8 Most Walkable Town Centers In Colorado
Colorado's small towns make for a great home base from which to explore the vast wilderness of places like Rocky Mountain National Park and the San Juan National Forest, and they also have plenty to offer those looking for something a bit different. Crested Butte pairs colorful old buildings along Elk Avenue with local favorites like the Crested Butte Museum and The Secret Stash pizza shop. Glenwood Springs combines the famous Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool with historic downtown spots like Daily Bread and the Doc Holliday Museum. Silverton has its own pedestrian-friendly commercial district and links to Ouray via the Million Dollar Highway and Durango aboard a scenic railroad. When it's time for a down day, these mountain towns prove that Colorado adventures extend far beyond the trailhead.
Telluride
Telluride lies in the heart of the San Juan Mountains just off Highway 145 in southwestern Colorado. The former mining town has a lot of rich history evident in its cute, walkable downtown district, which extends along Colorado Avenue for about five blocks, featuring well-preserved Victorian buildings, many of which are constructed of brick.
Visit Mountain Peak Gifts at Colorado and Fir Streets to find special treasures to take back home. A block or so east, at Colorado and Pine, stop in at the town's longest-standing clothing store, Telluride Toggery, for the latest in apparel and footwear. Also at Colorado and Pine, grab a bite to eat at the Floradora Saloon, which offers locally sourced, classic American food like burgers, salads, and sandwiches. For something unique and perfectly Colorado, book a tour at Telluride Sleighs and Wagons and explore the historic Aldasoro Ranch like a true westerner.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is well known for its ski resort and various outdoor recreational activities, but it also has a perfectly walkable town center. The downtown strip lies mainly along Elk Avenue between 1st and 6th Street, consisting of five city blocks of colorful old buildings housing local shops and restaurants. The brightly colored storefronts are a sight to behold, and set in a small town surrounded by mountains, they become even more memorable.
While strolling through the town center, be sure to visit the Crested Butte Museum, located at 4th and Elk. Walking westward down Elk, stop in at The Secret Stash, located at 3rd and Elk, for delicious pizza and appetizers. If you're up for it, US Ghost Adventures also offers haunted tours of town, with stops at some of the local spots where the spirits of miners, gamblers, and gunslingers are said to roam.
Durango
Located at the edge of the San Juan National Forest, Durango is a scenic town in southwestern Colorado. Its historic town center runs along Main Avenue, with some of the old buildings and shopping areas spilling over into surrounding streets. The downtown area is large but very walkable, with sidewalks running along the storefronts and pretty Victorian and Southwestern-style buildings perfect for window shopping. Visitors looking for a more nature-focused walk can stroll along the Animas River on the west side of downtown, or stop in at Buckley Park, on Main between 12th and 13th Street.
Visitors can explore many museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants, and brew pubs as they stroll through the town center. The Sorrel Sky Gallery, just north of 8th and Main, is a great place to view beautiful western art and jewelry, while the Blue Rain Gallery, a block north of that, contains a mix of western, Native American, and contemporary art. The Strater Hotel is housed inside a beautiful historic building a few blocks south and features the Mahogany Grille, with several other dining options all located within a single block for easy walking access.
Estes Park
Estes Park is a beautiful little town located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. Perhaps best known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the town has plenty to offer in its own right, including a cute and highly walkable town center. The main part of the historic downtown district lies along Elkhorn Avenue, from the Fall River on the west side of town to the Estes Park Visitor Center in the east, a distance of about a mile. Dozens of cute storefronts line the street, with many shops, restaurants, and attractions occupying well-preserved old buildings.
More than 40 restaurants provide a wealth of dining options downtown. Consider Lonigans, at Elkhorn and Moraine Avenue, for pub food, live music, pool, and even foosball. Dessert or a mid-day snack comes from Hayley's Ice Cream, located on the east side of Moraine, a couple of buildings down from Lonigans. Those looking for a green space to enjoy wide mountain views can walk a block eastward to Bond Park, located at Elkhorn and Park Lane, and visitors shopping for gifts or souvenirs should check out Estes Village, a gift shop on the corner of Elkhorn and Moraine, or the Christmas Shoppe, a Christmas specialty located a few blocks east of Estes Village.
