Westcliffe's Wonders
City/town information
Westcliffe is a picturesque rural mountain town tucked between the Wet Mountains to the East and the Sangre de Cristo Range to the West.
The town sits a an elevation of 7,888 feet. Westcliffe and surrounding areas are rural with many ranches.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff are Colorado’s first and the highest altitude international dark sky community in the world.
Be sure to check out this link for all visitor information:
https://visitwetmountainvalley.com
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Westcliffe
Westcliffe is a picturesque rural mountain town tucked between the Wet Mountains to the East and the Sangre de Cristo Range to the West.
The town sits a an elevation of 7,888 feet. Westcliffe and surrounding areas are rural with many ranches.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff are Colorado’s first and the highest altitude international dark sky community in the world.
Be sure to check out this link for all visitor information:
https://visitwetmountainvalley.com
Unique and small eclectic mountain town with the Arkansas River flowing through the edge of town. Easy walkable town with cute shops and restaurants. We love the Boathouse Cantina located right on the river. It's fun to watch the kayakers on the river. Perfect day trip!
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Salida
Unique and small eclectic mountain town with the Arkansas River flowing through the edge of town. Easy walkable town with cute shops and restaurants. We love the Boathouse Cantina located right on the river. It's fun to watch the kayakers on the river. Perfect day trip!
Cool mountain town located between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River with hot springs, 14ers, rafting, restaurants, and breweries. Eddyline Brewery is one of our favorites.
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Buena Vista
Cool mountain town located between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River with hot springs, 14ers, rafting, restaurants, and breweries. Eddyline Brewery is one of our favorites.
Fishing
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) for world class whitewater boating, fishing, sightseeing, picnicking, gold panning, bicycling, and hiking along 152 miles of the Arkansas River. Gold Medal Waters of the Arkansas River offers fishing opportunities for every type of angler – from the riverbank or from a boat. The AHRA provides sites with access to some of the best fishing along with picnic tables, grills, and view of the river and mountains.
Our son loves to fly fish on the Ark...the scenery is beautiful too! There are lots of pull outs along the river where you can park and get out and walk around too.
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Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
307 W Sackett AveArkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) for world class whitewater boating, fishing, sightseeing, picnicking, gold panning, bicycling, and hiking along 152 miles of the Arkansas River. Gold Medal Waters of the Arkansas River offers fishing opportunities for every type of angler – from the riverbank or from a boat. The AHRA provides sites with access to some of the best fishing along with picnic tables, grills, and view of the river and mountains.
Our son loves to fly fish on the Ark...the scenery is beautiful too! There are lots of pull outs along the river where you can park and get out and walk around too.
My favorite places to eat
We love Tony's for delicious mountain pizza pie! The toppings are piled on and the crust is really good too. Pasta alfredo and salads can't be beat. Friendly atmosphere and a locals favorite!
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Tony's Mountain Pizza
630 Main StWe love Tony's for delicious mountain pizza pie! The toppings are piled on and the crust is really good too. Pasta alfredo and salads can't be beat. Friendly atmosphere and a locals favorite!
Best wood fired grilled burgers in town! We love going to Chappy's for a burger and beer. Nothing fancy, but the comfort food is great. Be sure to verify hours in advance.
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Chappys Mountain View Bar & Grill
213 Main StBest wood fired grilled burgers in town! We love going to Chappy's for a burger and beer. Nothing fancy, but the comfort food is great. Be sure to verify hours in advance.
Simple breakfast and lunch joint. My husband's favorite is the hot Italian beef sandwich with au jus and giardiniera peppers. I love the gyro sandwich with homemade tzatziki sauce.
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Chuds
108 South 2nd StreetSimple breakfast and lunch joint. My husband's favorite is the hot Italian beef sandwich with au jus and giardiniera peppers. I love the gyro sandwich with homemade tzatziki sauce.
Worth the short drive up the mountain, beautiful views, and delicious food! They have limited hours and reservations are a must. We love going here for a special dinner. Our son said we have to eat here every time we are in town :)
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Alpine Lodge
6848 Co Rd 140Worth the short drive up the mountain, beautiful views, and delicious food! They have limited hours and reservations are a must. We love going here for a special dinner. Our son said we have to eat here every time we are in town :)
Better known as Willie's to the locals! Great breakfast and lunch place with homemade specials daily. From fried chicken to catfish and burgers....and breakfast too! Be sure to check the hours.
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Silver Cliff Mountain Inn
700 Ohio StBetter known as Willie's to the locals! Great breakfast and lunch place with homemade specials daily. From fried chicken to catfish and burgers....and breakfast too! Be sure to check the hours.
Drive thru with only 2 outdoor tables. Burgers and baskets - an easy and delicious lunch or breakfast! Great on the way in or way out of town.
Mountain Mike's Hunger Buster
824 Main StreetDrive thru with only 2 outdoor tables. Burgers and baskets - an easy and delicious lunch or breakfast! Great on the way in or way out of town.
Coffee Houses
Such a cute coffee house...it is literally a little house with a great selection of coffee items, it even has a walk up window and outdoor seating. I love the vanilla lattes!
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Tumbleweed Coffee House
602 W Main StSuch a cute coffee house...it is literally a little house with a great selection of coffee items, it even has a walk up window and outdoor seating. I love the vanilla lattes!
