Telluride

The entirety of Telluride is pure majesty. These four areas are particularly popular:

Gondola District

The Gondola District is the vibrant core of Telluride. The area surrounds the Gondola Station, giving you quick access to the Mountain Village and ski slopes. It’s full of lively hotels, bars, and restaurants. The area hosts plenty of festivals in summer, so you will be entertained no matter when you visit. If you are looking for a mix of sightseeing and socializing, you must experience the Gondola District.

Mountain Village

Telluride’s sister town, Mountain Village, is just on the other side of the box canyon, less than a 15-minute gondola ride away from the other town’s center. At 9,450 feet above sea level, the area was built in response to growing demands for accommodation in the popular ski area. Its close proximity to everything makes it the ideal place to locate when on a Telluride vacation.

San Miguel County

American history buffs might be interested to know that in June 1889, the infamous Butch Cassidy robbed his first recorded bank, the San Miguel Valley Bank, making off with more than $24,000, the equivalent of more than $835,000 today. The area is now most well-known for its opportunities for outdoor activities in addition to skiing. White water rafting, rock climbing, and fishing where the cold headwaters of the San Miguel River are said to offer the best opportunities for great catches, especially from June to October. Villa Claudette is located in this pristine part of Telluride. Nestled on a hillside, the villa offers spectacular mountain views in a private location perfect for luxury vacationers who want to get away from it all. A wrap-around deck features an inviting hot tub, sure to befriend tired muscles after a day on the slopes or walking around town.

Telluride Town

The heart of Telluride measures only eight blocks across and 15 blocks long, but what it lacks in size it truly makes up for in charm. Victorian houses line streets originally designed for horse-and-buggies, jagged peaks tower above the buildings, the Wild West spirit is alive and well in any of the historic saloons, and you are only minutes away from world-class skiing. It’s an ideal place to stay if you appreciate a vibrant, small-town feeling, but want to be close to modern amenities.

When vacationers want to step away from their luxury accommodations in Telluride for an elegant dinner, any of these four culinary gems would fit the bill:

Allred’s Restaurant

Dining at Allred’s is having a meal with altitude! The eatery is located halfway up Telluride Ski Resort and can only be accessed by a gondola ride. Once there, you will have a number of choices, however the elk strip loin, marinated in juniper bourbon and served with sunchoke puree and black cherry compote comes highly recommended as does the crispy Scottish quail with blue-corn cornbread and lingonberry-jalapeno sauce.

La Marmotte

The epitome of fine dining, La Marmotte is as sophisticated as Telluride’s landscape is untamed. You can expect to enjoy expertly prepared dishes like beef tartare with caper berries and lemon, and roasted mahi-mahi, sprinkled with bee pollen and served with black garlic and sage sauce. Despite the elegant atmosphere, service is always fantastic, with no hint of arrogance.

The National

Touted as one of the sexiest restaurants in Telluride, The National is run by several longtime locals who have worked at other local restaurants. The cuisine is an ever-changing menu of creative contemporary American fare, with items ranging from a Kobe ribeye for two to delicious small plates such as roti flatbread with house-smoked salmon and a Hamachi tiradito with Asian pear kimchi. Great wine list, too!

221 South Oak

Vegetarians flock to this Oak Street eatery for its addictive, meatless menu options, like delicata squash chips, and chickpea cakes with plum butter. There’s also a healthy choice for carnivores, including the Rocky Mountain elk T-bone with goji-berry-walnut jam. Chef Eliza Galvin appeared on the TV show Top Chef. Fans should take advantage of her on-site cooking demonstration and wine pairing classes, which include 12 recipe tastings and up to nine wines. Go in summer and demos and classes are held on the restaurant’s lush outdoor patio.

Telluride has some stellar galleries, some which offer works for sale. These four venues are among the finest:

Rinkevich Gallery

Rinkevich Gallery is an artist-owned and operated gallery in Mountain Village featuring the abstract paintings of long-time local artist Margaret Rinkevich. Here you will also find jewelry, accessories and traditional tribal African art. Rinkevich is drawn to the rectilinear form as can be seen in her work. Squares and rectangles ground paintings compositionally to create a framework around which all other elements are anchored. Modern art enthusiasts will appreciate these pieces.

