What to do and see in Montrose, United States: The Best Places and Tips

September 22, 2017 Janette Largent

The City of Montrose is the Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 19,132 at the 2010 United States Census. The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is U.S. Highway 50. The town is located in cardinal-western Colorado, in the upper Uncompahgre Valley and is an economic, labor, and transportation waypoint for the surrounding recreation industry. Demographically, the town is majority white, with a large Hispanic population. It is also the home of a few major engineering projects, namely the Gunnison Tunnel.
Restaurants in Montrose

1. Museum of the Mountain West

68169 Miami Rd, Montrose, CO 81401-9593 +1 970-240-3400
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 259 reviews

Museum of the Mountain West

Reviewed By 673jaya - Montrose, Colorado

Rich Fike, who owns and runs this museum, has been interested in museums since childhood. Indeed, he claims to have started his first museum as a child.

At the museum of the Mountain West, he has collected real buildings from Montrose County and constructed some replicas. They have been nicely arranged as an old western town and realistically outfitted with appropriate period items from his rather vast collection.

He has set up antique a well-equipped dentist office, barber shop, drug store and other very authentic old period scenes. He also has equipped the buildings with old carriages, oil wagons and such.

Is collection of old western stuff is impressive, the buildings are well restored and maintained and the actor that escorted us around the grounds did a pretty good story-telling job. Some of the stories bend the facts a little (specifically the fabrication about the origin of the term "bean counter"), but I chalk that up to creative license.

If you have some time to kill in Montrose, the Museum of the Mountain West is an interesting place to do that, but I certainly would not make a special trip there for that purpose.

2. Ute Indian Museum

17253 Chipeta Rd, Montrose, CO 81403-4748 +1 970-249-3098
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Ute Indian Museum

Reviewed By GJColorado - Grand Junction, Colorado

An excellent small museum. A great deal of information and a wonderful garden area. Would recommend this.

3. Montrose Water Sports Park

1036 Riverbottom Drive, Montrose, CO
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 30 reviews

Montrose Water Sports Park

Reviewed By 673jaya - Montrose, Colorado

Our lottery money goes into projects like the Montrose Water Park. A lovely setting with the Uncompaghre River channeled into near perfect rapids for kayaks, paddleboards, even inner-tubes. There are also miles of bike paths, mountain bike trails, walking paths, Frisbee golf, skateboard park, baseball, pickelball, tennis and very much more. The Montrose Water Park is as nice is you'd ever find in a town under 20,000 people.

4. Magic Circle Players

420 S 12th St, Montrose, CO 81401-5054 +1 970-249-7838
Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 24 reviews

Magic Circle Players

Montrose local theater

Reviewed By Charles C - Montrose, Colorado

We are of the opinion that Montrose, Colorado has amazing talent that shows at the Magic Circle Players theatre. Magic Circle has quite a large inventory of costumes. The sets are all constructed by local people and are custom made for specific play or musical. I cannot say too much about the quality actors and musicians. It is ongoing. Keep coming back

5. Montrose Botanic Gardens

1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose, CO 81401
Excellent
53%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Montrose Botanic Gardens

Reviewed By Edger P

Small botanical garden that is well put together. The garden sits on less than a half acre so the visit was a quick one. The garden is free with a donation box available.

6. Montrose County Historical Museum

21 N Rio Grande Ave, Montrose, CO 81401-3467 +1 970-249-2085
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Montrose County Historical Museum

The museum is housed in the historic Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot. The museum showcases the stories and dreams of people that have lived in the high-desert Uncompahgre Valley for more then 130 years. The museum focuses on all facets of early day pioneer life and includes an authentic homesteader's cabin, a large collection of farm machinery and equipment, a caboose and a rare original stagecoach. The museum motto is Preservation, Heritage, Authenticity

Reviewed By gypsymamma - Minnesota

A nice museum, we especially liked the outdoor displays. The museums volunteer was a very nice gentleman, you could tell he has great pride in his work.

7. Covered Bridge Ranch

17249 Dave Wood Road, Montrose, CO 81403 +1 970-249-8333
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Covered Bridge Ranch

Covered Bridge Ranch is a family owned and operated ranch situated in the productive valley of Southwestern Colorado at the base of the San Juan mountain range. We are located near Montrose, Colorado and home to Colorado Conifers wholesale tree nursery and Christmas tree farm. Our scenic 300-acre ranch is also the site for festive events such as the popular family traditions, Christmas Trees at the Covered Bridge and Pumpkins at the Covered Bridge. There is much to be discovered here!

