10 Offbeat Towns to Visit in the Rockies
The Rocky Mountains are a majestic range of mountains running through North America's central region. Renowned for their towering peaks, abundant wildlife, and extensive outdoor adventures, the Rockies invite millions of tourists to experience the grandeur of the mountain wilderness every year. While the pristine scenery is breathtaking, several charming, unconventional towns offer memorable one-of-a-kind experiences. If you're looking for a distinctive place that transcends the ordinary, combining natural beauty with offbeat attractions, join us as we unveil these small towns of the Rockies.
Ouray, Colorado
This small town is the "Little Switzerland of America" for its Old-world charm and alpine architecture. The community sits in a small valley surrounded by towering peaks, and it began as a mining town for settlers seeking silver and gold in the surrounding hills. Over the years, Ouray grew into a thriving resort community as tourists sought the nearby therapeutic, hot mineral springs. Today, this small town focuses most of its energy on attracting tourists to its historic downtown, hot springs, and breathtaking scenery.
Outdoor enthusiasts will want to experience Ouray's wonder, the Box Canyon Falls, where Canyon Creek spills over a 285-foot drop. The Perimeter Trail is a 5.6-mile hike over varied terrain, featuring several waterfalls and lush mountain scenic views. If you venture to the historic downtown area, the Ouray Alchemist Museum is a fascinating collection of old pharmacy items, and during the warmer summer, the Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour takes you 1,500 feet into Gold Hill.
The downtown Courthouse has been the site of many movies, including True Grit. Today, there are many quaint shops, galleries, and places to explore. The Ouray Brewery is the perfect place to unwind with a plate of wings and a craft beer with rooftop views.
Phillipsburg, Montana
This gem of a city is an old 1890s mining town known for producing vast deposits of Montana sapphires, manganese, and silver. Today, the community is a haven for tourists who want to enjoy the rich historical heritage, explore the glorious wilderness of the Pintler Scenic Loop, and maybe stumble across their precious gem or sapphire. The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is a fun family activity where visitors can pan for their gemstones. The Granite Ghost Town State Park is nearby, with the remnants of long-abandoned buildings. Be aware that the road to the ghost town is narrow and winding, so you might have to pull off to let other traffic pass as you travel.
The downtown district is filled with shops and locally owned businesses. Spend time exploring Snookies Mercantile for anything you need, Grassroots Gifts for made-in-Montana items, or Stuff and Such Antiques for vintage items. There are plenty of places to eat, but the Phillipsburg Brewing Company is in the fully-restored Sayrs Bank, so you can get some history while sampling a well-brewed beer. Afterward, we'd recommend stopping by the Phillipsburg Creamery for locally sourced artisanal ice cream, including a huckleberry flavor that will blow your mind.
Estes Park, Colorado
The offbeat nature of Estes Park centers around the haunted Stanley Hotel, where author Stephen King got his inspiration for The Shining. Today, travelers can stay at the hotel, take ghost tours, and even wander through the Underground, a unique theater under the original Carriage House where world-class magicians perform. In addition, this community has turned up the quirky dial with the Frozen Dead Guy Days celebration (which had been held in Nederland). The three-day festival celebrates a unique local area resident whose body was kept on ice (literally) for years in an attempt to build a working cryo-chamber for him. There are coffin races, a hearse parade, and a look-alike contest. The local celebration attracts many tourists who seem to delight in honoring the once-frozen remains of a dead guy.
The community is just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, so if ghouls and ghosts are not your speed, there are plenty of trails to explore. The downtown Main Street exudes a quaint mountain charm with eclectic shops and galleries. Families will love seeing the local elk herd that roams wherever they want and often snarls up local traffic. You can't do better for a place to eat than Mama Rose's, a local place featuring Old World Italian.
Silverton, Colorado
This mountain community is an oasis for outdoor adventurers year-round. Silverton sits in a valley of the San Juan mountains and draws its name from the rich silver mines that exploded in the hills during the 1860s. Today, the town is a picture-perfect village with an Old-West feel. Travelers can reach this remote town by driving up the Million Dollar Highway with its jaw-dropping views or riding the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The old-time train carves its way through the Animas Valley and is an excellent way for families to experience the adventure of a steam locomotive.
With several prominent mountain peaks close by, backpackers use Silverton as a base to explore the rugged terrain around the town. With abundant wildlife present, these hikes are glorious opportunities to experience the mountain wilderness in its natural, raw beauty. Downtown Silverton has many Victorian and turn-of-the-century buildings filled with shops and tourist haunts. Stay overnight at the Grand Imperial Hotel, a restored Victorian venue with exquisite furnishings and plenty of history. There is excellent skiing during the winter, but don't be surprised if the town shuts down when it snows.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is the perfect place if you are fond of an artsy, eclectic, and hippie community. This small town is located off of I-70, approximately 100 miles from Denver. It is nestled in the Tenmile Range, which means plenty of outdoor activities are available throughout the year. One of the most popular and challenging hikes is the Mohawk Lake Trail, an 8.4-mile out-and-back trail that begins through meadows of wildflowers and ends with a steep ascent to several high alpine lakes. If you prefer something less strenuous, take the scenic chair lift to Alpine Camp on Peak 8 for some of the best vistas in the Rockies.
The historic downtown has over 200 well-preserved buildings from Breckenridge's role as a mining community. Many museums, coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants are thriving in them today. If you travel there during one of the many festivals throughout the year, you will find the residents love to throw a party. Something is always happening, from the Ullr Fest to the International Show Sculpture Festival to the annual Race of the Santas.
