Travel
Insider’s Guide to Telluride, Colorado

Set in Southwestern Colorado's majestic San Juan Mountains, Telluride beckons with the best of two worlds: a historic town where restored Victorian homes and storefronts abound, and Mountain Village, known for its big views—and even bigger mountain homes.

Uniquely linked together by a free, environmentally friendly gondola, the combination offers visitors a vast variety of options. Depending on your idea of a vacation, you can explore your surroundings via everything from a mountain bike to a river raft, treasure hunt in tony shops around town, enjoy a meal on an outdoor patio, or simply soak up some local color at one of the many cultural events and festivals.

When you go, remember to pack your camera. And send a few postcards, too. How else will your friends back home believe what a fabulous trip you had?

TOP 10 PICKS

1. Mark your schedule for a bounty of local events, including Mountainfilm (May 23-26), Telluride Balloon Rally (June 1-2), Telluride Jazz Festival (June 5-8), Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 19-22) and Telluride Wine Festival (June 26-29).

2. Visit the St. Sophia Nature Center off the top of the gondola for information on hiking and biking trails, local ecosystems, wildlife-education programs and kids' nature activities. (Pack a lunch and picnic overlooking town.)

3. Treat yourself to a well-deserved massage, soak, scrub, facial or other indulgences at one of several top-notch local spas, including the Golden Door Spa at The Peaks (thepeaksresort.com) and Atmosphere Day Spa (telluridespa.com) in town.

4. Get creative at the Ah Haa School for the Arts, which offers classes in painting, beading, photography, metalworking and other art forms. ahhaa.org

5. For fast food Telluride-style, order a Chicago-style hot dog or bratwurst (tofu pups, too, if you're so inclined) at Diggity Dogs (diggitydoggs.net) up at the mountain, or a latte or smoothie from the Cowboy Coffee horse trailer in town (970-369-4946).

6. Make like a local and stop at Baked In Telluride (970-728-4775) for tasty sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, pizza and other goodies, Floradora (970-728-3888) for steak and potatoes, and Smugglers Brewpub (smugglersbrew.com) for, well, a brew or two.

7. Grab your camping gear and head out to nearby private campgrounds, such as Woods Lake, Alta Lakes or Fall Creek. Most campgrounds open in late May, weather permitting.

8. Hit local rivers. Go fly-fishing or rafting with Black Canyon Anglers (970-835-5050), or kayaking with the Telluride Kayak School (970-728-6250).

9. Catch a movie, concert or show at the Sheridan Opera House, a 240-seat theater that’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places. sheridanoperahouse.com

10. Hike, bike or drive to striking Bridal Veil Falls, which can be seen at the end of the box canyon from town.

STAY

Camel's Garden Hotel  Set along the San Miguel River and just steps from town, this mountain-contemporary hotel features 35 rooms, suites and condos. Don't miss the 25-foot outdoor hot tub. 888-772-2635, camelsgarden.com

The Inn at Lost Creek  Up in Mountain Village, lovely Lost Creek is known for its slopeside locale, 32 upscale rooms with fine Old World finishes and true mountain charm. The 9545 restaurant is tops, too. 888-601-5678, innatlostcreek.com

The Ice House Hotel and Condominiums  Adjacent to River Park and two blocks from town, the Ice House features 22 luxury lodge rooms adjoined by 16 two- and three-bedroom condominiums. All are done up with tasteful Southwestern décor. 800-544-3436, icehouselodge.com

EAT

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant & Tasting Cellar  Chef Chad Scothorn serves up innovative dishes like truffled lobster corn dogs, seafood stew with saffron capellini, and “coffee and donuts.” The Tasting Cellar is the perfect spot for a private bash. 970-728-1292, cosmotelluride.com

La Piazza Del Villagio  Satisfy your taste for traditional northern Italian food at this casually elegant restaurant (sister to Rustico, located in town) up at the mountain village. Menu highlights include black Angus carpaccio, lobster linguini and veal cutlets with wild mushrooms. 970-728-8283, lapiazzadelvillaggioristorante.com

SHOP

Black Bear Trading Co.  Outfit your home with everything from unique handmade furniture to pillows and wall art at this welcoming shop in the Franz Klammer building in Mountain Village. 970-728-8933

LIVE

In Town  Downtown Telluride is filled with single-family homes (often in restored historic Victorian buildings), condominiums (such as studio and one-bedroom suites at The Hotel Telluride), apartments, duplexes and townhomes. Beyond, estate lots, trailside homes, mesa lots and other acreage offer a variety of mountain lifestyles.

Mountain Village  Perched atop a sunny mesa and connected to the town of Telluride by a short gondola ride, Mountain Village offers options including luxury ski-in/ski-out single-family homes, mountain-view homesites, condominiums and golf-course homes.

FYI
Visittelluride.com
Telluride.com