Durango Colorado: History, Luxury, and Great Day Trips

Start your stay in the genuine Old West Strater Hotel. Built in 1887, it was luxury then, and still is, but with the Old West theme that greets you at the door. Louis L'Amour Sackett's novels were written at the Strater. It is said to have the largest collection of American Victorian-era walnut furniture in the world.

Enjoy a drink and live music in the Diamond Belle Saloon. As befitting a saloon, gun fights break out regularly and spill out to the street as the local lawman takes on the outlaw. 7:00pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday throughout the summer. Take an afternoon break and reserve the hotel's private jacuzzi (no extra charge). Or, enjoy a performance at the Henry Strater Theatre.

As you walk the streets with shops from kitsch to art, and the next morning, either take the historic train up to Silverton on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Or drive - the San Juan Skyway is justifiably famous for its beauty and photo opportunity vistas. Either way you'll reach Silverton, a town that could be a set for the Old West. Once described as a gritty little mining town with Victorian pretensions, it nonetheless has real western charm, and real Victorian houses.

If you have the time, do the ghost town thing braving dirt roads and switchbacks with a rented jeep, or taking a tour.

On another day, take the scenic 75 minute drive on Highway 160 East to Mesa Verde National Park.

Finish up back in Durango with dinner and a Western music show at the Bar D. The food may not evoke a standing ovation but the music will. Different nights offer different shows, but the one I saw combined great guitar picking, famous impersonations, and humor, and ended with the patriotic melodies including American the Beautiful.

For more train-themed activities, explore the train museum behind the depot. Both kids and adults will enjoy the free museum. But if you really love historic trains can take a guided tour of the railyards ($5 if you bought a ticket to the train, $10 if you haven't).

For nonwestern fun, walk along the town's Animas River, you can even do a family-friendly raft or kayak on the river as it runs though town.

Getting around Durango: Free downtown trolley goes through most of Main Avenue so park your car and ride the trolley or walk the small town streets.

For more information on Durango visit Durango.org

---