By Day or Night… Fun For Everyone in Durango!
- by Indiana Reed

Anyone who says there's nothing to do in Durango just isn't paying attention. Though set far from the bright lights of the big city, Durango enjoys both a wealth of entertainment options and a rich social culture traditional of rural communities.

Durango's Victorian heritage and spirit of the Old West are celebrated throughout the region, but most notably with the Diamond Circle Melodrama & Vaudeville and the Bar D Wranglers. Both offer family-friendly shows staged during the summer season.

With the Red Rocks of the Animas Valley keeping watch, Cy Scarborough leads a troupe of talented crooning cowboys - the Bar D Wranglers - in a fun-filled acoustic concert of traditional Western music interspersed with bits of good, old-fashioned humor. The evening includes a "chuckwagon" dinner under the stars, and ends with the feel-good warmth of a down-home family celebration.

The Henry Strater Theatre, or "The Hank" as it is colloquially referenced, as well as the Durango Arts Center Theater, schedule a variety of live musical and theatrical performances throughout the year. The DAC Theater is located inside the Durango Arts Center on Second Avenue, with The Hank set adjacent to its parent, the Historic Strater Hotel.

Music is, indeed, a part of the fabric of the town. Local artists (many of whom tour the country but call Durango "home") perform nightly in various intimate venues around the town. Enjoy everything from cool jazz on the patio at Cyprus Café, to contemporary singer/songwriters in The Office Spiritorium, to country-western crooners in the Diamond Belle Saloon. Find the "late night" scene, Thursday-Saturday, photo courtesy > Duane Smith at Steamworks Brewing Co. with live punk, reggae, ska and alt, or a favorite local DJ spinning the tunes.

To take some of the "sounds" of Durango "home," keep an eye out at retailers throughout the Downtown for the Rhythms of Durango - a specially-produced CD of the eclectic mix of music found in town.

As any local will attest, living in Durango is about "quality of life," and that includes great food. The town boasts dozens of excellent restaurants, and many surprised visitors favorably compare their meals at these independent establishments to the finest eateries in urban environments.

Indeed, Durango has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco. Cuisine is far-reaching, ranging from progressive and ethnic to the more traditional eateries that embrace the area's ranching heritage.

Downtown gatherings are also part of the fabric of Durango, and diverse festivities can be enjoyed throughout the year. From events such as the Cowboy Gathering, the Durango Heritage Days Festival, Fiesta Days and the Homegrown Festival, which celebrate the region's heritage, to celebratory events such as Taste of Durango and Oktoberfest to a focus on children with the "Who's Your Daddy" Father's Day fair, Thomas the Tank excursions and more, Durango offers something for everyone. Fourth of July features a day-long list of events, beginning with a pancake breakfast in the park to the fireworks display and street
dance after dark.

To learn more about all Durango has to offer, stroll by the Visitor's Information Kiosk in the 700 block of Main Ave. and pick up a Downtown visitor's guide/locator map, or visit Durango on the web at www.durango.org

SPONSOR LISTINGS

Bar D Chuckwagon Suppers
8080 County Rd. 250, Durango
970.247.5753 / 888.800.5753
www.bardchuckwagon.com
Great western stage show and hearty barbeque supper. Open Memorial Weekend thru Labor Day.

The Strater Hotel
www.strater.com
699 Main Ave., Durango
970. 247.4431
Award winning dining. Nightly Live entertainment. Group and banquet services.

Cold Stone Creamery
www.coldstinecreamery.com
598 Main Ave., Durango
970. 259.5052
(Across from the train) Putting the flavor wheels in motion.Award winning dining.

Cyprus Cafe
www.cypruscafe.com
725 E. 2nd Ave., Durango
970. 385.6884
Fine Mediterranean Cuisine. Patio dining. Fine wines. Full bar. Lunch & Dinner. Live Jazz.

Durango Brewery
www.durangobrewing.com
3000 Main Ave., Durango 81301
970-247-3396

Durango Coffee Company
www.cooksandcoffee.com
730 Main Ave., Durango
970. 259.2059
A special blend of coffee & cookware. Espresso. lattes. mochas. fresh brewed coffee. handcrafted chai. cappuccinos. hot chocolate.

Francisco's
www.franciscosdurango.com
619 Main Ave., Durango 81301
970-247-4098

Olde Tymer's Cafe
www.otcdgo.com
1000 Main Ave., Durango
970. 259.2990
Durango's best burger. The local's favorite patio. Sensational salads & sandwiches. Lunch & dinner specials. New Mexican Green Chili. Marvelous Margaritas.

Magpies Newsstand & Cafe
www.magpiesnewsstand.com
707 Main Ave., Durango
970. 259.1159

MaMa's Boy Italian Ristorante
2659 Main Ave.Durango & Hwy 550 North, Hermosa
970. 247.0060 / Hermosa 970.247.9053
Italian Favorites. Grilled Seafood specials. Daily pasta specials. Stone Baked New York Pizza. Full bar. Large Selection of Microbrews. Italian & Domestic wines. Espresso. Hermosa location Counter & to go service only.

The Red Snapper
www.redsnapperdurango.com
144 E. 9th Street., Durango
970. 259.3417
Seafood, steaks, prime rib, appetizers, nightly specials, unique desserts.

Serious Texas Bar-B-Que
www.serioustexasbbq.com
650 S. Camino Del Rio & 3535 N. Main., Durango
970. 259.9507 & 247.2240
The West's Best Bar-B-Que. smoked meats. huge sandwiches. legendary salsas. Two locations to serve you.

Steamworks Brewing
www.steamworksbrewing.com
801 E. 2nd Ave., Durango
970. 259.9200
Hand Crafted Sodas. Award-winning Beer. Entree's. Sandwiches. Appetizers. Kids menu. and ask about our world famous cajun boil & Steam Engine Lager.