Telluride Guide: A Travel Guide for Newbies
A Travel Guide to Telluride
Traveling to a new destination for the first time can be nerve-wracking. There are so many considerations to keep in mind, such as what to pack, where to stay, how to get into town, and where to eat while you’re there, and Telluride is no exception. This isolated mountain town is a wildcard for newbies, who aren’t sure what to expect when they first arrive.
Thankfully, the experts at LocalVR are here to help. We’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to Telluride for new visitors, which features overviews of how to get there, where to stay and eat, and things to do while you’re in town. Join us as we explore the best of what Telluride has to offer to vacationers.
A Quick Overview of Getting to Telluride
Unlike many mountain towns in Colorado, Telluride is not just a short drive through the mountains from Denver. If you choose to fly into Denver and drive to Telluride, look forward to a long and winding journey of 6-7 hours through the mountains of Southern Colorado. Because mountain passes are often closed during the wintertime (Telluride’s busiest season), it could take even more time to get there if you decide to drive.
Rather than wasting any of your precious vacation time (although the drive is beautiful, especially during the summer months), fly directly to Telluride Regional Airport or to the nearby Montrose Regional Airport, located only an hour and a half from Telluride itself. If you do choose to fly into Telluride, be sure to keep your window shade open during the descent–you’ll be rewarded with incredible mountain views and a gorgeous cliffside view of the airport itself.
Where to Stay While in Telluride
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Looking for somewhere special to stay during your next Telluride vacation? You’ll find all of that and more in this gorgeous 3-bedroom ski-in/ski-out home, one of the few ski-in/out rental properties in all of Telluride. Treat yourself to incredible views of the San Juan Mountains, a private outdoor hot tub, and three levels of luxury on this beautiful property. Book your stay today for an unforgettable vacation.
Best Spots to Eat Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Telluride
Best Breakfast in Telluride
Because Telluride is such a small town, there’s not a ton of breakfast options to choose from, but what is there is some of the best breakfast anywhere in the San Juans. For a quick coffee before heading out to your Telluride adventures, check out The Coffee Cowboy, located in a historic converted horse trailer on San Juan Avenue. This town staple is a favorite of locals for its delicious brews and coffee drinks that will fuel you all day long.
If you’re searching for a sit-down breakfast that will blow your mind, head over to The Butcher and the Baker on Colorado Avenue. Freshness is the name of the game at this breakfast eatery, which serves tons of fresh and local dishes that will leave you feeling satisfied. Choose from some tasty baked goods or breakfast sandwiches for the breakfast of a lifetime, and if the mood strikes, come back for the lunch or dinner menu later on in the day.
Lunch in the Mountains of Telluride
Craving something delicious after a morning of zooming around Telluride? There are plenty of delicious lunch spots around town, but one of the most heralded is the Cornerhouse Grille, a laid-back eatery with a great outside seating area for a summertime visit. Grab some sliders or a scrumptious sandwich while you’re here, or try out a midday margarita from their drink menu. Or, if the Old West saloon atmosphere is more what you’re looking for, take a trip over to Floradora Saloon, where you’ll find locally-crafted comfort food that will make your belly smile.
Elevated Dinners in Telluride
When you go out for dinner in Telluride, it’s good to do so in style, and that’s why our dinner recommendations feature some of the best fine-dining restaurants in Telluride. For those looking for a traditional French experience, visit Petite Maison for a taste of France you’ll find nowhere else in the San Juan Mountains. Or, if you’d rather have some of the best steak in all of Telluride, head over to the Chop House Restaurant, located in the New Sheridan Hotel.
What to Do in Telluride
Things to Do in Telluride During the Summer
Hiking and Mountain Biking: Enjoy the immaculate scenery of Telluride on a stroll or a bike ride through the town’s best hiking areas. Be warned, however, that many hikes and bike rides around town are steep and can be tough if you’re not acclimated to the altitude. Check out our guide to some of the best hikes in Telluride here.
Fishing: With so many rivers and waterways surrounding Telluride, you’ll find some of the best fishing in Colorado in this town.
Climb the Via Ferrata: One of the most thrilling outdoor activities that you can participate in in Telluride is climbing the Via Ferrata, a mountainside climbing route that’s outfitted with lots of places to stop and admire the scenery. For more information about the Via Ferrata, visit their website.
Winter Activities in Telluride
Skiing and Snowboarding: There’s no doubt that Telluride is one of the most beautiful places in North America to ski or snowboard, and with so many trails at your fingertips fresh off of the gondola, you’ll have an incredible time flying through the straight areas and navigating around the tuns.
Visit a Nearby Hot Spring: A dip in a hot spring is always a serene experience, but even more so during the wintertime when the outside world is frigid and frozen. For a hot springs experience near Telluride, head over to Dunton Hot Springs in the West Dolores River Valley for a good soak.
More Ways to Make a Telluride Trip Memorable
Your first time in Telluride will always be a memorable experience, but there are so many more ways to make it special. Once you get into town and begin to get a feel for the scenery and the people, the whole world opens up for you, and your next visit to Telluride will feel just like coming home.
Want to generate even more excitement for your upcoming Telluride trip? Take a look at some of our other blogs, like our guide to viewing wildlife in Telluride.