Durango Business Guide

Visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Start your day at the heart of Durango’s origin story. Built in 1881 to haul silver and gold from the San Juan Mountains, this steam-powered railroad put Durango on the map.

Things to do:

Walk through the historic train depot
Visit the Railroad Museum to see artifacts, photos, and restored railcars
Ask about the Railyard tours for a more in-depth experience of the history of our train. This is a great “behind-the-scenes look at the operation of the train.www.durangotrain.com/dsng-yard-tours/
If time allows, ride the train (even a short trip offers a true step back in time)

Tip: Even if you don’t ride the train, the depot area is one of the most authentic historic settings in town.

Take a stroll through Historic Downtown

You can take a self-guided walking tour to learn about Durango’s rich history. Many of the buildings in downtown Durango date back to the late 1800’s. This tour gives you some of the history behind some of Durango’s Most historic buildings. Download the free walking tour HERE or pick up a copy at the Durango Welcome Center. The routes typically begin near the Train Depot and wind through downtown, with notes on Victorian façades, unique businesses, and old saloon sites.

Stop at Some Historic Saloons & Restaurants

Diamond Belle Saloon

One of Durango’s most storied watering holes, this classic saloon is housed in the historic Strater Hotel, which dates back to 1887 and has been central to Durango life for well over a century. The Belle’s western-themed atmosphere, period décor, live ragtime piano most nights, and servers in historic-inspired dress make it feel like stepping into an Old West movie set.

El Moro Spirits & Tavern

Stop by for lunch or early drinks at El Moro Spirits and Tavern, which was once an early saloon in the early 1900s and part of historic Main Avenue’s infamous “saloon district” where gambling and saloons once flourished before prohibition. El Moro combines local history with quality food and cocktails.

Explore Some Iconic Historic Hotels

Strater Hotel

Often called a “living history museum,” The Strater Hotel is one of Durango’s most beloved historic landmarks — and a cornerstone of the Main Avenue Historic District. Built in 1887 by pharmacist Henry Strater and his family at the height of Durango’s boom as a railroad and mining town, the hotel was designed to be both grand and welcoming in a frontier setting. It quickly became the social hub of Durango, hosting miners, railroad workers, travelers, and later generations of guests.

Its distinctive red brick and white sandstone exterior reflects late-Victorian styles popular at the time of its construction.

Inside, you’ll find period details everywhere: handcrafted woodwork, hand-printed Victorian wallpaper, and an exceptional collection of American Victorian walnut antiques throughout the public areas and guest rooms.

Some rooms have fascinating historical connections — for example, the Louis L’Amour Room is known as the author's favorite, where he wrote many of his novels while staying here.

General Palmer Hotel

The General Palmer Hotel is another historic gem right in downtown Durango — a Victorian-era hotel with ties to the railroad and westward expansion. Built in 1898, it was named for General William Jackson Palmer, a Civil War veteran, railroad engineer, and founder of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (which was instrumental in Durango’s growth). The hotel was part of the town’s late-19th century boom as railroads opened up access to the San Juan mining districts.

The building showcases Victorian-era architecture and elegance — brick façades, detailed ornamentation, and an interior that blends historic character with some modern comforts.

The hotel’s rooms are furnished with period-inspired antiques and decorative touches that reflect its turn-of-the-century heritage.

Immerse yourself in history at the Animas Museum

Animas Museum

The Animas Museum is housed in the former Animas City School building, a striking sandstone structure built in 1904–1905. At the time it was constructed, this school was the largest and most architecturally significant public building in the rural community of Animas City, which predated Durango and was annexed into Durango in 1948. It’s the only remaining public building of its style from that era in the area, making the museum itself a historical artifact as much as its contents.

The museum includes exhibits exploring Native American history, including the Ute peoples and earlier cultures that lived in the Animas Valley. This includes Artifacts and contextual displays that trace the region's long human history, well before European settlement.

The exhibits cover the region's working history: what life was like for miners and ranchers, how communities were built, and how daily life evolved. There are various displays featuring artifacts, including tools, clothing, household items, and personal stories that bring those experiences to life.