Explore Ridgway, Colorado
Snugged into the Uncompahgre Valley in western Colorado is the postcard-perfect little town of Ridgway, home to around 1,000 residents and one of the sweetest getaways in the entire state.
The scenery begs for superlatives, with the San Juan mountain range to the south jutting into the bluest of skies and the Cimarron peaks commanding a Standing O. Hill and vale are covered with pine and aspen, and cottonwoods dot the stream banks in the lower regions. And it’s all illuminated by an average of 300 sunshiny days each year.
Get the picture? It’s downright beautiful. But Ridgway is more than meets the eye, with a community that supports not only ranchers and farmers and other land stewards but also artists of all stripes. Studios and galleries provide outlet for painters, sculptors, artisans, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, photographers, weavers – if it’s beautiful, you’ll find it here.
There’s also an energetic musical force in town, with a popular concert series. And Sherbino Theater offers music, film showings and other cultural fare. Shopping is just as varied, with one-of-a-kind treasures and souvenirs ready to go home with you.
For history buffs, Ridgway has a colorful past. It was founded in the last decade of the 19th century to be headquarters for the Rio Grand Southern Narrow Gauge Railroad, which services the gold and silver mines as well as the farmers and ranchers of the area. A museum holds relics of those bygone glory days. And the area’s incredibly idyllic setting made it the perfect backdrop for 1969’s “True Grit,” for which John Wayne won the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn.
While you’re soaking up the atmosphere, consider soaking up some of Ridgway’s food and drink as well. There are numerous renowned restaurants as well as a local brewery and distillery.
Accommodations to fit every budget and need are available in Ridgway and nearby Ouray, and the area is a great place to pitch a tent and get to know Mother Nature on a first-name basis.
Four seasons present endless possibilities for outdoor recreation, but a quick inventory shows the 1,000-acre reservoir at Ridgway State Park just a couple of miles from town. Fishing is great there and on the Uncompahgre, and the reservoir park is also an ideal place for camping, boating, waterskiing, wind surfing, picnicking, hiking and biking.
If a good soaking sounds good, Orvis Hot Springs offers several pools outside and one indoors. There’s also rodeo, golf, motorcycle and off-road tours, rafting, kayaking, hunting, birding, skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, scenic drives… Oh, the things you’ll do in Ridgway!
Japanese Flower Exhibition – Celebrate the Holidays
Dec 09 - Dec 10
1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, COCelebrate the Holidays 休暇を楽しんでね, Demo 2:00 PM December 10, 2023, Boulder Library Canyon Auditorium We in
Ugly Sweater 5K
Dec 17
Washington Park, Denver, COBy golly, be jolly! Join us at the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K at Denver’s Washington Park on Sunday, December 17.
Victorian Christmas Tea Party
Dec 23
Trinidad History Museum, 312 East Main Street, Trinidad, COCelebrate the season with a Victorian Christmas-inspired tea party! Teas from the Trinidad Tea Company will be served al
Brushes & Brews
Dec 27
114 N Tejon St., #100, Colorado Springs, COCalling all artists and beer lovers! Join us for a Brushes and Brews class at our brewery on Dec 27 from 6:30pm to 8:30p
New Years Eve Denver NYE Bar Crawl – All Access Pass to 10+ Venues
Dec 31
Larimer Beer Hall, 2012 Larimer St., Denver, CONEW YEARS EVE DENVER PUB CRAWL (Sunday, December 31st) ? DENVER NYE BAR CRAWL ? ? Join over 300+ guests on our annual Ne
New Year’s Eve at Studio CR
Dec 31 - Jan 01
141 East Meadow Drive, Suite 104, Vail, COPrepare to step into the world of disco decadence, lights, and extravagance as we invite you to relive the iconic magic
Nepal and Himalayan Adventures
Jan 11
200 West Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, COKumar Karakheti, a Fort Collins resident and native of Nepal, will present Nepal and Himalayan Adventures at 6 pm Thursd
Foods of the Winter Solstice
Jan 20
123 N. College, Suite 130 Fort Collins, COFoods of the Winter Solstice will be presented from noon to 3 pm Saturday, Jan. 20, at The Cooking Studio Fort Collins.
2024 Denver Preschool Showcase
Jan 20
2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205The 9th annual Denver Preschool Showcase is a free, one-stop opportunity for Denver families to connect with numerous qu
Peter & The Wolf – Family Concert
Jan 21
2908 S Timberline Road, Fort Collins, COPlease join us for a delightful one-hour family-friendly concert for the young and young at heart! This concert features
