The original Denver - Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad put Durango on the map. The Durango-Silverton Railroad boasts the most spectacular portion of the original railroad.

Go Rafting! (June - August) - a few of many:

Mild to Wild Rafting - along with just rafting, this company offers combinations of one way train trips with rafting or 4 wheel jeep tours atop the 14,000 foot mountains - your choice

Flexible Flyers River Trips - 970-247-4628
Mountain Waters Rafting - 800-748-2507 

Shop 'til you drop:

Stroll the dozens of shops and galleries along Historic Durango's Main Avenue, established 1880's. Many stores have high quality items: silver and Indian jewelry, rustic furniture, Indian pottery, rugs, clothing, gifts, etc.

Soak yourself silly:

Trimble Hot Springs -
6 miles north of Durango, 970-247-0111

Ouray Hot Springs -
Unforgettable scenery, 1 1/2 hours north

Pagosa Springs Hot Springs -
1 hour E. of Durango, 970-264-6922

Swing that club and soak in the scenery:

Hillcrest Golf Club - Durango, 18 holes 970-247-1499

Dalton Ranch Golf Club - in the gorgeous Animas Valley, 10 minutes north of Durango, 970-247-8774

For a beautiful drives: do "the Loop" to Vallecito Lake - 45 minutes of gorgeous scenery going Northeast out of Durango: Have breakfast or lunch at the Buffalo Gap - or dinner and dance at Virginia's Steakhouse & Lodge 970-884-2473. To drive the loop: go East to Bayfield on Hwy 160, turn north (left) on County Road 501 and continue all the way until you get to Vallecito Lake. Remember the sharp turn on CR 501 - halfway between Bayfield and Vallecito? When you return to Durango, turn right off of CR 501, just before you get to that sharp turn - you'll be turning onto County Road 240 and you'll come into Durango from the back (north) side. Non stop, this drive takes 2 hours from Durango RV Park.

For an all day drive, do the big Loop: from Durango, to Ouray, Telluride, Dolores and back to Durango or vice versa. This is particularly spectacular when the colors are turning in the Fall. As a shortcut, going west, go from Mancos to Dolores by turning North at the one signal in Mancos. This takes you directly into Dolores rather than going all the way to Cortez.

For the reminiscent among us:

Durango's Historical Museum - the Animas Museum, open May through October, 970-259-2402

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum - 970-247-2733

Historical walking tour of the 3rd Avenue Victorians - details at the Chamber of Commerce

Mesa Verde National Park - fascinating Cliff Dwellings one hour west of Durango - a beautiful drive, a remarkable experience, allow several hours if not all day-
800-449-2288

For those that just love it:

Sky Ute Casino - located 25 minutes from downtown Durango.  Free Shuttle available.  800-876-7017

For the Outdoor Lover:

Buck's Livery - Fireside Cookouts, Fishing, Pack Trips, Big Game Hunts, Horsedrawn Sleigh Rides 970-385-2110

Over the Hill Outfitters - Horseback treks, Custom Pack Trips, Summer Fishing Trips, Elk and Deer Hunts
970-247-1694

Southfork Riding Stables and Outfitters: Trail rides, Hunts, Pack trips, Cattle drives 970-259-4871

Mining History and Gold Mine Tour - an hour north of Durango in Silverton. Open June - September
800-872-3009

Spend an unforgettable day 14,000 feet high amongst old mines, relics and ghost towns:

San Juan Backcountry Jeep Rides - 970-387-5565
Rocky Mountain High Tours - 970 247-0807
Outlaw Rivers & Jeep Tours - 970 259-1800

For the Extremists:

Southwest Adventures: Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, year 'round adventures:
800 642-5389

Take a Glider Ride against the beautiful red cliffs of the Animas Valley, 10 minutes north of Durango, Spring & Summer 970-247-9037

Go Fishing in Paradise!
World class fishing waters abound within a stones' throw of downtown Durango. The Animas River runs through downtown and we are blessed with 3 more rivers, The Florida, The Pine and The La Plata within 20 minutes of town.

Duranglers - Fishing and Fly Supplies, Guided trips, downtown Durango:
970-385-4081     www.duranglers.com

Durango Fly Goods - Fishing and Fly Supplies, Guided trips, downtown Durango:
970-259-0999       www.durangoflygoods.com

Nightly Favorites:

The Bar D Chuckwagon - Memorial Day Weekend thru mid-Sept, Original member of the Son's of the Pioneers leads this very enjoyable nightly western dinner show, 20 minutes north of Durango, reservations suggested, 970-247-5753

Rag Time Piano at the Diamond Belle Saloon - May through September, nightly entertainment with live ragtime piano.   Fiddle, banjo, guitar and base often play blues together on Sundays throught the winter.  Call ahead:

For other Durango Restaurants, Durango's Best Eateries

In the Winter, Go Skiing and Snowmobiling!

Durango Mountain Resort and Nordic Center - 25 miles north of Durango. Activities year round:

Snowmobile Adventures, Inc. 970-385-2141