Telluride is one of my favorite places in Colorado. Its colorful Victorian downtown, mining history and spectacular box canyon create the perfect backdrop for an adventure-filled getaway.
My friends, the Thomas family, originally planned to stay for two nights. Telluride worked its magic, and we quickly added a third.
Where to Stay in Telluride
We stayed at Mountainside Inn beside the San Miguel River. Our room had a queen bed, twin bed and kitchenette, giving us enough space for three adults and two kids. It’s surprisingly affordable riverside accommodations.
The inn is close to Lift 7 and within walking distance of downtown. Accommodations range from traditional hotel rooms to condos, and some units are pet-friendly. Amenities vary, so check the room details when booking.
Once we parked, we rarely needed the car. Telluride is wonderfully walkable, and the free gondola connects the town with Mountain Village.
Night One: Dinner in Downtown Telluride
We started with drinks and appetizers at The Butcher & The Baker. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but it is also a fun spot for a casual happy hour. It’s one of my longtime favorites in Telluride.
Cheese curds and fries disappeared quickly at our table. Apparently, mountain adventures make everyone hungry.
We turned dinner into a progressive evening by walking to Floradora Saloon for our entrées. My crispy salmon tacos were a delicious finish to our first night in Telluride.
Day One: River Walks, Waterfalls and the Gondola
The next morning, Chris and Sarah are big climbers and ventured out to find their rock route. I took the girls for coffee, hot chocolate, and a stroll along Colorado Avenue.
We wandered through downtown before joining the San Miguel River Trail near Town Park. The easy path follows the river through town and connects with the Idarado Legacy Trail toward the east end of the box canyon.
As we walked, Bridal Veil Falls came into view above the historic Pandora Mill. Waterfalls, wildflowers and remnants of Telluride’s mining past make this one of my favorite areas for an easy morning outing.
Lunch and Farmers’ Market
Chris and Sarah finished climbing and joined us for lunch at The Butcher & The Baker. Order the fried green tomato burger. It’s delicious. Following lunch, we browsed the Telluride Farmers Market. The seasonal market takes over South Oak Street on Fridays with produce, prepared foods and locally made goods.
Free Gondola Ride
Then we boarded Telluride’s free gondola for the ride to Mountain Village. The scenery alone is worth the trip. Gondola dates and hours change seasonally, so confirm the schedule before visiting.
A Short Hike to Cornet Creek Falls
From the gondola, we spotted another waterfall tucked into the mountainside. Naturally, we had to find it.
The Cornet Creek Falls Trail begins at the top of North Aspen Street. The route is only about 0.6 miles round trip, but it gains roughly 300 feet before reaching the 80-foot waterfall.
Short does not mean effortless. Loose rock, steep terrain and sections requiring light scrambling make for a short adventurous hike.
Dinner at Siam
We celebrated our waterfall find with dinner at Siam. The vegetable egg rolls, Pad Thai and sweet basil cocktail were outstanding. I finished the evening beside the San Miguel River, watching the final sunlight dance across the water. Siam’s Pad Thai is my favorite in Colorado.
We ended a fun day watching the sun going down over the San Miguel River. Watching sun glint dance on the water is end of day bliss.
Day Two: Trout Lake and Bridal Veil Falls
The next morning, I took a leisurely stroll into town the next morning to grab a latte at Ghost Town. I sipped it as I walked along the San Miguel River.
Chris, Sarah, and Aria headed out to tackle Telluride’s Via Ferrata. This exposed climbing route traverses cliffs hundreds of feet above the valley floor. San Juan Mountain Guides offer guided via ferrata for a guided option.
It requires proper equipment and technical skills. Telluride Tourism strongly recommends hiring a guide, especially for first-timers.
Caroline and I chose a more relaxed adventure. We drove to Trout Lake, where the calm water and surrounding peaks looked like a Colorado postcard.
On the way back, we picked up sandwiches from Baked in Telluride and found a shady spot along the San Miguel River for a picnic.
Bridal Veil Falls
At 365 feet, Bridal Veil Falls is Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall. A hiking trail now leads from the Idarado Mine parking area to the base, helping separate hikers from vehicles on the busy road.
We drove partway up the rough, winding road before exploring the lower route toward Blue Lake. Heavy snowmelt had made several stream crossings unsafe, so we changed plans and enjoyed the views.
On the way down, we made several scenic stops, including short hikes to get closeup views of Ingram Falls and old mining structures tucked into the mountainside.
Our Final Night in Telluride
For our last dinner, we headed to La Cocina de Luz, a long-running favorite for Mexican cuisine in Telluride. We shared queso fundido before I ordered vegetable tostadas with Anasazi beans and salad. A margarita rounded out the meal nicely. La Cocina is a long-running
As we walked back to the inn, alpenglow painted the peaks surrounding town. Telluride is beautiful throughout the day, but those final minutes of evening light are particularly magical.
Not Wanting to Leave
Telluride has a way of convincing you to stay longer than planned. We arrived expecting two nights and left after three, already wishing we had another day.
We hit the road early the next morning. The Thomas family drove the 14+ drive back to Plano. I headed to Denver taking a scenic route with stops at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and on Cottonwood Pass, realizing I wasn’t ready to go home.
Check out post One Night in Ouray preceding this adventure in Telluride. For a lesser-known scenic drive, read road trip from Moab to Telluride. It’s beautiful in both directions!
