8 of the Most Hospitable Small Towns in Colorado
While big cities are often the highlights in states like New York and California, Colorado stands out for its small towns, which are renowned for their exceptional hospitality and the way nature seamlessly blends into their downtown areas. Silverthorne, with its picturesque lakeside setting, offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains in every season, while Georgetown's historic district features charming red-cobblestone sidewalks.
The finest small towns in Colorado boast stunning mountain views, such as those in Grand Lake, historic mining-era downtowns like Georgetown, and a wealth of family-friendly activities, thanks to the warm and welcoming locals in each town. Whether you're planning a short visit or a longer nature retreat, Colorado's culture emphasizes making every getaway memorable, no matter the size.
Buena Vista
Buena Vista is the ideal destination for a fun, friendly, and affordable vacation at any time of the year. Its name, meaning "beautiful view," hints at the spectacular scenery it offers. Visitors can marvel at the vibrant fall colors and the impressive vistas of the Rockies to the west, especially appealing to skiers when winter arrives. The nearby Mount Princeton Hot Springs, housed in a historic bathhouse, and the delightful hot pools for children in the summer make it a destination worth exploring. Just east of the Arkansas Valley, Buena Vista is close to the state's best-preserved ghost town, Saint Elmo, and near Salida, where the Heart of the Rockies Bridal Show is held.
For history enthusiasts, the old town area showcases some of Colorado's most exquisite architecture, a draw for visitors for centuries, now paired with modern amenities. Its charming Main Street features florists and vendors, adding to the town's appeal. The historic downtown area, with its concentration of beautiful buildings, provides a great vantage point for nature lovers, such as the Buena Vista Whitewater Park located within the city limits near the Beaver Falls Bridge. Surrounded by lush forests and mountains, Buena Vista offers exciting hiking, biking, and whitewater rafting opportunities in the summer. The town also celebrates the changing seasons with festive decorations and events, from autumn foliage and Halloween festivities to a beautifully adorned holiday season.
Georgetown
Georgetown, known as the majestic Silver Queen of the Rockies, is a mountain idyll with a historic heart. This town, with its rich mining heritage, is nestled in Clear Creek Canyon. Its quaint Victorian downtown, characterized by its red-stone buildings, adds a splash of color to the landscape with its array of specialty shops and eateries. Families particularly enjoy rides on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, an old-time steam locomotive that runs through open-air train cars between Georgetown and Silver Plume. This experience, combined with the crisp mountain air and unobstructed views, makes for a perfect summer day trip. Additionally, the scenic Georgetown Lake offers a delightful contrast with beach getaways, surrounded by opportunities for outdoor excursions.
In the 1800s, Georgetown attracted miners with its silver-veined foothills. Today, visitors can reminisce about this era at the notable Hotel de Paris Museum, which includes a French restaurant dating back to the silver-mining boom. Just a 45-minute drive from Denver, Georgetown is a family-favorite for a quick escape into the Old West. The town offers a variety of attractions, from gift shops and ice cream parlors to restaurants catering to every taste. Visitors can also tour a mine, try their hand at gold panning, and keep any precious metals they find. The Hamill House Museum is another must-see, offering insights into the 19th-century lifestyle in Georgetown, complete with old home decor and outdoor landscaping that transport visitors to a bygone era.
Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs, a historic resort town at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, is minutes away from some of Colorado's most spectacular natural wonders. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, the town offers a mix of relaxing and adventurous activities, including the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Canyon, and Sunlight Mountain Resort. The town, originally named "Defiance," reflects its tumultuous past as a camp for gamblers, gunslingers, and prostitutes. It was later renamed by the founder's wife, Mrs. Cooper, who helped transform it into a more family-friendly destination.
As the county seat of Garfield County, Glenwood Springs offers numerous ways to unwind, including shopping, dining, and cultural events, complementing the adventurous activities. Its location in a narrow valley makes it one of America's most walkable towns. Visitors can enjoy the natural hot springs, spas, and extensive pedestrian and bike paths, all contributing to the town's focus on well-being. Nearby attractions include the stunning Hanging Lake and the opportunity to raft along the scenic Roaring Fork River. For a historical experience, guests can stay at the Hotel Colorado, where Teddy Roosevelt once lodged.
Grand Lake
Grand Lake, aptly named for housing the state's largest natural lake, is known as the "Western Gateway" to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Nestled against the wilderness, this town is home to friendly locals who welcome visitors to their charming lakeside community amidst the surrounding mountains. Quaint cabins and summer homes line the shore, and Grand Lake's historic boardwalk boasts over 60 shops and galleries, interspersed with restaurants offering picturesque views. The town, set amidst abundant wildlife, provides expansive vistas from the green valleys to the mountain peaks in summer. It's a perfect destination for hiking, horseback riding, or golfing in the stunning alpine air.
Grand Lake offers diverse experiences, from mountain biking and ATV adventures to enjoying its status as the "Snowmobiling Capital of Colorado" during the winter. The lake itself is a summer favorite for boating and tranquil fishing trips. Don't miss the town's renowned 4th of July Extravaganza or Grand Lake Regatta Week, and be sure to catch a performance at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater. For those interested in winter sports, the Grand Lake Nordic Center offers snowshoeing and Nordic skiing trails. Alternatively, a self-guided hike along the edge of the Rocky Mountain National Park provides a more intimate experience with its snowy landscape.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs, one of Colorado's most enchanting towns, is known for its artistic flair and vibrant atmosphere, appealing to all kinds of visitors. Renowned for its eight natural mineral springs, which are popular year-round, the town invites guests to rejuvenate in the mineral-rich waters, relax after adventurous outings, or simply unwind from city life. Founded in 1872 by General Palmer and Dr. Bell as a “scenic health resort,” their vision has been well-preserved by the residents. Dining in Dr. Bell’s historic home, now a fine dining establishment, offers more than just a meal, with views of the scenic mountains just a stone's throw away. Activities like hiking the winding Barr Trail up to Pikes Peak offer direct access to nature's wonders.
