Silverton, Colorado

Silverton is the end of the line for the Durango narrow gauge train and one of the best-preserved mining towns in the American West. The whole town is a National Historic Landmark District, and a short walk along its broad main street, Greene Street, takes you past brick storefronts, false-front saloons, old hotels and a courthouse that look much as they did when silver was king. The valley, known as Baker Park, sits at roughly 9,300 feet and is circled by peaks that climb above 13,000 feet. Winter snow arrives early and lingers, summers are cool, and the air has a clean, thin feel that makes the old buildings and mountain backdrop seem even sharper. Silverton rewards a slow afternoon. Nearly everything of interest is within a few blocks of the train depot, so you can stroll, eat and browse without a plan. Along Greene Street you will find family restaurants, a brewery, outfitters, souvenir shops and a couple of saloons that lean into the Wild West theme. Blair Street, one block over, was once the district of dance halls and brothels, and today its reconstructed fronts make for an atmospheric photo stop. Local museums tell the story of the mines, the miners and the railroad, and the county courthouse and jail are worth a look from outside.

How you arrive shapes your visit. Train passengers typically get a layover of a couple of hours, enough for lunch, a loop of the main streets and a visit to one museum. Driving visitors, who arrive over Molas Pass from the south or Red Mountain Pass from the north, can stay longer, hike from the edge of town and linger into the evening after the train crowds have gone.

If you have time, spend a night; the town is quiet and starry after dark, and a few old hotels offer period rooms. The Wyman Hotel is one of the historic lodging choices in this guide.

Because of the altitude, take it easy. Drink water, avoid heavy alcohol on arrival and give yourself time to adjust, especially if you are coming from sea level. The sun is intense at elevation, so wear sunscreen and a hat, and carry a layer even in July because evenings and cloudy afternoons get cold. In the shoulder seasons some shops and restaurants close or cut their hours, and in deep winter the town is a quiet, snowbound place that suits skiers and snowmobilers more than sightseers, so check what is open before you go.

Silverton is also a gateway to the backcountry. Old mining roads, such as the route toward Animas Forks ghost town, branch off nearby, and many of them are suitable for jeeps and high-clearance vehicles rather than ordinary cars. If you are not comfortable on rough mountain roads, join a guided jeep tour instead, which is part of the train package covered elsewhere in this guide.

Whatever your plan, give yourself time for a slow walk down Greene Street, a hot drink in a local cafe and a look at the mountains. The town is best treated as a destination, not a stopover.

A few small details improve the visit. Parking in Silverton is free and easy outside the busiest train hours, and restrooms are available near the depot and in town. Cash is useful at some small shops, though cards are widely accepted. Dogs are welcome on leashes in town, and the broad sidewalks are friendly to strollers. If you are staying the night, ask about quiet rooms, because the old buildings can carry sound, and plan an evening walk when the day-trippers have gone and the mountains turn pink at sunset.