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Denver to Durango: A Colorado Rail-Road Trip
Denver to Durango: A Colorado Rail-Road Trip
8 days  ·  8 places  ·  2 countries

Welcome to Denver, a city best known for its incredible museums, first-rate breweries, and sky-high mountain-top status. With a variety of attractions to check out and activities to explore, this Mile High City will have you wanting to stay longer.

After checking in and dropping your bags at The Art Hotel, enjoy a unique introduction to this beautiful city with a tour through some of its best street art, murals and graffiti walls to get a feel for the creative pulse of the city. Afterward, enjoy a moment for relaxation and rejuvenation at The Beer Spa – where typical day spa services meet craft beer.

If you have a chance before dinner, stop into the magnificent Denver Art Museum to see the city’s best collection of installations and wall-hung works. Finish off a perfect first day in Denver with a delicious dinner at Chez Maggy where French brasserie meets Michelin-starred Mile High classics.

Colorado, United States
Denver Graffiti Tour
Day 1
Starts at This Location, 2314 N Broadway, Denver, CO 80205, USA
Colorado, United States
The Beer Spa
Day 1
3004 N Downing St, Denver, CO 80205, USA
Colorado, United States
Denver Art Museum
Day 1
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Colorado, United States
Chez Maggy
Day 1
1616 Market St, Denver, CO 80202, USA

Wake bright and early ready to explore the incredible natural surroundings of Denver. After breakfast, travel the Rockies to Red Rocks route to visit Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre – known for putting on thrilling performances and concerts, but also full of beautiful flora, fauna and geological wonders.

Later in the day, hit the road to Rocky Mountain National Park where you can enjoy a tour around the picturesque yet rough terrain and charming towns.

When you’re adventuring battery is almost depleted, head back to Denver city for a hearty Latin feast cooked by renowned chef Richard Sandoval at Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge.

Colorado, United States
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Tour
Day 2
18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465, USA
Colorado, United States
Rocky Mountain National Park Tour
Day 2
Colorado, USA
Colorado, United States
Toro
Day 2
150 Clayton Ln Ste B, Denver, CO 80206, USA

Say goodbye to the wonderful city of Denver, today we’re hitting the road and making our way towards the charming town of Golden – soaking up the views of the Rockies on your westward journey.

First up, stop off at the Forney Museum of Transportation to check out one of the country’s most immense and unique transportation collections including Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ and Amelia Earhart’s Kissel car. Fuel up at lunchtime at The Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse on delicious smoked meats and classic American-style dishes in a traditional setting.

Next stop is the Colorado Railroad Museum to explore 15-acres of railyard including more than 100 historic railcars each with a storied history of train development. Rest for a drink at an authentic American West saloon like Buffalo Rose Saloon.

Finally, reach your accommodation at The Golden Hotel and settle in for a laid-back dinner and drinks in the award-winning hotel offering views of Clear Creek and the Rocky Mountain Foothills.

Colorado, United States
Forney Museum of Transportation
Day 3
4303 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216, USA
Colorado, United States
Golden
Day 3
Golden, CO, USA
Colorado, United States
Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse
Day 3
1122 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Colorado, United States
Colorado Railroad Museum
Day 3
17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403, USA
Colorado, United States
Buffalo Rose
Day 3
1119 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401, USA

After breakfast, this morning you’ll drive further west until you reach the former silver-mining boomtown of Georgetown.

Once you arrive at Georgetown, stop off for a delightful lunch at Mountain Mamas’ Needful Things café, and grab a gift or souvenir to remember the road trip while you’re here. Next up, climb aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad train and experience Colorado’s famous narrow-gauge railroads.

After you disembark the train, drive an hour to Leadville for a delicious Cuban meal at Buchi Café Cubano and take a stroll around the charming town and adventure into museums if time and energy permit.

Colorado, United States
Georgetown
Day 4
Georgetown, CO 80444, USA
Colorado, United States
Mountain Mamas' Needful Things
Day 4
710 Sixth St, Georgetown, CO 80444, USA
Colorado, United States
Georgetown Loop Railroad Tour
Day 4
646 Loop Dr, Georgetown, CO 80444, USA
Colorado, United States
Buchi Cafe Cubano
Day 4
401 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461, USA
Colorado, United States
Delaware Hotel
Day 4 - Day 5
700 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461, USA

Before heading off to your next stop, enjoy a warming cup of coffee and light breakfast at City on a Hill Coffee & Espresso in downtown Leadville. Once you’re feeling adequately caffeinated, jump aboard the Leadville Railroad train and experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, aspen groves and magical wildflower colonies as you cruise along the railroad.

