Place to hang out for a day in S. Colorado. (Denver: restaurants, shop)

[rwocmo]

We're planning a trip through Colorado and Utah this summer. We'll be heading through Denver, Leadville, etc., to Moab and down to Cortez. We're looking to relax for a day or so east of Cortez. Any recommendations? Durango, Alamosa- what might be a scenic and interesting town between Cortez and, say, Pueblo or Colorado Springs?

[Idunn]

Alamosa is not much of a tourist town. There is a commercial hot spring fed swimming pool just north of town. Surely a few other attractions; and your choice of fast food restaurants, as well as others a local might well recommend.

Assuming you wish to remain more or less on the path between Cortez and Denver, then New Mexico is probably out. Otherwise a short detour south to Taos, NM could be most interesting. Although from Alamosa it is just as easy to cut directly south to Ojo Caliente, NM, and visit the ever so pleasant commercial hot springs of the same name. In fact, it wouldn't be all that difficult to do both these things in a day.

But if remaining close to US 160 and then I-25, Durango is an obvious choice for a pleasant day spent. If wishing to be further east, then the smaller towns of Pagosa Springs and South Fork would be nice; although South Fork and its services distinctly smaller than Durango.

I'd throw the old mining town of Creede in, but if not all that far from South Fork, visiting it might make more sense if more of a road trip in dropping down via Lake City. Lovely all the way, although they are both smaller towns.

Further north, my best suggestion would be Manitou Springs (directly adjacent to the west of Colorado Springs); one could spend the entire day there quite happily, the night as well, and attractions in Colorado Springs such as Garden of the Gods are near.

[jim9251]

Visit the nicest part of Colorado...the San Juans, spend the day in Ouray.

[delta07]

Both Idunn and jim have great suggestions. If you are wanting to relax, I'd definitely do one of the many hot springs in the area. I love Ouray hot springs, but I've heard Pagosa also has some nice ones. You can spend a few hours in Durango checking out town, grabbing lunch and a pint at one of the breweries and then head on over to Pagosa for a nice soak for the evening. That's what I would do.

[Snikt]

Mesa Verde National Park

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by rwocmo

We're planning a trip through Colorado and Utah this summer. We'll be heading through Denver, Leadville, etc., to Moab and down to Cortez. We're looking to relax for a day or so east of Cortez. Any recommendations? Durango, Alamosa- what might be a scenic and interesting town between Cortez and, say, Pueblo or Colorado Springs?

Forget Alamosa.
Either Durango or Pagosa Springs, or even South Fork.

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Visit the nicest part of Colorado...the San Juans, spend the day in Ouray.

Originally Posted by Snikt

Mesa Verde National Park

[rwocmo]

Thanks, Guys. Well be heading through Mesa Verde from Moab and my wife and daughter will probably be exhausted from the hiking and such. These sound like great ideas and we'll be able to work out a good plan from them.

[CAVA1990]

You could also spend several hours riding the narrow gauge train from Durango up to Silverton and back. I'd be happy hanging out in Durango for the day.

[sesamekid]

Spend half the day shopping/dining/old-house-peeping in Durango then head over to Pagosa Springs to relax in the hot springs for the evening! I did that last labor day weekend - with absolutely no advanced planning - it was fabulous!