When in Buena Vista: 10 Things to Do
Headed to Buena Vista, Colorado, this summer? Jed Selby, the pro-kayaker-turned-developer who co-founded South Main, a New Urbanist-style community adjacent to a world-class whitewater park on the Arkansas River, shares his picks for where to stay, eat, drink and play while you’re in town.
STAY:
1. SURF CHATEAU Designed by Selby and his wife Kennley, this new boutique hotel on the Arkansas River combines creature comforts (cast-iron gas stoves, clawfoot tubs and crisp linens) with high-style design details (crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors and plaster moldings) in its 20 bright and breezy guest rooms. From the mid $200s/night in the high (summer) season. 1028 Wave Street, surfchateau.com
EAT:
2. THE ASIAN PALATE This little restaurant’s menu of Pan-Asian cuisine is inspired by the comfort foods found on dinner tables in Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines. “My favorite is the Chiang Mai noodles,” Selby says. 328 E. Main Street, theasianpalate.com
3. HOUSE ROCK KITCHEN “Opening any day now with healthy, upscale quick food”—and a bar with Kombucha on tap! 421 E. Main Street, houserockkitchen.com
4. THE TATTOOED DOG Featuring a menu of upscale dive grub, “this is the newest burger truck in town, and it’s located right on the river in South Main.” southmainco.com
DRINK:
5. DEERHAMMER DISTILLING COMPANY Deerhammer open-air ferments four varieties of locally grown and malted barley to create its DownTime Single Malt Whiskey. Its un-aged Whitewater Whiskey is a tasty alternative to vodka in your Moscow Mule. “My favorite drink is their stout Manhattan—limit 2 per person!” Selby says. 321 E. Main Street, deerhammer.com
PLAY:
6. SOUTH MAIN ADVENTURE HUB If you’re staying at the Surf Chateau, let the pros at South Main’s Adventure Hub arrange your outdoor adventures, “from rafting and kayaking to ducky [inflatable kayak] trips.” southmainco.com
7. COTTONWOOD HOT SPRINGS People come from near and far to soak in these geothermal, gravity-fed mineral spas. 18999 County Road 306, cottonwood-hot-springs.com
8. THE TRAILHEAD “Rent a mountain bike here and ride the Gentleman's Loop across the river from downtown.” 707 Highway 24 N., shop.thetrailheadco.com
9. CKS MAIN STREET “Rent stand-up paddle boards here, then head to Cottonwood Lake, which is just 15 minutes west of town.” 327 E. Main Street, coloradokayak.com
10. THE BEACH This riverfront venue in South Main—Westword called it “the most scenic Colorado venue you’ve never heard of”—will host free live music every Friday night in July and August. facebook.com/thebeachbv
See also: A Room on the River: A Buena Vista Boutique Hotel
