Buena Vista offers some of the best and most scenic hiking options in the country, with hikes available for all levels of adventure seeking! A few of the hikes we'd recommend:
Arkansas River Walk Trail - Easy
Fistful of Dollars and Few Dollars More Loop - Easy/Moderate
Midland, 1450.A, and North Broken Boyfriend Loop - Moderate
Midland Hill Trail - Moderate/Hard
Mount Yale, Mount Harvard, or Mount Princeton - aka the "Collegiate Peaks" - Very Hard (14ers)
Leadville (35 min away) – A high-elevation town (over 10k ft!) with wild west history, epic mountain views, and a more rugged, old-school Colorado feel. Check out the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, Silver Dollar Saloon, and Melanzana Fleeces (get an appointment ahead of time if you can!).
Twin Lakes (30 min away) – Tiny but stunning. It sits right by two massive alpine lakes with insane views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive. Great for outdoor exploration or just taking in the scenery.
Breckenridge (1 hr 15 min away) – A classic Colorado mountain town with a lively Main Street, tons of great restaurants and breweries, and beautiful outdoor activities.
Salida (25 min away) – Charming river town with a historic downtown, great breweries (like Soulcraft Brewing), and an artsy vibe. The Arkansas River runs through town, making it great for rafting or just hanging by the water.
The Arkansas river offers premier whitewater rafting, with many guides and group trips available for booking right in downtown Buena Vista:
Spend some peaceful time fishing on the Arkansas River, known for its excellent trout fishing. Gear rentals and guided tours are available for beginners:
There's several natural hot springs resorts around Buena Vista, which are great places to relax and unwind during free time. A couple of the top places we'd recommend are:
Stop by Buena Vista Roastery Café for a locally roasted coffee or visit Eddyline Brewery for a craft beer tasting. Both spots are perfect for a relaxing break.
Take a scenic drive along Cottonwood Pass or through the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway. These routes offer stunning mountain views and great photo opportunities.
Stroll down Main Street in Buena Vista and explore the quaint shops, art galleries, and boutiques. It’s a great way to find unique souvenirs and support local artisans!
These are some of our favorite spots to eat in Buena Vista!
Breakfast/Coffee:
BV Roastery
Cool River Cafe
Joyful Bakery
Lunch:
Simple Eatery
Sorelle Delicatessen
Dinner:
Wesley and Rose
Kawa
The Buena Viking
Eddyline Brewery