Heading to Durango for a wedding in September. Is it there anything to do there worth staying a few extra days?

The Durango / Silverton Train looks pretty cool, but is it a Tourist Trap? What is there to do once you get to Silverton?

Fantastic hiking and fly fishing in the area

Absolutely tons to do in that area.

Mesa Verde National Park
Day trip to Ouray/Silverton
Elbert Creek Trail (among many others) - plenty of national forest to explore
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/castle-rock-via-elbert-creek-trail
James Ranch Grill
Durango Hot Springs
Numerous breweries and Brewpubs
Purgatory Ski Resort
https://www.purgatory.ski/summer-activities/
Fishing/kayaking
Railroad

I did the train this summer. It's good, but a LONG day.

If you're into off-roading, rent a jeep and go to the backcountry.

When in September are you going? If it's late September the Aspen trees will be changing colors. Drive the Million Dollar Highway up to Ouray. Colors are amazing.

You cannot take a trip to the San Juans and pass on going off-road with a rented Jeep, if you're not driving something else capable. Any place that rents a Jeep in the area will recommend trails for your skill level. It's an incredible area.

13 - 0 said:

---

The Durango / Silverton Train looks pretty cool, but is it a Tourist Trap? What is there to do once you get to Silverton?

---

Not a tourist trap. Their website pretty much shows what you are in for.

Silverton is quite small, and your time there is too short to do anything other than roam the town's central area. IOW - you can shop, eat, explore.

I would recommend not booking the cheapest class if you can help it. The seats are not very comfortable at all. Our trip was a last minute sort of thing, so we found this out the hard way. Therefore, if you decide to go, and depending on what time of year, book as early as possible as the nicer seats book up quite early.

If you want restaurant suggestions -- we had a great meal at a small place on W College Dr. called "The Roost". The food and the staff were just great. For decent Mexican food, we liked "Mi Ranchito", more or less across W College from the McDonald's.

C

Caladan- Thanks for the tips. Particularly upgrading the train tickets.

Is there enough to do in Silverton to spend the night and take the train back to Durango the next day?

Re: restaurants in Durango we were there skiing Purgatory for spring break and stopped for sandwiches at Tom's Deli, really good sandwiches and fries. Also did dinner in town at Carver's one night. Typical brew pub type food but also very good. Recommended by a local. Steamworks brewpub also supposed to be good. Also the pizza from Olde Schoolhouse is really good. This is pure takeaway though so just FYI, not a very big place to sit and eat.

Theres about 5 shops and 4 restaurants in Silverton. You'll see all you need to during the train stop.

Both times I have taken the train, we have trained one way only. Two options, then: take the bus back, or drive (having earlier left a car in town). The train is a Can't Miss experience, but one way is plenty.

RushHour said:

---

You cannot take a trip to the San Juans and pass on going off-road with a rented Jeep, if you're not driving something else capable. Any place that rents a Jeep in the area will recommend trails for your skill level. It's an incredible area.

---

Just don't end up upside down on the side of a mountain.

You could spend a year in Durango doing something awesome every single day, and never repeat yourself, provided you like the outdoors. Durango is quite possibly the BEST outdoors city in all of America. The combination of mountains and rivers is probably unbeatable in America. The only places I can think of that compete are around the Columbia Gorge and maybe east of Sacramento. Colorado just doesn't have many cities with rivers and Durango combines the mountains with the rivers.

If you aren't into the outdoors then Durango is still fine, but not a top choice.

bones75 said:

---

Both times I have taken the train, we have trained one way only. Two options, then: take the bus back, or drive (having earlier left a car in town). The train is a Can't Miss experience, but one way is plenty.

---

This. There and back is a beating.

Fun tidbit, when we did it last year, Kevin Costner was on our train. The last 3 cars of the train were private for him and his crew.

Thanks for all the ideas. We're heading there in late June and really looking forward to it

We pass through Durango regularly on our way to Silverton/Ouray(family of 4, two kids under 8. As others said it's a great place to base out of because there's so much around.

In the summer I actually find it a little too warm for me during the day. I go to the mountains so I can wear hoodies in the summer.

Some of our regular stops

Along 550
Durango Doughworks - Donuts and a traditional breakfast joint.
Homeslice Pizza - good casual pizza joint

In the main downtown
Steamworks Brewing
Durango Diner - I've only done breakfast here
Near 2nd and 8th there are food trucks and cafes all clumped together. Good place to hang outside and have a variety of stuff.

If you're there with kids a day pass to the community center is killer. Indoor pool area with a couple of decent water slides and a splash park, all indoors.

The train is long and slow. Definitely a can miss. There are lots of good restaurants in Durango. Mesa Verde National Park is great.

+1 for Mesa Verde. Fascinating place.

Whatever you do, do not buy any of the honey whiskey or honey coffee liquor from Honeyville. It is addicting, can only be purchased there, and withdrawal can be painful when you can't find a supplier.

The train is something worth experiencing. It was suggested to me to take it in the Durango to Silverton direction and that made sense.

If you like to hike, there's plenty of options. We did hikes to Engineer Mountain and Ice Lake and both were worth the effort (granted we went during wildflower season).

As others mentioned, renting a jeep is definitely a to do if you can swing it. We went to American basin near Silverton and the views (and wildflowers) were spectacular. La Plata Canyon also offers some nice views when you get up to the top.

I enjoy landscape photography so this area is a dream for that type of thing.

Enjoy your trip!

If you have kids, take the train to Silverton and the bus back. They'll be asleep after just a few minutes.

Naveronski said:

---

If you have kids, take the train to Silverton and the bus back. They'll be asleep after just a few minutes.

---

Even with no kids, take the bus for part. One way trip is cool Round trip on the train is a drag for all but the most nutty of train nuts

Quote:

---

Colorado just doesn't have many cities with rivers and Durango combines the mountains with the rivers.

---

Don't most of the popular Colorado mountain towns have rivers runnining through/by them?