Here at Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty, we’re big fans of the place we call home. Durango is a place that truly has something for everyone. Between our close proximity to untouched wilderness, our river of Gold Medal Waters, and dessert landscapes just minutes away, the Things to do in Durango list is long! But to get you started on exploring our town here’s our list of the top 10 Things You Can Only Experience in Durango. 

#1 – Ride The Rails

Railroad fans come from far and wide to experience the historic Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This granddaddy of vintage trains is a living piece of history and a perennial top ten fave. Explore the Durango & Silverton Railroad Museum filled with interesting artifacts from the history of the railroad. You’ll find an interactive train model plus real train cars to explore. Better yet, it’s free! If you prefer to ride the rails, you can board this steam-powered behemoth for a journey through the mountains to the town of Silverton. A journey the DSNGR has been making since 1882. Re-live the days of a gone by era traveling by locomotive on the same route as miners and settlers once took. 

#2 – Take a Step Back In Time

Step back to the days before Durango was born, and into Animas City. Explore the history of Durango and LaPlata County at the Animas Museum. A unique journey back in time, the museum is housed in Animas City’s historic original school building. A structure that dates back to the 1800s. The museum offers a variety of exhibits and programs for all ages, and an opportunity to explore the rich history of our area. 

#3 – Visit a Land Before Time

Just west of Durango lies a unique and ancient place known as Mesa Verde, National Park. An authentic national treasure and one of the original homes to the most ancient dwellers of the Southwest. See some of the oldest and best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world through hikes, guided tours and driving loops. Climb cliff faces and descend into kivas where the ancients once lived. An experience you can’t have anywhere else. 

#4 – Taste the Delights of the Rocky Mountains

Visit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Downtown Durango, a place that fills the downtown area with the delectable scent of chocolate year-round. Come into the original store and watch the preparation of caramel apples from a traditional copper kettle and sample delicious chocolate. It’s a chocoholic’s #1 destination! You’re sure to find something to satisfy your chocolate cravings in those glass cases.

#5 – Experience Colorado Style Pizza 

Once upon a time, a little pizza place decided to solve the dilemma of who has the best pizza. There are fans of New York-style, and there are those who say Chicago reigns supreme, but what if the two were combined to create Colorado Style? A pizza like no other, and one that you can only get at one of Home Slice Pizza’s three Durango locations. 

#6 – Visit Purgatory and Live to Tell

Purgatory Mountain Resort is a go-to destination for the winter, but that’s not all. The mountain resort offers family fun for every season of the year. In the winter, it’s home to several different ski and snowboard runs, while the summer months see hiking, mountain biking, and speedy rides on a mountain roller coaster known as “The Inferno.” or take a ride on the legendary Alpine Slide. But that’s not all, the Resort also features fine dining options, shopping, a spa, and luxurious accommodations. Get a healthy mix of pampering and adventure when you visit Purgatory. 

#7 Attend a Winter Festival Like no Other

Durango’s Snowdown festival was originally created in 1979 as an attempt to bring something fun, and festive to the long winter. Since it’s inception it has since grown into one of the largest annual seasonal celebrations in the state. Each year’s event has its own theme, ranging from classics like An Old West Snowdown to the outlandish Intergalactic Snowdown. Enjoy plenty of tongue in cheek humor and events to delight almost anyone. 

#8 Enjoy One of Colorado’s Oldest Rodeos

Established in 1935, Fiesta Days, formerly known as the “Spanish Trails Fiesta,” is one of the oldest Rodeos in the state of Colorado. The event features a Queen Contest, Rodeo, Petting Zoo, 4D Barrel Jackpot, Team Roping Slack, BBQ/Pie Auction/Street Dance, Slack, Parade and various local vendors. Locals and visitors alike will be provided with the best entertainment and activities. It’s an important festival in Durango that celebrates the local flavors and colorful heritage of the region. A great family event that truly illustrates the word “fiesta” done the Durango way.

#9Taste the Flavors of Durango

With more restaurants per capita than San Fransisco Durango has a lot of flavors to delight any foodie. There’s no better way to experience all those flavors than to partake in the Taste of Durango, the premier food festival and summer kick-off party. The event features local craft breweries, artisan cocktails, and countless samples of the world-class cuisine that Durango’s restaurants offer. Always complimented by a fantastic selection of music, dancing, fun, and friends. Anyone from Durango knows that we live in a town that celebrates food! Our Chefs and restaurant owners work tirelessly to provide us with an exceptional variety and caliber of dining options.

#10 Dine Like a Cowboy

Back in the day, cowboys would spend the day driving steers across the land. As the sun went down they would relax around the campfire with their grub, telling jokes and singing trail songs. The Bar D Chuckwagon takes visitors back to the Old West with music and comedy performances, combined with comfort food that warms the soul. 

From fishing and rafting to hiking and biking, there’s no shortage of attractions here, but we wanted to share with you the things that make Durango truly unique. As a bonus, another thing you can’t do anywhere else but here is to purchase a home with Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty. Stop by or contact us today!