The Best Small Towns In Colorado For A Weekend Retreat
You will fall in love with them (Coloradans), their towns, and the breathtaking scenery that defines their diverse landscapes. Anyone who has ever set foot in the "Centennial State" has been wowed by its peaks (more than 50 peaks in Colorado are higher than 14,000 feet), numerous mountain lakes, and otherworldly terrain. The best way to explore Colorado, which is about the size of New Zealand, is via its delicious array of small towns. From Glenwood Springs to Ouray, discover the best small towns in Colorado for a weekend retreat.
Glenwood Springs
Conveniently located off Interstate 70, about 157 miles west of Denver, Glenwood Springs is a town of about 10,500 that could be the best destination for Colorado hot springs. If you are planning a weekend adventure, Hanging Lake Inn, a short, five-minute drive from downtown Glenwood Springs, should be an excellent venue for rest and rejuvenation. Visit the historic Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, once a playground for wealthy Victorians. Today, this healing wonder is the world's largest hot springs pool. Though a new kid on the block, Iron Mountain Hot Springs can be a fantastic alternative.
For a more profound experience — literally — the subterranean Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves are the only known natural vapor caves in North America. For Old West history, the Frontier Historical Museum, with its replica of a typical pioneer household, should be on the itinerary. It would be a mistake not to mention that Co. Ranch House serves incredibly delicious crab cakes that will satisfy the cravings of an empty stomach.
Salida
A weird and wonderful town famous for its high-country rides, Salida is an instant captivator. A bike town through and through, Salida provides access to the singletrack Arkansas Hills Trail System, which is accessible right from downtown Salida. On the south side of Salida, the Methodist Mountain Trail System includes eight trails and spans about 30 miles of awe-inspiring terrain.
Salida hosts the nation's oldest whitewater festival. It is christened FIBArk, held in June every year, and remains the town's signature event. Salida particularly fits the bill for main street connoisseurs who like sampling architectural styles and period buildings. This is because it boasts the largest historic district in the state. This is where one will find the finest collection of historically significant buildings in Colorado. We can go on and on. Here is the trick. Book a room at the Mountain Goat Lodge. You will feel like you are sleeping out in the wide-open skies.
Buena Vista
Buena Vista is located between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River in south-central Colorado, about 2 hours Southwest of Denver. The first port of call here should be The Surf Hotel, which is right on the scenic banks of the Arkansas River and features a great hiking trail. Partly because of the presence of the river, a first-time visitor will enjoy a world of outdoor adventure opportunities here, including white-water rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing.
For a melt-in-the-mouth meal (with kombucha in the soft drinks), House Rock Kitchen serves meat that is locally sourced, grass-fed, and hormone-free. First-time visitors will enjoy exploring the Sawatch mountain range, catching some waves at Buena Vista's Whitewater Park, and snowmobiling at Monarch Mountain.
Idaho Springs
A fun, funky, little mountain town that hosts just about 1,700 residents, Idaho Springs is another Colorado charmer that can be a perfect venue for a weekend retreat. One of its most exciting features is its proximity to Denver, which is just about 30 miles down the road. You will want to travel through Miner Street (the site of the first major discovery of gold in Colorado) and the National Historic District through to Bridal Veil Falls behind the Town Hall parking lot. Not far from here, where Chicago Creek and Clear Creek meet, George Jackson, a native of Missouri, struck gold in 1859, ushering the Colorado Gold Rush. A granite monument celebrating the discovery can serve as a fantastic photo-op.
For a well-curated glimpse into the area’s history, visit the Idaho Springs Heritage Museum, where countless artifacts tell the story of Idaho Springs in an engrossing style. For a memorable road trip, the “Oh My God Road,” connecting Idaho Springs and Central City, must not be missed. And for a cozy place to stay, the Silver Lake Lodge is as romantic as the most amplified application of the word can suggest.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is a nice town just outside of Colorado Springs, about an hour's drive from Denver. You will marvel at the many fountains that produce naturally sparkling seltzer water. The spectacle is so striking that one will think she is handling carbonated water from some underground industrial venture. Just bring an empty bottle. Avid hikers should explore the Manitou Incline, which ascends on the East slope of Rocky Mountain. But it is not for the faint of heart. Some sections are as steep as 68% grade. If you do not want to break a sweat but still enjoy a heart-in-mouth adventure experience, sit back, relax, and enjoy a memorable ride on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The famous 9-mile journey transports you to Pikes Peak’s 14,115-foot summit.
