Colorado.com
3 Days
Collegiate Peaks: Leadville, Salida & Buena Vista

These mountain towns are the kind of places where the lady on Main Street with the kayak over her shoulder throws a neighborly nod your way and the corner barista welcomes customers by first name.

Sustainability Activity

Travel Like a Local

There are special places and unique vistas around nearly every Colorado corner. You can help ensure these places exist for generations to come by staying on roads and trails, keeping speeds in check, leaving campsites and picnic spots just as you found them, and following instructional signs while you’re out and about in our state.

Day 1

activity

National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum

What would it be like to work in a mine, blasting rock in narrow passageways deep underground? Find out at the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum,…

lunch

City on a Hill Coffee & Espresso

We are located in the green brick building in the center of downtown Leadville, just south of the traffic light. The shop is a warm place to relax,…

activity

Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin

Discover Leadville's finest Victorian homes for a glimpse of Western life in a booming silver-mining camp. Healy House is a restoration of August Meyer's…

dinner

High Mountain Pies

We, the High Mountain Pies Culinary Team, are dedicated in our quest to broadcast our fresh and delicious pizza to the hungry world via our mountaintop…

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activity

The Delaware Mercantile at the Delaware Hotel

The Delaware Mercantile at The Delaware Hotel is Leadville's largest and most unique shopping experience. From clothing to jewelry, souvenirs to toys,…

lodging

The Historic Delaware Hotel

With lodging, dining and shopping all under one roof, the Delaware Hotel is a one-of-a-kind property in Leadville, if not in Colorado. Perfect for small…

Day 2

breakfast

Tennessee Pass Cafe

We use organic, locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible to create delicious plates that feed your soul after your mountain adventures. Think local…

activity

Collegiate Peaks - Scenic and Historic Byway

This paved 57-mile route parallels the Continental Divide at the foot of the Sawatch Range

Insider's Tip

Take the Byway to Salida

Make your way along through the state's towering peaks and valleys from Leadville to Salida.

lunch

The Fritz

Gastro-Pub? Americana Bistro? Global Cafe? Call it what you want, we call it delicious, and hopefully you will too. Sandwiches by day, Small and large…

activity

Salida Creative District

Arkansas-Riverside Salida was named one of Outside Magazine's Top 10 Best Small Towns in 2009, and since then it's become even better! Its friendly…

dinner

50 Burger Shakes & Beer

Our menu is created with the highest quality ingredients. Custom-blended brisket burgers, turkey burgers, grilled chicken, fresh fish, salads and sandwiches…

activity

Elevation Beer Company

We all had the same dream of starting a brewery that brewed the highest quality barrel aged and specialty beers we could imagine. At the same time we…

lodging

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

Located in Nathrop between and . Ideal for family vacations, romantic getaways, or . Enjoy a one-day experience or relax with an overnight stay at…

Day 3

breakfast

Jan's Restaurant

Down-to-earth place offering hearty servings of American fare, including breakfast, plus a bar.

activity

Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting

Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting is a one-stop-shop for adventuring together. Take on the class III+ rapids of the Arkansas River and Colorado's very…

lunch

Eddyline Restaurant, Brewery & Taphouse

Wood-fired pizza & grill, Award winning Ales & Lagers, Colorado's only 16oz micro-cannery!

activity

Accelerate Adventures

Dual-sport & adventure MOTORCYCLE RENTALS: KTM, Husqvarna, and BMW. Guided all-inclusive and self-guided motorcycle TOURS, multi-day and single-day…

dinner

House Rock Kitchen

House Rock Kitchen is a fast casual, from scratch, healthy, fun option in Buena Vista.

activity

Deerhammer Distilling Company

This family-owned micro-distillery is nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountain's Collegiate Peaks in downtown Buena Vista, Colorado. With our primary…

lodging

Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa

Come soak in Colorado's purest, geothermal, gravity-fed mineral spas. Historically noted for their medicinal and therapeutic value, the springs were…