Reviewed By SOM_Footwear - Montrose, Colorado

We visited the Covered Bridge Ranch during Halloween and we had a great time! There were many pumpkins, gourds, and crafts to choose from and activities for children. Lots of beautiful scenery to photograph as well!

8. Ute Trail

Off of Falcon Road, Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area, Montrose, CO
Excellent
84%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Ute Trail

Reviewed By SuzyQSkidoo - Montrose, Colorado

Getting to this trail takes you out onto a pretty bumpy road, which can be a muddy mess if there's been recent rain. The roads can be impassible, risking getting yourself mired in the mud out there. Locals might be able to tell you about road conditions. If conditions are dry, you can turn down Falcon road between Montrose and Olathe (see the brown sign for the Gunnison Gorge at the turn) and take this to Peach Valley Road and turn left. You will see signs for the turn offs for the access roads to get to the Chukar, Bobcat, Duncan, and Ute trails. The road out to the Ute Trail is 2.5 miles to get to the actual trailhead. I highly recommend a 4WD vehicle to negotiate these somewhat rough roads. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead parking lot. The trail descends steeply downward 1,200 feet in 4.5 miles, with some pretty good switchbacks toward the bottom. My friend and I have used this hike as a "training" hike, in preparation for longer hikes and mountain climbs planned for this spring and summer, so we descended to the river in 1.5 hours. For a more leisurely day, you can spend several hours, taking your time with rests as needed (and photo ops). The trail is well-maintained and fairly wide. There are a few narrow spots. If you like using trekking poles, they are handy for saving your knees going down. The views up-river are amazing. As we did this hike a week ago, the water levels of the river are still low. The spring melt off is yet to begin. We spent some time walking about a half-mile up-river at the bottom, so adding another extra mile for a total of 10 when we completed our climb back up to the rim once again. I want to add that there is another vault toilet a short ways up-river, rustically enclosed on three sides. We completed the climb back up to the trailhead in an hour and 45 minutes. The brochure for the Gunnison Wilderness and Conservation Areas (managed by the BLM) is excellent. Here is the link: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/co/field_offices/gunnison_gorge_national/brochures.Par.24819.File.dat/brochure.pdf
You should bring a light backpack or hydration pack with a CamelBak or similar water reservoir, or a fanny pack with a couple 16-20-oz bottles, to stay hydrated, as well as some high-energy snacks:/lunch and a simple first aid kit (just in case...). Don't forget your camera for the beautiful scenery. There are 4 campsites available for overnighters -$10pp for one night and $15pp for max of 2 nights only. I've only hiked here in the spring. i've been told that the temps down at the bottom of the canyon are HIGHER than above and it can be pretty buggy in the summer. We passed some people who came down for some fly fishing. Some of the country's best trout fishing is found here, and some folks will hike down the Chukar trail with their inflatable kayaks and travel down to Delta, enjoying some great whitewater in several places along the way. I highly recommend the Gunnison Gorge and the Ute Trail!

9. Downtown Mercantile

309 E Main St, Montrose, CO 81401-3927 +1 970-252-1139
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Downtown Mercantile

Reviewed By kathi_carter - Parker, Colorado

970 Sports Rewind has the Largest Selection of gently used and new sporting gear! 970 Sports Rewind has Western Slope Ski and Snowboard Rentals! The only place to rent Brand New Ski and Snowboard Rentals at a low price! Great Customer Service! They take a hands on approach to the Rental and Buying experience! Family owned and very helpful and friendly! Great for the locals who love sports! They have everything you need for all your school sports and outdoor sporting on the Western Slope!

10. Mack's Family Entertainment & Sports Center

1865 E Main St, Montrose, CO 81401-3824 +1 970-650-0200
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 3 reviews

Mack's Family Entertainment & Sports Center

Reviewed By Emma B

This place is really cool! They are adding stuff as we speak. Right now there is a batting cage, zip line in a bouncy house, two bouncy houses, a big slide, an obstacle course, a tight rope that is like foot off the ground, and a ball shooting thing. Everything here is super cool and great for children. Also, adults are free! Yah and adults can still play! They also offer three birthday party packages which is cool.

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