If your St. Patrick’s Day respite includes fresh mountain air, breathtaking views, and an array of year-round and special St. Paddy’s Day activities, you’ll want to consider Colorful Colorado. Once you’ve settled on the Centennial State, zero in on beautiful Durango. Not only will you be surrounded by plenty of year-round activities, but there’s also plenty of history to explore as well as St. Patrick’s Day fun to be had.
Ska Brewing Company
Celebrate the Luck of the Irish with beer and live music. This year’s entertainment features live music from Patrick’s Crossing. The event is free and takes place March 17, 2024 – on St. Patrick’s Day in Durango. The fun starts at 5 p.m. and includes music plus food specials and the latest craft beers on tap.
La Plata Mountains Off-Road Tour
Go where hiking, biking, and your rental vehicle can’t. Enjoy a guided, private 4×4 tour of the area for you and your group this St. Patrick’s Day. The open-air vehicle takes you through La Plata Canyon for 14 miles, while giving you access to breathtaking views from Kennebec Pass and many other vistas at more than 12,000 feet in elevation! Your guide is a wealth of information about the canyon’s mining history, geology, flora, fauna, the native Ute people, and more about the San Juan Mountains. The ride takes you through the San Juan National Forest and along the Colorado Trail.
Horseback Ride
See Durango, the surrounding area, its breathtaking scenery, and all its various nooks and crannies that can’t be accessed with your rental car. San Juan Sky Outfitters guides you on a six-hour horseback tour along the Cascade Creek Trail to the stunning waterfalls at the trail’s end. Don’t worry, the horses are trained for the mountainous terrain along the way, meaning you’re in for a smooth and relaxing ride. Make sure to pack your camera, sun protection, and other personal must-haves and saddle up. Lunch and a rain jacket for time near the falls are included in the tour fee.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
See the Colorado scenery in a way your rental car, bike, or feet can’t take you. The railroad has been in operation for over a century and offers the most unique view of the beautiful San Juan Mountains and Animas River. “Narrow Gauge” refers to the track itself, as it measures a narrower gauge of three feet rather than the typical 4’ 8.5” of a traditional track. Ride in a passenger car pulled by a coal-fired engine dating back to 1923-25.
The train often celebrates holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, as well as Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas, and more with special events. Contact them to make sure the special event is being held and book your tickets online.
Mesa Verde National Park
There are a number of national parks in Colorado, including one near Durango. Let someone else do the driving during your St. Patrick’s Day vacation on a full-day guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park. There are several tour companies that take you through the desert environment of the park, which is home to 5,000 archaeological sites! Explore the UNESCO-listed archaeological preserve and national park, with stops at sights including Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, Cliff Palace, Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum, Balcony House, and many more. Make sure to pack your sun protection and camera! Trips are nine hours in length and include transportation to Mesa Verde National Park, water, snacks, lunch, and admission fees at all tour stops.
Four Leaves Winery
Adults of the group will want to make some time for themselves to taste Durango’s finest wines this St. Patrick’s Day. The winery is located in one of Durango’s historic buildings, just across from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station. Explore wines made from grapes imported from all over the world. Enjoy wines by the taste, glass, or bottle. Fermentation, blending, and bottling is all done on-site and on-display for you to view during your visit. Choose your favorite whites and reds, as well as fruity and dessert wines, then add cheeses, meats, dips, or chocolate sample pairings. Take one home to enjoy, or if you didn’t find your favorite, create your own custom blend from the house list!
St. Patrick’s Day Adventure to Durango
To create a St. Patrick’s Day escape to Durango as unique as you and your loved ones, make sure the first thing on your planning list is booking a vacation rental with Vacation Durango. After you’ve enjoyed a day of Colorful Colorado spring sights and St. Patrick’s Day experiences, prepare a meal in the fully equipped kitchen.
Relax in a private bedroom or comfortable living space and watch a movie or TV show or play a game together. Relax and unwind in outdoor spaces like expansive decks, patios, or balconies. For a solo or sweetheart stay, choose a one-bedroom unit. Plan a family or group St. Patrick’s Day reunion and book a sprawling six-bedroom home to fit everyone!
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