Telluride Gallery of Fine Arts

Since 1985, Telluride Gallery of Fine Arts has been dedicated to connecting contemporary art with art lovers. As the area’s oldest established gallery, it exhibits the best in contemporary painting, photography, sculpture, and avant-garde jewelry. The gallery strives to remain at the forefront of emerging and contemporary art while being a resource for artists, art collectors, and the community.

Telluride Historical Museum

To get a good idea of Telluride’s mining days, head to the Telluride Historical Museum. Get a glimpse into what life was like in the 1800s for miners and townsfolk. The museum houses a fantastic collection of photos and artifacts that reconstruct the area’s vibrant past. But it’s not just all about mining. The museum also displays the region’s history from its geological formation to prehistoric times (they even have dinosaur bones), on to its indigenous roots, housing an Anasazi blanket from between 800-900 years ago.

Tony Newlin Gallery

Visitors who love nature and wildlife, should include a trip to the Tony Newlin Gallery. This photographer’s collection includes images of Colorado, the western US, and Alaska. Each of Newlin’s photos portrays an authentic wilderness scene. He strives to present nature as he experiences it – nothing more, nothing less. “I take pride in presenting authentic moments in nature and hope you appreciate and value the high standards of my work,” he says. Beautiful prints are offered for sale at the gallery, including limited editions.

Telluride boasts a healthy nightlife scene that has a little something for every traveler. Check out these four:

Club Red

Club Red is one of Telluride’s hottest nightlife destinations. The club is on Skiing magazine’s list of ski country’s best indoor concert venues. With a luxurious ambiance and an exciting drink menu you would expect to find in a larger, cosmopolitan city, Club Red is a hit with the locals and visitors. The club first opened its doors in March 2014, and it has served as a musical tour de force ever since. With a maximum capacity of 850, you will enjoy a more intimate show no matter who’s performing.

Sidework

For something retro and cool, step into Sidework. Experience a cozy 1950s American lounge in an intimate setting offering a full menu of shareable plates, craft cocktails, fresh home brew and a sophisticated wine list. Sidework owners say “everything is presented with love with an attention to detail from the thirsty underground of discerning taste and warm desire.” Give The New Standard cocktail a try – mezcal, blood orange, agave, and lime.

The Tunnel Telluride

The Tunnel provides an outstanding experience. A little off the beaten path, but worth a little walk. Cocktails and wine selections are top notch and having the chef come to introduce every dish makes the experience even richer. Also on offer is fine dining and creative cuisine without any pretension, just great quality in an intimate and fun, old Speakeasy atmosphere.

Wood Ear Whiskey Lounge & Noodle Bar

You can still see bullet holes behind the long, wooden bar of the Wood Ear Whiskey Lounge & Noodle Bar. The holes are a reminder of the venue’s history as a brothel and a saloon in the 1800s. There are about 100 whiskeys on hand, with a focus on Japanese varieties, and 50 mezcals and tequilas. The extensive cocktail list spins smoky flavors or Japanese spirits into familiar tipples. Try the favorite Samurai’s Sword, a twist on the well-known Penicillin drink blending Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky, lemon, honey, and ginger.

These five events are among Telluride’s finest and most well-attended. There is always something for everyone in this town:

Telluride Autumn Classic

While still very much a celebration of cars and colors, the Autumn Classic is the evolution of the original festival, expanding passions for excellence in craftsmanship and engineering. The four-day festival each September gathers together enthusiasts of all makes and models of automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft and more. This world-class celebration features high-end restorations, vintage and exotic vehicles all surrounded by live music and a vibrant arts scene.

