vgjb

A friend and I will be spending six days in Colorado in early September. We're deciding between the RMNP area and the Telluride/Durango/Mesa Park area. Which do you recommend -- or is it possible to do both without being totally frazzled?

DebitNM

I would do one area or the other.

Are you flying into Denver? If so, consider that the drive down here to SW Colorado will take you a good 7 + hours each way. That would make it hard to do RMNP ans SW CO in the same trip. I would want to spend at least 3 days in SW but then tack on the driving down and up uses up most of your time.

If you wanted to go to SW CO, I would suggest flying into Durango [closest airport but usually costlier] or Albuquerque [a 3 hour drive].

Whatever you choose, September is high season here so book soon. It is beautiful here at that time of year. Be prepared for the possibility of snow in the higher areas.

Hope this makes sense,
Deb

GJLinda

Hi,

I would definitely opt for SW Colorado over RMNP area. The scenery is stunning all the way from Denver and back, no matter what route you choose, so spending time getting there is not an issue for me. Plenty of things to do, or not, depending on what you enjoy. Cliff dwellings, train rides, scenic byways, hot springs, hanging out--the choices are all there in SW Colorado.

karens

Yes, I strongly second going to SW Colorado. Visit Ouray, Telluride Durango and Mesa Verde. There's a lot to do - go on a jeep tour, see the Mesa Verde ruins, go hiking, soak in a hot springs pool, walk the historic areas of Ouray, Telluride, and Durango, all while taking in beautiful scenery.

DebitNM

In case it was missed due to my being subtle [ha!], I also think that SW CO is the place to head.

Read this:

http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article...umentid=249511

and check out this older Fodors thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34920960

Deb

vgjb

You convinced me! SW Colorado it is. Thanks so much for your input. I can't wait to go!

vgjb

Do you have recommendations as to where we should stay, i.e., Durango, Telluride? Any hotel recommendations?

vgjb

Deb,
We will be flying into Albuquerque. Thanks for the great advice on that! Also, thanks for the articles. VERY helpful.

DebitNM

Price range of hotels, type of accomdations [budget, luxury, rustic, b&b etc]. Give me a fell for what you like and I can give you ideas.

1 word - Sept 12, 13 and 14th is a HUGE festival [Blues and Brews] and the rooms are super expensive and most places will have 2 or 3 night minimum. If that is the time of trip, I would work schedule around that info. This is the biggest festival in Telluride with 10,000 people. It great fun but lots of people.

I would start in Telluride and then work you way down to Durango and Telluride if you can.

Deb

vgjb

Deb,

We plan to arrive in Albuquerque on the 7th (Sunday) and fly back out on the 13th (Saturday). We will stay in Albuquerque Friday night to be near the airport. Didn't know whether to stay in Telluride, Durango or Ouray, and for how many nights in one place. Wasn't sure how much there was to do in each place (probably tons!!). We like to hike, bike and sightsee. Love the mountains and waterfalls. Can't wait to see Mesa Verde.

Can do upscale hotels on this trip. Have been saving a long time!! But love charming places rather than glitsy.

DebitNM

Embassy Suites for your first night in ABQ would be a good choice. Not right at airport, but close enough to you to get there easily and then head off to CO the next morning. Another choice would be either Hyatt Tamaya which is in Bernalillo [just north of ABQ] and right on the way to Telluride.

A rough plan would be: go to Telluride {Hotel Telluride} on Monday and stay 1 night.

Head to Ouray {Beaumont Hotel or St. Elmo's B&B} and Tuesday night. ]

On to Durango for 2 nights {Apple Orchard B&B] and last night at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde.

There are less expensive options in Telluride {Victorian Inn - clean but very basic room in town}; Ouray has Best Western and others, Durango has lots of typical motels too.

I have to run, but these will give you an idea. Be back later
Deb

algalli

Spend at least 1 night and 2 if possible at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde. You will not regret it. Ask for a room on the edge of the Mesa rather than one in the center. The view is huge.

vgjb

Thank you both. Excellent advice.

Sorry, I think I wasn't clear about when we will stay in ABQ. We will arrive on Sunday in ABQ around 1:00 in the afternoon. Should we just drive straight to Telluride from ABQ?

We will stay in ABQ our last night of the trip so we're close to the airport.

DebitNM

The drive from ABQ to Telluride should take about 5.5 hours. Whether you want to do that after your flight and with any time changes on your part is something to think about.

I would move everything up a day then so you could spend last night in ABQ. La Quinta near airport on Yale is a good, cheap place and has a free shuttle to airport. You could drop off luggage at motel and then return the car to rental place night before flight, take the shuttle from car rental location back to airport and then get shuttle from motel.
Deb

AustinTraveler

We are going to Durango soon and staying at the Rochester Hotel. It came recommended from a friend who lives in downtown Durango. The hotel is right downtown which is what we prefer.

http://www.rochesterhotel.com/

DebitNM

The Apple Orchard Inn is at the northern end of town and is beautiful and restful. IT is right near Tremble Hot Springs. The owners are wonderful, the rooms super clean and comfortable and the breakfasts are excellent.

I just now noticed the OP is traveling with a friend, so romantic may not be what they are looking for this time.

There are a number of choices in Durango proper including Doubletree, Best Western, Holiday Inn, Marriott Residence, etc

If you like a historic hotel,there are 2 downtown: The General Palmer and The Strater. I believe they have rooms with twin beds.
There are also 2 Wyndhams just on the edge of downtown. One is a time share that rents rooms nightly, the other is more motel like.

Deb

vgjb

Since we will not get to Telluride until around 7:00 Sunday evening, should we still only stay there one night. sightsee there all day Monday and then move on to Ouray Monday evening. Or should we do two nights in Telluride and cut back to one night in Durango?

DebitNM

I'd do the one night only in Telluride, spend the next day looking around Telluride and then head to Ouray for the night.

I would not cut Durango to 1 night. Telluride [as to the town] is really a single day. Durango has a lot more.

If you want to hike etc, there are tons of places all along the route that are spectacular to see and do, each wonderful in their own right.

You won't go wrong, however you divvy up the time.
Deb

vgjb

I can't thank you enough for all of your help.

This is going to be an amazing trip!

vgjb

After reading about altitude sickness, we may flip this trip around and go from the ABQ airport to Durango first. Spend two days there to get acclimated, then on to Mesa Verde for a night. Ouray would be our last stop with a possible day trip to Telluride if we're handling the altitude. Is this a more practical plan than heading directly to Telluride and the 8700' altitude? We're from Pennsylvania (1200'!!!)

How long does it take to get from ALB to Durango?