Top Attractions and Things to Do in Telluride
Considered a place of legend, Telluride, Colorado is a unique town situated at the end of a canyon, surrounded by rugged peaks. Its unique topography, along with the residents’ authentic mountain character and unblemished sights makes this one of the most beloved spots in the Rocky Mountain high country.
This distinct town is just eight blocks wide, but packed with history and attractions, and its role in the building of the American West is so significant that the core of the town has been designated as a National Historic Landmark District since 1964.
Telluride attractions include a wide variety of offerings, such as sightseeing, gourmet restaurants, boutiques, hiking, skiing, world class music and film festivals, and more. We have compiled a list of Telluride attractions and things to do in Telluride you won’t want to miss:
1 Telluride Ski Resort For Winter and Summer Telluride Attractions
As perhaps the area's most popular and well-known attraction, the name Telluride Ski Resort is often thought of as synonymous with the town itself. In fact, when people mention Telluride, they can be referring to the ski resort instead of the town proper.
This is for good reason as the massive complex in the San Juan Mountains contains more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain and sits 9,500 feet above sea level. Telluride’s Mountain Village and surrounding area includes shops, a village center, restaurants, a plaza, with free Wi-Fi and ample seating, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The resort boasts 149 different trails that appeal to a wide variety of ski skill levels. However, generally, the most experienced skiers enjoy this resort. This, of course, is the resort’s appeal in the winter. Warmer months don’t see Telluride Ski Resort shutter it in, though, as the resort transforms into an abundance of hiking and bike trails, along with offering rappelling, high-altitude zip lines and aerial bridges.
The easiest way to access the Telluride Ski Resort is via a free gondola ride. This is available during the ski season and throughout the summer. Throughout the off-season (spring and parts of fall), you can still access the area, just not via gondola. During this time, you can catch a complimentary bus ride. If you plan on visiting during the winter and want to ski, we recommend you plan ahead and prepurchase your lift tickets online before you get to the slopes. This will save you time and cost less than waiting to purchase on the day you visit.
2 Visit Downtown Telluride: The Town’s Historic Core
Telluride’s downtown is a National Landmark District and worthy of spending several hours navigating. The sidewalks are lined with pastel-colored Victorian homes and 19th-century red-brick buildings filled with gift shops, boutiques, book stores, cafés, souvenir shops, and locally-owned restaurants. You can use a self-guided tour map to learn all the details of the historic structures.
You will not find any big-box stores or chain restaurants in downtown Telluride. Keep in mind that some stores, services, and restaurants are closed in the offseason, which for Telluride is the fall and spring. You can park in public parking and then walk downtown itself to enjoy.
3 Hiking: Various Trails
Skiing is certainly the most popular activity in Telluride. However, this little town also boasts an abundance of hiking trails and places to explore. The Jud Wiebe trail, which was planned out by a local forest ranger, Jud Weibe, is a 3.1-mile loop open to bikers, hikers, or even horseback riders. We recommend you pick up the trail on the north side of town, either on Oak Street or Aspen Street, and plan to spend anywhere from two hours to half of a day on this hike.
This trail does require moderate effort as its 1,300-foot elevation can be taxing. However, the views of the town below and beautiful falls like Bridal Veil Falls, make it worth the effort. There are also benches at the summit where you can rest and recuperate after the hike.
Another great hiking trail is Bear Creek Trail, which gives you access to Bear Creek Falls. Join this recreational trail off of Pine Street, which is situated on the south side of town. This is a moderately challenging uphill hike, but seeing the beautiful waterfall at the precipice is well worth it, especially after the spring snow melts and the waterfall is especially robust.
We recommend giving yourself a bit of time to acclimate to the higher altitude before attempting this hike as it does include a 1,100-foot increase in elevation. You might also want to bring along a walking stick as the hike gets pretty steep at the stunning falls. Plan to spend anywhere from two hours to a half of a day enjoying this amazing hike and breathtaking falls.
4 Telluride Film Festival
Once a year, this quiet mountain town gets completely taken over by filmmakers, cinema lovers, and creative minds from around the world. For four days, the Telluride Film Festival transforms ice rinks and conference centers into screening rooms where movie magic happens.
You'll catch premieres that haven't been seen anywhere else - each film hand-picked by curators who know their stuff. It's unique to see a place usually packed with skiers and hikers suddenly buzzing with directors, actors, and film lovers debating camera angles over coffee.
This festival has a high level of prestige in the industry and lands on plenty of bucket lists for good reason! The whole town gets swept up in the fun, so make sure to hit the local shops and restaurants while you're soaking up all that creative energy.
5 Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Every June, bluegrass takes over the San Juan Mountains in a big way. The annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival draws music lovers who come for the stellar lineup and stay for the mountain views that will stop you mid-conversation.
Camping is huge here - festival grounds offer sites where you can pitch a tent and roll out of your sleeping bag straight into the music. While bluegrass anchors the lineup, you'll hear other genres that fit the vibe, all played against a backdrop that's hard to beat!
The whole scene is relaxed and welcoming, the kind of place where strangers become friends over shared songs. Fair warning: this festival tends to hook people for life!
6 Blues and Brews Festival
September brings Blues and Brews, Telluride's three-day celebration that mixes music with comedy and plenty of good beer. You'll hear everything from blues to funk to jam bands, all while sampling craft brews from brewers who know what they're doing.
The vendors make this festival special - food trucks serving up everything you're craving, local brewers showing off their latest creations at The Brewer's Showcase, and activities that keep the energy going between sets. It's not just about the music, though that's certainly the main draw.
This festival pulls together everyone from families with kids to serious beer enthusiasts to people who just want to hear great music in the mountains. The vibe is welcoming and unpretentious - exactly what you'd hope for in a place like Telluride!
7 The Telluride Museum: To Learn The History
If you want to know more about the rich history of Telluride, a visit to the Telluride Museum will reveal the town’s entire history, such as its start as a mining community. It also goes into detail about the Nikola AC Plant and the Ski Resort and how each was founded.
If you have never visited the area, this can be a great way to learn the history of Telluride so you can recognize the significance of this unique town. This museum is also associated with the famous Smithsonian Institute.
Outdoor Activities in Telluride
Telluride is truly an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, offering everything from skiing, snowmobile riding, and ice skating to water rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, and mountain bike biking, fly fishing depending on the season.
If you want adventure, you will love this small town with big thrills. We trust the above top attractions and things to do in Telluride will get you headed in the right direction as you plan your visit! For further insights and local tips, trust that our 100 Collection Partner, Curate Telluride will provide you with the best guides and resources!
