How to Spend 1 day, 2 days, 3 days in Salida, Colorado

Only have 1 day to Visit Salida?
Play for a Day:

Rent a "towny" (those old fashioned, 1 speed bicycles)
And peddle around town …

Absolute Bikes
330 West Sackett
Salida, CO 81201
Phone: 719-539-9295
Web Site: www.absolutebikes.com

Sip coffee or a brew & have a fantastic soup & salad lunch on the deck facing the Arkansas River . . .

Bongo Billy’s Salida Café
300 W Sackett (just next door to Absolute Bikes!)
Salida, CO 81201
Phone: 719-539-4261
Web Site: www.salidacafe.com

Stroll through a few shops in Historic Downtown Salida before dinner:

Headwaters – outdoor clothing & equipment (on F Street at the bridge)
J2 – hand-made fleece wear for adults & children (on F Street & 1^st)
Adventure Media – books, CD’s and more (on F & 2^nd)
Mountain Spirit Winery – sample our local wine & browse their extensive gift gallery (F & 2^nd)
Roadhouse Records & Tapes – some vintage stuff to be found here (on F & 3^rd)
Salida Trading – if you can’t find what you want here, it probably doesn’t exist! (on F & 3^rd)
First Street Books – new & used (you could spend hours in here) (on 1^st between E & D)

Stroll through a few galleries . . . .
The green cat – fused glass works, acrylic & pastel pieces, sculpture (on "G" and 1^st)
Gallery 150 – beautiful & affordable jewelry crafted by several local artists (on 1^st at G)
Broadminded –innovative & contemporary art by several of Salida’s women artists (on 1^st at F & G)
Cultureclash – artisan jewelry & objects (on 1^st at F)
Gallery K – contemporary construct using found objects & cast figures (on 1^st at F)
Soho-Marcy - Vibrant color and dynamic expression by Marcy (on 1^st at F)

Have a fantastic dinner at one of our downtown restaurants . . .

Dakota’s Bistro – fine dining, fine wines at affordable prices (F & Sackett)
Laughing Ladies –creations by Margie & Jeff (1^st & F)
Amicas – pizzaria / brew pub (2^nd at E)
First Street Café – something for everyone (1^st and E)

Or another 1 day plan while visiting Salida:

Raft the Arkansas

(1/2 or full-day trips through Brown’s Canyon)
River Runners – 800/332-9100 (www.riverrunnersltd.com)
Wilderness Aware – 800/462-7238 (www.inaraft.com)
Canyon Marine – 800/643-0707 (www.canyonmarine.com)

Or another 1 day plan while visiting Salida:

Horseback Ride in the surrounding Rocky Mountains

(1/2 or full-day trips)
High Country Trail Rides – 719/539-9819 or 719/539-7232 (www.highcountrytrails.com)
Mt. Princeton Riding Stables – 719/395-6498 or 719/395-0901 (www.coloradotrailrides.com)
Harvard City Riding Stables – 719/395-4000 (www.collegiatepeaks.com/outfitters)

Or another 1 day plan while visiting Salida:

Have a Hot Springs – Spa Day!

Joyful Journey Hot Springs & Spa –
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs (no spa treatments) – 888/395-7799
Quiet Side Day Spa (in town) – 719/539-0752 (facials, manicure, pedicure, massages)
Pam’s Place Day Spa (in town) – 719/539-0762 (facials, body wraps, reflexology, manicures)

Or another 1 day plan while visiting Salida:

Ski & Snowboard on fresh powder at

Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area
(Ski & Play packages available December 2002 - March 2003)
Starting at $56 per person, double occupancy
Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area: 888/996-7669 (www.skimonarch.com)
Rentals: Mt. Shavano Ski Rental: 800/678-0341 (www.mtshavanoskishop.com)

Or another 1 day plan while visiting Salida:

Snowmobile in daylight or moonlight!

Snowmobile in daylight or moonlight!
We'll send you with a guide to play in Monarch Park (near the Madonna Mine Site) and a tail-gate picnic lunch - complete with steaming hot chocolate! Per person package rates starting at $89 per person, double occupancy when we book your snowmobile rental for you.
(December 2002 - April 2003)
Monarch Tours - Guided Snowmobiling: 800-539-2573 (www.snowmobilemonarch.com)

Or another 1 day plan while visiting Salida:

Fly Fish with a Guide on the Arkansas River

Some of the best fishing in the State of Colorado!
(Half and Full-Day Wade Trips Available)
ArkAnglers: www.arkanglers.com
Colorado Fly Fishing Guides: www.coloradoflyfishingguides.com

Hurray … 2 days in Salida ! Let’s see …

Rent a "towny" (those old fashioned, 1 speed bicycles) And peddle around town …

Absolute Bikes
330 West Sackett
Salida, CO 81201
Phone: 719-539-9295
Web Site: www.absolutebikes.com

Sip coffee or a brew & have a fantastic soup & salad lunch on the deck facing the Arkansas River . . .

Bongo Billy’s Salida Café
300 W Sackett (just next door to Absolute Bikes!)
Salida, CO 81201
Phone: 719-539-4261
Web Site: www.salidacafe.com

Have a Hot Springs – Spa Day!

Joyful Journey Hot Springs & Spa –
A short 30 minute drive south over Poncha Pass into the San Luis Valley will deliver you into the capable hands of a therapeutic massuse after a luxuriating soak in restorative hot mineral springs waters.

Great Sand Dunes National Monument

Just another 45 min. South of the Joyful Journey Hot Springs and you can be scrambling up the Dunes or just taking in the historical perspective from the Visitor’s Center.

On Day 2 … Drive 1 hour East to the Royal Gorge . . .

Walk or drive Colorado’s Premier Scenic Wonder in Canon City – the Royal Gorge Bridge. Survey breathtaking vistas from the world’s highest suspension bridge – 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. : 719/275-7507

Or

Take a train ride along the Royal Gorge Route. It has been over 30 years since passengers have experienced the natural wonder of the Royal Gorge by rail. Enjoy the 2 hour, 24 mile journey and experience what was once called "the most arresting scenic site in all of American rairoading". Call for reservations: 888/724-5748 or visit: www.royalgorgeroute.com

Or

Select any one of the activities mentioned in our "1 day in Salida" section!

All right! 3 days in Salida ! Pick Your Pleasure …

Day 1:

Hang out here for a day, acclimating to the altitude (7,100 feet) and stroll through town (or peddle on that "towny" mentioned above). Plenty of restaurants to choose from for a multi-day visit to Salida – start light with First Street Café.

Day 2:

Rent a Mountain Bike (www.absolutebikes.com) and we’ll send you off with the local Mountain Bike Guide that has more than a dozen trail rides for you to pick from. We’ll even pack you a picnic lunch if you like! Come back "home", soak in our garden hot tub, and head to Dakota’s Bistro for a delectable dinner.

Day 3:

Pick anything you like from our list: fly fish, hike, raft, stroll the art galleries, get up extra early and hike a 14er if the season allows. Salida will serve as your "base of operations" if you want to make a day trip to the Great Sand Dunes, or the Royal Gorge, or Leadville, or Crested Butte. But come back for another great dinner – perhaps at Laughing Ladies or Il Vicino. Let us help you make your vacation to Salida memorable!