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Durango Area Story Ideas
Durango Discovery Museum opens in 2010
- After years of fundraising and planning, the Durango Discovery Museum will open Phase II of its interactive science and energy center in Durango’s historic Powerhouse in October, 2010.
- Phase II of the museum’s development will incorporate Durango Discovery Kids and add thousands of square feet of space for hands-on science + energy exhibits for all ages, historic interpretation exhibits, Sudden Science™: science clubs and summer camps, the Solar Roller™: mobile discovery center, a museum shop and café, energy demo labs and workshops, and multipurpose space for special public and private events.
- The museum will be an exciting new destination in historic downtown Durango. Housed in the country’s oldest surviving coal-fired, steam-generated AC power plant, “the POW” promises to ignite curiosity, spark imagination and power exploration.
- Information at (970) 422-2034 or visit www.durangodiscovery.org.
Melodrama Returns to Durango
- Traditional “melodrama” will return to Durango in summer 2010 with “The Great Durango Melodrama at the Henry Strater Theatre.”
- Two different shows will be staged on alternate nights beginning in early June and running through mid-August. The George M. Cohen classic “The Tavern” has been confirmed, with a second show to be announced.
- The melodrama is a traditional theatrical art form characterized by exaggerated movements, strong emotions, up-tempo dialogue and clear conflict between good and evil. They also entice audiences to boo the villain, cheer for the hero and rollick with Vaudevillian comedy.
- www.henrystratertheatre.com or call 970.375.7160.
Value Travel—More Fun for Less Money!
Just get here! We don’t believe in the “naycation” concept that loomed in 2009—everyone deserves a vacation! Once you are a here, Durango offers value vacation options that won’t feel like a budget vacation. The natural beauty of our mountain town offers a splendid backdrop for an adventurous, relaxing, family or getaway vacation that fits your budget. A wide variety of lodging options in town and out-of-town.
- Golf at Hillcrest Golf Club
- Mini golf at Sky Ute Casino
- Vallecito Lake—fishing, hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, camping, water sports
- Rafting or kayaking on the Animas River
- Trimble Hot Springs—spa soak for total relaxation
- Honeyville honey—watch bees make honey
- Animas River Trail—stroll, run, bike along the river
- Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing and plenty of other outdoor activities
- Museums – Animas Museum, Train Museum, Center for Southwest Studies, Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum
- Live Entertainment at numerous venues
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Check out our list of “Frugal or Free” things to do in the summer
Agritourism
- Growing trend that lures travelers to the area to discover sustainable farming/ranching, health and to become educated on where your food is coming from.
- With the increased awareness of sustainability, health and the desire to become educated on where your food is coming from, agritourism is a growing travel trend. The Durango area provides the perfect venue for agritourism with 300+ days of sunshine, more restaurants per capita than San Francisco and great farmers/ranchers that work with famous chefs such as Celebrity Chef Darren McGrady (Royal Family in England) and Emril Lagasses. The area offers an unforgettable rural experience and a breathtaking location where vacation and agriculture meet. La Plata County was recently named “One of the Best Places to Live in Rural America “by The Progressive Farmer. Pick the Durango area to be the setting for your agri-vacation. Here’s a taste of what the Durango Area has to offer: On-Farm/ranching, Dude Ranches, Manufacturing, Retail, Culinary, Microbreweries and Special Events.