Glenwood Springs
The town center of Glenwood Springs lies mostly south of I-70 and the Colorado River, but the Glenwood Springs Pedestrian Bridge allows visitors to cross over the river and highway to enjoy the pretty restaurants and lodging options in town. On the edge of the river, the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool is the largest of its kind in the world. Its naturally sourced waters contain 15 minerals and are maintained at a comfortably warm 93 degrees, and the pool is one of the most well-known attractions in Glenwood Springs.
Preserved historic buildings house local shops and restaurants along the pretty downtown strip. Popular places to eat include Daily Bread, a classic American diner, and Doc Holliday's Saloon and Restaurant, a popular Western-themed bar and grill. Both are situated along Grand Avenue near 8th Street. Other popular attractions include the Doc Holliday Museum next to the saloon, where visitors can learn more about the famous cowboy who is buried at the edge of town, and Centennial Park, a pretty green space a block south of the Doc Holliday Museum at 9th and Grand.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is a small town located just northwest of Colorado Springs. Its town center winds primarily along Manitou Avenue and features wide sidewalks, pretty storefronts, benches, and planters filled with flowers. Comprising only a few city blocks, it is perfect for walking, window shopping, and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds Manitou Springs.
Those exploring the downtown strip can and should check out several of the dozen springs for which the town is named. Shoshone Spring and Healing Waters Spring are both located in the heart of downtown at Manitou and Navajo Avenue, while Navajo Spring is a block northwest at Manitou and Arcade Street. From there, visitors can stroll the street and stop in for a bite to eat at popular restaurants like The Loop, for classic Mexican in a historic adobe building, and Sahara Cafe, for Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean fare. And if you need something a bit stronger than healing waters, Manitou Brewing Company has got you covered.
Ouray
The section of Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton is known as the Million Dollar Highway. It features beautiful scenery, impressive mountain views, and dramatic cliffs. The town itself is every bit as scenic. In fact, it is known as the Switzerland of America, and the mountains provide the perfect backdrop for the cute town center, a short strip found along Main Street.
There are many cute shops and restaurants for those hoping to buy gifts or enjoy a tasty meal. High Country Leathers is a clothing shop specializing in quality leather goods, while Humble Mountain sells gifts, goods, and arts and crafts from around Colorado. Cassidy's Cafe and Antiques offers a place to enjoy comfort food and shop for old-fashioned gifts or souvenirs, and 1886 Coffee, housed inside the historic Beaumont Hotel, serves locally roasted coffee and has delicious breakfast and lunch options.
Silverton
The small town of Silverton sits at the southern end of the Million Dollar Highway in southwestern Colorado. The main part of its town center is just three blocks long, stretching along Greene Street from 11th to 14th Street. The brightly colored storefronts take visitors back in time with old-style architecture and lots of local shopping options. Dodge General Store, at 12th and Greene, is a family-owned business stocked with local gifts, pet supplies, and home goods. A short walk south on Greene, Professor Shutterbugs provides a unique and memorable experience through old-fashioned portrait photography.
While strolling along the walkable sidewalks of Silverton's town center, you can book a ride on the Durango Silverton Railroad for a scenic train ride through the mountains of the San Juan National Forest. A block southwest on Greene Street, on the other side of the road, stop in at the Rocky Mountain Funnel Cake Factory for delicious cafe food and desserts, including lots of different types of funnel cakes.
Colorado's Walkable Town Centers
Taking a walk through Colorado's small towns is a great way to experience both beautiful scenery and historic charm. From the incredible mountain views surrounding Ouray and Telluride's town centers to the local shopping and dining options in Estes Park, these towns, and many others in Colorado, have so much to offer visitors. Anyone passing through is encouraged to stop in and take a closer look.
