Durango is in southwest Colorado tucked close to the New Mexico border. This beautiful mountain town is filled with all sorts of fun things to do. There is literally something here for everyone! Whether you are an avid hiker and are seeking breathtaking mountain views or a foodie with a hunger for some amazing tastes. This college town is booming with date night fun with all of their galleries, grills, and stores. Ropes courses, ziplines, and rapid riding for the adrenaline junkies out there.
The only problem with Durango is that there is SO much to do and financially it can add up real quick! So here’s the real question; what is there to do in Durango Colorado for free? Don’t worry I got your back, here is a list of free things to do in Durango, Colorado:
Free Things To Do In Durango, Colorado:
Honeyville
North of Durango is an adorable store filled with honey! Let’s just say it would be Winnie the Pooh’s paradise. The entire store is decorated with honey theme. The lights look like honey spoons, the floor looks like honeycomb, and keep your eye out for the giant stuffed bear in front of the store. When I say that the store is all things honey, I am not exaggerating! There are honey chocolates, honey jams, honey soaps, honey lotions, and our favorite honey sticks. We each picked our a $1 honey stick with crazy flavors to it. We picked green apple honey, apple honey, and grape honey. So good! Check out the bees hard at work by peeking into their beehives. Who can spot the queen!? Not only is this a honey factory, it is also a honey distillery. Watch the distillery hard at work while you shop for the perfect honey treat!
Website: https://www.honeyvillecolorado.com/
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Durango Fish Hatchery
One of the treasures of living in the mountainous area, surrounded by rivers are the fish hatcheries. In know that doesn’t sound interesting, but fish hatcheries are one of our favorite things to do in Colorado. Walk by rows and rows of tanks filled with rainbow trout. Bring a quarter and get a handful of food to throw into the tanks. The best part is watching the fish flip out over the food! They literally jump out of the water to get to the food first! It is so fun! Afterwards walk across the bridge next to the tanks and enjoy the beauty of the river!
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Pinkerton Hot Springs
I am a huge fan of quirky roadside stops and Pinkerton Hot Springs is definitely one of those random roadside attractions! Bring your swimsuit and some nonslip water shoes to go soak in these super unique hot springs. This built up orange rock, pours out warm water into 3 different small pools. Bring good nonslip shoes though cause almost everyone we saw come slipped at some point in time. Make sure to not climb to the top of the rock too!
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Animas River Play Area
Running right through Durango is the Animas River. This is the best summertime amenity in all of Durango. During the summer you will see people fly fishing, whitewater rafting, floating on tubes, swimming, and playing at the riverside. Park and enjoy a day at the Colorado beach!
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Durango Botanical Garden
Behind the library is a hidden gem in Durango, a beautiful botanical garden. It is actually a very small part of the gorgeous 9 mile Animas River Trail that runs through Durango (another free fun thing to do in Durango that I highly suggest). Admire painted mountain lion statues and breath in the sweet smell of local flowers, while walking next to the majestic Animas river. The view is gorgeous and super colorful.
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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Can you really go wrong when chocolate is involved? Stop into this Colorado chocolate store and sample some of the gourmet chocolates and fancy caramel apples. Only downside, good luck finding parking. I suggest taking the free trolley through town instead of trying to park close!
Website: https://rmcf.com/CO/Durango00001/
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Cheap, but AMAZING places to eat:
- HomeSlice– There are 3 HomeSlice pizzerias in Durango, because honestly it is just that good! Stop by this ski/snow board decorated pizza place for the best pizza I have ever had in my entire life! There are so many options, so if you can’t decide than get yourself a half and half pizza. 2 halves of your favorite flavors. I HIGHLY suggest the Yard Bird Pizza. It is chicken, cheese, bacon, and BBQ sauce! Sweet and savory!
- Bird’s– If you are lookin to feed a crowd, visit Bird’s and literally buy yourself a bird! This chicken restaurant offers the option to buy a whole roasted chicken! We bought a half a chicken, with some sides and it was more than enough to feed our family of 5! This restaurant is so cute covered in all sorts of chicken art and vintage games.
- Griegos– I am not joking when I call this the best Mexican restaurant I have ever been too! The spice of their red chili sauce literally had my husband sweating from the heat, but he is in love with this place. I was a huge fan of the fresh sopapillas with honey! Don’t forget to get your picture by the festive Durango art next to the building!
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Best Things To Do In Durango That Cost Money:
- Powerhouse Science Center– Experiment and defy the laws of science.
- Durango & Silverton Railroad– Take a vintage ride on a train through the surrounding mountains.
- Raptors Wild– Get up close to the birds of prey of the area.
- Michel’s Corner Crepes– Do as the French and feast on delicious crepes at this fancy food wagon.
- Bar D Chuckwagon– Enjoy a the west with a full cowboy dinner while being serenaded by cowboys with guitars!
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