A Refined Visit to Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is a place where dusty cowboy boots are the norm and blue jeans are acceptable nearly everywhere. However, while the environment is chill and laid back, that doesn’t mean a visit here can’t include a few refined activities.
WHAT TO SEE
Yampa River Botanic Park
This delightful garden is tucked away on the east side of town along the Yampa River Core Trail. Built in a horse pasture in 1995, this botanic park gets an average of only 60 days a year without a killing frost. This, along with the elevation (6,880 feet above sea level) and dry summers, makes it a challenge to grow plants here, but every summer these gardens spring to life with an array of shapes and colors.
The garden is full of plants native to Colorado, as well as those native to other parts of the world that have similar climates. The gardens contain mostly perennials, and the six-acre park includes water features and meandering stone pathways.
The community uses this space as an event venue for weddings, yoga, theater and more. It is also the home of Music on the Green each summer. The park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, May 1 through October 31.
WHERE TO EAT
The perfect location for a luxurious lunch is on the deck of Aurum’s Food & Wine, located on the banks of the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat Springs.
Aurum’s seasonal menu offers delicious options for the discerning palate. Share a Tuna Nicoise Salad served with Blue Lake Beans, and then enjoy a Wagyu Short Rib Grilled Cheese with tomato jam. Pair lunch with a local craft beer or a homemade peach sangria.
Guests enjoy lunch or dinner on the shady deck as rafters and tubers go floating by on the Yampa River. On Tuesday through Saturday musicians entertain diners on the Outdoor Stage at Aurum from 6 to 8 p.m.
WHAT TO DO
This June, violinist Chee-Yun Kim opened the Strings’ orchestra season with a spirited performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in the 569-seat Strings Music Pavilion.
For the past 28 years, Strings Music Festival has provided musical performances to Northwest Colorado, and while they hosts amazing classical music performances during their summer season, Strings also presents jazz concerts, country artists, bluegrass and more year round. This is a premier music organization and no refined trip to Steamboat Springs is a complete without a visit to Strings.
