Discover Buena Vista: A Guide to Adventure, Dining, and Relaxation

Nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, Buena Vista offers a stunning array of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and those simply seeking a scenic escape. Surrounded by the majestic Collegiate Peaks and the rushing waters of the Arkansas River, this vibrant town is a hub for adventure and relaxation. Here’s a comprehensive guide to making the most of your time in Buena Vista.

 

Restaurants
 

Buena Vista's dining scene offers a variety of flavors, from casual cafes to more refined dining experiences.

The Lariat: A historic restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown, offering American comfort food, craft beers, and live music. thelariatbv.com

Wesley & Rose Lobby Bar at The Surf Hotel: Located in the elegant Surf Hotel, this restaurant provides a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere with a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and craft cocktails. surfhotel.com/wesley-rose/

Eddyline Brewery & Taproom: A local favorite known for its award-winning craft beers and a menu of delicious pizzas, burgers, and other pub fare. They have two locations: a restaurant on South Main and a taproom with a beer garden. eddylinebrewing.com

House Rock Kitchen: A great option for healthy and flavorful meals, offering a variety of bowls, salads, and wraps made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. houserockkitchen.com

The Buena Viking: A unique spot offering delicious and inventive burgers and fries from a distinctive horned-helmet-adorned food truck. thebuenaviking.com
 

Bars & Breweries
 

Enjoy a craft beer, a creative cocktail, or a glass of wine at one of Buena Vista's inviting watering holes.

The Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar: Housed in a historic jail building, this bar offers a wide selection of craft beers from Colorado and beyond. facebook.com/The-Jailhouse-Craft-Beer-Bar-102325398189533/
Deerhammer Distillery: Sample award-winning single malt whiskey and other spirits at this local distillery's tasting room. They offer tours and a cocktail bar. deerhammer.com

The Slammer: Located in the historic county courthouse, The Slammer offers a unique setting to enjoy a variety of drinks.
 

Hiking
 

With the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area at its doorstep, Buena Vista is a hiker's paradise, offering trails for all skill levels.

Browns Canyon National Monument: This area offers a variety of trails with stunning views of the Arkansas River and the surrounding canyon. The trails range from easy riverside walks to more challenging climbs. fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=8094 Browns Canyon National Monument

The Colorado Trail: A world-renowned long-distance trail that passes near Buena Vista. You can hike sections of it for a taste of its epic beauty. coloradotrail.org
Mount Princeton: For experienced hikers looking for a challenge, summiting this 14,197-foot peak offers breathtaking panoramic views. A road allows for a higher starting point, but the hike is still strenuous. 14ers.com/route.php?route=prin1

Agnes Vaille Falls: A short and relatively easy hike to a beautiful waterfall, perfect for families and those looking for a quick nature outing. fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12635

AllTrails: For a comprehensive list of hiking trails in the Buena Vista area with reviews, difficulty ratings, and maps, visit alltrails.com/us/colorado/buena-vista.
 

Biking
 

From scenic road rides to challenging singletrack, Buena Vista has a trail for every type of cyclist.

Midland Bike Trail: This in-town trail system offers a variety of loops for mountain bikers of all abilities, with great views of the town and surrounding peaks. mtbproject.com/trail/7000103/midland-bike-trail

Cottonwood Pass: A paved road that climbs to an elevation of 12,126 feet, offering a challenging and rewarding ride for road cyclists with stunning alpine scenery. The pass is typically open from late spring to fall. codot.gov/travel/scenic-byways/top-of-the-rockies

Trailforks: This is an excellent resource for finding detailed mountain bike trail maps, conditions, and reviews for the Buena Vista area. trailforks.com/region/buena-vista/
 

Hot Springs
 

After a day of adventure, relax and rejuvenate in the area's natural hot springs.

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort: This resort offers a variety of soaking pools, including historic bathhouses and natural hot springs pools right in Chalk Creek. They also have a spa and lodging. mtprinceton.com

Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa: Known for its more rustic and natural feel, this hot springs facility offers several pools with varying temperatures in a tranquil setting. cottonwood-hot-springs.com
 

Skiing
 

While there are no ski resorts directly in Buena Vista, it is conveniently located near some of Colorado's best skiing.

Monarch Mountain: Located about a 45-minute drive south of Buena Vista, Monarch is known for its abundant natural snow and a more laid-back, local vibe. It offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels. skimonarch.com

Copper Mountain: Approximately an hour's drive north, Copper Mountain is a larger resort with extensive terrain, a vibrant village, and a wide range of amenities. coppercolorado.com

Ski Cooper: Another option about an hour away, Ski Cooper is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, affordable prices, and all-natural snow. skicooper.com
 

Horseback Riding
 

Explore the stunning mountain scenery on horseback for a true Western experience.

Mt. Princeton Stables: Offering a variety of guided trail rides for all experience levels, from short one-hour rides to full-day adventures in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks. colorado-horseback-riding.com

Noah's Ark Colorado Adventures: In addition to rafting, Noah's Ark offers horseback riding excursions that take you through beautiful meadows and forests. noahsark.com/horseback-riding/
 

Rafting & Kayaking
 

The Arkansas River is the lifeblood of Buena Vista's summer activities, offering some of the best whitewater rafting and kayaking in the country.

Performance Tours Rafting: A long-standing local outfitter offering a wide range of trips, from family-friendly floats to adrenaline-pumping whitewater adventures. performancetours.com

Browns Canyon Rafting: Specializing in trips through the scenic Browns Canyon National Monument, they offer a variety of options for different skill levels. raftbrownscanyon.com
River Runners: With an outpost at the north end of Browns Canyon, they offer a variety of trips and even have a riverside restaurant. riverrunners.com

The Adventure Company: Offering a variety of adventure packages, including rafting, kayaking, and more, with a focus on personalized experiences. theadventurecompany.com
 

Unique Locations to Check Out

Beyond the main attractions, Buena Vista has some unique spots worth exploring.

South Main Town Square: This beautifully designed new urbanist neighborhood along the Arkansas River features charming architecture, shops, restaurants, and a vibrant community feel. It's a great place to stroll and enjoy the river. southmaintown.com

Comanche Drive-In Theatre: One of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in the country, offering a nostalgic movie-watching experience under the stars with a stunning mountain backdrop. comanchedrivein.com

St. Elmo Ghost Town: A short and scenic drive from Buena Vista, St. Elmo is one of Colorado's best-preserved ghost towns. You can wander among the historic buildings and even feed the friendly chipmunks. ghosttowns.com/states/co/stelmo.html

Buena Vista River Park: A fantastic in-town park that features a whitewater park for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, as well as a pedestrian bridge and walking trails along the Arkansas River. buenavistaco.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Buena-Vista-River-Park-5