Durango and Silverton

[Southwest Chief]

Hi there,

I've spent the past 17 summers in the Durango area.  I hope you enjoy your stay.

My favorite restaurant is Ariano's.  It's an Italian restaurant and one of the best I've eaten at (trust me I'm Italian ).  The ravioli are great, and the various veal dishes are also very good.  Can't beat homemade pasta.

Since I have a house in the area I'm not really up to date on local accommodations.

Area attractions are numerous.  If you are the active type, in Durango you have whitewater rafting, hiking, and mountain biking.  For historical sites, Mesa Verde is fairly close by.  Another quaint local attraction is the Bar D Chuckwagon.  It's a fun show and good food.

In Silverton the Old Hundred Gold Mine is an interesting site.  If you are up to Jeep driving or trips, Animas City is an amazing ghost town high in the mountains.  One thing to avoid is the many tourist shops in Silverton.  Not much of anything worth spending your time on.  Time better spent would be to meander around the Silverton depot and explore the few locos, cars, and equipment parked in the yards.

Vallecito Lake is where I live during the summer and it is a beautiful place north east of Durango.  If you enjoy fishing, boating, or want to spend a day in the mountains next to the largest lake in the area I'd recommend it.

How are you getting to Durango?  I travel from California to Durango and know many spots along the way like where to eat and places to stay.

If you need more specific info let me know.

[ChooChooMike]

I too stayed at the Super 8 - rooms were actually quite nice. It's maybe 5-10 minute drive to the depot. 

Had lunch at a sandwich shop about a block away from the depot, not too bad.  There's a whole buncha eateries within a few mins walking distance from the D&S depot.

I had dinner at the Handlebars restaurant in Silverton.  Food was decent, neat decor.  Even if you don't eat there, do stop in and look around !

Mike

[spokyone]

We were in Durango last May. There are so many good places to eat. We dined at the Ore House on College about a block from the tracks. There is a great ice cream place around there also. Cold Stone Creamery, I think.
  Due to budget concerns we stayed at the Super 8 away from downtown. The early train we thought was the best one. In Silverton there must be 20 places to eat lunch. We toured the Anasazi ruins over at Mesa Verde NP. The climb up the ladders were tough, but it was a great experience.
  May is perfect time of year.

[Anonymous]

I'm headed out to ride the Durango and Silverton on the 21st and was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations of where to stay, where to eat, or any other area attractions. I was first introduced to the D&S when I saw the National Geographic special "Love Those Trains" I guess that was in the late 80's? Anyway I am really looking foward to this trip and would appreciate any imput. Thanks.