The top Durango, Colorado experiences

Vacation planning is easy when you know where you’re going.

The historic western town of Durango, Colorado is the mecca for outdoor adventure lovers with an array of thrilling activities waiting to be discovered.

Whether in the summer for whitewater rafting or in the winter for unparalleled skiing, these five unmissable places are just the ticket for the perfect trip.

Animas River

A visit to Durango isn’t complete without a stop at the Animas River — the river that gives the city its name. Take a hike, bike ride, or stroll along the Animas Trail, and enjoy the scenic beauty with lunch on the riverside. Bring a picnic, or stop at the Animas River Café. In the summer, take a raft, kayak, or float on its white waters. For those who like to fish there is few better places. The river is one of the few with sections classified as “Gold Medal Waters.”

Purgatory Resort

If you’re planning a winter visit, Purgatory Resort is a must. Enjoy snow biking, The Plunge zipline, ski biking, tubing, and good, old-fashioned skiing. Want to try something new? Try snowcat skiing or backcountry skiing. Relax with après ski drinks “on the beach” at Purgies or a beer tasting at one of the six craft breweries.

Visiting in the summer? Rent a mountain bike and ride down the slopes, and try the zipline and Alpine Slide.

Historic Downtown Durango

Stroll Historic Downtown Durango, a Nationally Registered Historic District, for a peek into the Wild West heritage. Browse the galleries, museums, and shops; and visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Museum, then take a western photo at Thru the Lens. End the day at a restaurants and a show at the Durango Arts Center, Henry Strater Theatre, or live music in one of many venues.

Mesa Verde National Park

Experience the life of the ancient Ancestral Puebloans at the Mesa Verde National Park — the archeological center of America. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the best-preserved Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings with over 4,000 ruin sites and 600 cliff dwellings. On your way back to Durango, stop at the Kennebec Café for cuisine with local ingredients along with stunning views of La Platas.

Durango & Silverton Railroad

Save the best for last. Hop on board for a historic steam train ride to the mining town of Silverton May-October). The 42-mile trip through breathtaking wilderness offers photo opportunities galore and sights you won’t see from the road. There are also year-round Cascade Canyon excursions which travel deep into the wilderness of the San Juan National Forest and the Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado.

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