Eat, Stay and Play in Historic Downtown Durango where you will find beautiful hotels, friendly shops and first class restaurants and famous breweries. Take a stroll through the streets and marvel at the historic buildings and unique shops, sip a gourmet cup of coffee or enjoy some of the rich arts and culture of downtown.
 A stroll down Durango’s Main Avenue is a sensory treat: the Colorado air is crisp and subtly scented by restaurant and café delicacies; on most days the sun streams through the streets, intensifying the colorful store-front awnings and highlighting the neighboring mountain ridge. Streets are a bustle with seasonal snow and [ Snow Report Blog ] commerce and visitors mingling in everyday transactions. Smiles and friendly greetings are commonplace along the downtown’s Main Avenue, where it is safe to walk and explore at all hours, day and night.
Downtown Historic District
 Today Downtown Durango is a Nationally Registered Historic District, with something special in store for each visitor. The downtown area has been coined “The living room of the Durango community” by voices of the Durango Business Improvement District, who have a 20-year revitalization plan in store for historic downtown that began in 1997. Downtown Durango is a central part of the city’s allure, business, and history, and Durango leaders intend to continually nurture the beautiful historic district.
What To Do Downtown
Visitors can find something exciting happening downtown throughout the four seasons. Durango is a hidden gem for spectacular outdoor and cultural festivals. Snowdown is a classic Durango winter celebration that has offered much merriment for locals and visitors alike for 27 years. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy challenges like The Iron Horse Classic, a road and mountain bike tournament scheduled each Memorial Day, or the Durango Double, a weekend of trail and road marathons back-to-back (not for the weak of heart). Cultural festivals of all sorts abound, including the bluegrass Durango Meltdown festival, the Cowboy Gathering, the Summer Jazz festival, the beer and music extravaganza Oktoberfest, the holiday Holidazzle celebration, the Durango Arts Festival, and many more!
The Durango Business Improvement Districts offers event marketing grants to various local groups to help promote their events. Events throughout the year included are:
Events
Bounty of the County, a nonprofit event formerly called Taste of La Plata , is in its 18th year celebrating local agricultural producers and the foods they produce. The feast of local food is also a way to bring city and county residents together.
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic was the brain child of Tom and Jim Mayer. Jim worked as an engineer on the D & R G W railroad which ran the steam powered locomotive between Durango and Silverton since the 1880's. Tom challenged Jim, a young bicycle enthusiast, to a race to Silverton, so as the train came by the house, the steam whistle would scream and Tom would climb on his trusty old steel framed 10 speed and pedal up over the rim of the old volcano and descend into the caldera to the mining town of Silverton. [ Durango Spring and Summer Planning Guide >>]
Over the years several additional events have been added to the classic train race -- criteriums, circuit races, road races, tours, BMX races, Trials, dual slaloms, team trail rides, and Mountain Bike Races -- a full weekend of events every Memorial Day weekend for the past 31 years. 14,000 people nestled in the mountains of Southwest Colorado www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com
Music in the Mountains Beginning in 1987 with 11 musicians, Music in the Mountains has grown to a three-week festival featuring musicians from around the world and offering orchestral, chamber, conservatory, and Pops concerts. Free performances for children and their families are featured during the Festival. http://www.musicinthemountains.com/
Durango Cowboy Gathering is an exciting, fun-filled event with evening performances and Saturday daytime sessions. Poets and musicians from throughout the country grace our intimate stage at the Diamond Circle Theatre, performing classic and contemporary poems and songs that will bring tears to your eyes and keep you in stitches. View the comprehensive autumn schedule of Durango in the fall guide. [ Durango Fall Planning Guide >>] www.durangocowboygathering.org
HoliDAZZLE is an annual Durango [ Durango Winter Planning Guide >>] promotion designed to boost retail traffic and subsequently sales revenues in and around Downtown Durango. Each holiday storefront is a feast for the eyes. View the comprehensive holiday schedule [ HoliDAZZLE Blog ] in the winter guide. [ Durango Winter Planning Guide >>] HoliDazzle time of year officially kicks off the day after Thanksgiving - the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. http://www.durango.com/holidazzle.asp
New Year's Eve Come celebrate New Years with us in Downtown Durango with activities centered around the Crossroads Clock Tower at 11th St and Main. Come out for this fun downtown event anytime between 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. [ Read Blog >>]
SnowDown Whether you are a local or just someone who needs to attend a week-long mid-Winter party, Durango, Colorado is your kind of place. From the costume ball to the zany street parade, Durango plays host to some eye-popping shenanigans, and people flock to the 2012 SnowDown event. Be sure to follow the theme, and have a crazy good time. It is worth the trip. The SnowDown theme for 2012 is entitled "Once Upon a Snowdown"
Durango Meltdown - One of the nation's premier indoor bluegrass festivals, Durango Meltdown has been a traditional bluegrass venue for up and coming national bluegrass bands and local and regional talent for over 15 years. 2011 marks the 17th anniversary of the Bluegrass festival which includes after hours jamming, specialized workshops, genre-specific dancing and more throughout three indoor venues in downtown Durango. For more information on Durango Meltdown, visit www.durangomeltdown.com
The Boomtown Years
Now, flash back 126 years ago when settlers were flocking to the San Juan Mountains in the hopes of striking it rich in gold, silver, and copper. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was founded by William Jackson Palmer, and around the railroad, a city was born. Palmer had big plans for Durango. He envisioned a town that would deliver an exceptional “quality of life” in a visually appealing and commerce drawing lay out. Plans consisted of the Main Avenue serving “wholesale” interests and the residential Third Avenue sprawling parallel to Main with a scenic median of planted trees and vegetation.
