The Durango Guidebook
Outdoor
Purgatory is our local ski resort and is one of the most family friendly resorts in the country. Kids 10 and under ski free all year.
Check in with us about conditions before you come. We're happy to give you some beta on what's skiing well and how overall conditions are. We're there often!
150 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Purgatory Sports
93 Skier PlPurgatory is our local ski resort and is one of the most family friendly resorts in the country. Kids 10 and under ski free all year.
Check in with us about conditions before you come. We're happy to give you some beta on what's skiing well and how overall conditions are. We're there often!
Haflin Trail is just north of the house and has amazing views. You can hike and mountain bike there and take it all the way to the top of Missionary Ridge. There's even a waterfall about .5 miles up the trail if you follow the creek (seasonally)
Haflin Canyon
Haflin Trail is just north of the house and has amazing views. You can hike and mountain bike there and take it all the way to the top of Missionary Ridge. There's even a waterfall about .5 miles up the trail if you follow the creek (seasonally)
One of the best mountain bike areas in Durango. Well maintained trails and great views of the city and Animas Valley (Where the Woodshop is based).
Our personal trail recommendations? Ride Hidden Valley to Star Wars.
Looking to be adventurous? Ride Hogsback for sustained uphill, exposed switchbacks and gritty downhill.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Overend Mountain Park Hidden Valley Trailhead
915 Hidden Valley CirOne of the best mountain bike areas in Durango. Well maintained trails and great views of the city and Animas Valley (Where the Woodshop is based).
Our personal trail recommendations? Ride Hidden Valley to Star Wars.
Looking to be adventurous? Ride Hogsback for sustained uphill, exposed switchbacks and gritty downhill.
This is our favorite lake, and a great place to cool down in the summer. Included with your $8 admission is the Wibit, a floating obstacle course, with complimentary life jackets. You can also rent a kayak or paddle board, go fishing, or just play around on the beach.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Nighthorse
This is our favorite lake, and a great place to cool down in the summer. Included with your $8 admission is the Wibit, a floating obstacle course, with complimentary life jackets. You can also rent a kayak or paddle board, go fishing, or just play around on the beach.
Lemon Reservoir is about a 25 minute drive, and has some fantastic trout fishing. Many people fish near the dam, but our favorite spot is where the river flows into the lake. Park. along the side of the road and hike down. You can either fly fish, or use a Castmaster spinning lure.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lemon Reservoir
Lemon Reservoir is about a 25 minute drive, and has some fantastic trout fishing. Many people fish near the dam, but our favorite spot is where the river flows into the lake. Park. along the side of the road and hike down. You can either fly fish, or use a Castmaster spinning lure.
Food scene
If you want the very best coffee in town then Taste is a must! The owner, Mike, is passionate about quality coffee and it's a really cool vibe. Located at 11th street station downtown.
Taste Coffee
2915 Main AveIf you want the very best coffee in town then Taste is a must! The owner, Mike, is passionate about quality coffee and it's a really cool vibe. Located at 11th street station downtown.
Nini's is our winner for best mexican in town. They have like 20 different salsas to choose from and we haven't had anything bad there...ever! The owner, Andy, is amazing and there often.
Our personal recommendation? Get the barbacoa beef quesadilla with roasted serrano salsa baked in. Seriously amazing!
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nini's Taqueria
552 Main AveNini's is our winner for best mexican in town. They have like 20 different salsas to choose from and we haven't had anything bad there...ever! The owner, Andy, is amazing and there often.
Our personal recommendation? Get the barbacoa beef quesadilla with roasted serrano salsa baked in. Seriously amazing!
This restaurant is on the expensive side, but if you want amazing modern food and some craft cocktails then Eolus is our choice for upscale dining in Durango.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eolus Bar & Dining
919 Main AveThis restaurant is on the expensive side, but if you want amazing modern food and some craft cocktails then Eolus is our choice for upscale dining in Durango.
Another great choice for fine dining. Ken and Sue run a great restaurant and take pride in the experience and food quality. Their cocktails are great and they have a great wine selection.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ken & Sue's
636 Main AveAnother great choice for fine dining. Ken and Sue run a great restaurant and take pride in the experience and food quality. Their cocktails are great and they have a great wine selection.
Located just a couple miles south of the house, Bread is a specialty pastry shop with amazing baked goods.
Tip: Get a cinnamon roll or two!
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bread
42 Co Rd 250Located just a couple miles south of the house, Bread is a specialty pastry shop with amazing baked goods.
Tip: Get a cinnamon roll or two!
Hands down the best hot chocolate we've ever had! You have to go there!
Their chocolate is also the best.
Our recommendation? Get the Quick and Dirty. It's probably the best Mocha you'll ever have.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Animas Chocolate Company
920 Main AveHands down the best hot chocolate we've ever had! You have to go there!
Their chocolate is also the best.
Our recommendation? Get the Quick and Dirty. It's probably the best Mocha you'll ever have.