Located just outside Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs allows visitors to escape the hustle and bustle. The town features an array of small businesses, a variety of restaurants ranging from fine dining to casual eateries, and local pubs perfect for making new friends. After enjoying a pint at Manitou Brewing Company, guests can relax at Blue Skies Inn. The area is ripe for exploration, with hikes up the mountain incline leading to ancient cliff dwellings. The natural hot springs, used for healing by the Ute people long before European settlers arrived, are still a focal point of relaxation. For a more modern experience, visitors can enjoy the SunWater Spa, enhancing the town's long-standing tradition of wellness and rejuvenation.
Salida
This fun, artistic community near the mountains, with roots deep in the 1800s, was a humble stagecoach stop that upgraded to a stopover along the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. In the summer, Salida's friendly folk enjoy whitewater rafting and fishing, welcoming you for recreation along the Arkansas River, to join them, or for some family fun at Salida’s whitewater park and beach scene. With plenty of charm to go around, visitors can start in the photogenic downtown area on the National Register of Historic Places, the state's largest, with some of its most significant architecture. Part of “banana belt” weather, Salida, at 7,500 feet in elevation, is surprisingly mild. Under the towering views of the mountain, the picturesque location inspires mingling in the pleasant atmosphere, encouraging banter with hospitable patrons.
Don't miss the favorites Boathouse Cantina and Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub, just a hop from Riverside Park for pretty sunset views. A year-round biking destination in the heart of the Rockies in the Sawatch Range of central Colorado, find trails for all levels, from easy paddling along the well-developed systems that connect to the mountainous slopes for avid riders. The first flakes are the town's cue to hit the Monarch Mountain slopes, with no better chill times for after than over local dining, libations, shopping, and cultural activities under the timeless charm. Also credited as the “Certified Creative District,” with dozens of locally owned boutiques, restaurants, and microbreweries, the warming ambience extends to accommodations like the hospitable Salida Hotel or Monarch Mountain Lodge.
Silverthorne
This hospitable town with modest beginnings as a camp for the Dillon Dam workers is a modern-day bustling gateway to ski country, sparkling lakes, and the perfect basecamp for all your high-country exploring. Home to some of the most welcoming residents in the Rockies, the evolved pitstop on the way to adventure, Silverthorne offers up all that your heart desires, with a side of its own outdoor fun. The scenic hiking and biking trails include the Blue River Trail, the Summit County Recreational Pathway System, and onward to Dillon, Keystone, and Frisco. Silverthorne's emerging main street mountain-town character calls to gear up at name-brand threads and a fashion piece or a little artisanal find at the Outlets at Silverthorne Mal. From some of the best shopping and dining in the region to a thriving arts scene along the streets and town's galleries, it is also renowned for inexpensive, simply breathtaking accommodation options. Conveniently off I-70, this quintessential mountain town adapts to every group and taste, whether you’re in for a fun family weekend or a backpacking adventure with friends.
Silverthorne’s Blue River draws anglers with four different types of fat trout, while couples enjoy romantic riverside strolls before or after a fine dining experience. Then there's the Raven Golf Course at Three Peaks, which turns to Nordic skiing amid lovely pine and aspen forests, mixing scents with the freshest of breezes from the snow-marbled 13,000-foot peaks, like Buffalo Mountain and the Gore Range, dominating the town’s horizon. Bluebird Market Food Hall is a popular place to mingle with outdoor lovers over food at the hands of helpful patrons, like wood-fired pizzas and world cuisine. Catch a summertime concert at the lakeside amphitheater in Dillon before kicking up your feet back at the Pad. This top-rated boutique hotel/hostel made of shipping containers is a cool dispatcher for a night—or, make it two. You don't want to miss the Art Spot at Silverthorne Makerspace, an art hub in an old fire station that features a gallery, retail, studios, and classrooms for you to try your hand at.
Winter Park
Forget Vail and Aspen if you want a low-key vibe on the best budget, family-friendly skiing experience when the flakes start flying in the state. Winter Park, with snow fun practically engraved in its name, is reported as the least pretentious ski town in the whole world. The snow-wise, happy town hosts a world-class ski resort that, even in Colorado's chance of a "lean" winter season, offers average powder to shred. The optimal location couldn't be more scenic, nestled against the Continental Divide at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level, the state's destination for biking and hiking in the Fraser Valley/Grand County in the summer, and some of the state's best fly fishing.
Being just 75 minutes-drive from downtown Denver makes for a quick family escape (or escape from your family), as well as a relaxing hour and a half train ride. 45 minutes north, and you're in Grand Lake, the RMNP gateway. Winter Park is not just a very nice samaritan, but being home to the NSCD, it welcomes a number of world-class Paralympians from all over the planet to train. This largest adaptive sports program for people with physical or cognitive disabilities looking to practice or learn recreational skiing means game for everyone, with lodge-based access to the innumerable sit-skis on the ski racks and regular skis.
Colorado is a popular state with some of the most stunning mountain views in the entire country. The Centennial State also offers history and gorgeous weather, with traditional seasons, wintry fun, and waterside recreation. Here, nature could not be more compliant with your enchanting experience, encouraging people to be active outside and try new things.
Manitou Springs, home to eight hot springs that the Ute people drank from, contributes to the state's fame as one of the healthiest in the US. Winterpark, home to the largest adaptive sports program, encourages everyone to have an enchanting winter season along the groomed snow slopes of a world-class ski resort.
