Located 8,750 feet above sea level, the town of Telluride will take your breath away, if not for the altitude, for the beauty. A designated National Historic Landmark District surrounded by the towering jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains, whether you opt to explore the quirky, artsy downtown or take the free Gondola up to Mountain Village, Telluride's nature, adventures, dining, and activities impress every step of the way.
DAY 1
9 AM BREAKFAST AT THE GRILLED CHEESE CART
COLORADO AVE. TELLURIDE, CO 81320
As the most important meal of the day, there’s nowhere better to power your day than a savory or sweet gourmet grilled cheese creation made by the sassy Ms.Diki. A little cart in the center of the town park, it’s a perfect grab and go option that epitomizes Telluride’s quirky charm.
10 AM HIKE OR BIKE BEAR CREEK TRAIL
SOUTH PINE ST. TELLURIDE, CO 81320
One of the most popular trails in Telluride, Bear Creek is a leisurely wooded stroll for about 2.25 miles. You know you’re getting close to the action when you reach a sanctuary of cairn markers left by other hikers set to a backdrop of Bridal Veil Falls (the tallest waterfall in Colorado). From there, you can continue up a steeper mile or so for epic views of Bear Creek Falls. If you want an all-day adventure, the trail also links up to Wasatch for a 7-mile loop through the wildflowers.
12 PM BUTCHER & BAKER
217 E. COLORADO AVE. TELLURIDE, CO 81320
Refuel with a quick bite from Butcher & Baker Cafe. With build-your-own sandwiches and rotating daily specials, the deli counter is stocked with salads and goodies to keep your energy up without wasting away the day.
1 PM RIVER TUBING
236 S. OAK ST. TELLURIDE, CO 81435
Floating the length of town in an inner tube is a summertime right of passage in Telluride. You’ll want to put in at Town Park and pull out at the gondola. You can either rent tubes from Bootdoctors for $15 or buy them from Ace Hardware. Be warned though, you could either be in for a lazy river ride or what feels more like whitewater rafting without the raft, all depending on the water conditions and how much rain the area’s gotten. You can also opt for a guided SUP tour.
3 PM MEANDER DOWN MAIN STREET
500 E. COLORADO AVE. TELLURIDE, CO 81320
Downtown Telluride is a cross between relaxed luxury and hippie haven and a great place to explore with one-of-a-kind discoveries at every turn. Peruse the boutiques, parks, and galleries as you inquisitively eye the painters on every corner or search for buried treasure in the "free box." If you’re tired of walking or your feet need a break, the free Galloping Goose shuttle runs in a loop around town every 20 minutes or so.
6 PM COSMO'S
300 W. SAN JUAN AVE. TELLURIDE, CO 81435
Enjoy a leisurely and delicious dinner at Cosmo’s. Contemporary steak and sushi with gondola views, they offer a bit of everything from lobster corndogs to refined seafood dishes. Don't miss the Chilean Salmon Sashimi, which arrives inside a dramatic smoking platter to encapsulate the dish's delicate wood flavor.
8 PM GRAB DRINKS ON THE ROOF
233 W. COLORADO AVE. TELLURIDE, CO 81435
Newly opened in July 2015, the rooftop at Chop House is pure old world charm (it used to be an opera house!) to offer swanky views of downtown. Order the decadent cheese and charcuterie platter and grab a glass of bubbly to enjoy people-watching in style.
DAY 2
8 AM CLIMB THE VIA FERRATA
TELLURIDE, CO 81435
A half-day guided tour, the via ferrata “iron road” is an epic mountain adventure and one of only four in America. Led by San Juan Outdoor School, you’ll take a Jeep up to the exposed climbing/hiking trail for epic views of Bridal Veil Falls where you’ll clip into the cables and ladder rungs as you swing and twist to traverse along the mountainous cliffside. Spoiler Alert: You may even want to pack a picnic lunch, there's a fully suspended bench with the Falls as a backdrop.
1 PM REFUEL AT BLACK IRON
568 MOUNTAIN VILLAGE BLVD. TELLURIDE, CO 81435
An awesome patio with year-round fire pits in the Mountain Village, grab a salad or sandwich at the Madeline hotel and watch the lawn games out front (they even have giant Scrabble). Splurge on the truffle fries because hey, you earned it. This is the spot for apres in winter.
2 PM RELAX AT THE LARGEST SPA IN COLORADO
136 COUNTRY CLUB DR. TELLURIDE, COLORADO 81435
After a morning of exhileration and exercise, catch your breath at the Peaks Resort, the largest spa in Colorado. You can relax on the private pool deck with awesome mountain and golf course views or participate in the “tri-bathalon,” alternating between the mineral tubs, saunas and steam room for an afternoon of rejuvenation. If you have the kiddos are in tow, don’t miss the water slide.
5 PM DRINKS WITH A VIEW
TELLURIDE RESORT LODGING, MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, CO 81435
Head to Allred’s for happy hour and dinner (which even has it’s own gondola stop!) and post up by the floor to ceiling windows for epic views of the Colorado sunset. Their cocktail menu is divine and the rustic lodge will have you feeling cozy in a no time. A keyboard player is there to set the mood as you reflect on a great weekend in Telluride.
WHERE TO STAY: PEAKS RESORT & SPA
136 COUNTRY CLUB DR. TELLURIDE, CO 81435
Ski-in and tee-in, the Peaks is four-season luxury in Mountain Village that just so happens to be pet friendly. If you’re looking to relax, it also boasts the largest spa in Colorado with a waterslide to keep the kids entertained, as well.
