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This all depends on your schedule. Those who want to get here fast and have some money to throw around should simply fly into the Durango/La Plata County airport. Flights arrive daily from Denver, Grand Junction, Albuquerque, and Phoenix, with limited jet service from Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver.
For those of you with more time, I reccommend flying into Albuquerque and driving on US 550 North until you reach Durango. This route has always been the fastest, but recently they upgraded the whole 200 mile stretch from two to four lanes and increased the speed limit, so it is even faster than before, and is the fastest land approach. However, for those of you with still more time, there are several other ways to get from Albuquerque to Durango, including a trip through the Bistai Badlands on NM 371, or a cruise through Santa Fe, Espanola, Chama and Pagosa Springs on US 84.
The most time consuming, and the most beautiful trip is to fly into Denver, then take US 285 (or I-25, but 285 is much prettier) south until you get to US 160, then simply head west on that highway until you reach Durango. If you take 285, after a already long drive through the rockies, you will have the most breathtaking view of the San Luis valley, the largest mountain valley in the lower 48! This valley was carved by the Rio Grande and is so massive, it looks like a big chunk of the great plains, surrounded by mountains! The Sangre de Cristo mountains are on the east, and the eastern most ramparts of the San Juan mountains are on the west. The last big obstacle for this route is Wolf Creek Pass. At 10800 feet in elevation, only a handfull of passes surpass it in height, and few of those are on such a well traveled path. But its height isn't what makes it dangerous, it's the orientation of the pass. Traveling roughly southwest to northeast, the pass is perfectly situated to get lots of snow. If you are traveling in winter, call the Colorado State Patrol about road conditions before attempting the pass. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Visiting Durango?
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 by ppotts
CAR...Some of the best steakhouses are outside of the city limits! Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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To me, the best way to get around Durango is to walk wherever you go. Safe streets (from drivers and crime), sunshine (300 sunny days a year!), clean air, a city trail system (some sections under constuction, get a map!) and the small size of the town make it a good place to go for a stroll, even at night (take a friend, it's always a good idea. Low crime does not mean crime free!)
There are, however some places that are just too far for the average person to want to walk, so for these situations there are two options. There is the Durango lift, a small bus on loops designed with locals in mind (going to the college, Wal-Mart, and residential areas), but with a price that is not (a dollar per trip! grrr...), and there is the main street trolley. It is much more affordable and goes up and down main street, the most heavily touristed area. In the winter there is also a shuttle bus that takes passengers to Durango Mountain Resort, formerly Purgatory Ski Area.
Of course there is a lot about Durango that is not IN Durango! Mesa Verde National Park, the San Juan Skyway, and millions of acres of public lands (San Juan National forest, Weminuche Wilderness, BLM lands, etc.) almost require that you rent a car. The other ways to get around are just ways to not rack up the miles on the rental.
I reccommend going to the Chamber of Commerce on the way into town. They will have all of the maps you will need. I reccomend a city trail system map, bus/trolley stop map, San Juan National Forest map (has all kinds of back roads and trails if you REALLY want to get away from it all) and any others that you think you may need. Just on more tip: at the Chamber, they REALLY HATE IT when you ask, 'How do I get to the train?' If you just keep going into town, it is around the VERY NEXT CORNER!!!!! Be patient! Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Four wheeled drive is recommended . We had a car which was really fine . However if you want to drive off the beaten path your best off with one . There are certainly alot of opportunities but it's not a must . Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Durango is a good stopping ground to explore other areas near -by .You have a choice of going North to Silverton and Ouray . or east to Mesa Verde and maybe north from there to Telluride. i guess it depends what your looking for and how much time you have . Both are worth a trip . You can even go to Four Corners and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona as side trip (very full long day!!!!!) . Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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 Durango Station by EastyLeave a Comment Address: Main AvenuePhone: 1-888-TRAIN07Directions: The Station is located at the corner of Main Ave and E. 5th Street; Tickets are $60 per person; Parking at the Durango Station will cost $5 to $7Website: www.durangotrain.com
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 Mesa Verde Cliff Dwelling by EastyLeave a Comment
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 Hotel Strater by EastyLeave a Comment Address: 699 Main AvePhone: 970-247-9931Directions: Downtown Durango.Website: www.strater.com
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Took the train from Durango to Silverton . Need reservations . I suggest taking the open car. Some people in other forums have said smoke was an issue in the open cars and wear darker clothes because of the smoke from the coal's. I didn't experience this but my seat was definilty toward the back . Ask to be on the right side or east side of the train . Best views going up . Then take the bus back . The ride is great but not neccessay to take back . Bus is quicker and our bus driver entertained us and gave us some intresting info which we didn't get on the train going up . You have that option when booking the train to take the bus back .This was the ideal situation ...I believe!!! Leave a Comment Address: DurangoDirections: Get on in downtown Durango
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Took the train there . I could have used more time . Looks like a old time western movie set . . I only had enough time to lunch it there and go in a few souvenior shops . I felt rushed . I heard they have a gunfight there in early evening... which sounded fun . You don't really need alot of time ..... touristy..... but it's a neat looking fun town. It's on the million dollar highway . There are jeep excursions and rafting trips if you want to spend more time there. Leave a Comment Directions: Touristy Western town north of Durango
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Get cheap flights to Durango. Airports in the area include Durango La Plata (DRO). Check flights to Durango when you want to visit these nearby places: .
- Iron Horse Inn
5800 North Main Street, Durango, CO - Ramada Limited Durango
3030 N Main Ave Main Ave/Hwy 550 & 30th Street, Durango, CO - Doubletree Hotel Durango
501 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO - Travelodge Durango
2970 Main Ave., Durango, CO - Best Western Mountain Shadows Inn
3255 North Main Ave., Durango, CO - Purgatory Village - Durango Mountain Resort
5 Skier Place Durango Mountain Resort, Durango, CO - Days Inn - Durango
1700 County Road 203, Durango, CO - Comfort Inn & Suites Durango
455 S Camino del Rio (formerly Quality Inn), Durango, CO - Silver Spur Inn
3416 Main Ave., Durango, CO - Wyndham Durango Hotel
401 E 2nd Ave (formerly Fairfield), Durango, CO - Holiday Inn Durango
800 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO - Cascade Village
50827 Hwy. 550 N., Durango, CO - Ferringway Resort Condominiums
6 Ferringway Circle, Durango, CO - Super 8 Durango
20 Stewart Drive, Durango, CO - Akunow House
3705 County Road 250, Durango, CO
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