The artsy, outdoorsy town of Carbondale sits under looming Mount Sopris (12,965 feet), and its Main Street is lined with century-old brick buildings that house clothing boutiques, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. Locals gather there on the first Friday of every month for an outdoor block party that features music, street performers, artists' receptions, wine tastings, kids' activities, and more.
The paved Rio Grande recreation trail runs through town; bicycles are the preferred method of commuting for many area employees. Otherwise you'll find Carbondale's fit residents hiking and mountain biking below Mount Sopris's twin summits, fly-fishing the Crystal River, kayaking, rafting, and tubing the Roaring Fork River, and Nordic skiing at Spring Gulch above town.
