7 Best Colorado Towns For A Weekend Trip

There are states where you can get away with spending a weekend switching channels or scrolling your social media feeds. Colorado is not one of them. Whether you want to wander through Durango’s picture-perfect streets or savor Ouray’s jaw-dropping mountain views, the "Centennial State" provides unmatched outdoor adventure opportunities. You can ride a heritage railroad that sweeps past some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, pull a chair at a local restaurant for a filling and delicious meal, float down a humming stream, paddle a clear lake, enjoy an epic hike, or spend some tranquil moments hearing the rustling of leaves. Starting with Durango, discover below the 7 best Colorado towns for a weekend escape.

Durango, Colorado

Durango is a small, charming storybook town with a setting that any movie director would drool over. No wonder several award-winning movies, including parts of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's “How The West Was Won,” have been filmed in Durango. This speaks to the town’s swoon-worthy setting.

Durango is backdropped by heart-warming views of Perin's Peak and Smelter Mountain with stunning views of downtown Durango and the Animas River Valley.

Hop aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, an iconic narrow-gauge heritage railroad that cuts through the ruggedly beautiful San Juan National Forest, offering heart-gripping views on almost every side.

Carver Brewing Co., Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice for 12 years, is conveniently situated on Main Avenue. You will enjoy washing down a buffalo burger here with a glass of excellently made house-crafted root beer, especially after an out-of-town adventure. The Strater Hotel, whose history goes back more than 120 years, is a short walk to almost everything you will need in town.

Ouray, Colorado

Ouray — the "Switzerland of America," is a 19th-century mining boom town that is today loved for its breathtaking landscapes and outdoor offerings. The aptly named Million Dollar Highway, which runs through the town, is known to provide several heart-in-mouth moments, especially in the way it clings to the mountain and provides precarious hairpin turns.

Catch a wicked show at the historic Wright Opera House, enjoy some tender, perfectly cooked short ribs at Brickhouse (with a reservation), or admire amazing paintings from local artists at the 5-star rated Ago Gallery & San Juan Pottery. On your second day, explore the yummy range of outdoor recreation activities around the town, including the Ouray Hot Springs, the nearby Cascade Falls Park (for the rocks and the waterfall), and the 285-foot-tall Box Canyon Waterfall.

If you can, set base at the Amphitheater Campground, a tranquil space loved for its mountain backdrop and beautiful hiking trails. Otherwise, Ouray Main Street Inn is clean, cozy, and conveniently right in town.

Silverton, Colorado

Silverton is an astoundingly beautiful small town set in the backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain views. Once known for silver mining — hence the name — this little gem has today transformed itself into an endearing, slow-paced community fit for both relaxation and high-octane outdoor adventure.

In summer, tourists come to climb the area’s jaw-dropping peaks, run mountain trails (such as Ice Lakes), or float down the Animas River, a 126-mile-long waterbody that provides thrilling white water adventures. It is quieter in winter, although visitors can still enjoy terrific skiing at places such as the Kendall Mountain Ski Area, which bills itself as "the cheapest ski area in the West."

Keep in mind that the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is among the town’s most sought-after attractions. The Avon, which predates the First World War by 10 years, is the perfect place to relax after hours of memorable backpacking.

Canon City, Colorado

From tumbling rapids to thundering waterfalls, Canon City is big on water. You have the Arkansas River, which flows through the town; Grape Creek, which is filled with brown and rainbow trout; and the nearby Lake Pueblo State Park, a pristine wilderness area with 60 miles of shoreline.

The Four Mile Ranch Golf Club, which is open to the public, is loved for its off-the-chart greens and inspiring layout. If craving some grass-fed local beef burgers, pull a chair at Bunk House Burgers, a buzzy, old-fashioned space that makes most burger joints look woefully average. That said, few experiences are as enjoyable as an evening walk with the sound of water trickling in the background. If this sounds like something you can enjoy, don’t miss the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail.

Georgetown

Although Georgetown is a small community with fewer than 2,000 residents, it packs a punch. Nestled in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains at over 8,000 feet, the views here are wild and whimsical in equal measure. One of the best ways to take in the scenery here is via a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a heritage railroad that whisks visitors over the Devil's Gate Bridge, which stands at a heart-sinking height above Clear Creek. A highly celebrated engineering marvel, Georgetown Loop Railroad opens for business at the beginning of spring every year.

The fittingly named Cooper's on the Creek, loved for its crispy Brussels sprouts, is a lovely place to enjoy a meal while savoring beautiful river views. However, for some calm and clarity, spend some time at Georgetown Lake, a mind-calming oasis with a mountain view backdrop. Don’t skip the Wildlife Viewing Area on the edge of the lake, especially because it is a nice spot to get up and close with big horn sheep. The trick is to stay at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham because you will be close to most of the attractions in the area.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge reclines at the base of the Rocky Mountain's Tenmile Range, a sub-range of the Colorado Rockies famous for its delightful range of outdoor adventure opportunities, including top-notch backcountry skiing. But before venturing out, sample Breckenridge’s eclectic culinary scene, making stops at places such as Aurum Food & Wine Breckenridge — especially if you consider Korean fried chicken a tongue-tingling delicacy.

Fun outdoor spots around town include nearby McCullough Gulch Trail, loved for its breathtaking waterfall views, and Hoosier Pass, a high-elevation spot that is part of the Great Continental Divide. Stay at Fireside Inn from where you can walk just a couple blocks to Main Street without fighting traffic.

Estes Park, Colorado

Estes Park is a scintillating Rocky Mountain treasure that is tucked away along the Big Thompson River about 70 miles from Denver. Although Estes Park is known for several pleasure spots, one of its landmark attractions is a world-famous outdoor space: the Rocky Mountain National Park. One of the most beautiful national parks in the nation boasts wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and over 300 miles of trails. Besides, you have Kruger Rock Trail, which provides a sweeping view of Estes and the surrounding areas.

Many associate Colorado with the terrifying grandeur and majesty of the Rocky Mountains, a spellbinding expanse that provides unmatched outdoor adventure opportunities. Therefore, it may surprise many vacationers that the Centennial State also boasts some of the most underrated beachfronts on the planet. Dotting the state — and providing access to some of these pleasure spots — are several small, charming towns, most of which are ideal for a weekend getaway.