Switchback Taco Bar
741 Main AveGreat street tacos!
Wonderful food at a very reasonable price, and fantastic cocktails. The bartender is very passionate about crafting amazing drinks, and even makes his own syrups.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taco Libre - Taqueria & Cocktails
1150 Main AvenueWonderful food at a very reasonable price, and fantastic cocktails. The bartender is very passionate about crafting amazing drinks, and even makes his own syrups.
A solid choice every time. Gourmet food, and fantastic, hand-crafted cocktails.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Moro Spirits and Tavern
945 Main AveA solid choice every time. Gourmet food, and fantastic, hand-crafted cocktails.
Activities
Their is an awesome indoor pool with a splash area, water slide and hot tub. It's a great place for families. It's only 7 minutes from The Woodshop.
They also have an indoor rock climbing wall, running track, outdoor playground and workout equipment.
It's cheap for families to go there and if you have young kids, it's a great activity.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Durango Community Recreation Center
2700 Main AveTheir is an awesome indoor pool with a splash area, water slide and hot tub. It's a great place for families. It's only 7 minutes from The Woodshop.
They also have an indoor rock climbing wall, running track, outdoor playground and workout equipment.
It's cheap for families to go there and if you have young kids, it's a great activity.
If you have kids 10 and under then you should check this out. It's full of hands on learning activities.
If it's cold outside then the Powerhouse can be a great activity for your family.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Powerhouse Science Center
1333 Camino Del RioIf you have kids 10 and under then you should check this out. It's full of hands on learning activities.
If it's cold outside then the Powerhouse can be a great activity for your family.
Great outfit with great guides. Make sure to take a trip down the Animas if your visiting from April-August. You'll get to take on our local class IV rapid called Smelter Rapid.
Southwest Raft and Jeep
305 S Camino Del RioGreat outfit with great guides. Make sure to take a trip down the Animas if your visiting from April-August. You'll get to take on our local class IV rapid called Smelter Rapid.
Enjoy soaking in these thermal pools. Perfect for families or couples, there are plenty of areas for kids, as well as adults-only pools. Each pool has the current temperature posted, so you can pick your pool based on your comfort level. You can also grab snacks and adult beverages from the food trucks there.
68 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs
6475 Co Rd 203Enjoy soaking in these thermal pools. Perfect for families or couples, there are plenty of areas for kids, as well as adults-only pools. Each pool has the current temperature posted, so you can pick your pool based on your comfort level. You can also grab snacks and adult beverages from the food trucks there.
Driving to Ouray is one of our favorite things to do out of town. It's a breathtakingly beautiful drive, and the hot springs is a great destination. Make sure you also stop at Mouse's for a treat before you head home!
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Piscina y centro de fitness de Ouray Hot Springs
1220 Main StDriving to Ouray is one of our favorite things to do out of town. It's a breathtakingly beautiful drive, and the hot springs is a great destination. Make sure you also stop at Mouse's for a treat before you head home!
Grocery Stores
This is the closest full-size grocery store to the house. If you need something specific/gourmet that they don't have, City Market South might have it.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
City Market
3130 Main AveThis is the closest full-size grocery store to the house. If you need something specific/gourmet that they don't have, City Market South might have it.
PJ's is a small grocery store, but it is only 5 minutes from the house. I go there if I need something quickly, but it's not where I load up on groceries.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
PJ's Gourmet Market
67 Trimble LnPJ's is a small grocery store, but it is only 5 minutes from the house. I go there if I need something quickly, but it's not where I load up on groceries.
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué debes empacar
Bring layers. It's Colorado after all...
Weather can vary greatly, especially in spring and fall. If you're going to be outdoors then bring layers so you can add and remove as needed. Even in summer, it gets cool outside the moment the sun dips behind the mountains.
Viajar con niños
Need a pack and play?
Let us know if you need a pack and play for your stay. We've got a couple and could have one ready for you when you come. There's plenty of space in the master bedroom or the sitting room off the master to put one.
No te pierdas
Tubing the Animas is a must!
If you'll be here from May-August then you need to tube the Animas river! It's mostly mild and a ton of fun. There is actually a put in 4 minutes from The Woodshop. There are two stretches you can do. One is flat and slow - great for families. The other has some whitewater up to class 2 (sometimes 3 depending on river flow).
Antes de que te vayas
Durango Silverton Railroad Tickets
Certain times of the year are very popular for the Durango/Silverton Train. Make sure to book your tickets in advance, especially if you have groups of 3 or more and/or want to get the upgraded train cars. The higher priced cars tend to sell out faster.
Our recommendation? Do any of the trains that have narration. You'll learn a lot of cool stuff about the area as you go.
Qué debes empacar
Bring a swimsuit
With so many opportunities to get wet, you don't want to be without the option!
Formas de ahorrar
Don't buy firewood
Note: This is for the Woodshop, not the Farmhouse.
The property has a huge fire pit behind The Woodshop. It's 8 feet tall and was designed to reflect light and heat so you can have some of the most amazing experiences sitting around the fire while looking out over the Animas River Valley.
We include a bundle of wood for each night of your stay so you don't have to go out to buy wood.