Published on Colorado.com (https://www.colorado.com)
3 Days in Mesa Verde Country 3 days More Itineraries
The towns of Cortez, Dolores and Mancos showcase southwest Colorado's cultural riches and natural splendor and are excellent home bases for exploring the ancient treasures of Mesa Verde National Park.
Sustainability Activity
Travel Like a Local: There are special places and unique vistas around nearly every Colorado corner. You can help ensure these places exist for generations to come by staying on roads and trails, keeping speeds in check, leaving campsites and picnic spots just as you found them, and following instructional signs while you?re out and about in our state.
Day 1
ACTIVITY
Balcony House Tour at Mesa Verde National Park
The one-hour Balcony House tour is one of the most intimate yet adventurous tours at Mesa Verde. A visit to Balcony House will challenge your fear of ladders, heights, and small spaces, and will give you the opportunity to explore the common areas of a mid-sized, 40-room dwelling.
LUNCH
Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe
Patio Dining at its best! Stop at Spruce Tree Terrace Café, located in the heart of Mesa Verde National Park, for favorite American classics and Southwest specialties.
ACTIVITY Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
The museum displays dioramas illustrating Ancestral Puebloan life. There are also many exhibits of prehistoric artifacts, a chronology of Ancestral Puebloan culture, and other items related to the...
DINNER
Metate Room
Mesa Verde Metate Room Restaurant received "Award of Culinary Excellence" from the American Culinary Federation Colorado Chefs Association in the area of sustainable cuisine. Colorful Native...
ACTIVITY
Cliff Palace Twilight Tour
Enjoy an intimate, leisurely encounter with Mesa Verde?s largest cliff dwelling. Dramatic sunset lighting will appeal to both amateur and professional photographers as well as those seeking a deeper connection with this extraordinary archeological treasure.
LODGING
Mesa Verde - Far View Lodge
Far View Lodge is the only lodging inside Mesa Verde NP. Breathtaking views, award winning cuisine, guided tours of Ancestral Puebloan dwellings, invigorating solitude and endless wildlife...
Day 2
BREAKFAST
Far View Terrace Cafe
Casual food-court setting features breakfast burritos and omelet station, a yogurt bar, and standard breakfast fare. For lunch, daily specials including our signature Navajo tacos, sandwiches and...
Insider's Tip Hit the Road: Drive to Mancos, a charming small town with a thriving artisan community less than 10 miles from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park.
ACTIVITY
Mancos Creative District
Facilitated by a vibrant community of more than 150 artists, the growing downtown Mancos Creative District has eight... Insider's Tip
Take a Class: Mancos School of the West offers classes and workshops taught by artistic masters in mediums ranging from iron work to mosaic, photography to fibers, set against the splendid backdrop of the beautiful and historic Mancos Valley.
LUNCH
Absolute Bakery & Cafe
Dedicated to the art of food, the Absolute Bakery & Cafe prepares food from scratch, using only the finest of organic and local ingredients. It's no secret that the burgers taste better because the...
ACTIVITY
Trail Ride with Mesa Verde Stables
Immerse yourself in the cowboy culture of Mancos, Colorado at Mesa Verde Stables. Our experienced guides can take you on any riding adventure that your heart desires. We offer a ranch ride, an all day ride and Ute Mountain Tribal Park rides. Our knowledgeable wranglers will make your experience a true western adventure.
DINNER
Olio
Olio Food and Wine Cafe: features local artists (paintings, pottery, metalworks, etc) and serves delicious cuisine made with local produce - expect a weekly changing menu. Olio also has a unique...
ACTIVITY
Mancos Brewing Company
Mancos Brewing Company provides great beer in a relaxed setting . Come in and sit down, order a beer (or a glass of wine) and a bite of food. We also offer a rotating selection of bottled beer...
Insider's Tip Catch Live Tunes: Mancos Brewing Company hosts live music on select weekend evenings. Check their events calendar for details.
LODGING
Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort
Cabins, RV sites, bar and grill, WIFI, bathhouse, catering, laundry, banquet room, volleyball, horseshoe pits, & towering pine trees. Nearby fishing & ATV trails. Ideal facility for weddings and... Day 3
BREAKFAST
Beny's Diner
Beny's Diner in Cortez has been serving breakfast and lunch for 13 years. All of our food is homemade, including the hash browns.
ACTIVITY
Cortez Cultural Center
Programs will include Native American music and flute-playing, art, and other opportunities for in-depth appreciation of Southwestern cultures.
LUNCH
Loungin' Lizard
We are a family friendly restaurant and bar with a chalk board menu that changes often with something for everyone.
ACTIVITY
Mancos State Park
Just off the beautiful San Juan Skyway, this park is one of Southwest Colorado's hot spots for fishing, boating, and camping. Features 32 campsites, 2 yurts and a 225-acre lake. Open year round...
COTREX Map the Trail
DINNER
Dolores River Brewery
Every community should have a comfortable place to hang out with somebody!
ACTIVITY
Tai Chi with Lee
Willowtail Springs, a 60-acre ecological retreat, offers tai chi classes. The serene setting is the pride and joy of Peggy and Lee Cloy, who have poured their artistic hearts and souls into making Willowtail an unparalleled Colorado retreat. LODGING
Willowtail Springs Lakeside Cabins
Welcome to Willowtail Springs! The best kept secret in southwest with 60-acres nature preserve land with private lake.
... Hello World.
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