Tucked away on a little side street, this coffee is bar none some of the best coffee ever experienced. Beans are roasted on site. A must try for coffee lovers! They also have teas, special lemonades, and house made syrups.
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Peregrine Coffee Roasters
102 S 7th StTucked away on a little side street, this coffee is bar none some of the best coffee ever experienced. Beans are roasted on site. A must try for coffee lovers! They also have teas, special lemonades, and house made syrups.
Food scene
Our favorite place for ice-cream!
Be sure to check the hours, I think they close at 5pm - it is mainly a coffee, breakfast, lunch place. They have a cute selection of Westcliffe items, t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, coffee cups, bags, etc. too!
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Sugarlump Co. Coffee and Eats
202 Main StOur favorite place for ice-cream!
Be sure to check the hours, I think they close at 5pm - it is mainly a coffee, breakfast, lunch place. They have a cute selection of Westcliffe items, t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, coffee cups, bags, etc. too!
Our favorite Amish bakery with the BEST cinnamon rolls and pastries. So quaint and everything is homemade. Definitely worth the trip located right on Main Street!
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Sugar & Spice Mountain Bakery
411 Main StOur favorite Amish bakery with the BEST cinnamon rolls and pastries. So quaint and everything is homemade. Definitely worth the trip located right on Main Street!
Sightseeing
Incredible national park and wonder of the West. Our family enjoyed experiencing the park in early June when the shallow mountain run-off river was running at the base of the dunes. The sand can get very hot in the summer, be sure to bring good shoes and socks just in case.
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Parco nazionale e riserva delle Grandi Dune di Sabbia
Incredible national park and wonder of the West. Our family enjoyed experiencing the park in early June when the shallow mountain run-off river was running at the base of the dunes. The sand can get very hot in the summer, be sure to bring good shoes and socks just in case.
St. Elmo is a historic ghost town located about 20 miles from Buena Vista. It is nestled just below treeline in the Sawatch Range. It is the most accessible (most of it is well maintained dirt roads that climb up the mountain - very scenic) and well-preserved ghost town in the West. There is an old fashioned general store and an outdoor antique store you can visit during the summer months. They have hummingbird feeders that are loaded with visiting hummingbirds. We love to buy sunflower seeds from the general store and feed the chipmunks...they come right up to you and will sit on your lap and eat right out of your hand! I recommend to pack a lunch, snacks, and drinks because there is nothing on the way or up there and it does take some time to drive up there and back.
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Saint Elmo
St. Elmo is a historic ghost town located about 20 miles from Buena Vista. It is nestled just below treeline in the Sawatch Range. It is the most accessible (most of it is well maintained dirt roads that climb up the mountain - very scenic) and well-preserved ghost town in the West. There is an old fashioned general store and an outdoor antique store you can visit during the summer months. They have hummingbird feeders that are loaded with visiting hummingbirds. We love to buy sunflower seeds from the general store and feed the chipmunks...they come right up to you and will sit on your lap and eat right out of your hand! I recommend to pack a lunch, snacks, and drinks because there is nothing on the way or up there and it does take some time to drive up there and back.
Beautiful lake that offers fishing, picnicking, birding, and a short easy hike. Non-motorized boats are allowed and canoes can be rented as well. Our son caught his first fish here when we were camping nearby years ago! Great day trip, be sure to pack a lunch, snacks, and drinks.
Bishop's Castle is also on the way back and is a crazy handmade castle. Not for the faint of heart...or engineers. I did not step foot in the castle, but everyone else in our group did and thought it was fantastic!
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Lake Isabel
Beautiful lake that offers fishing, picnicking, birding, and a short easy hike. Non-motorized boats are allowed and canoes can be rented as well. Our son caught his first fish here when we were camping nearby years ago! Great day trip, be sure to pack a lunch, snacks, and drinks.
Bishop's Castle is also on the way back and is a crazy handmade castle. Not for the faint of heart...or engineers. I did not step foot in the castle, but everyone else in our group did and thought it was fantastic!
Things To Do
Our favorite hot springs near Salida and Buena Vista! Gorgeous views, perfect day trip. They have a new infinity pool and slide open in the summer months Memorial Day through Labor Day. If you have never visited hot springs before, this one can't be beat. My husband and I have visited many hot springs throughout Colorado and this is one of our favorites.
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Mount Princeton Historic Bath House & Hot Springs
15870 Co Rd 162Our favorite hot springs near Salida and Buena Vista! Gorgeous views, perfect day trip. They have a new infinity pool and slide open in the summer months Memorial Day through Labor Day. If you have never visited hot springs before, this one can't be beat. My husband and I have visited many hot springs throughout Colorado and this is one of our favorites.
Our family went horseback riding here for the first time this Spring. It was a wonderful experience - this is not a nose to tail trail ride. There are various types of rides you can experience and the staff was amazing, far exceeding our expectations. Our family can't wait to return and ride again! It is best to book on-line as it can take time to receive a call back.
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Music Meadows Ranch
6076 Co Rd 119Our family went horseback riding here for the first time this Spring. It was a wonderful experience - this is not a nose to tail trail ride. There are various types of rides you can experience and the staff was amazing, far exceeding our expectations. Our family can't wait to return and ride again! It is best to book on-line as it can take time to receive a call back.