vacation in Durango Colorado
 

My husband and I will be traveling to Durango in May. We will have 10 days to explore. We love sightseeing but we are not the athletic type. Do you have recomendations on places to go and things to do? We are hoping to make good use of our time there. Thank you for your help.

Why 10 days in Durango? I love Durango but wondering why so many days, especially since you won't be hiking.

I guess you never took the 2012 trip?
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...p-446760-2.cfm

And, once again, tag your trip location, not your home location.

~Liz

I am guessing OP still isn't familiar with Fodors and didn't know how to find her past post. Glad that you found it, Liz.

There is plenty to do for 10 days without hiking. There are walking trails that are lovely. The old thread has good ideas. Day trips will help gain further insight to this beautiful area. I will look at old post later and see if I can add to it when I am not using my phone.

From the 2012 thread -

<I>We will drive to Bayfield on our first day. Then we are free for ten days to explore. My daughter hopes to also see the Grand Canyon and Utah. I want to be wise with our time, money, and choices. My daughter also hopes to go to Durango, Silverton, Telluride, Mesa Verde, Moab, Four Corners, Sand dunes, etc.

</I>I think if you drop off Moab, you could do all of your daughter's list and have a great 10 day trip.

Though it's a bit of a drive, Chaco Canyon is a worthwhile day trip. Aztec ruins NAtional Monument, on the way, is worth a stop.

Vallecito Lake is nice if the weather is warm; it's close to Durango.

In The Cortez/Dolores area- several sites to see and visit:
http://www.cityofcortez.com/Index.aspx?NID=313

Cortez Cultural Center
Hovenweep National Monument
Lowry Pueblo
Anasazi Heritage Center



(Sand dunes are pretty far, I think.)

What's the starting point? Denver? Driving in from the east?

I've done several circle tours of Colorado through the years and love them. Here's one routing -

Denver to Alamosa - about 4 hours
You can stop along the way if you want or just head to
Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sands to Durango - about 3 hours
Hang out in and around Durango for a few days.
See Mesa Verde NP
Take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Enjoy the drive to and around Ouray (or save that for the drive back to Denver.

Durango to Four Corners - about 1.5 hour

4 Corners to Grand Canyon South Rim - about 3-4 hours
A couple of nights at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon to Arches - about 5 hours
Spend the night

Arches to Grand Junction, CO - about 1.5 hours

Grand Junction to Denver - about 4 hours

There's a lot more you can see along the way, but you could easily fit in your daughter's wish list in 10 days.
That loop is 1100 miles and will take 18 hours and 44 minutes.
It's an easy loop with 5 hours being the longest leg/ longest drive day.

Thank you friends for the information. We really appreciate it! It all sounds wonderful.

Take a look at this property. It has been on my target list for a while
http://www.bluelakeranch.com

One of these days, cmcfong, you'll get there.

Weather update...

It has been very cold in Durango .it snowed yesterday! Temps at night in the high 20's. Daytime is mid 50's to mid 60s and rain is predicted for much of this week.

Bring warm clothes and rain gear.

I sure hope so, Deb. It just looks great.