For a limited time only, we are offering a special discounted train and lodging package with great discounts on the Cascade Canyon Winter Train trip. Ride the Train in January or February and receive an exclusive significant savings off of your train ride. Couple that with great discounted lodging and you have an unforgettable trip at an unbeatable price.
Links
• Duranglers
• General Palmer Hotel
• Best Western Rio
Grande Inn
• The Gable House B&B
• Durango Lodge
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
• Animas Museum
• Outlaw Tours |
Durango, Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast's dream! With over 300 days of clear blue sky, Durango offers vacationers unlimited adventure; fly fish the Animas River, ride thru the Rockies or hike the Colorado Trail thru the San Juan National Forest. What are you waiting for!
Since 1983 Duranglers has been the region's source for custom guided fly fishing trips, equipment, flies and information.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in continuous operation for over a century.What better place to remember railroading than a place that has never forgotten it?
Downtown Durango thrives with over 500 shops. Recently voted one of the nation's top "Christmas Towns," Durango offers a multitude of unique diners, coffee houses, and boutiques. A vacation to Durango is a treat for everyone... from extreme the skiers, to anglers, to foodies, to mountain bikers, and yes, to shopaholics.
The Historic Downtown business district of Durango charms everyone who strolls the sidewalks. Each quaint storefront is a feast for the eyes. Plate lunch diners and chic bakeries offer a relaxing break for avid shoppers.
Old timers love the nostalgia of Durango Trains. Urban chic-sters love the vibe and the new cuisine of Durango. Health nuts and marathon bikers choose Durango for its plethora of outdoor things to do in Durango, Colorado. Experience the thrill of over 500 specialty boutiques where you can discover the finest kitchen gadgets and western home decor. The unique lodging options of Durango will tug at your heart and make you want to return year after year. Rock climbers, river runners, and train enthusiasts come here from all over the world. There is nothing like the smell of coffee and bread while strolling through downtown Durango.
Durango Mountain Resort is not like most other ski towns where you basically ski into your hotel off the slope. The town of Durango is located about 30 miles away from the mountain ski slopes, and you do not want to miss the opportunity to experience downtown Durango! A short 30-minute drive to Durango Mountain Resort offers endless runs for snow enthusiasts of all skill levels.
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Related Articles:
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Thanksgiving & Durango.com - giving away one Durango.com DRO sticker every day November 8th through Thanksgiving Day!
Feature Friday: Kogan Builders - Some of the most beautiful homes and land in Durango, Colorado
Durango Named Top Micropolitan Area in the Nation - the strongest economy in the United States, edging out 575 others
TOP Events in Durango - juried garment design exhibition and auction fundraiser for the DAC.
Falling for Fall in Durango - We're drawn to the golden aspens and exploring the beautiful San Juans.
Feature: The Gable House Bed & Breakfast - a small town atmosphere, and the people are wonderful.
Wine Tasting Gala & Silent Auction - a Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County fundraiser
Durango Railfest - weekend long event featuring rides on historic trains
Durango's Christmas in July - The Animas Museum celebrates Christmas in July on Saturday, July 16th
Ignacio Bike Week! - more than 22,000 motorcycles riding in grandeur through spectacular scenery
Summer Adventures in Durango! - Let Outlaw Tours be your resource for summer fun!
Call to Artists! - garment design exhibition and auction fundraiser
4th of July in Durango - starting with breakfast at 7:30 am and ending the day with fireworks over downtown
Durango Tour de Brews - safe transport to sample four local breweries in a cool bus named "The Dude."
Durango Blues Train - 3 hours of live blues while traveling by train through San Juan National Forest.
Civil War Event - Old Wounds & a New Community: Impacts of the Civil War on Southwest Colorado
Taste of Durango - showcasing the fabulous fare of our fine restaurants and craft beer.
Durango Wine Experience - Three Days and hundreds of wineries, artisan spirits and craft beers.
Peanuts™ Easter Beagle Train - Read about this top Easter activity the whole family can enjoy.
Snow for Snowdown 2011 - this week for the annual Snowdown celebrations!
Durango, Colorado in the News - Durango added to two "top" travel destination lists
Congratulations HoliDAZZLE Winners! - winners of the window decorating competition.
USA Today Names Durango a Top Weekend Getaway Spot - for its small town feel with plenty of things to do!
First Night/New Years Eve - with activities centered around the Crossroads Clock Tower at 11th St and Main
Bar D Wranglers - Durango's famous cowboy singers bring you a Christmas Jubilee
Noel Night - a very special event in Downtown Durango
Durango Snow Report - Read full details about Durango Mountain Resort's Dec. 6, 2010 Opening
It's Almost HOLIDAZZLE Time in Durango! - HOLIDAZZLE officially kicks off the day after Thanksgiving
Halloween Fun in Durango - Trick-or-Treating, Monster Mash Fun Run and special activities for children.
What’s Up in Historic Downtown Durango Downtown events, farmers market, shops, boutiques and restaurants
Evenings on Eighth in Downtown Durango – Weekly summer event, fresh local food and products, live music
Durango’s Salute to America – 4th of July Celebration with food, drink, activities, a festive parade and fireworks
Durango Farmers Market is Now Open – Seasonal market featuring local produce, live music and children’s activities
Downtown Durango is Southwest Colorado’s Shopping Hot Spot – boutiques, shops, galleries and markets
Durango’s HOLiDAZZLE – Christmas Shopping on Main– Holiday shopping celebration with specials and events
Durango, Colorado is Bicycle Friendly – named a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists
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