It is tough to beat the views on the way up. Other attractions include the Garden of the Gods (which is famous with hikers) and Seven Falls. In the downtown area, many buildings exude a neat Art Deco vibe and will be a pleasure to explore. Book one of the 54 beautifully appointed guest rooms at the Cliff House at Pikes Peak for a peaceful stay.
Estes Park
Estes Park particularly checks the weekend retreat box since it is conveniently close to Denver. It is slightly more than an hour’s drive from Denver. First-time visitors will enjoy the haunted tours provided at the Stanley Hotel, a 140-room Colonial Revival hotel that is arguably the most grand in the Estes Valley. It is known to provide tasty Rocky Mountain views.
A short distance from the main entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, Rams Horn Village Resort offers luxury cabins. Alternatively, Estes Park Resort overlooks a sparkling lake that is nice for a stroll when the weather acts right. Plus, it is conveniently located close to the town’s downtown area. A drive up Trail Ridge can only be described as “epic,” while Mills Lake’s spectacular scenery features scenic trails and heart-warming waterfalls. Of course, there is the Rocky Mountains National Park, which, with elevations of up to 14,259 feet, is one of the highest national parks in the United States.
Crestone
Crestone is in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, a drive of about 3 hours and a half from Denver. It is considered a spiritual vortex and, therefore, ideal for those who want to explore the outside scenery — as well as the chambers of their souls. For perspective, about two dozen different religious centers dot this town, including many temples used as retreats. If you have to explore only one spiritual site, it has to be the Crestone Ziggurat, an eye-catching edifice that sits above the town and, hence, the most conspicuous.
The Crestone End of Life Project (CEOLP) is ostensibly the only place in America that offers a non-sectarian ceremony where bodies are cremated outdoors in a fiery pyre. Also, the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Great Sand Dunes National Park (which is another must-see), is home to numerous animals, including the Great Horned Owl. For a place to nest, the pet-friendly Coll House is a mystical retreat worth planning with.
Ouray
Secreted in the awe-inspiring San Juan Mountains, Ouray is a cute, dainty town of just about 900 residents that marks the beginning of the Million Dollar Highway, one of the most tempting drives in America. Known to be incredibly beautiful and adorable, Ouray can make for a fantastic weekend retreat, even if it is not a ski town. Jagged mountains scrape the sky and will make a first-time visitor appreciate why Ouray is nicknamed “the Switzerland of America.”
While the retail scene here is pretty standard, check out oddities such as the Gator Emporium for unique, one-of-a-kind souvenirs. One will also want to travel back in time to experience pharmacy in the Wild West at the Ouray Alchemist. On the culinary front, the Outlaw, a saloon-style establishment on Main Street, is Ouray’s longest-going restaurant. Not far from the town’s main drag, you will find Ouray Hot Springs, where one can splash and play in a sulfur-free pool. For the best experience, book a room at the family-owned AlpLily Inn in the heart of historic Ouray.
The views, the crisp, fresh, playful air; the afternoon thunderstorms, especially in the summer; the smell of early-morning dew; the heart-melting mountain vistas, and the wide open skies — all combine to make Colorado one of the most worthy states for a weekend retreat. While Alexander Pope was of the view that “a little learning is a dangerous thing,” a little viewing is not. Instead of waiting for a month-long vacation that may not eventually materialize, pick a weekend and find out about the best small towns in Colorado for a weekend retreat. Here is the truth: Salida, Glenwood Springs, Crestone, and Ouray will be on that list.