Telluride Balloon Festival

June’s Balloon Festival is one of the most amazing and most-awaited in Telluride. Hot air balloons take off and sail for a mile out of town, dotting the sky with a myriad of colors. Since the best weather conditions are typically in the morning, this annual festival gets started early. Head to Telluride Town Park to watch the balloons ascend into the air. At night, the balloons can be found tied down in town illuminating the sky and showcasing their beauty. This is a must-attend event! Make sure to have a camera to get some memorable snaps.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Every June festival goers and musicians from around the world make their annual pilgrimage to Telluride for the Bluegrass Festival hosted by Planet Bluegrass. The festival, built around the Bluegrass Telluride music scene, gives you four days of memorable experiences that will make you appreciate bluegrass music even more. There are also workshops and songwriting competitions to enjoy.

Telluride Film Festival

Each Labor Day weekend Telluride triples in size. Passionate film enthusiasts flood the town for four days to embark on a viewing odyssey, blissfully spending entire days in flickering dark rooms. With only an appreciation of celluloid to guide them, devotees flock to the show, year after year. Why? Blind faith, say organizers. The program isn’t announced until everyone is in town. Festival audiences were the first in the world to laugh with Juno, to observe The Lives of Others, to visit Brokeback Mountain, to learn the secret of The Crying Game, to experience Blue Velvet, and to witness The Civil War. This is a festival all film buffs must plan on attending.

Telluride Jazz Festival

Since 1977 Telluride has been the site of an annual cultural event combining pristine natural surroundings with boundless creative artistry. The Telluride Jazz Festival ranks among the world’s most scenic music events. The intimate format results in an immersive live music experience that has brought jazz lovers together from all around the globe. The three-day event is a chance for fans to see acclaimed artists and Grammy Award winners, cutting edge innovators, rare super groups and some of the best student bands in the country. Laying back, relaxing in a lounge chair or getting up to dance are equally encouraged.

There is so much to see and do in Telluride. Here are five activities that sound particularly photo-worthy:

Heli-Skiing

Seasoned skiers looking for untracked powder in the backcountry, need to try heli skiing. Fly into the beautiful San Juan Mountains in a helicopter at the highest elevations ensuring panoramic scenery and powder turns. Choose from day trips, multi-day outings, and custom tours. You won't be jumping out of a helicopter that hovers above a rocky slope. Pilots take great caution and care in selecting safe landing sites, and they'll land and let you off directly on the snow at the top of the run.

Horseback Riding in the San Juan Mountains

Get closer to nature by saddling up and taking a Telluride equestrian adventure through the forested canyon byways, scenic natural landscapes and majestic alpine peaks of the San Juan Mountains. Beautiful aspen forests and grassy open meadows are an ideal place to rejuvenate the spirit with such a quiet escape. Experienced and novice riders can choose from a variety of excursions, including guided all-day horseback riding tours, afternoon trail rides, fun dinner rides, or overnight camping outings.

Ice Climbing at Bridal Veil Falls

The alpine setting of the San Juan Mountains offers world-renowned ice climbing and provides a wide variety of winter climbing opportunities. To fully explore winter climbing routes, using a local guide is recommended. Standing 365 feet tall, Bridal Veil Falls is Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall, and one of the most classic and difficult ice climbs in the country. Having been closed to climbing for the better part of a few decades, with the exception of a few brief openings, the climb re-opened to the public in the winter of 2008-09. Access is contingent on climbers’ awareness and compliance with a number of rules: You must sign in at a kiosk; avoid the Powerhouse area at the top of the falls; and all descents must be via rappel.

Telluride Canopy Adventures

Reach new heights and feel the rush of mountain air on a Telluride Canopy Adventure with a private guide. Experience zip lines, aerial bridges, and rappels. Reaching 140 feet off the ground, enjoy an adventure in the tree tops and a bird’s eye view of the surrounding San Juan Mountains that you will always remember.

Via Ferrata

Experienced adventurers who want a thrill of a lifetime should consider the Via Ferrata experience. Via Ferrata is not for the faint of heart, but it's a must-do for any adrenaline junkie or to-the-core adventure seeker visiting Telluride. At its most intense, climbers are suspended on a small iron foothold by a harness at 500 feet. The climbing route is technical, breathtaking and exposed on the east end and south-facing wall of Telluride's boxed canyon. If you decide to try this incredible adventure, you are urged to use an experienced guide to tackle the trip.