After the train journey is over, jump back in the car and drive to San Luis Valley for a relaxing afternoon of tastes and sights. First up, stop for lunch at San Luis Valley Brewing for a cold craft beer and a delicious meal. Next, wander through the marvellous San Luis Valley Museum that tracks the stories of the Valley people from Native Americans to Cowboys and Farmers.

Before dinner, pull into Cano’s Castle – a structure built with beer cans and other scrap metal to resemble a castle just a few miles north of the New Mexico border. Finish up the day full of excitement with a classic American-style diner experience at The Rubi Slipper in Alamosa.

Colorado, United States
City on a Hill Coffee & Espresso
Day 5
508 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461, USA
Colorado, United States
Leadville Railroad Tour
Day 5
326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461, USA
Colorado, United States
San Luis Valley Brewing Company
Day 5
631 Main St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA
Colorado, United States
San Luis Valley
Day 5
San Luis Valley, Colorado 81136, USA
Colorado, United States
San Luis Valley Museum | Alamosa
Day 5
401 Hunt Ave #2658, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA
Colorado, United States
Cano's Castle
Day 5
State St &, 285 E 10th Ave, Antonito, CO 81120, USA
Colorado, United States
The Rubi Slipper LLC
Day 5
506 State Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA
Colorado, United States
Steam train Hotel
Day 5 - Day 6
402 Main St, Antonito, CO 81120, USA

Grab a delicious breakfast burrito from Dutch Mill Restaurant before setting off for the day on the Best Train Ride in America on the Cumbres and Toltec. Twice voted the best in the country, experience the scenic railroad for the day that’s made its way into films like Indiana Jones and the Lost Crusade and Hostiles. Midway through the train journey, take a rest at Osier Station and enjoy a warming lunch.

Next up, drive onwards to Pagosa Springs, an area well known for its rejuvenating hot springs, sunny days, and charming small-town atmosphere. Explore the relaxing attractions and even visit The Springs Resort for specialised treatments if you please. Finish the day with a delectable meal and refreshing drink at Alley House Grille serving up Colorado style cuisine.

Colorado, United States
Dutch Mill Cafe
Day 6
401 Main St, Antonito, CO 81120, USA
Colorado, United States
Osier Station
Day 6
Fdr 103, Antonito, CO 81120, USA
New Mexico, United States
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Day 6
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Chama, NM 87520, USA
Colorado, United States
Pagosa Springs
Day 6
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, USA
Colorado, United States
The Springs Resort & Spa Treatment
Day 6
323 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, USA
Colorado, United States
Alley House Grille
Day 6
214 Pagosa St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, USA
Colorado, United States
The Springs Resort & Spa
Day 6 - Day 7
323 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, USA

Fuel up for your final day on the road with mountains of pancakes and classic diner dishes at Cafe Colorado. Today you’ll travel to your final stop of Durango, a town founded in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroads.

Once you reach Durango, spend majority of the day exploring the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum containing historic steam-powered or diesel locomotive on the railroads used by tracks miners and cowboys. Enjoy a delicious lunch at The Eureka Station, a quaint Cornish tavern in Silverton providing delicious food and cold drinks.

Reach your final destination and check into your accommodation at the historic Strater Hotel before exploring the city of Durango from the North Main District to the historic downtown. Rest and relax at Steamworks Brewing Co. over local meats, sustainable seafood and award-winning craft beers.

Colorado, United States
Cafe Colorado
Day 7
565 Village Dr, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, USA
Colorado, United States
Durango
Day 7
Durango, CO, USA
Colorado, United States
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Day 7
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado, USA
Colorado, United States
The Eureka Station
Day 7
1225 Blair St, Silverton, CO 81433, USA
Colorado, United States
Steamworks Brewing Company
Day 7
801 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA

You’ve made it to the end of your picturesque road trip through Colorado and Denver. Check out of your accommodation and wave goodbye, it’s time for your onward journey departing from Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), or if you prefer, feel free to continue exploring this little pocket of the USA in your own time. Bye!

Colorado, United States
The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton
Day 8
1201 Broadway
Colorado, United States
Historic Strater Hotel
Day 8
699 Main Ave
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