Once a frontier mining town, established in 1881,
Durango is set on the Animas River in the late afternoon shadows
of the San Juan Mountains. Here, at the edge of a desert mesa, warm
breezes meet the cool lush forests of the mountains that frame the
community with such a spectacular climate. Classic 19th century hotels,
Victorian architecture, saloons and hitching posts give Downtown
Main Avenue a distinctive charisma. It's the doorway to the Animas
Valley, where a story-telling river takes us back to the tales of
the Old West and the romance of the American frontier.
In this mixture of marvelous landscapes, the fun begins. Mesa
Verde National Park is 36 miles to the west, with the highest concentration
of Native American cliff dwellings in the country. Go from sage brush
and desolate sandstone to the luscious San Juan National Forest, where
13,000 foot peaks, pine covered hillsides and the pristine Animas River
provide an extravagant wilderness wonderland. Experience this magnificent
area by way of the Durango & Silverton
Narrow Gauge Railroad, the
town's most distinguished historic treasure.
In winter, the warm and cool climate really pays off. Sunny ski days
and plenty of snowfall prevail at Purgatory
Ski Resort and Nordic center.
Snowmobile and snowshoe treks are unbeatable for scenery. Enjoy horse-drawn
sleigh rides and the festive atmosphere that the snow brings to town.
In Durango, each season delivers its own kind of fun. There are events,
festivals, theater, rodeo, chuck wagon dinners, carriage rides, and
simple pleasures like strolling the sidewalks. |
