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Things to Do

Cultural and Historic Tours

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Animas Museum
May - Oct, Mon - Sat, 10am-6pm. Winter hours Wed - Sat, 10am-4pm. Exhibits on area history and Indian cultures including a gift shop.
31st St. & W. 2nd Ave.
Durango , CO 81301
(970) 259-2402

Center for Southwest Studies
The Center of Southwest Studies was established in 1964 to serve as a museum and a research facility and to develop an interdisciplinary Southwest curriculum. Located on the campus of Fort Lewis College.
1000 Rim Dr.
Durango , CO   81301
(970) 247-7456

Downtown Durango Gallery Walk
Visit the many galleries in the downtown area.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Open daily. Hours correspond with depot. Come and see locomotives, lamps, locks, photos, art, library, view of train turntable and roundhouse.
479 Main Ave.
Durango , CO 81301
(970) 247-2733

Durango Historic Walking Tours of Main Avenue and Third Avenue
The National Historic Preservation Act and the City of Durango sponsor the preservation of Durango History. Enjoy a beautiful and relaxing experience! A self guiding tour brochure can be obtained at the Animas Museum, 31sth St. or at the Durango Visitor Center in Santa Rita Park (111 S. Camino del Rio).

 

ARCHAEOLOGY & NATIVE AMERICAN SITES:

Mesa Verde National Park
Park is 36 miles west on Highway 160. Guides, lodging, food, campground facilities.
970-529-4421 or (800) 449-2288 and in Winter 970-529-4465

Mesa Verde offers a unique chance to walk in the actual footsteps of the vanished Anasazi civilization. Little has changed since 600 AD, when Ancestral Puebloans thrived in this mysterious collection of cliff dwellings. Park Fees: Entrance fee is $10.00 per passenger car. Fees vary for commercial vans and tour buses. Additional fees will apply for guided tours.

Half-Day Tour: The morning tour examines why a nomadic people chose to settle in this unique cliff environment. It leaves from the campground at 8:30 am and the Lodge at 9:00 am, returning to the Lodge at 12:00 pm and the campground at 12:30 pm. The afternoon tour leaves from the Lodge at 1:00 pm and returns at 4:00 pm. Fee is $32-$34.

Chimney Rock Archeological Area
October-May 970-385-1210
May-September 970-883-5359
Chimney Rock Archaeological Area (CRAA) lies on 3,160 acres of San Juan National Forest land surrounded by the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Offers four guided tours daily, seven days a week.

Anasazi Heritage Center
Discover the Anasazi story through exhibits, hands-on activities, and a replica pithouse. Wheelchair-accessible trail. 3 miles west of Dolores, Colorado on Highway 184. (970) 882-4811 or TTY (970) 882-4825

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
23390 Road K

Cortez, CO 81321

This nationally recognized research and experiential education center offers day programs to the public June through August on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ask for information on additional archaeological/travel programs for 2007. (970) 565-8975 or (800) 422-8975.

Ute Mountain Tribal Park
800-847-5485

Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum
The S.U.M. is located on the Southern Ute Reservation 25 miles SE of Durango. The exhibits include "The Circles of Life" and rotating exhibits depicting Ute Culture.
14826 Hwy 172
Ignacio , CO 81137
(970) 563-9583
(970) 563-4649

MINING & GOLD-PANNING:

Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour
Ride the Mine Train 3,350 Feet into Gold Hill Open daily May 20-September 15
Ouray , CO
P 970-325-0220
F 970-325-4500

Mayflower Gold Mill
San Juan County Historical Society
Offers self-guided and one-hour guided tours and free gold panning. Self guided tours fees are adults $6.00 and kids 11-16 $3.00. Group rates available.
(970) 387-0294

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour - Colorado's Best Mine Tour
Located in Cunningham Gulch, it offers one-hour guided tours that take you 1/3 mile into the Galena Mountain. Awesome scenery.
Silverton, Colorado
800-872-3009

San Juan County Historical Society
Fine museum & Mayflower Gold Mill.
PO Box 154
Silverton , CO 81433
(970) 387-5838

VALLECITO LAKE:

Vallecito Tour of Carvings
The Tour of Carvings was the idea of Paul Mcginnis to honor the firefighters who fought the Missionary Ridge Fires of 2002 near Durango, Colorado. Each carving weighs around 2,600 pounds and stands 18 feet tall. Information available at the Durango Visitors Center, 111 S. Camino del Rio.

 

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Durango Area Tourism Office, 111 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, Colorado 81302

Durango is located in Southwest Colorado and boasts 300 days of sunshine a year. Come explore our local attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park, Vallecito Lake and Historic Downtown. Enjoy a day at Durango Mountain Resort or a train ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Fish on the Animas or play golf on one of our many courses. Durango has something for everyone.
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