Durango in 24 Hours, Durango, Colorado

Sometimes quick getaways are the best getaways – less planning, less time commitment and (hopefully) less catch up when you return. I’m glad to have been able to sneak in one more mini trip before the end of 2017 to Durango in southwestern Colorado. The city is a huge draw for its outdoor recreation, especially in the winter, but warmer temperatures meant little to no snow for the area and activities like skiing and snowshoeing. Rather than being disappointed, we decided to seek out two great hikes on either end of the trip with one night in Durango in between. Here’s a snapshot of our quick visit, which ended up being just what we needed post-holiday while leaving plenty of reason to return again soon. And the best part is this itinerary could be fitting for almost any time of year.

We got to town late in the afternoon since we spent the day hiking around sandstone arches in northern New Mexico. After checking in at the Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn we realized how hungry we were so set out in search of food. The hotel’s location was perfect for our one-night stay as it was within walking distance of Main Avenue and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad It’s one of the most popular attractions in the area year-round, especially in the fall as the leaves begin to turn and around the holidays when the train transforms into the Polar Express. As we approached the station, we were just in time to watch the adorable kids in their pajamas board the train for a special journey to the North Pole. Most shops on Main Avenue were closed at this point, but it was nice to stretch our legs and walk up and down the street before dinner, scoping out places to return to the next day. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).