For a quirky experience, seek out one of the town's most famous residents, Isak Heartstone, created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. This 15' Troll is cleverly made from scraps of lumber and recycled materials, and he loves getting his picture taken. Be sure to eat at Ember or the Hearthstone Restaurant for excellent upscale dining, or Motherloaded Tavern, where you can make your s'mores after sampling its unique menu and cocktails.
Wallace, Idaho
Wallace enjoys its notoriety as the only city designated "Center Of The Universe." Today, travelers can seek out the exact spot, designated by a man-hole cover, or visit in the fall when the town celebrates this fact with an annual festival. With numerous other events, like the Craft Beer Fest in the spring or the Wallace Blues Festival during the summer, there is always some celebration.
The entire downtown area has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places, and many of the turn-of-the-century buildings are open with shops, boutiques, and galleries. With its deep heritage as a silver mining town, families will want to explore any of the four museums telling the stories of mining and residents. If you need a place to eat, The Fainting Goat is an excellent taproom wine bar.
Many visitors come to Wallace to explore the breathtaking beauty of the region. With thousands of miles of pristine trails, there is always another corner of the forest to explore, whether hiking or mountain biking.
Crested Butte, Colorado
If you have ever dreamed of walking through a mountain meadow filled with wildflowers, this little Colorado town is the best place to make that happen. Crested Butte is the "Wildflower Capital of the World" and sits in Gunnison County as a premier destination for hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. The town has a Wildflower Festival every July that attracts visitors to over 200 workshops demonstrating everything from wildlife photography to scheduled hikes through the meadows.
During winter, the region transforms into a snowy wonderland with excellent skiing and snowboarding runs. The Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort attracts all types of outdoor adventurers, offering experiences for every level. Be sure to buy your lift tickets in advance because, the crowds often limit space during the winter season.
Crested Butte is a pedestrian-friendly town with historic buildings, unique shops, and fantastic restaurants. You will want to explore the historic Elk Avenue, the town's main street. Travelers will be surprised at the number of excellent dining choices in a town this small. For example, Secret Stash Pizza won the World Champion Pizza Challenge with the Notorious F.I.G. The best breakfast place is very popular with the locals, McGill's Cafe.
Victor, Colorado
Victor sits just five miles from the larger historic mining town of Cripple Creek. Together with its sister city, this mining district produced the second-largest amount of gold in the country during its heyday. Today, the small ghost town is one of the best-preserved mining camps in the state, and its historic streets are filled with wonder examples of Victorian architecture. The iconic Victor Hotel is a vintage hotel building with modern amenities and warm mountain hospitality.
Travelers will want to tour the Lowell Thomas Museum, where, during the summer, the kids can get a chance to pan for gold nuggets or precious gems. If you need a place to eat, the Fortune Club Restaurant is a nostalgic diner with great food, and the Mining Claim 1899 Saloon has excellent burgers and beers.
Nearby Cripple Creek has lots of attractions, but one of the most popular family venues happens every summer when the Cripple Creek Players present a melodrama. Expect to "cheer" for the hero and "boo" the villain because that is part of the fun.
Taos, New Mexico
This town is a renowned ski destination, but it also boasts one of the top art districts in the Rockies. The community supports locally made arts and crafts and offers several galleries, shops, and boutiques where travelers can admire and purchase rare finds. The town blends Puebloan and Spanish influences, reflected in the adobe-style buildings, beautiful pottery, and excellent south-of-the-border cuisine.
The Millicent Rogers Museum is a private residence that houses over 5,000 examples of Native American and Hispanic art. The Taos Art Museum at the Fechin House and the Hardwood Art Museum are great places to indulge in fine art. Every year, the town hosts numerous open studio tours and arts festivals, including the Paseo, an outdoor arts celebration every September.
The World Cup Cafe and the Espresso Bar in the Taos Valley Lodge are highly recommended for coffee lovers. If you're craving Mexican food, La Cueva Cafe is a tiny eatery serving delicious dishes.
Park City, Utah
Don't be surprised if you travel to this small town and bump into a celebrity. The town prides itself on being a classic winter destination, but it also hosts the Sundance Film Festival every year. The annual celebration is one of the most significant events of its kind, featuring famous celebrities, directors, and producers from all over the world. With the pristine beauty of the Wasatch Range towering above the city, there are plenty of outdoor activities to experience. During the summer months, the surrounding mountains are a hiker's paradise, with miles of beautiful trails and scenic vistas to explore.
The Historic Main Street is a vibrant hub, lined with quaint boutiques, art galleries, and gourmet restaurants housed in beautifully preserved historic buildings. Visitors can immerse themselves in the town's rich mining history while exploring the Park City Museum, which showcases artifacts and exhibits that bring the past to life. For an memorable dining experience, try the Snowed Inn Sleigh Company for a classic horse-drawn sleigh ride to dinner in a rustic setting with live music.
Closing Thoughts
The Rocky Mountains offer some of the most scenic natural beauty in the world, but for those seeking more than just a walk in the woods, there is a collection of offbeat and charming towns to explore, each boasting its own distinct allure. From the artistic flair of Taos to the quirky atmosphere of Estes Park with its Frozen Dead Guy Days to a giant Troll in Breckenridge, these unconventional destinations redefine the typical Rocky Mountain experience. Whether you plan to stay for a day, a week or even longer, don't miss these perfect spots for making surprising memories with your family and friends.
