DebitMN or others familiar with Durango I am making reservations for activities for a family trip to Durango next month. I would appreciate some information on the following:

Inflatable Kayaking: I have a Outlaw Tour brochure that offers this activity. Would you reccomend this for my young adult kids? They have no experience kayaking but I see that you only have to be 12 to participate. Is it not as dangerous as it looks?

Evening entertainment: I thought a dinner show may be fun for an evening. Would you reccomend the Vaudville show or cowboy dinner show? The cowboy show is half the price but I am concerned it will be too corny?

Evening entertainment: Are there other evening entertainment options that I haven't come across? Maybe a dining option that has great atmosphere or something?

Gunfight at the Diamond Belle Saloon: Is this worth the time?

Zipline: Is the FullBlast zipline entertaining enough? The other zipine is way out of our price range.

Still trying to decide about the jeep ride. In a previous post I describe a tour my husband went on as a kid. From what I can figure out it is Imogene. Has anyone done this full day jeep ride with Outlaw? Would you reccomend it?

Is there hike that non experienced but fit hikers could enjoy? Maybe one with a destination of a place to swim or a waterfall or great view?

Planning a full day at Mesa Verde. Is there anything I need to know other than get there early? Are there picnic areas?

Thanks very much for any information!!

I was waiting for Deb to answer since she lives in the area currently but I will go ahead and answer to the best of my ability. I lived in Durango for three years from 1999 to 2002. Regarding inflatable rafting : I can only answer that the Animas river is usually low and not fast except in one spot around the park and since a 12 year old can do it it cannot be too challenging. As for the western dinner,, we took some visiting family there and it was very corny and boring.I would recommend the melodrama.The zip line gets good reviews.Mesa Verde has picnic area and do get there early and plan on a full day. I would very much recommend the Durango/Silverton narrow gauge railroad trip ! Can't speak to the jeep trip or hike.

Perhaps you'll find more ideas here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/durango/

HTTY

Sorry, just now seeing this.

There wasn't lots of snow this year, so the river isn't going to be fast so it won't be too dangerous; I might be more concerned that it won't be fast enough! It is safe and should be a fun activity.

I have not done either of those shows, sorry. We like having a drink after dinner at the Diamond Belle. Haven't been in a while, but they used to have a good piano player on weekend nights.

spirobulldog [??] raves about the zipline, but I am pretty sure it is the expensive one. Don't know about the other one.

The jeep ride should be really exciting. I am not sure how exciting the train would be for young adults, it is pretty scenery but it takes a good chunk of time and it "may" get boring, especially for the young adults. IF you do the train, take the bus one way. Going to Silverton, sit on the right side of train and don't wear light colored clothes. If you are going to Durango, sit on the left side.

You can get picnic supplies at either City Market or Alberson's.

Walking along the Animas River is very nice and easy walk. It meanders for a good distance and starts at Rotary Park. 149 S. Camino del Rio

I would check out Fort Lewis College for possible concerts or other activities:

http://chronos2.fortlewis.edu/wv3a/w...dviewmode=list

Try:http://www.durango.org/info/activiti...al_events.aspx

Hope this helps!

Regarding the river kayaking: I just re read your posting and am confused. I assumed you were refering to inflatable rafting which usually carries around a dozen people. I did this in 1999 and found it to be safe and somewhat slow. However, the term inflatable kayaking leads me to believe you are actually talking about individual inflatable kayaks which is a different story. At Santa Rita park the river makes a sharp curve through some rocks. If you are in a large raft it is no problem but if you are in individual kayaks and not experienced I would not recommend it.