11 Best Downtowns In The Rockies

The Rocky Mountains — or simply the Rockies as they are more commonly known — are a range of mountains prominent in the western North American continent. They stretch from the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta in Canada to the southwestern US state of New Mexico. The Rockies consist of 100 separate ranges that are divided into four broad categories: the Canadian Rockies, the Northern Rockies, the Middle Rockies, and the Southern Rockies.

The towns nestled in the Rocky Mountains are mostly known for their access to national parks and abundance of outdoor recreation such as skiing and hiking. However, their charming and vibrant downtown offerings are just as appealing to both visitors and residents. Let's visit the 11 best downtowns in the Rockies.

Golden, British Columbia

Golden is situated in the Kootenay region of British Columbia and is a popular town for outdoor enthusiasts due to its close proximity to national parks and ski resorts. Enter the downtown area via the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge which, at 46 meters, is the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada.

Learn more about the town’s history at Golden Museum and Archives which tells the story of the region from the Aboriginal People who first inhabited the land to the first Swiss mountain guides that arrived in Canada. Golden is also home to the Whitetooth Brewing Company, a Belgian-inspired small batch craft brewery with a tasting room and patio that are perfect for enjoying a drink in after exploring the town.

Banff, Alberta

Known for being the gateway into the national park of which it shares the same name, downtown Banff has just as much to offer. Its main street, Banff Avenue offers mountain views, particularly of Cascade Mountain, which towers over the town. Banff Avenue is home to many restaurants, bars, outdoor equipment and other retail stores. One of the most notable stores is The Spirit of Christmas — one of Canada’s largest year-round Christmas stores.

Other than easy access to outdoors and shopping and dining options, Banff is also home to historic sites such as Banff Park Museum National Historic Site. The building itself is the oldest surviving federal building in any Canadian national park. It contains a collection of more than 5,000 botanical and zoological specimens, allowing guests to experience native fauna and wildlife without leaving the downtown area.

Canmore, Alberta

Canmore is often overshadowed by the popularity of Banff however it has just as much to offer. Learn about Canmore’s history as a coal mining town at the Canmore Museum which has alternating exhibits and hosts regular events in town. Canmore has easy access to nature with the notable Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, a 1.3-kilometer boardwalk in downtown Canmore which is suitable for hikers of all levels and allows for views of peaks surrounding town, such as Ha Ling Peak. In the summer months, Main Street is turned into a pedestrian-only zone to allow for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the restaurants, bars, and shops situated downtown.

Kimberley, British Columbia

While it may be located in British Columbia, the town of Kimberley adopted Bavarian influences in the 1970s in an attempt to boost tourism after the closure of its mines. This influence is seen in the Platzl, Kimberley’s European-style, pedestrian-only outdoor mall which features buildings with mock-chalet facades — further contributing to the Bavarian atmosphere.

Located in the Platzl is the Happy Hans Cuckoo Clock — touted as one of the world's largest freestanding cuckoo clocks at 22 feet tall. The clock can be activated by a Loonie which results in Happy Hans himself emerging from inside the clock, yodeling. To learn more about the towns mining history, visit the Kimberley Heritage Museum which displays and stores 10,045 artifacts and 10,788 photographs.

Whitefish, Montana

Located on the outskirts of Glacier National Park in Montana, Whitefish is known for its year-round popularity and cultural events. Every Tuesday night between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the summer, the Whitefish Farmer’s Market features locally grown produce, cheese, honey, and bread, while local musicians perform in the background. For a small town, Whitefish has diverse dining and drinking options — from casual dining gastropubs, such as Craggy Range Bar and Grill, to elevated, fine-dining options, including Herb & Omni.

The O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center hosts a variety of shows year-round including theatre, music, dance and film. With 326 seats available, the venue is welcoming to everyone and access friendly to patrons with disabilities, offering special seating, hearing impaired devices, and large print materials.

