Location: Cortez
Top Things to do in Cortez
Countries
10 Free Things to do in Cortez That You Shouldn't Miss
The City of Cortez is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 8,482 at the 2010 United States Census.
Restaurants in Cortez
1. Dolores River Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 74 reviews
The 105-mile stretch of the Dolores River and its surrounding 26,000-acre wilderness area is popular for a variety of outdoor activities.
Reviewed By jimmysranch1 - Dolores, United States
If you are looking for a place where the quiet beauty is unspoiled, the Dolores River Canyon will delight.
2. Cortez Quilt Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Cortez Quilt Company is a must-see shop for any quilter visiting the Four Corners area. Our spacious, light filled store features a large selection of fabric with new merchandise arriving every week, quilt kits, books, patterns, notions, and finished quilts -- the perfect gift to take home from your vacation!
Reviewed By teachertraveling560 - Toledo, United States
Visited this shop on our National Park Road Trip fall of 2019, on the way to Mexican Hat, Utah. Found some beautiful material with horses that I had not seen anywhere else. Upon purchasing the owners asked my daughter and I our traveling plans. We shared about our next stop at Mexican Hat and they told is since they could tell we loved horses, where to spot wild horses on our route. Thanks to them we did find the horses, which we would not have looked for without their hint. Talk about a friendly staff! I mention this store when I tell others of our trip and am finally taking the time to review.
3. San Juan Gems Rock Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Colorado Rock Shop - This is one of the largest and most well-stocked rock shops around. San Juan Gems has rocks of all kinds: rough rock, slabs, cabs, minerals, specimens, collector’s items. This rock shop has been called a museum by many who come here to browse, find that perfect gift, or pick up rock and cutting supplies. Known for our great service, we stock or have access to most everything that a person interested in lapidary work, silver or goldsmithing, panning, rock hunting, carving, or just collecting might need. You can trust us to locate parts and offer advice on rock cutting, polishing, and metalsmithing. We have an online rock shop as well that is being added to continually. Located in Cortez, Colorado, we have a retail store stocked with a huge inventory of just about anything one would want relating to rocks.
Reviewed By W6633PYpauls - Costa Mesa, United States
I'm a rockhound and on our family vacations, will hunt around to find local gem and mineral stores to check out. We stumbled across this one and I am so glad we made the time to visit. This place is a rockhound paradise. The owner's a really nice older gentleman who graciously showed us around the shop with finished goods as well as the side yard where he had tons of material piled around. It took a supreme effort NOT to limit out my credit card at his shop! I appreciate TA's question about whether or not this place is budget-friendly ... the prices are definitely budget friendly - unless you're like me and that quickly turns into "... wait, I can buy MORE...". If you're in the area, stop by. Or even in south western Colorado, go out of your way and make the visits. This place rivals Consolidated Rock and Mineral over in Vacaville CA for overall selection and just plain "awesomeness". I could have spent hours here were it not for closing time approaching and my family wanting to get dinner, LOL!
4. Hovenweep National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 672 reviews
Located in Utah but near Cortez, this site has six ruin sites all built around 1200 AD. Hovenweep is 42 miles from Cortez, CO and approximately 48 from Blanding, UT
Reviewed By wre2018 - Tucson, United States
Hovenweep National Monument consists of some clusters of ancestral puebloan ruins close to the Utah-Colorado state line. A worthwhile stop if you are in the Four Corners area. You will notice architectural similarities with structures in nearby parks (Mesa Verde, Canyons of the Ancients, Chaco, etc.). There are towers, kivas, D-shaped buildings, some built with clearly defensive purposes in mind (to guard a spring, for example). Pets are permitted on the trails. The park headquarters is at the Square Towers Group (the best and longest trail is here, but only a limited portion of it is suitable for wheelchair-bound people). Other sections of the park worth going to are the Holly, Horseshoe, and Hackberry units--driving to these in a low-clearance vehicle will be a challenge, but can be done with care. Unfortunately, what there is to see are ruins of buildings and petroglyphs in places. To see artifacts (pottery, tools, woven items, etc.) removed from various archaeological sites in SE Utah and SW Colorado, you need to visit museums located elsewhere: Edge of the Cedars State Park in Blanding, UT and Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum in Dolores, CO. Both museums are quite interesting, and some of the items on display clearly used materials from distant places (e.g., in Mexico).
5. Cortez Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Cultural center that includes interpretive exhibits on Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi), local history, works by local artists, and a gift shop featuring items made by local and native artisans. Free Native American dance performances Monday through Saturday evenings at 7 pm in the summer months.
Reviewed By Biztraveler11 - Los Angeles, United States
We heard Sam Sandoval speak here about his experience as a World War II Navajo Codetalker. It was an unbelievable experience and we appreciate them setting up such events. He signed his book for us and spent time after the lecture. He is one of only a very few Codetalkers left on earth and lives in nearby Shiprock, NM. Look around the museum area for local artist creations and see the nightly Indian Dances just outside the center.
6. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By WanderlusTravelers
For the total experience, I’d rate Canyon of the Ancients very highly. However, the history of the people in Canyon is that of those who occupied the area in Mesa Verde National Park. Having come from MVNP, I found the info and sights duplicative. The cultural center in Dolores is interesting. Takes 1-2 hours and there are 2 short films you can watch. As far as sights in Canyon, you mostly just have two options: Lowry Pueblo (very similar to MVNP), and a non-shaded hiking trail (Sand Canyon), where you can self-explore unrestored ruins. These two sights are separated by at least an hour drive.
7. Sutcliffe Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By GeorgiaMountainWoman
Our absolutely most favorite winery! The vineyard and tasting room are truly an experience not to be forgotten. John and his crew make the most delicious wines....join the wine club and enjoy their creations as they ship to your home. We've tried the wines from Maine to Oregon and find that Sutcliffe's Wines can't be topped. Dinner at the winery was a bucket list item....thanks for making it a reality John and Chloe!
8. Colorado Welcome Center-Cortez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
The Cortez Welcome Center is open! Come see us! Need some fresh air? This is the place to do it! Pick up brochures on hiking the Canyon of the Ancients, visiting Mesa Verde National Park or Hovenweep! We have great information for you to bike through Phil's World, and fish McPhee Reservoir or the Dolores River! Cortez is centrally located near the Four Corners, so it's a great place to stay while you venture out to other sights in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona! Our restaurants are open and the weather is great! The health and safety of our visitors is important to us, and we strive to ensure our Welcome Center is clean and that you feel comfortable visiting our facility.
Reviewed By Rdode1omaha - Omaha, United States
The film was excellent as was the multiple displays in the museum. Ranger was very helpful. Well worth the stop.
9. Ute Mountain Trading Company and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
10. Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By worldwideway
I've been collecting Native American jewelry and art for over a decade. My eye first developed in expensive Santa Fe, and then I discovered Gallup, NM and focused my shopping there for many years. But just in the last two years I have discovered Notah Dineh, and now it is my preferred place to go. You can buy reasonably priced gorgeous investment pieces, as well as lower priced gifts for friends and souvenirs for the kids. The staff is first-rate, very knowledgeable and no pressure. I go to Colorado about four times a year and I always make sure I pass through Cortez on any day but a Sunday (when Notah Dineh is closed) and I arrange my itinerary to give myself at least an hour here. I was just there last week and scored three sterling charming pendants and a necklace for my daughter's birthday, and two nice heavy sterling pendants for myself. I really love the vibe of this place and visiting here is often the highlight of the entire trip.
