Durango/Purgatory recommendations

1,757 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by theGoodAg94
Marc Flores
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Hey guys. Got a group of 8 of us going up to Durango for spring break in a couple of weeks. Skiing 3 days at Purgatory but other than that we're not really sure what else there is to do around town. We're all college aged but aren't the type to go crazy on spring break, hence the decision to go to Colorado vs the beach. We just want to get out and explore the area. Any info on restaurants around town, places to shop, and any cool things to do when we're not skiing would be great. Also, any recommendations for pit stops/sightseeing on the way to and from College Station? Thanks!
aeroag14
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I would suggest going downtown and walking around.

There are a lot of fun things to do and see in downtown Durango. There are a lot of good restaurants and bars in the downtown area.

If you are looking for non skiing things to do in the area, it may be worth a drive up the million dollar highway (if the conditions are good).
Marc Flores
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Thanks! Million Dollar Highway is definitely on my list depending on road conditions. Do you know if it's easy to get around in that area in mid-March?
aeroag14
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I have been up there three or four times in December-March time frame and have never had any problem getting. That said, we weren't driving during or right after any big storms. As with mountains anywhere, if it starts coming down it will be harder to get around.

The road between Durango and the resort is not a bad mountain road at all. Well maintained, wide lanes, not curvy, etc.

Are you staying at the resort or in town?
Marc Flores
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We're staying in a condo about 10 miles south of the resort. They have a free shuttle that runs from the complex to the resort all day.
histag10
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Casino?

Mesa Verde if the weather isnt bad? Maybe...
TommyGun
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Both Carver and Steamworks Brewing Co. are worth checking out. East by Southwest has pretty good sushi if you're looking for something like that. Ken and Sue's and Mutu's Italian Kitchen are both good places but a little more on the pricey side. Honestly though, I used to travel to Durango all the time for work and I never remember having a bad meal, so I think you'll be good no matter where you go.

If you've got a morning free then the train is a pretty cool experience, however, I wouldn't sacrifice any skiing to go ride it. As already mentioned, Mesa Verde is also worth seeing but it is a bit of a drive and something you'll need to devote a day to. You could probably hang out at a different brewery each night or patio bar and have a great time just relaxing. Durango is a very laid back town and the residents there are great.
Marc Flores
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Thanks for the recommendations guys! I'm not sure if we'll have enough money before we spend on essentials to even think about going to a casino. Although I guess that's never stopped college students before! Mesa Verde would be great, but it may end up being too far of a drive from where we are staying. I really wanted to do the train but from looking at pricing I think it will be a bit out of our price range. We'll definitely check out some of those restaurants recommendations.
Geriatric Punk
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Ska Brewing. Fun place. Good beer.
Premium
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MarcFlores17 said:

Thanks for the recommendations guys! I'm not sure if we'll have enough money before we spend on essentials to even think about going to a casino. Although I guess that's never stopped college students before! Mesa Verde would be great, but it may end up being too far of a drive from where we are staying. I really wanted to do the train but from looking at pricing I think it will be a bit out of our price range. We'll definitely check out some of those restaurants recommendations.


1. Get a credit card - parents, your own, ???
2. Ski
3. Casino
4. ???
5. Profit
Hincemm
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I'll be there during spring break too. Hope the conditions are good. To almost everyone's point, hit up downtown.

Gone to durango for the past 10 years and never been to the casino out by the airport. Is it any good?
reddog90
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Steamworks Brewing is nice. There are lots of cool breweries in Durango though. Maybe ride the train or go soak at Pagosa Springs if you have a rental car?
CanyonAg77
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The Silverton steam train is a bucket list item you should definitely do. However, I'm assuming this is a guy trip? I'd wait and take the train trip with a wife/fiance/girlfriend. More of a couples/family thing.
TommyGun
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Hincemm said:

I'll be there during spring break too. Hope the conditions are good. To almost everyone's point, hit up downtown.

Gone to durango for the past 10 years and never been to the casino out by the airport. Is it any good?

I've eaten lunch there a time or two while working in the gas fields around the reservation. It's pretty clean and they have good food, but I wouldn't go out of your way to check it out. That is unless you just really love to gamble. It's always seemed pretty slow when I've been there.
Furlock Bones
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snowmobiling up near Silverton is still some of the best i've ever done.
Roc96
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Back in college my buddies and I were able to trade a day of skiing for two-hour snowmobile outing, and it did not disappoint. After several days of skiing, our out-of-shape legs were the better for it.
Marc Flores
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Really appreciate all the responses guys. I don't think we're going to have any shortage of things to do now. Y'all are making me even more eager for spring break to get here!
Oautlawag2005
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Honeyville. It was on the way to purgatory from where we stayed. Get a bottle of whiskey every year up there.
JB
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Love Durango. Pizza and beer at Steamworks is great
Hachieaggie10
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Was just there two weeks ago.

Steamworks was just ok. I felt the food was a bit lacking but it was packed had more of a touristy vibe.
Derailed Pour House which is also downtown. The food there was amazing and the drinks were top notch.


You have to go to old schoolhouse for some pizza. The place is a dump but some of the best Pizza around. It is on the road to Purg on the right hand side. Little white building. If you go we called ahead both times and placed the order as it was normally a 30 minute wait to an hour. The last night we were there it was over two hours by the time we got there. It is totally worth it.

The highway was in great shape and we had no problem driving at all. We drove over to Silverton for the Skijoring event they were having and also to Oray (sp). Cool places but probably not must dos for this trip.

I also really enjoyed the hot springs. Better than any hot tub. They weren't sulfer springs so there was not smell. It is more of a spa at the closest one to the resort but wasn't expensive. But I know it may not be the type of place a bunch of guys would want to go as they do like it more on the quiet side.

I'm sure you will find plenty to do. We had a blast and never had a lack of things to do.
buzzardb267
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We have spent several summers in Silverton so I keep up with things up there. I saw one post that said they set a record for snowfall in January. I also noticed that more than once, they were shut off from the outside by excess snow or avalanches. If you have never travelled the Million Dollar Highway, you should if time permits. But, check with CDOT before setting out. There is a snowmobile outfitter at Molas Lake, about 5 miles south of Silverton. Ice Pirates, I think.

They were having some sort of snowmobile event at Molas Lake in January and had to cancel it....too much snow. CDOT couldn't keep the roads open there was so much snow. You know it's bad if you cancel a snowmobile event because of too much snow!
theGoodAg94
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Did this same trip last year for Spring Break- stayed in Durango and drove to Purgatory fro 3 days of skiing. We had a blast.
Other than the brewpubs; which Carver and Steamworks were both fantastic, I recommend the Durango-Silverton train ride as well as some of the local hikes that have trailheads that more or less start from downtown Durango.
Weather wasn't an issue for us- expected it to be chilly and it was. Up on the mountain it was upper 20s but down in Durango daily highs were in the 50s- just be sure to bring a jacket.
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