Things To Do
Explore Downtown Durango
Downtown Durango is filled with fun boutiques and beautiful art galleries. Make sure to stop at Durango Coffee House for a latte—or Animas Chocolate Shop for the best Mexican hot chocolate of your life.
Walk the Animas River Trail
Walking by the water is one of Sam and Anna's favorite things in the world. Take a stroll by the Animas in their honor! You can get to the River Trail from the Durango Welcome Center.
Check out Guild House Games
This is the best game store we've ever been to (and we've been to a lot!). Check out lots of rare, out-of-print, and also classic board games right off of Main Ave, on the second floor of the mall.
Grab a drink from Durango Coffee Company
This is our favorite coffee shop in downtown Durango. We can often be found here drinking coffee and playing a new board game!
Have lunch at Himalayan Kitchen
We love the lunch special at Himalayan Kitchen. Make sure to order samosas and a pot of masala chai!
Do Dinner and a Show at Bar D Chuckwagon
If you want a delightful Western + musical experience, Bar D is a blast, because the Bar D Wranglers perform a variety show after dinner. Activities, shops, and ticketing open at 4:30. Supper is at 6:30. Reservations are required. However, this is probably not the best dinner spot for vegetarians.
Or, Grab Dinner at 11th Street Station
Bring a group and everyone can get what they like at one of 11th Street Station's many food trucks.
Visit the Botanic Gardens
Denver's not the only one with botanic gardens. Behind the Durango Public Library, you'll find Durango's collection of local trees, grasses, and stones. The gardens are always open and free of charge.
Get a Panorama
You can see Durango, the Animas Valley, and the La Plata mountains from the Fort Lewis College campus. It's just a quick drive from downtown or the Nilsson's house. This is also a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.
Go to Purgatory
Not that purgatory. Our wedding is during the first week of Purgatory Mountain's summer season—so you can go mountain biking, explore Twilight Lake, take a ride on the mountain coaster, and even pan for gold.
Take a Hike
Several hikes close to town include: Animas Mountain Trail, Colorado Trail, Horse Gulch, and Ned Overend Mountain Park. Check out DurangoTrails.org for a full list of trails and conditions.
Go For a Float
Take a trip down the Animas River with a local rafting company! We recommend Mountain Waters.
Soak Away Your Stress
It may be hot out, but Colorado evenings are cool—so take a trip to Durango Hot Springs (formerly known as Trimble). Make sure to BYOT: bring your own towels.
Go Fish
Durango outfitters offer several fly fishing packages, including guided excursions. Check out the San Juan Angler and Duranglers Flies and Supplies. For chartered fishing excursions on Lake Nighthorse, check out Go Fish Durango.
Book a Train Ride
Want to spend a day on Colorado's most iconic railroad? Take the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! This is a 9-hour round-trip experience, beginning with a 3.5 hour journey from Durango to Silverton, a 2-hour stop in historic Silverton, and then a 3.5 hour train ride back to Durango. For the same price as two first-class day passes, you can book a 2-day experience and spend the night at a hotel in Silverton.
