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"Heart of the Rockies"

A travel journal to Salida by Donna Walstrom Best of IgoUgo

Salida Hot Springs PoolMore Photos

Salida, touted as the Heart of the Rockies, is the gateway to year-round activities. It is located at the crossroads of State Highways 50 and 285 with mountain views on all four sides and the Arkansas River running through it.

  • 6 reviews
  • 6 photos

"Heart of the Rockies" Best of IgoUgo

Overview

There is plenty here to keep you busy for an entire vacation stay.

**Visit ghost towns like Turret to the north, once a mining town. Other ghost towns are nearby. **Lots of art galleries in the downtown area. **A visit to the Steam Plant is recommended. The local theater group puts on a wide variety of plays and musicals nearly year-round. **Monarch Ski Area is to the west, an easy drive from Salida and offers a full-service ski area with lodge and accomodations usually from November through April, depending on the snow conditions. **Lots of raft companies offer rafting, either paddle or oar boats, plus kayak rentals, and lessons. **Downtown is the largest historic district in Colorado and a walking tour booklet is available at the Visitor's Center, on Hwy. 50 next to the Salida Pool. **Plan a trip to the San Luis Valley to the south. **Rock hounding, hiking, fishing, camping, all are possible adventures for your visit.

Quick Tips:

Salida has warm summer days, cool nights and the winter is generally mild. You can watch it snow on the mountains while hot tubbing outdoors at several area motels. Call ahead for reservations and information 719/539-2068 or look them up on www.nowthisiscolorado.com

Best Way To Get Around:

Great advice! Thanks. Editor Lynn

Il Vicino Wood-Oven Pizza and BreweryBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Lunch at Il Vicinos' after a day of shopping is a treat in its own. Fresh wood-oven baked pizza and house salad with gorgonzola cheese sure hit the spot. The restaurant brews its own root beer which is really worth a try or I'd suggest one of their award-winning ales.

Pizza topping choices are more extensive than any other pizzaria with things like: toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, artichoke hearts, eggplant, capers and wild mushrooms. Besides pizza and salad they offer calzones, sandwiches, lasagna with or without meat, and a minestrone soup that will make your mouth melt. It's a busy place most days at lunch hour so get there early for one of the best meals in town. Visit them at their website www.ilvicino.com
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Donna Walstrom on September 3, 2000

Il Vicino Wood-Oven Pizza and Brewery
136 East Second Street Salida, Colorado
(719) 539-5219

Salida Art GalleriesBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Recently named "

Street view of gallery signs.
Local galleries are sprinkled throughout the historic downtown area from jewelry designers, potters, sculptors, painters, and the like. Performing artists can be found at the Steam Plant, which originally served as the city's first electrical generating plant, it now offers dance, music and dramatic shows throughout the summer and nearly every weekend during the off-season.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Donna Walstrom on September 3, 2000

Salida Art Galleries
Throughout Downtown Salida Salida, Colorado

Salida Hot Springs PoolBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Salida Hot Springs Pool
Hot water from Poncha Mountain is piped into the largest indoor hot springs facility in Colorado and offers hot, crystal-clear, odor free swimming for all ages. The pool is open daily 1-9 p.m. during the summer and offers a variety of special programs and classes. Towel and swimsuit rental is available. There is a park area around the pool for folks who wish to spend the day and have a place to picnic. For more information call 719/539-6738.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Donna Walstrom on September 3, 2000

Salida Hot Springs Pool
410 W Rainbow Blvd Salida, Colorado 81201
(719) 539-6738

Downtown Salida Sights & AttractionsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Salida downtown"

Mural
Salida's founding fathers built a whole new city with the development of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad back in the 1880s. The historic district is the largest in Colorado and includes over 78 buildings. A walking tour publication is updated each year by the local newspaper, The Mountain Mail, with history, location map and information to make your visit to the historic district that much more enjoyable.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Donna Walstrom on September 3, 2000

Downtown Salida Sights & Attractions
E Street through G Street Salida, Colorado

FibARK boat races on the Arkansas RiverBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

River Park
The FibARK (First in Boating on the Arkansas) is over 50 years old and Salida is the birthplace of down river whitewater racing in America. The race events are held sometime around the second weekend in June, check with the Chamber of Commerce for exact dates, and events include: raft races, kayak racing and rodeo exhibitions, slalom events, plus a street fair and rides. One of two big events is the Hooligan Race - where participants race whatever floats that cannot be called a boat, hope to hang on and not disintegrate before the finish line. The other is the Rubber Duck Race, sponsored by the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce. For $2 you can buy a rubber duck and try your luck racing for cash and fine prizes. Both races are generally held on Saturday of the racing weekend. Call the Chamber for more information (719) 539-2068.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Donna Walstrom on September 3, 2000

FibARK boat races on the Arkansas River
downtown at the F Street bridge Salida, Colorado

About the Writer

Donna Walstrom
Donna Walstrom
Westcliffe, Colorado

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