Location: Durango
Top Things to do in Durango
Countries
10 Things to do for Honeymoon in Durango That You Shouldn't Miss
Once a frontier mining town, Durango draws thousands of tourists year-round for the myriad outdoor recreational activities and scenic beauty. Mountain bikers, rafters, kayakers, horseback riders, rock climbers, hikers, campers, hunters and fishermen are drawn to the two-million acre San Juan National Forest and to the San Juan mountains, the largest range in the Rockies. But the city's biggest tourist draw is a nine-hour historic train ride in a vintage steam locomotive. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which hauled precious metals in the 1880s, now takes tourists for a 47-mile, open-air journey through mountains and forests and past abandoned mines to historic Silverton and back. Children and train buffs will relish the chance to climb into a locomotive and pore over railroad memorabilia at the railroad's museum. Skiers flock to the Durango Mountain Resort in winter, which also offers hiking, fishing, rafting and horseback riding in warmer months. Slow down your pace with a stroll past splendidly restored Victorian buildings in historic Downtown Durango and wind up a very active weekend in a local brewpub or saloon.
Restaurants in Durango
1. San Juan National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 566 reviews
Wilderness area consisting of forested mountains, 14,000-foot peaks, scenic roads, geological formations, prehistoric communities and a narrow-gauge railroad.
Reviewed By 321MarkA - Larkspur, United States
The San Juan National Forest, alone or when combined with the Rio Grand National Forest (to the northeast) and the Uncompahgre (to the northwest), cover a lot of the San Juan Mountain range: very high, very rugged, very old mountains. If you like hiking (Ice Lake, Island Lake, Columbine, Piedra Falls, and more), camping (formal and dispersed), jeeping/ATVing (Alpine Loop, Black Bear, Red Mountain Pass, Ophir Pass, Engineer Pass, Corkscrew Gulch plus many many more) , skiing (Purgatory/Durango Mountain, Telluride, Wolf Creek) , hot springs (Pagosa Springs, Ouray, Ridgeway), native American history (Mesa Verde National Park, canyon of the Ancients) , steam trains (Durango Silverton RR), ghost towns (mining ruins, Animas Forks, Read Mountain mining district, Ironton, Eureka, Mineral Point and many many more), endless vistas and views, lively towns (especially Durango and Pagosa Springs), Old and active mining towns (Silverton and Creed), tubing/ float trips (Durango) and much much more. You can spend weeks in this area and only see a small portion of it. Highly highly recommended vacation spot.
2. Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,495 reviews
Since 1981! Family & High Adventure Rafting, 4x4 Jeep Trail Tours, Mesa Verde National Park Tours, Official Durango Silverton Train Raft & Rail Package, Zip Line, Rock Climbing, Bicycle & SUP Rentals, Value Packages, Group, Military & Senior Discounts.
3. Soaring Tree Top Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,216 reviews
Soaring Tree Top Adventures is a full day zip line adventure that takes you over 27 different zip line spans through Old Growth Ponderosa forest and Aspen groves and across the Animas River. Remotely located in the San Juan National Forest near Durango, CO and only accessible by the Durango & Silverton Train, Soaring is unique Colorado zip line adventure that has been enjoyed by guests ages 4-94! Price includes First Class train transportation to/from the property via the historic Durango & Silverton train, 5.5 hours Soaring across the 27 zip line spans, an Ecology tour interspersed in your day, a four-course gourmet lunch in the trees on a platform overlooking the Animas River, and all Sky Ranger guides and equipment. Reservations are required.
4. Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,348 reviews
Discover the magic of river rafting, guided jeep tours and Mesa Verde tours with Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours in Southwest Colorado. We offer 77 trip options for ages 4 to 84. Options include whitewater rafting adventures on rafts or inflatable kayaks, beginner stand-up paddle boarding instruction, jeep trail tours, Mesa Verde Tours and packages with a one-way ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train. Explore. Escape. Experience. And Always, Live with Adventure! Contact us today to plan your adventure!
5. Rapp Corral
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 264 reviews
We offer the absolute best in mountain trail riding and wonderful winter sleigh riding in the San Juan National Forest, just twenty miles north of Durango Colorado! Rapp Corral is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider/Employer and operates under Special Use Permit #COL770 from the USDA Forest Service, San Juan National Forest.
