These 8 Towns In Colorado Plateau Have Beautiful Architecture

Here is something to ponder, especially as you prepare for your next vacation. The Colorado Plateau — sometimes called the Four Corners Region — has the greatest concentration of U.S. National Park Service (NPS) units in the nation: of course, outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Plus, some of the towns in the Colorado Plateau are quaint, slow-paced, and have beautiful architecture. Think of Barcelona but on a smaller scale. Yet the Colorado Plateau is vast: It spans about 130,000 square miles, bigger than New Mexico. If you are looking to max out on your adventure, discover the eight towns below in the Colorado Plateau that have beautiful architecture.

Durango, Colorado

Durango has served as the setting for several films, including How The West Was Won, a sprawling epic about the transformation of the American West, especially in the 1800s. The town’s downtown area, with its eye-catching red-brick buildings, is a charming stretch sprinkled with beautiful architecture. The town’s backdrop features enticing views of Perin's Peak, Smelter Mountain, and the Hogsback. Hogsback is known to provide lovely views of the Animas Valley, including downtown Durango. Main Avenue is homey and laden with seductive attractions such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot, arguably the cream of the crop. Still on the stretch, Carver Brewing Co., whose brewing fame extends to the rest of the state, is a fun, lively spot to mingle with locals and get a bite. (You may want to ask for the canopied patio in the back.) That said, Schneider Park, with its grassy lawns, pedestrian bridge, and riverwalk, is a cool spot to while away the time.

Sedona, Arizona

Although it will be difficult to resist the distractions of its panoramic overlooks — and the dizzying range of outdoor pleasure spots within its precincts — Sedona’s downtown is a place one will not want to miss either. A first-timer will have a blast wandering through Main Street and popping inside its charming array of shops, art galleries, and tasty restaurants. — amid fantastic views of the surrounding scenery. Uptown Sedona, which starts from where State Route 89A and State Route 179 intersect, is particularly jam-packed with numerous beguiling spots. You can start from Hummingbird House, just before the intersection, right through to the Sedona Arts Center, where one can marvel at the works of local artists. If food is high on your list, Sedona Memories Café whips up the best sandwiches in town. Just don’t miss the overlooks, especially the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout.

Ouray, Colorado

Ouray may not be Colorado Plateau’s best-kept secret — but it is still criminally underrated. The town has been called “the Switzerland of America,” and a walk down Main Street will reveal that the appetizing moniker is not quite different from reality. Million Dollar Highway, one of America's most scenic drives, runs through the town — connecting it southwards with Durango. On the horizon, rugged mountains scrape the sky, curating a setting that most movie directors will salivate over. In the downtown area, cute shops front the charming streets and sway the sight at every turn. There is the Gator Emporium, with its diverse styles of beads; Wright Opera House, the venue for the highly acclaimed Ouray International Film Festival, and the Mouse's Chocolates & Coffee, whose scrap cookies are incredibly delicious. Plus, there is the Ouray Alchemist Museum & Penthouse, an architectural gem that showcases the history of pharmaceutical drugs through the ages.

Telluride, Colorado

Telluride is one of the most beautiful towns in America. So the next time you are tempted to restrict your Colorado adventure to Denver or Aspen, this old Victorian gem, whose core is like a living museum, should ring at the back of your mind. Telluride Historic District is lined with beautifully preserved Victorian architecture — and has worn the National Historic Landmark District label since 1961. The San Miguel River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the West, runs through the town, imbuing it with a rustic charm and allure. With attractions such as the Telluride Historical Museum, where one will enjoy learning about the skiing history of the area; New Sheridan Hotel, which has been welcoming guests for more than a century, and Baked in Telluride, which serves melt-in-the-mouth donuts and bagels, a first-time visitor will have to deal with a lot of diversions. There is the well-kept Sheridan Opera House as well, put up by Telluride miners before the First World War.

Cedar City, Utah

Here is a downtown that has beautiful bronze sculptures, cute, locally-owned shops, and even a craft brewery and winery. And you do not get that often. Policy Kings Brewery, for example, is a cute little brewery with some amazing cocktails. Around the main drag, vibrant murals sway the eyes, an ode to the town’s dedication to art and culture. I/G Winery & Tasting Room is loved for its inviting atmosphere and cozy seating, and it is another downtown spot worth squeezing into an itinerary. For the art enthusiasts, Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, an intimate indoor theater surrounded by outdoor art, effortlessly steals the show. Taking the cue, the Southern Utah Museum of Art is loved for its canyon-style building and sculpture exhibits. Just take it slow and light.

Silverton, Colorado

There are these cute little gems in the Colorado Plateau whose true worth vacationers do not half-appreciate. One of these is Silverton, Colorado, a historic mining town that has today morphed into a handsome Victorian community. The Silverton Historic Downtown, for example, has lots of beautiful 19th-century buildings and exudes a charming, old-timey feel that is quite hard to wrap one’s head around. The entire town resembles a Hollywood Western film set; which is not some washed-out hyperbole considering how many films have been shot in this area. Plus, parking is hardly a nightmare. While the star of the show is The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, there is the headwaters of the Rio Grande, one of the longest rivers in North America. For road-tripping aficionados, the Million-Dollar Highway will make your heart skip several beats. Check out Avalanche Brewing Company, known for serving delicious pizzas and tasty mountain views.

Gallup, New Mexico

Gallup's old-school charm and small-town feel, plus its lovely downtown area and old, beautiful buildings, earn it a spot among the towns in the Colorado Plateau with beautiful Architecture. The town's iconic buildings, a masterful tapestry of different eras, speak to the town's past and present. One can dash for a blockbuster at the El Morro Theatre, which represents Gallup's only example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture; catch a glimpse of the town's culture and heritage at the Gallup Cultural Center, or step back into time at the Rex Museum, which was once a seedy brothel. Today, the Rex Museum presents the fascinating history of Gallup, particularly its railroad and mining days, through interesting exhibits and memorabilia. If you are looking for authentic Indian arts and crafts, Gallup is the best destination for miles.

Panguitch, Utah

Panguitch, a wonderful example of the classic "small town U.S.A.,” is famous as a jumping-off point to Bryce Canyon, a world-class attraction that often leaves first-time visitors completely blown away. But don't overlook Panguitch, whose downtown area retains some carry-overs of the area's history and culture. Speaking of this, much of Panguitch’s downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places. It features 379 contributing buildings, making it one of the largest historic districts in rural Utah. The listing includes two schools, the same number of theaters, a jail, and a hospital. Then again, Panguitich is an angler's dream destination. It has the Paragonah Reservoir, Panguitch Lake, Panguitch Creek, and Asay Creek — which have one thing in common — they are all Blue Ribbon Fishery sites. If you can, you may want to observe the Panguitch’s Quilt Walk Festival, a summer event that memorializes the original Quilt Walk, an emotional adventure you will want to know something about.

The Takeaway

You now have an idea. The Colorado Plateau is dotted with an enchanting mix of beautiful towns. Ouray, Colorado — for example — is so stunning it has been called the “Switzerland of America.” Some of these towns, so underrated by Americans, boast downtown areas that can transport the mind to Barcelona. Of course, on a smaller scale. From Durango, Colorado to Panguitch, Utah, the towns with the most beautiful architecture in the Colorado Plateau have something for everyone, whether delicious food or an awe-inspiring art scene.