Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

Durango, in southern Colorado, has a lovely setting at the base of surrounding mountains. The historic downtown area contains some beautifully restored grand old buildings that now serve as hotels and restaurants. Some are decorated in a southwestern style with an Old West feel. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage Railway is one of the town's main tourist attractions during the summer. This historic train runs day trips up the valley from Durango to Silverton, an old mining town high in the mountains. The train continues to run in the winter, but only on specific dates and only to Cascade Canyon. It's a very different experience than the summer trip, but it's well worth seeing.

Durango is also the end point of the Colorado Trail, a 500-mile backcountry trail that connects Denver and Durango. A day hike or mountain bike ride along the trail, out and back, is possible. The trail follows Junction Creek before climbing to Gudy's Rest, where many people stop for lunch before returning. More hiking and mountain biking trails can be found in and around Durango, as well as in the surrounding mountains. In winter, Durango is a full-on ski town, supported by the nearby Purgatory Ski Resort, just 15 minutes outside of town. This is a family resort that attracts both locals and skiers from around the Southwest. Some skiers also base themselves in Durango, which has reasonably-priced hotels, and ski at Telluride, two hours away.

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

Location: Colorado, United States

Phone: 1-877-872-4607

Website: https://www.durangotrain.com/