In Telluride, Colorado Stay, where to eat, stay, and play

This artistic alpine town is ideal for a relaxing weekend in the great outdoors. So, Let’s find out In Telluride, Colorado stay, where to eat, stay, and play.

In Telluride, Colorado Stay

It’s no secret that Telluride is a winter wonderland for downhill skiing and other winter activities, thanks to its perfect snow and quirky mountain town ambiance. When the temperatures start to rise, though, this old mining town in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains really shines. So, In Telluride stay is very enjoyable.

Telluride comes alive in the spring and summer, from popular bluegrass and film festivals to vivid wildflower treks. The town has a vibrant art culture, but its location, 330 miles southwest of Denver, makes it an ideal spot to unwind.

Creatives, outdoor enthusiasts, naturalists, successful retirees, celebrities (Oprah Winfrey is rumored to hold a second home here), and just about everyone in between can be found here. Despite its popularity, Telluride has (luckily) maintained its free-spirited attitude over the years and continues to be a popular, down-to-earth Colorado resort.

Here’s how to plan a weekend trip to Telluride, as well as what to do when you get there. Before you go, educate yourself with Telluride’s 

So, you should know about In Telluride, Colorado stay, where to eat, stay, and play.

COVID-19 regulations and the most recent state coronavirus restrictions and CDC standards.

Getting there

Fly into Telluride Regional Airport from Denver International Airport, which is about six miles west of downtown (which you can reach with non-stop flights from hundreds of cities).

During the summer, you may fly into Montrose Regional Airport, which is about an hour distant and has nonstop flights from Denver, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas. Take a shuttle into town from the Montrose airport—Telluride is only eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long, so you can walk everything once you arrive. You can also rent a car if you want to travel further afield.

Another option is to fly into Denver or Salt Lake City, rent a car or an RV, and drive to Telluride; both cities are approximately six hours distant by automobile.

What to do

Mountain biking, rock climbing, golfing, road cycling, kayaking, 4X4 off-roading and ATVing, rafting, and camping are just a few of the outdoor activities available in Telluride during the spring and summer, all set against a picturesque backdrop of rugged mountain peaks, alpine lakes, streams, and rolling meadows. Experienced guides at outfitters like San Juan Outdoor Adventures and Telluride Outside can help you get started, whether you’re a casual adventurer or an intense athlete.

The 2.4-mile roundtrip journey to Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s tallest of its kind, is a popular, easy-going hike that will help you adjust to the altitude (Telluride is 8,750 feet above sea level). Hike the Sneffels Highline Trail, a strenuous 12.4-mile out-and-back trail with beautiful wildflowers that begins on the outskirts of city, for a more challenging full-day outing.

To complete Telluride’s via ferrata trail, hire a guide like those at Mountain Trip. Hiking, climbing, and mountaineering through two miles of steel rungs hammered into a vertical rock face are all part of the route ferrata, which means “iron way” in Italian. The via ferrata doesn’t require any technical climbing training, and you’ll be wearing a helmet and climbing harness tied to a steel rope for the majority of the time—but at 600 feet above the forest floor, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Aside from outdoor sports, downtown Telluride is home to art galleries and privately owned businesses (as well as some big-name companies like Burton and Patagonia), making it ideal for an afternoon of exploring outdoor gear, books, home decor, and more. Check out the huge assortment of hanging wall hooks at Hook, then head next door to Between the Covers Bookstore to choose your new favorite book. Stop by Crossbow Leather for leather bags, belts, wallets, and presents, which are all handcrafted in the shop’s on-site workshop by owner/designer Macy Pryor.

Book a guided walking tour with a historian from the Telluride Historical Museum to learn about Telluride’s architecture (which ranges from elegant Victorians to mining shacks) and rich history, which dates back to the Utes who spent their summers along the San Miguel River to the rowdy fortune-seekers who flocked here during the silver boom. Since 1964, Telluride’s downtown core has been designated as a National Historic Landmark District.

Where to eat

Start your day with a pastry and a “Day Maker” sandwich from The Butcher & The Baker (eggs, white cheddar, breakfast sausage, pepper jam, and arugula on an English muffin). Gnar’s tacos, such as the Korean barbecue or the braised pork belly, are unbeatable for lunch (it’s also recommended to arrive early in the day, as this eatery generally has a queue out the door by dinner time).

On the patio of 221 South Oak, an elegant restaurant with a full vegetarian menu that includes thoughtful delicacies like house-made potato gnocchi with hazelnut chili oil and grilled maitake with goji berry and walnut jam, dine under the stars. (You may recall Eliza Gavin, the owner/chef, from “Top Chef” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”)

Grab a drink at the New Sheridan Hotel’s rooftop bar, which has been serving travelers since 1891. (This year, many pubs and restaurants are offering extra COVID-safe outdoor seating on patios, sidewalks, and parklets, so you may dine al fresco throughout Telluride.)

Grab a bite to eat at one of the dozen eateries at the base of Telluride Ski Resort, then walk over to The Cabins at Mountain Village to enjoy your meal in your own private repurposed ski gondola.

A flight of great craft beers from Stronghouse Brew Pub, which opened last year within a historic stone structure, or Smuggler Union Restaurant and Brewery, which has a blonde ale that received a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival, are a must-try on any trip to Colorado.

Where to stay

The Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a perfect basecamp for your trip, nestled at the base of Telluride Ski Resort. The San Juan Mountains surround this refurbished 83-room alpine refuge, which also includes 71 apartments, on three sides and offers breathtaking views from its 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, which has a heated pool, large hot tubs, fire pits, and al fresco lounge. In approximately 13 minutes, a free gondola ride from the ski area will get you to downtown Telluride.

The boutique 21-room Hotel Columbia in downtown Telluride is a short walk from shopping, restaurants, the gondola, and the gorgeous San Miguel River Trail. Dogs are welcome at the hotel, which has a variety of light-filled rooms, suites, and penthouses. The award-winning on-site Cosmopolitan restaurant—known locally as “The Cosmo”—offers an exceptional wine selection and New American cuisine produced with locally sourced ingredients, headed by chef/owner Chad Scothorn. A table in the huge new “Cosmo Backyard” outdoor space across the street is a must.

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