Casually Kristen

In a place like Telluride, it’s impossible to choose which season is more beautiful– just picking a cover photo for this article was difficult. Trust me when I say: this is the MOST special mountain town in Colorado.

Telluride is an old Victorian mining town nestled in the San Juan Mountains. The town itself rests in a box canyon, surrounded by staggering cliffs covered in glittering Aspen trees. A [free] gondola in the middle of the town extends up the peak toward the neighboring town above it, Mountain Village.

Making this city even more unique is that most of the town is considered historic, including the main street through the area, Colorado Street. This means each building has maintained its original charm even with considerable modern updates.

The views, allure, and casual everyday lifestyle of the mountain town have attracted a number of high-profile millionaires, billionaires, and celebrities. There’s a key difference between Telluride and the popular celeb hot-spot Aspen, though. Locals say it comes down to behavior. In Telluride, people come to relax and blend in versus to see and be seen. Incredible ranches in the area belong to Ralph Lauren, Oprah, Tom Cruise, Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, and Dierks Bently (just to name a few!)

So now that I’m sure you’re ready to book a trip– let’s dive in!

How to get there: Telluride is about a six-hour drive from Denver on either I-70 or 285-South, which honestly FLIES by because of the gorgeous views. 100% worth it.

If you need to fly in, the Montrose Airport is your best bet (and then book a shuttle to take you the hour-and-a-half drive to Telluride.) Flying into the Telluride Airport is also an option, but it’s expensive and doesn’t have many flights. Unless, of course, you have a private plane– in which case, invite me 😉

Where to stay: Personally, I love that everything in town is within walking distance, so definitely try to stay near Colorado Street! Airbnb does not operate in Telluride, so stick to places like Hotel Columbia or the Dunton Townhouse Bed and Breakfast.

That being said, if you want to stay in Mountain Village instead of in-town, the Peaks Resort and Spa is a fabulous option. The resort has gorgeous views and it’s within walking distance to the free gondola that operates from 6:30 a.m. – midnight.

What to do in Winter: Ski!

Telluride has been described by Forbes as one of the best ski vacations in the country, and Conde Nast has rated it the number one ski resort in North America four out of the last five years.

Sledding is also a fun option– Towne Park is where you’ll want to B.Y.O.S. (Bring your own sled.)

What to do in Summer and Fall: Hike!

Bridal Veil Falls is easily one of the most popular spots right on the edge of town. It’s almost a three-mile hike (roundtrip) to a freefalling waterfall. Along this path, you’ll come across the old Pandora Mill. According to hikingwalking.com, the mill is the second oldest A.C. generation facility in the country. It was built in 1907 to supply the Smuggler’s Union Mine. Water driving the generators is piped from Blue Lake.

Year-round: Cruise along the River Trail.

Instead of walking on Colorado Street, this path takes you the back route. It’s a great option if you want to get out for a scenic, casual stroll next to a babbling river. You’ll meet tons of friendly dogs!

Where to Apres-Ski: Oak Telluride is in town right at the base of the gondola. It’s a super casual spot where most people will still be in ski boots.

OR my favorite spot… Gorrono’s!

This is only accessible by skiing, located under the Village Express Lift 4. Go hang out on “the beach” and order food and drinks while enjoying a live band. This is one of those spots that made me truly fall in love with Telluride all over again.

Where to eat for Lunch: The Butcher & The Baker.

It’s a super cute spot in town that serves great locally-sourced sandwiches and handmade pastries. The restaurant is also known for its unique jam cocktails and has a full bar.

Or… La Cocina is the play if you’re feeling Mexican food. It’s organic and clean with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Where to eat for Dinner: The National.

This place is a trendy little spot with a modern Colorado menu and craft cocktails. It’s super cozy!

Where to grab drinks: The Sheridan Hotel.

Within this hotel, there is a restaurant through the left entrance (a good, but pricey, steakhouse), and a vintage bar through the right entrance. It’s AWESOME. The vibe is dark and old-school, complete with original wood floors and a tin-patterned ceiling.

Do NOT forget to order the Flatliner! It’s the signature drink of Telluride.

Or… for a late-night stop, locals love The Last Dollar Saloon. During the summer it has a great rooftop!

What to wear: Literally ANYTHING! This is the ultimate casual mountain town– just don’t forget your Sorels in the winter (because that’s all you will want to wear.)

** a special thank you to the Hunts for showing us how to REALLY do Telluride right over these last couple of years **