Visiting Durango

Family Activities

Durango offers an array of activities for families

You will find no shortage of family friendly activities to keep the kids entertained!

Durango is a great place for families and offers many activities for children of all ages. Click here to print this list.

During the summer months, enjoy a stroll down our 8- mile river trail or visit one of our many local parks including Fassbinder Park at Main Ave. and 17th Street,  Santa Rita Park, and the park at the Durango Recreation Center to name a few.  You can rent a bike at one of our local bike shops in town. Stores offering bike rentals include: Pedal the Peaks, Second Avenue Sports, and Ski Barn.Download a map of the Animas River trail here or pick up one at the Durango Welcome Center.  

Enjoy an afternoon at the Durango Recreation Center at 2700 Main Avenue in the North Main District, where the kids can play the day away. Slide down the giant water slide, dive off diving boards or float around the lazy river at the aquatics area. The kids will enjoy scrambling up the 30 foot high climbing wall. And don’t forget the racquetball courts and gymnasium. The Community Rec Center offers a great youth games space with fun activities such as air hockey, pool table and ping pong.

Looking for some free activities for the kids? Spend some time feeding the fish at the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum, located in the North Main District at 151 E. 16th Street,(just past the bridge as you head North from town) the hatchery produces more than 1.3 million fish a year, and visitors can feed the fish via coin-operated dispensers. Inside, the museum has a few displays covering the area's wildlife. Allow 30 minutes. Bring some quarters so you can feed the fish!

Check out the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Museum in Historic Downtown Durango. The museum has a giant interactive train model, real train cars and engines for the kids to explore, and many interesting artifacts about the history of the railroad.

The Durango Public Library in the North Main District has some great activities for kids with regular weekly events such as baby story time, Fired Up Stories where local firefighters read stories, STEAM-Tastic Friday, Lego Club and more. During the summer months check out the summer reading shows on Tuesdays at 10:30 am and 1 pm. These are great activities that the kids will continue to talk about long after your trip is over.

Your little shredder will love Schneider Park where the kids can enjoy skating in several of the deep concrete bowls and slide down multiple rails. The park is open to bikes too! Great location right on the river and very close to town. Click here for details and directions.

Check out our amazing Powerhouse Science Center, which offers an educational and playful place for children of all ages. They offer a wide range of programs, exhibits and activities designed to provide and entertaining and inspiring look at science. 1333 Camino Del Rio.https://powsci.org/

Visit the Chapman Hill Rink & Ski Hill for more fun activities year-round, located at 500 Florida Road. You can ice skate at the rink October to April, and rollerblade during the summer months. 

During the winter months check out the calendar for public skate times or go skiing at our in-town ski hill that offers two rope tows. Chapman Ski Hill opens in mid December weather permitting.

During the summer check out the rink for some rollerblading fun. They have Disco night on Friday from 6-9 pm. (mid May to Mid September) A fun activity for the whole family. Roller skates are available for rental.

River Rafting is a fun way to cool off in the summer months. We have several experienced river rafting companies that offer a variety of options that are family friendly. See our river rafting companies here. If rafting isn't your speed, then consider taking a jeep tour. Local companies offer guided tours or jeep rentals with information on local trails that will get you exploring out in the high country. 

Jeep tour options: Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep tours, Mountain Waters Rafting and Colorado Outback Adventures.

For a full day of fun check out Purgatory Resort for summer activities. They offer seven different activities including the exciting inferno Mountain Coaster, Alpine slide, and Bike park. Additional activities include the scenic chairlift ride, treasure panning,paddle boards & boats, Kids off-road track and more.  Visit their website for full details.

Durango is lucky to have one of our National Parks in our back yard. Mesa Verde National Park is about an hour away from Durango, but it is well worth the time to visit. The park entrance fee is $30 for a private Vehicle or Motorcycles are $25. Park entrance is 56 miles from Durango. The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center - Open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily,

Tour tickets can be purchased only on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Tickets are available 14 days in advance, 8:00 am MST, on a rolling daily window. For example, tickets for May 2nd will be available starting April 18th at 8:00 am MDT. Demand for tour tickets is high. We recommend reserving tickets as soon as they become available.

 Call (970) 529-4465 for more information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family summer time events

For some summer time fun, check out the free Concerts in the Park starting in August through mid-September. Concerts are held at Buckley Park on Thursdays from 5 to 7pm, and are FREE to attend. This is a great family-friendly atmosphere to kick back and relax. Bring your own lawn chairs and picnic dinner, or enjoy food from one of the food venders. 

Durango has several events dedicated to children including Children's Halloween trick or treat on Main Avenue on October 31st each year. Enjoy a safe and fun Halloween with the kids in Downtown Durango. Over 100 stores participate each year. Children’s Halloween is for kids 10 and under, accompanied by an adult, and who are in costume. Join us for this fun Downtown tradition! DowntownDurango.org/Halloween

Singing with Santa is an annual Tradition in Downtown Durango!  Santa will arrive in Downtown Durango where we will then follow him up Main Avenue singing Christmas carols to Buckley Park. We will then count down the   lighting of the Community Christmas Tree. There will be  free hot chocolate and cookies while supplies last. Plus free photos with Santa! SingingwithSanta.org

Rain or shine, Durango has something to do that every member of the family can enjoy!

Click here to print this list

Looking for more things to do? Check out our Events Calendar

Looking for a place to eat? Check out our Family Restaurant guide.