Ellinore & Joshua
Things To Do
Lions Den
Along Rim Drive you can visit the park that Josh proposed to Ellie! ADA Accessible trail to a beautiful pavilion overlooking town. Great for picnics.
Berndt Hall
Across the street and to the South of the chapel you can find a walkway to Ellie's favorite part of campus, the Native Plants and Crevice Gardens. Located between Berndt and Kroeger hall is an ADA accessible research garden and crevice garden. Countless hours were spent in this part of campus being a Herbarium attendant, working in the greenhouse, studying, and working on her research.
Center of Southwest Studies
Here you can find a beautiful museum that is open on weekdays 1-4. The museum is often showcasing art from ancient to contemporary Indigenous artists. Entry cost is donation.
Colorado Trail Trailhead
Did you know the Colorado Trail links Durango and Denver? The trailhead is located just 15 minutes NW of Durango at the end of Junction Creek Rd. Here you can section hike the trail along Junction Creek, or up to the lookout of Gudy's Rest!
Oxbow Park and Preserve
A beautiful oxbow beach on the Animas River that is just north of town. A great place to take a dip in the Animas and also watch the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train cruise by in mornings and afternoons! Free parking.
81301 Coffee House and Roasters
Best coffee in town, hands down (although the others are pretty good too)
Sage Fresh Eats
A great lunch spot for soups, salads, and sandwiches that utilizes local, organic produce.
Famburger
A great, cheap burger joint- and it is perfect for families!
Zia Taqueria
Zia's is another beloved local spot, our version of chipotle. It's perfect for a casual bite or for families! There are two Zia locations in town.
Animas Brewing Company
Ellie and Josh's favorite Brewery in town! They serve Irish and American fare. The location alone can't be beat. It's located at Rotary park with several parking lots for easy access. It's right on the Animas River Trail, and overlooking a bend in the Animas River with the train and pedestrian bridge. Come visit in the afternoon to witness the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train cross the bridge and head into town!
Ska Brewing Co
One of the most nationally famous breweries in town, and a wicked cool building out in the Bodo Park area. This brewery founded in 1995 (Ellie's Birth year) is a mainstay for Durangatangs looking to quench their thirst and satiate their appetites after a long day of outdoor adventure!
Carver Brewing Co.
Another classic brewpub downtown- this place has great food with loads of local ingredients!
Steamworks Brewing Company
One of the biggest brew-pubs in town! Use their website to join a waitlist to secure a table, wait usually isn't any longer than 20 minutes.
Million Dollar Highway
If you happened to rent a car and aren’t afraid of two paved, mountain passes you should take a drive North along the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton and back! You’ll pass our ski mountain, Purgatory, and then head over Coal Bank Pass where the Engineer Mountain Trail starts. Next, Molas Pass is a scenic vista on the way that has ADA accesible sidewalks. After Molas Pass you will drop down into an ancient volcano’s caldera where the Victorian Mining town of Silverton sits. Here you can go on the Old Hundred Mining Tour, check out two breweries and several shops, or see the miner’s shrine! From here you could turn back to Durango for a 2-hour round driving trip through the Aspen-rich San Juan National Forest. Or, if you’re feeling really brave you can continue along 550 North another 40 minutes and check out the ghost town of Ironton and the box canyon of Ouray!