Salida Journals

"Heart of the Rockies"

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Salida by Donna Walstrom

Salida Hot Springs Pool Photo - Salida Hot Springs Pool, Salida, Colorado

Quote: 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.

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"Heart of the Rockies"

Overview

Quote:

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 wal...Read More

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Il Vicino Wood-Oven Pizza and Brewery

Restaurant

Quote:

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 w...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 3, 2000

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

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Salida Art Galleries

Attraction | "Recently named "

Quote:

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 on September 3, 2000

Salida Art Galleries
Throughout Downtown Salida
Salida, Colorado

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Salida Hot Springs Pool

Attraction

Quote:

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 on September 3, 2000

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

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Downtown Salida Sights & Attractions

Attraction | "Salida downtown"

Quote:

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 on September 3, 2000

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

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FibARK boat races on the Arkansas River

Attraction

Quote:

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...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 3, 2000

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