One Day in Ouray
Ouray, Colorado has become our “home away from home”. Crissy grew up visiting Ouray when her grandparents had a vacation house in town – so making this our “home” for 6 months out of the year was extra easy! But honestly, visit Ouray just once and you could also easily make that leap.
Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of America”. It is a tiny town, surrounded by mountains on all sides. It takes maybe 7 minutes to walk the entire main street. It’s charming and beautiful and the summer and fall weather are perfection. We are not exaggerating when we say Ouray is DREAMY.
Dreamy as it is, lodging can be pricey! So we often hear of travelers popping over just for the day. We’d love to help you plan a perfect day in Ouray if you only have the one! In our opinion, that day would include a little of everything… a little shopping, a little munching, a little exploring, and a little adventure. We’ll write up some extended guides, should you have more than a day. We know once you’ve dipped your toes, you’ll want to come back for more!
PLEASE NOTE: As with many smaller towns, business hours of operation vary widely. Always check the company website and/or social media (or consider calling) before you go and travel with flexibility! It is not uncommon to arrive and find a business unexpectedly closed. This just means you get to try something different!
MOJO’S CAFE
Start your morning off right with a cup of coffee or tea at Mojo’s. Located just off of Main Street, Mojo’s welcomes EVERYONE with seating out front, where you can enjoy the mountain views, or in their comfy casual spaces inside. They also offer a rotating selection of pastries and other breakfast items so you can fuel your upcoming adventures!
Take a hike to Cascade Falls. Did you know you can access a beautiful waterfall without leaving town?! Cascade Falls is located a few blocks East of Main Street. It’s quite a hike UP so we recommend driving to the parking area to save yourself at least a bit of the elevation gain. Walk up to the benches for a good view and cross the bridge to the left to hike all the way up for a GREAT view. Keep straight on that trail to access the bottom part of the falls (you can often cross over using rocks in the creek) or keep an eye out for a trail that breaks off further left to go up and around. This trail takes you right up to the falls where you can walk behind the water! Be very cautious as the rocks are quite slippery!!
Stroll and shop Main Street. Start at the Southeast end (near The Beaumont Hotel) and travel north – you’ll catch all of our favorites! On this first block, you can pop into Ouray Bookshop, O’Toys, and Kristopher’s Culinaire. Keep heading north and you’ll find The Blue Pear. They have a men’s shoppe, too! Cross over one more street to the north and it’s time for lunch!
Lunch at Maggies!
Maggie’s is THE place to grab a burger and fries – and to leave your mark! If you’re feeling extra hungry, try their 420 burger (not pictured). It includes a stack of onion rings right on top of the burger! Our kids’ favorite part… they let you write on the tables and walls. Leave us a message to let us know you were there!
Finish up your shopping by heading north one more block and checking out the local artists at Mountain Dog Arts. Cross over Main Street and stop in Twig & Feather for home and RV decor. Now you’ll start heading back south towards your car but you aren’t finished shopping yet! There are many options for souvenirs on this west side of the street. Grab some t-shirts, hats, and stickers at one of the many shops along the way. If you’ve worked up an appetite while shopping, Mouse’s has a great selection of treats. You can also grab a coffee for that afternoon pick-me-up!
Hot Springs!
Soak those tired muscles in the Ouray Hot Springs pools. These ancient springs are now home to three heated pools and two recreational pools – with a waterslide and climbing wall! The warmest of pools are reserved for adults only, so everyone has a place to relax. The hours vary and sometimes the pools must close due to temperature changes. They are great at keeping their Instagram up to date so check there on the day of your visit. There is a fee to enter – check their website for more details.
If you haven’t yet and you’ve got some time, you could take a drive up the famous Million Dollar Highway before dinner. Stop for a photo at the Switzerland of America sign (about a mile up the road) and Bear Creek Falls (about 3 miles). Both offer beautiful views and a spot to turn around. This highway is NO JOKE. Pay attention, obey the speed limit, and be careful.
Last but certainly not least it’s time for dinner at a Ouray classic! The Outlaw Restaurant has been in Ouray for decades and Crissy fondly remembers eating there as a child. They serve steaks, seafood, pasta, and more with a western flair. Many (if not all) evenings, you’ll enjoy live music with your dinner. Make sure to check out their historical photos and information around the restaurant!
Now that you’ve dipped your toes in all Ouray has to offer, we know you’ll want to come back! Keep an eye out here as we’re adding more itineraries and details for your return trip or to extend your visit. We’re also happy to answer any questions you have so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Journey with us in real time as we continue to explore Ouray, the areas around, and BEYOND!
