'''Durango''' [http://www.durango.org/] 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.

Get in

By air

'''Durango/La Plata County Airport''' [http://www.flydurango.com/], to the southeast of town on US-160 and SR-172, has commuter air service from Denver and Phoenix.

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.

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.
  • See

  • Mesa Verde Tours. .O. Box 909 Durango, Co. 81302. 70.247.8533. ttp://www.mesaverdetours.net. am-9pm. 65 and up. The Four Corners Tour Specialist. Providing our guests with Historical Interpretive tours from the Ancestral Puebloan to the Historical Mining areas of Southwestern Colorado. Group and Private accomodations available. Year round tour offerings.

    Do

  • '''Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad''', 479 Main Avenue, ''+1 888'' 872-4607, [http://www.durangotrain.com]. 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.
  • Buy

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

  • '''Carver Brewing Co.''', 1022 Main Avenue, ''+1 970'' 259-2545, [http://www.carverbrewing.com/_/home.htm]. 6:30AM-10PM. $7-$19.
  • '''East By Southwest''', 160 E. College Drive, ''+1 970'' 247-5533, [http://eastbysouthwest.com/]. $7-$30.
  • '''Ken & Sues''', 636 Main Avenue, ''+1 970'' 385-1810, [http://www.kenandsues.com/].
  • '''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, [http://serioustexasbbq.com/]. 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.
  • Drink

  • '''Steamworks Brewing Company''', 801 E. 2nd Avenue, ''+1 970'' 259-9200, [http://www.steamworksbrewing.com/].
  • Sleep

  • '''Durango Hometown Hostel''' [http://www.durangohometownhostel.com/], 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), [http://www.bestwesterncolorado.com/hotels/best-western-durango-inn-and-suites/]. Check-In: 2PM, Check-Out: 11AM.
  • '''Comfort Inn & Suites''', 455 S. Camino Del Rio, ''+1 970'' 259-7900 (fax: ''+1 970'' 259-7901), [http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-durango-colorado-CO106]. Check-In: 3PM, Check-Out: 12PM.
  • '''General Palmer Hotel''', 567 Main Avenue, ''+1 970'' 247-4747, [http://www.generalpalmer.com/]. $85-$275.
  • '''Holiday Inn''', 800 Camino Del Rio, ''+1 970'' 247-5393 (fax: ''+1 970'' 259-4201), [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/droco].
  • '''Rochester Hotel''', 721 E. 2nd Avenue, ''+1 970'' 385-1920, [http://www.rochesterhotel.com]. Boutique Historic Hotel with Hollywood Western motif and free WiFi.
  • '''Strater Hotel''', 699 Main Avenue, ''+1 970'' 247-4431, [http://www.strater.com/].
  • Get out

  • '''Vallecito Lake''' [http://www.vallecitolakechamber.com/] 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''' [http://www.nps.gov/meve/] makes a reasonable day trip from Durango.
  • '''San Juan Scenic Skyway'''