestern Colorado, and the outdoor tanks that hold thousands of fish are the prime attraction here. The facility produces more than 1.3 million fish a year, and visitors can feed the fish via… - Museum
Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum
Visitors get firsthand experience with Ute culture and tradition at this 52,000-square-foot facility that celebrates the living history of Colorado’s longest continuous residents. Dynamic multi-sensory and interactive exhibitions along with rare artifact collections are presented,… - Ride
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Colorado’s most famous train has been in continual operation since 1881. In all that time, its route has never varied: up the Río de las Animas Perdidas (River of Lost Souls), through 45 miles of mountain and San Juan National Forest wilderness to the historic mining town of…
More About Durango Attractions
Durango Shopping
You'll find some of your best shopping opportunities in southwest Colorado in downtown Durango, along Main Avenue from the Durango & Silverton Railroad Depot north to 10th Street. Here, interspersed among restaurants and historic hotels, are shops selling a wide variety of items -- ranging from custom-made Western hats to kitchen gizmos to fine porcelain and imported gifts. And yes, there are plenty of tacky T-shirts as well.
Those seeking the region's premier art gallery will have to leave Main Avenue, but it's not far to the Toh-Atin Gallery, 145 W. Ninth St. (tel. 800/525-0384 or 970/247-8277; www.toh-atin.com). Specializing in original Southwestern and American Indian art, the gallery stocks Navajo weavings, bronze and alabaster sculptures, original paintings, pueblo pottery, and handcrafted jewelry.
Durango Nightlife
During summer, the acclaimed Durango Melodrama & Vaudeville, at the Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. (📞 970/375-7160; www.durangomelodrama.com), presents authentic late-1800s melodrama—hiss the evil villain and cheer the beautiful heroine—plus a vaudeville review of singing, dancing, and comedy. Tickets are $18 to $30.
You’ll get a tasty meal and a live Western stage show at Bar D Chuckwagon Suppers, 8080 C.R. 250 (📞 970/247-5753; www.bardchuckwagon.com), north of Durango via U.S. 550 and Trimble Lane (C.R. 252). Open Memorial Day to Labor Day , Bar D offers a choice of roast beef, chicken, or steak, with all of the fixings. After dinner comes the show: Western music with fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and great singers, plus some really hokey comedy. Reservations are required. Cost includes supper and show, and is $24 to $34 for those 9 and older and $10 for kids 8 and under.
In July and August, the long-running Music in the Mountains brings virtuosos from all over the world for a series of chamber and orchestra concerts at Durango Mountain Resort, Fort Lewis College, and other venues. Some performances are free; tickets for others run $10 to $54. For the schedule and other information, contact Music in the Mountains (📞 970/385-6820; www.musicinthemountains.com).
As Durango is both a college and tourist town, the bar scene is especially lively. Stalwarts include El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave. (📞 970/259-8111), a historic local favorite with pool tables and TVs; the very authentic Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave (📞 970/403-1200); and Lady Falconburgh’s Barley Exchange, 640 Main Ave. (📞 970/382-9664), with over 140 beers on tap; as well as Steamworks Brewing Co. (p. ###) and the Diamond Belle Saloon at the Strater Hotel ().
Just south of downtown at 225 Girard St. is the world headquarters of Ska Brewing (📞 970/247-5792; www.skabrewing.com)a commercial brewery with a lively taproom open Monday through Saturday until 7 or 8pm. The beer is excellent and there is live music on Thursdays.