Reviewed By LJH6 - Owasso, United States
We took the last sleigh ride of the season and we enjoyed every minute. The area is in a drought and the snow was pretty low, but the scenery was still very pretty and we enjoyed the ride. Our guide was super friendly and talked to us about the area and we enjoyed the conversation. We chose to go at 2pm and I am glad we didn't choose later in the day, as the sunsets in the mountains pretty quick and the later ride could have been much colder as the sun would have been behind the mountain. The hot cocoa at the end of the ride was delicious and the young lady who served it , was very nice and we enjoyed chatting with her. Definitely take blankets and dress warm, we were fine but the wind was quite brisk , so glad we were prepared. I would love to come back in the summer or fall for trail rides.
6. Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,102 reviews
Durango Rafting & Adventure Tour company at its Finest! For over 34 years we have been serving up the greatest adventures southwest Colorado can offer. We offer 2 hour and 4 hour River Raft Trips, Inflatable Kayak Trips on the Animas River and Wilderness expeditions on the Dolores River. We are located in the heart of downtown Durango, Co. Our tours include, Jeep Rentals, RZR Rentals, Zipline, train packages, 4x4 tours, Guided Mesa Verde Tours and Stand Up Paddle Boards.
7. Buck's Livery Inc.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 171 reviews
Year round outfitting business. Summer trail rides at Purgatory Resort in the San Juan Mountains. We cater to first time riders and experienced. Spectacular trails with experienced guides. Must be 8 years to ride. Fall big game hunting and packing. Winter sleigh rides.
Reviewed By LeslieMarieTX - Austin, United States
Our family had such a wonderful time in December of 2020 on a sleigh ride with Buck’s Livery! We enjoyed the staff from the moment we booked our reservation on the phone to saying our farewells. The horses were absolutely stunning and our guides were funny, friendly and knowledgeable! Perhaps our FAVORITE part of the trip was enjoying the herd of puppy dogs that joined us on the adventure! We highly recommend a family sleigh ride with Buck’s Livery! Best of luck with the new addition to your “herd.” Cheers! -Leslie and crew from Texas
8. Colorado Outback Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 268 reviews
Adventure in Colorado's Backcountry! Let us help you create an experience that you will never forget. Our rugged and top of the line RZR UTV's will help you take on Colorado's backcountry and go where few others can go!Colorado Outback Adventures specializes in creating unique, Durango adventures no matter what your interests or budget. Reservations go fast so make yours today and make sure to save your UTV for a one of a kind Colorado Outback Adventure! Whether it's just the two of you or the whole family, we have the adventure for you. For your convenience, we have both 2-seat and 4-seat machines and we offer 2 hour, 4 hour and 6 hour rentals to help you customize the adventure that is perfect for any group. Other Durango Adventures Whether it's a day out on the river taking on some whitewater adventures in a raft or inflatable kayak, or it is taking on the trails with a deluxe jeep rental, we will help you customize the adventure that is perfect for any group. With a wide variety of trip types, times and pricing, Colorado Outback Adventures offer Durango's best adventures to help you create memories that will last a lifetime!
9. Historic Downtown Durango
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,811 reviews
Historic Downtown Durango is the heart of the community. Filled with over 200 unique shops, stores and restaurants, Downtown Durango has something for everyone. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is located in Downtown, and has daily excursions plus a FREE museum. The Strater Hotel is also in Downtown and has been in operation since the 1800's. We have wonderful restaurants, from fast food to fine dining and everything in between. Plus there are amazing shops with unique items, including nearly a dozen world class art galleries. To learn more about Historic Downtown Durango, visit our website, and use the FREE wifi Downtown at Durango WiFi. Thanks for visiting!
Reviewed By LaurieM271 - North Port, United States
What a great town, we spent two nights here and had a blast, Lots of things going on lots of shops absolutely love this town and will be back again.
10. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,492 reviews
Hop aboard a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive that travels along the same railroad tracks that miners, cowboys and the early settlers of the Old West used over a hundred years ago. The route winds in and out of canyons and past open wilderness affording great views. The price of a ticket also includes admission to the D&SNGRR Museum and the Silverton Freight Yard Museum.