Outdoor Adventure
- Animas River for kayaking, rafting, floating, fishing
- Dog park
- Soaring® Tree Top Adventures
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Hiking—train take you to Cascade and hike in, Trails 2000, Colorado Trail, San Juan National Forest
- Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Trail running
- Horseback riding
- Running , Walking
- Fishing—gold medal waters
- Boating—Vallecito Lake
- Hunting—guides
- Golfing
- Climbing
- Camping
MultiGen Travel
- Bar D Chuck Wagon
- Theatres & entertainment: Community Concert Hall, Henry Strater, Durango Art Center (paint bar)
- Live entertainment at restaurants, bars and coffee houses
- Restaurants—more restaurants per capita than San Francisco
- Animas River Trail—paved trail
- DMR—chairlift ride, mini golf
- Vallecito Lake
- Sky Ute Casino and Convention Center
- San Juan Skyway—driving tour
- Easy access by airlines
- Soaring® Tree Top Adventures
- Historic Downtown Durango
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum
- Durango Wildlife Education & Fishing Hatchery
- Animas Museum
- Fishing
- Trimble or Durango Recreation Center
- Horseback riding
Geo-Cultural
- Mesa Verde Country is the archeological center of America offering unforgettable opportunity to see and experience the life of the ancient Ancestral Puebloans. Home of Mesa Verde National Park. Historic Durango shows off our lovingly preserved and thriving downtown. Durango is the winner of the 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College
- Tohatin Gallery and other galleries
- Animas Museum
- Walking tour of Historical Main Avenue and 3rd Avenue
- Historic Downtown Durango
Ski and Winter
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort (DMR) is a fun-family destination for skiers and snowboarders. Conde Nast Traveler named Purgatory one of the Top 20 Resorts for 2008. Ski Magazine selected Purgatory as one of the 7 Great Mountains to Ski with Your Kids in the November 2007 issue. As Phase 1 of a 25 year master plan, DMR had over $100 million in base renovations, new slope-side lodging and ski-mountain improvements this year. DMR also serves as a natural summer playground offering spectacular views and activities including the alpine slide, miniature golf, bungee trampoline, climbing wall and scenic chairlift rides with access to mountain biking and hiking trails.
- Fixed triple upgrade to Chair 4, New high speed detachable quad chairlift replacing Chair 8
- Installation of Gelande Lift for direct access on the mountain, Gelande Parking Lot expansion and Ticket Office
- New gladed trails in the Legends Area and on the backside of the mountain for all levels
- “Subway” surface lift system improving access between Chairs 3, 5 and 8
- Expanded Snowmaking system on front side, new snowmaking capabilities on backside
- Lodging
- Dining—Purgies
Budget Travel
Just get here! We don’t believe in the “naycation” concept for 2009—everyone needs a getaway or family vacation! Once you are a here, Durango offers a cost-cutting vacation plan that won’t feel like a budget vacation. The natural beauty of our mountain town offers a backdrop for an adventurous, relaxing, family or all inclusive vacation that has to fit a budget.
- Golf at Hillcrest
- Vallecito Lake—fishing, hiking, boating, horseback riding, camping
- Rafting or kayaking on the Animas River
- Trimble Hot Springs—spa soak for total relaxation
- Honeyville honey—watch bees make honey
- Animas River Trail—stroll, run, bike along the river
- Hiking/biking/fishing—outdoor activities
- Museums – Animas Museum, Train Museum, Center for Southwest Studies, Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum
- Live Entertainment
- Mesa Verde
Soaring® Tree Top Adventures
Reminiscent of tree-to-tree soaring in the movie Medicine Man or the magical elfin tree houses in Lord of the Rings. In a remote valley, accessible only by train, Soaring® Tree Top Adventures is a new extreme zip line adventure and the only one of its kind in the continental United States. Soar through the Aspens and glide above the Animas River on the highest quality stainless steel cable system. A Sky Ranger is there to handle equipment and maintain the maximum level of safety. Soaring can be enjoyed by thrill seekers of all ages.
- Zip line adventure—Petzel custom harness
- Only accessible by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Soaring® Tree Top Adventures has opened its longest zip line span of 1400 feet, across mountainside and over the Animas River, for the ninth river crossing in Soaring’s zip line course. This span is the fastest and most thrilling Soaring run yet, and almost triples the length of the guest favorite predecessor of 560 feet.
- Soaring® Tree Top Adventures is ranked the #1 Attraction in not only Durango and in Colorado, but as the #1 Attraction in the United States on TripAdvisor.com, a consumer site that allows guests to write unbiased reviews about their experiences with lodging and attractions worldwide.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Retrace the steps of claim-seeking miners and board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad as it winds through the remote and scenic mountain wilderness to the historic town of Silverton. Originally constructed to haul silver and gold from mining camps, the railway has been in operation since 1881. In the winter, the train reveals a snow-filled wonderland on the trip to Cascade Canyon. During the year, enjoy theme rides like Thomas the Tank™, Polar Express™, Peanuts™ Easter Beagle Express and Peanuts™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express.
Vallecito Lake
“Lake of the Little Valley”—Sheltered in a secluded mountain valley 8,000 feet above sea level, Vallecito Lake is one of the largest and most beautiful bodies of water in all of Colorado. Only 22 miles northeast of Durango, Vallecito Lake lies in a steep and pristine valley surrounded by millions of acres of unspoiled San Juan National Forest. This mountain hamlet promises a secluded getaway for fishing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, relaxing and boating.