Park City, Utah

Park City’s history as a mining town has been preserved on Park City Main Street Historic District. The buildings may look like they are from the town’s mining past, but today house galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. To learn more about the town's history, visit Park City Museum, which showcases the towns beginnings in 1869, the establishment of silver mines, and the town's reinvention as a ski resort after the price of silver dropped. Lovers of whiskey will enjoy a visit to High West Saloon — the first ski-in, ski-out gastro distillery in the continental United States. The saloon is situated in a historic livery stable and garage.

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson is known for its close proximity to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, but the town itself still retains an old west feel to it. The Jackson Town Square is known for its iconic Elk Antler Arches which consist of thousands of antlers. At 6 p.m. nightly during the summer except for Sundays, actors from the Jackson Hole Playhouse don the attire of gunslingers and cowboys and reenact a shootout.

The Jackson Hole Playhouse occupies the oldest building in the town of Jackson. The theatre offers family-friendly shows where the servers are the performers. The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a must-see, with its iconic neon sign of a bucking bronco. This cowboy-themed bar has a long history of country music, hosting the likes of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

Estes Park, Colorado

Situated on the banks of Big Thompson River, Estes Park is a blend of outdoors and shopping experiences. Walk along the paved river walk to the George Hix Riverside Plaza, a cozy outdoor venue to relax at while you take in the view of the mountains surrounding town. Estes Park has plenty to offer in terms of shopping experiences with more than 300 shops comprising of boutiques, bars, restaurants, gift shops and outdoor apparel stores. One of the oldest stores is The Taffy Shop which has been in action since 1935. Stop by in the morning to witness their 77-year-old Model K Kiss wrapping machine in action.

Estes Park is known for having a vibrant art scene. Earthwood Collections features the work of 240 different artists’ work comprising of pottery, jewelry, photographs, prints, paintings, art glass, metal work, woodwork, windchimes, kaleidoscopes, and much more.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is located 200 miles southwest of Denver and is known for its year-round outdoor recreational opportunities, particularly skiing in the winter months due to its close proximity to four ski resorts. However, Aspen also offers its own unique arts and culture scene. The Aspen Art Museum, a unique building in its own right, has a distinctive woven wood screen facade.

There are many historic buildings in Aspen such as the Wheeler Opera House, which has been a venue for operas, concerts, and film screenings for over 100 years. For a scenic spot in the city, visit the John Denver Sanctuary which is situated by the Roaring Fork River and is an ideal spot to relax or spend time with friends and family.

Telluride, Colorado

Telluride is a historic mountain town. That history is preserved and showcased in Telluride’s downtown area. The Telluride Historical Museum is located in a restored miners’ hospital from 1896. For more leisurely activities, visit Town Park which allows for activities all year round, such as tennis, pickleball, and basketball; there are also swimming pools, skate parks, and skating rinks. Visit the New Sheridan Historic Bar — one of the oldest bars in the West, they say — with much of its interior unchanged since 1895. The bar is open daily with live music on Thursday nights and is popular spot among locals and visitors alike.

Taos, New Mexico

Taos is located in the southernmost range of the Rocky Mountains and is known for being continuously inhabited by Native Americans for over 1,000 years. The Taos Plaza is at the center of the town’s historic district, and it hosts live music and farmers markets which are favored by locals.

The Taos Art Museum at Fechin House is a blend of art, architecture and history, displaying both the work of Nicolai Fechin who lived in Taos for six years with his family, and exhibitions by local contemporary artists. For those looking to taste local cuisine from the southwest, visit La Cueva Café which is a great spot to sample both authentic Mexican and New Mexican cuisine.

The Rockies may be known for hiking, biking, and skiing, but these downtown areas have something for everyone. Whether you want to explore the local art scene, learn the history of these towns preserved in time, or simply savor a good meal, one can gaze upon scenic views of rugged mountains while enjoying all the amenities in the 11 best downtowns in the Rockies.