Visiting Durango and environs - things to do, how long to stay, where to eat, etc.?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Visiting Durango and environs - things to do, how long to stay, where to eat, etc.?
So how long of a visit should one plan to have in Durango?
It looks like the city could serve as a base for day trips to other places (Four Corners, Mesa Verde, hiking elsewhere), but is there enough to keep one reasonably occupied for, say, a week? Or is that too long?
It looks like the city could serve as a base for day trips to other places (Four Corners, Mesa Verde, hiking elsewhere), but is there enough to keep one reasonably occupied for, say, a week? Or is that too long?
#2
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Suggest you ask those questions in The West forum. Here's one thread with some Durango thoughts: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/west/...ngo-aspen.html
#3
Original Poster
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Visiting Durango and environs - things to do?
So how long should/could someone reasonably stay in Durango for a vacation?
It seems like the town is well situated for day trips around the area (Mesa Verde, Four Corners, hiking, etc), but is a week too long? Too short?
It seems like the town is well situated for day trips around the area (Mesa Verde, Four Corners, hiking, etc), but is a week too long? Too short?
#4
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Durango can, but i think Cortez or Famrington are better.
(Farmington because the Courtyard is a cat 2 10K hotel and TownPlace is a cat 1 7.5K hotel while in Durango the Residence In nis 30K cat 6---Marriott still has the 4 night point stays you get a 5th night free (5 nights at Courtyard costs 40K pts and 5 nights at TownPlace costs30K pts --heard somewhere that this potentially will end ).
Cortez & Farmington to Durango is about an hr which then can pull Monument Valley and Canyon de chelly as easier day trips those places re about a 2-2.5 hr drive from Cortez/Farmington while 3+ from Durango
1. Mesa Verde
2. Chaco canyon
3. Canyon de Chelly
4. Monument Valley
5. US 550 Durango-Silverton-Ouray
6. a bunch of other national monuments (mostly ancient living sites) or state parks
the stay depends on on what you want to due.
Durango is a western town with a decent main street/shopping district area. You can easily spend a day in the town.
(Farmington because the Courtyard is a cat 2 10K hotel and TownPlace is a cat 1 7.5K hotel while in Durango the Residence In nis 30K cat 6---Marriott still has the 4 night point stays you get a 5th night free (5 nights at Courtyard costs 40K pts and 5 nights at TownPlace costs30K pts --heard somewhere that this potentially will end ).
Cortez & Farmington to Durango is about an hr which then can pull Monument Valley and Canyon de chelly as easier day trips those places re about a 2-2.5 hr drive from Cortez/Farmington while 3+ from Durango
1. Mesa Verde
2. Chaco canyon
3. Canyon de Chelly
4. Monument Valley
5. US 550 Durango-Silverton-Ouray
6. a bunch of other national monuments (mostly ancient living sites) or state parks
the stay depends on on what you want to due.
Durango is a western town with a decent main street/shopping district area. You can easily spend a day in the town.
Last edited by djp98374; Jun 3, 2014 at 5:58 pm
#5
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Nobody can answer that for you. Really outdoorsy types could fill a month, IMHO. Somebody who needs urban attractions and isn't satisfied with views and sunshine could struggle with a long weekend.
#6
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The train to Silverton is a must do and takes a full day and you should make your reservation early.
You might also want to ride the Cumbres and Toltec
see
http://cumbrestoltec.com/
and its a full day.
Mesa Verde is a full day and places like Telluride are also well worth a visit.
and we're probably in the wrong forum for this type of discussion!
Bob H
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 1,460
I'd suggest the Ute tribal park, which is actually the same mesa as Mesa Verde. It's much less developed.
I have not been but have heard good things about Hovenweep, and there are a lot of mountains in the area to climb.
I have not been but have heard good things about Hovenweep, and there are a lot of mountains in the area to climb.
#8
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From Durango, going east, Chimney Rock Mesa (between Durango and Pagosa Springs) is an interesting site to walk around and a fairly short climb to the top. But in the summer you really want to be out there early on a sunny day, before it gets too hot. I think someone will be able to recommend something in Pagosa Springs, but I have only driven through, not visited. IIRC, it is about 1 hr east of Durango, so easily a day trip for both.
#10
Join Date: May 2015
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I sent a note to the Durango Railroad regarding the train. The Christmas tree train has not been verified this year. They told me to check back at the end of October.
#12
Join Date: May 2015
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Thanks for the Olde Schoolhouse recommendation!