- Dude Ranches, cabins, camping, world-class resorts, fun eateries
- Breakfast trail rides and horseback riding
- Fishing contest
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Sky Ute Casino Resort and Conference Center
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe recently completed their state-of-the-art casino resort! The 45,000 square foot gaming floor including slots, poker/blackjack, and bingo. Stay in an elegantly appointed luxury hotel room or suite, choose from one of five unique restaurants to dine in, take your shot at striking it rich in the Rolling Thunder Lanes, and immerse yourself in the culture of the Southern Ute people.
A great vacation at the Sky Ute Casino Resort
- 140-room luxury hotel
- 5 restaurants
- 24 full-site RV hook-ups
- banquet and convention space
- 24-lane AMF bowling center
- 45,000 feet of casino floor with 550 slot machines, 20 gaming tables and Bingo hall
Biking Mecca
- Slver Level Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists
- The FLC mountain bike team won nine National Collegiate Cycling Association Championships in ’94, ‘95, ‘97, ‘01, ‘02, ‘03, ‘04, ’06, and ’07. In the spring of 2000, the FLC road cyclists took the Division II National Championship title for the first time and moved up to Division I never finishing worse than 4th. In 2005, 2006 and 2007 the Men’s Team Time Trial Team won the title and Road Nationals. In 2007, the Women’s Team Time Trial Team won.
- The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Citizens and professionals race the historic steam train the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on its 50 mile trip from Durango to Silverton. This event pits man and woman against machine for an impressive ride over two-10,000 foot mountain passes and changing weather conditions.
- More than 1,000 miles of trails surrounding Durango
- Durango DEVO began as a men’s high school race team and quickly added programs. There are three age group cycling development platforms. Durango DEVO's mission is to teach riders that cycling is a healthy activity that can last a lifetime in numerous different ways.
- Exercise physiology lab and performance center in Durango, Colorado. Helping athletes and aspiring athletes to achieve peak performance in sport and life. The Durango Performance Center, along with the assistance of Performance Cardiology and Colorado Premier Training, and other coaches, will be a world class, state-of-the art physiology lab for all levels of athletes.
- The Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse will run a pedal-powered shuttle this summer to get people from the Farmer’s Market and the Buckley Craft Fair to the Powerhouse for our Playdays. Powerhouse Playdays will offer a free pedal-powered wifi café and pedal-powered open-air movie nights.
- The Durango Wheel Club has been a cycling institution in Durango since 1895! The Durango Wheel Club was originally formed as an advocacy group for better roads.
Beer Mecca
- Seamworks Brewing, Carvers, SKA, Durango Brewing
- First Source Water
- Awards for beers at competitions
- Green building at SKA, meeting space and tasting room
- Carvers has changed to solar powered heaters
Green and Eco-friendly Efforts
- D&SNGRR-nighttime filter, carbon neutral with tree planting
- City of Durango is 100% green powered
- Raider Ridge Café—totally wind powered
- Strater Hotel--hot water and electricity co-generation systems, green award for sustainability. 2008 Governor’s Awards for Downtown Excellence. The state of Colorado named the 1887 property as the “Best Building Improvement Project: Best Restoration.”
- Wilderness Trail Ranch—total recycling program, organic and local food coop
- Carvers Brewing Company-hot water solar heater
- Powerhouse at the Discovery Museum-pedal powered outdoor movies
- Farmer’s Market
- Buy local campaign by the Chamber of Commerce
- Green building at SKA, meeting space and tasting room
Durango Area Awards
2007 "America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations", National Trust for Historic Preservation
2007 "Next Best Places to Ski, Live, Invest and Retire", Ski Magazine
2008 "Top Ten Western Towns", True West Magazine
2008 "7 Great Mountains to Ski with Your Kids", Ski Magazine
2008 "Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation", Colorado Historical Society
2008 "Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community", The League of American Bicyclists
2008 "Colorful Colorado Award", Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence
2008 "Top 10 Christmas Towns", HGTV
2008 "Top 20 Resorts", Conde Nast Traveler
2009 “Top 20 Romantic Getaways”, Sunset Magazine
2009 “America’s 200 best Hunting and Fishing Towns”, Outdoor Life
2009 "The West's 20 Best Small Towns", Sunset Magazine
