Adam and Colleen

Buena Vista has an elevation of 7,965 feet.  For those of you who are not living in the neighboring areas or states - you're going to feel this.  Altitude sickness is a real thing and we don't want it to ruin your weekend:


+ Leading up to your travel make sure you drink plenty of WATER your body will thank you when you arrive.  


+ We know how exciting to is to be surrounded by mountains but please don't hop off the plane and go for a strenuous hike, let your body adapt to the elevation. 


+ Being at elevation can cause changes to your appetite, make sure you are eating enough calories, your body needs it!


+ Alcohol can affect you more quickly at altitude, enjoy all the craft breweries and distilleries but please drink responsibly!

+ You may only be feeling that cool mountain air but believe us, that sun is very strong. Don’t forget your spf or hat!

From climbing 14-ers and rafting the rivers to soaking in the local hot springs - there is an adventure for everyone.  Check out some of the ideas below:

River Runners  rafting, floats, kayaking, off road vehicles 

Wilderness Aware Rafting  rafting trips from a few hours to all day tours. 

American Adventure Expeditions  rafting, horseback riding, zip lines, ATV's

Browns Canyon Rafting  Not just rafting - they offering kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, ATV Tours, Zip lines, fly fishing and their Canyon Aerial Course  

ArkAnglers  and Dvorak Expeditions.fly fish, float fish, wade fish, you fish -- whatever you are interested in, theres a good chance they'll help.  Check out their guided tours.

BV Adventure Hub - Biking  mountain bike riding tours in Salida and Buena Vista full-day and half-day options 

Off Road Adventures  more website links and information on off road vehicle rentals, tours and trails

Buena Vista Walking Tours  not all activities require a helmet or a harness.  Enjoy a nice tour of historic Buena Vista and for all you scary movie lovers (you know who you are) check out thier Ghost and Murder Tours

Mount Princeton Hot Springs   are about 15 minutes from downtown Buena Vista.  They also have a spa and offer yoga and fitness classes 

Cottonwood Hot Springs  are about 10 minutes from downtown Buena Vista.  These are more rustic hot springs while Mt. Princeton is more of a resort

Comanche Drive-In have you ever been to a drive-in theater?  Buena Vista is home to one of Colorado's 8 remaining Drive-Ins!  A movie with a mountain backdrop? Yep, it doesn't get much better than that.  **Plan Ahead - Cash or Check only for this activity**

Coffee Stops, Quick Bites, Fine Dining, Dance Floors, Good Drinks -We've Got you Covered

Jans Kitchen - "Family friendly and home cooking" is how they describe themselves, diner style, seems to be a local favorite 

House Rock Kitchen- big servings, fast and casual, great outdoor space 

Simple Eatery - half outdoor goods store, half delicious eats.  Fresh bread and baked goods. Shop wile you wait for your lunch

Eddyline Brewery - two locations in town; part brewery, part restaurant, fully awesome 

Wesley and Rose - craft cocktails, tasty appetizers, great atmosphere. Located in the stunning Surf Hotel 

The Buena Viking - food truck alert! You should feel lucky to catch a bite here, as they are only open seasonly.  

The Lariat - food, drinks, pool, darts, and music venue - fun fact - we found our wedding band here! It's also located in a historic building

The Jailhouse - a jailhouse may be where you end up after too many beers but in this case it's where you're served the beers.  Located in the historic town jail, the tasty craft beers won't be the only thing you'll love.

Deerhammer Distillery - local whiskey distillery, outdoor space, distillery tours

Whether you're looking for day trip ideas, or extending your vacation, here are some surrounding mountain towns to check out.  The views are on us, but that playlist...all you. (*ProTip - download your music, you're in the mountains, you won't have service)

Salida: Located just 20 minutes up the road, Salida is another adventure hub offering a lot of the same activities as BV.  Monarch Pass is an excellent opportunity for a scenic day trip.... and yes, they do have a gondola at the top to soak in all of the mountain views.  Stop by Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub to quench your thirst and appetite!

Leadville: Located only 34 miles from Buena Vista and packed with frontier and mining history, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the nation at 10,152 feet above sea level.  Visit the National Mining Museum and Hall of Fame, take a cruise on the surrounding scenic byways, or grab a seat for a spin on the famous Leadville railroad.  

Aspen:  Most people have heard of the swankiest ski town in Colorado, but the picturesque drive from Buena Vista via Independence Pass over the continental divide will leave you breathless. Once in Aspen, there are countless options for restaurants, hiking and exploring, and nightlife, along with the famous Snowmass ski resort! 

Breckenridge: One of the first renowned ski towns you'll come across if you're taking the I-70 route in from Denver, there's no lack of summer activities in the area. Kayaking, golfing, hundreds of hiking trails, and a concrete alpine slide are just a few of Breck's offerings!

Vail:  A little further up the road from Breckenridge, Vail is another iconic Rocky Mountain ski town with brick-paved walking streets through Vail Village.  Adrenaline junkies will love the ziplining, tubing, and control-your-own-speed alpine coaster at Epic Discovery.  For the more faint of heart, check out the Vail Nature Center or the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens for guided hiking and nature learning opportunities.

Glenwood Springs: Clocking in at about 2 and a half hours from BV, Glenwood might be a bit of a stretch for a day trip, but this is one of our most frequented weekend getaway destinations! The Iron Mountain Hot Springs are our favorite soaking spot in the states, with 16 separate pools varying in size and temperature. The Glenwood Cavern Adventures Park is a one of a kind mountain amusement park that pairs gravity-defying rides with multiple guided cave tours. There's no lack of fine dining, but Smoke Modern Barbeque is Adam's recommendation. 

Crested Butte:  Affectionately called "Crusty Butt" by the locals, CB is another favorite ski town of ours.  A little over 2 hours from BV, this is better suited for a 1-2 night stay on your way in or out of CO - keep in mind this is further away from Denver, but an ideal option if you are flying in and out of Montrose.  Biking, hiking, horseback riding... CB has it all, and you will fall in love with the eclectic style of the restaurant scene.