The train from Durango to Silverton has been running along the same tracks for more than 130 years. Originally built to carry gold and silver ore from the mountains, today it takes visitors from an altitude of 6,512 feet in Durango to 9,305 feet in Silverton through some of Colorado’s most dramatic scenery. The gondola carriages have open sides and outward facing seats to take full advantage of the views. Trains run from early May to late October.

Novice and expert fishing enthusiasts come to Telluride for the abundant trout streams, rivers and lakes. A fishing license, required in Colorado, can be purchased at local sporting-goods shops.

With more than ninety designated routes up and along the 14,000-foot-high mountains, across the box valleys to lakes and waterfalls, it is worth asking your hotel or a local outfitter to recommend trails that match your experience and fitness level—remember, the altitude makes a big difference. Favorite hikes include the Bear Creek Canyon, River and Jud Wiebe trails. Between the Covers bookshop stocks the Telluride Hiking Guide, which you should read before setting off.

The soul of Telluride resides in its people and in understanding its mining past. The American West box-canyon town has preserved its Victorian-style buildings, which dates back to the late 1800s. A half-day tour with a local will lead you to the iconic spots, such as the Sheridan New Hotel as well as the former San Miguel Bank where Butch Cassidy pulled off his first bank robbery in 1889. Tours can be arranged through Indagare's Bookings Team.

Popular drives include the eight-mile round trip to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls, which has the longest free fall in the state, and the five-mile one to the ghost town at the old Tomboy Mine, where you can see many of the original buildings. The jeep tour to Imogene Pass reaches an altitude of 13,114 feet. From the summit there are dramatic views of the San Juan Mountains. We recommend going with a guide, particularly as many routes are very narrow and require off-roading experience.

Once the First National Bank, this historic building is now Telluride’s only movie theater, usually showing only two new releases at a time. 

This 240-seat house was built by the miners in 1913 and became the heart of the town, showcasing local musical talent and welcoming touring theater companies. It has retained its other-era charm and many original features and today hosts everything from young drama troupes and comedy festivals to film screenings and fashion shows. The opera house is also the go-to after-hours venue for late-night shows during the music festivals, but tickets sell out quickly, so book ahead.

When the mining industry declined in the 1950s, Telluride nearly became a ghost town. Then in 1972 the entrepreneur Joe Zoline opened a ski resort here with five lifts and a day lodge. Today the area boasts 2,000 acres of runs, including some of the most challenging in Colorado. The slopes can accommodate up to 22,386 skiers per hour, but 8,110 is the largest daily number recorded so far, so lift lines are never a problem. Lift 4, the Village Express, is the most useful for anyone staying in Mountain Village. The most notorious expert trails include Plunge and Bushwacker on the Telluride-facing side of the mountain. See Forever is good for relative beginners who don’t want to miss the views from the top, and Sundance is popular with snowboarders. After a big snow, insiders look forward to skiing the “hike to” terrain off Bald Mountain (“Baldy”) and in Black Iron Bowl. Most hotels have affiliations with local ski outfitters and can arrange for equipment rentals on site, or you can visit the many shops along Main Street and in Mountain Village.

Telluride's farmer's market, which runs on Fridays in the summer, is a festive opportunity for locals and visitors to browse fresh produce at the Telluride Farmers’ Market. All products on offer are sourced from within a 100-mile radius of Telluride, and many chefs incorporate the produce into their weekend specials. With lots of samples to try and colorful cut wildflowers in abundance, the market is a lovely spot to visit even for those not interested in cooking a meal. As to be expected in Telluride, vendors are friendly and full of local intel. The market runs from June through October on Fridays.

More than thirty festivals take place between May and September, the most famous of which are the bluegrass festival, which often attracts names like Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris; the international film festival, where Slumdog Millionaire received its first screening; and the wine fête. Others include the balloon festival, the yoga festival and the mushroom festival. During  “Nothing Nothing Week” in July, the locals reclaim their small town by doing absolutely nothing—until Sunday, when they meet at the top of Colorado Avenue and cycle naked through the streets.

Telluride Academy captures the essence of the town’s adventuresome spirit. The summer camp caters to children as young as five years old, who can partake in one- or two-week-long sessions focused on a number of outdoor activities like hiking, llama trekking and overnight camping. Children can explore Telluride as well as the high deserts of Utah and Northeastern Arizona. Spots fill up quickly so plan ahead.

The seventy-par, eighteen-hole Telluride Golf Course, surrounded by fourteen-thousand-foot-high mountains, is itself perched at 9,300 feet, so balls travel up to 15 percent farther than at sea level. Open from late May to early October, it is both a private club and a public course, with a pro shop and clubhouse located in the Peaks Resort. PGA instructors are available for private lessons.

A good spot for a rainy afternoon, this museum on the site of the 1896 miners’ hospital traces Telluride’s history from the Utes through the 19th-century settlers and miners to today’s skiers and tourists. It has a good souvenir shop selling books and novelties.