Things to do & places to visit in Telluride, Colorado, United States

Nestled in the towering San Juans, Telluride offers visitors abundant trout fishing and hiking opportunities in summer, plus downhill and cross country skiing in winter. One of the world's most beautiful ski resorts, this former gold rush town has been popular with skiers since the '70s. Walk, catch free shuttles or soar to 9500 feet on the Mountain Village gondola. Appreciate the area's history and beauty at Telluride Historical Museum and Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado's longest free falling falls.

Telluride city in Colorado, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 7:23.

Top things to do (43)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Telluride Mountain Village Gondola (1.958 reviews)
- Telluride Gondola is a must ride!
Monday: 6:30 AM - 12:00 AM Trams • Public Transportation Systems

One of the most unique forms of public transportation connects Mountain Village to Telluride offering stunning 360-degree views of the San Juan Mountains that extend as far away as Utah. The gondola, the first and only free public transportation of its kind in the United States opened in 1996 and was initially built to help improve air quality while expanding the ski area. It is entirely free to commuters and sightseers. Since then, it has become a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike, giving them a stunning ride that caps out at 10,540 feet above sea level. Approximately 3 million passenger rides annually – and safely – and more than 50 million passenger trips have been provided since opening day. The gondola operates roughly 287 days each year with routine maintenance scheduled during our shoulder season months. It takes about 12 minutes to get from the Town of Telluride to Mountain Village Village. It takes 3 minutes from Mountain Village Center to Market Plaza. See more..
5.0 Bear Creek Falls (418 reviews)
- NOT easy but worth it!
Spent < 1 hour Waterfalls

Scenic waterfalls that tumble down into Telluride's box canyon in the San Juan Mountains. See more..
5.0 Mountain Trip (383 reviews)
- Embracing the fear
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Ski & Snow Tours • Climbing Tours

We had a pretty epic adventure with Tom, our guide, on the Telluride Via Ferrata. I have done a few via ferratas in the past but was so happy to have his expertise and guidance as there were many more “sketchy”, uncabled sections than I’ve experienced in other places. He was skilled, confident and so patient with my 13 year old who was pretty terrified at first. Tom expertly distracted him, kept him present and walked him through each and every obstacle. By the end, he was embracing the challenge and actually having fun! This via ferrata is no joke, with some pretty dire consequences if you don’t know what you’re doing, so I would highly recommend a guide. Mountain Trip was very professional and flexible. I would definitely use them again. See more..
5.0 Telluride Outfitters (309 reviews)
- Alta Lakes + Amazing Views!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Sightseeing Tours

This was such an amazing experience! I am a photographer and we went on a private Alta Lakes Tour during sunset with another couple to shoot and the views were incredible. Neither of us had been snowmobiling before so it was a great first experience. Tate was our guide and showed us all the amazing spots to get some of the best photos and very helpful and made it all enjoyable the whole trip. Highly recommend! See more..
5.0 Telluride Offroad Adventures (282 reviews)
- Incredible views and lifelong memories!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Photography Tours • Day Trips

We have done two different trips with this company and will absolutely come back for more! We highly recommend making time to explore Telluride and surrounding areas with Telluride Offroad Adventures. Herb was our guide both times, and he was so friendly, knowledgeable (we learned a ton of history about the area from him!), and made us feel safe on the shelf road. You'll get some incredible photo opps and create a lot of fun memories! 10/10 recommend. See more..
5.0 Mind Blown Telluride (231 reviews)
- Amazing Magic!
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Theatre & Performances

Mind Blown Telluride is the Number 1 show in Colorado. It is a "Must See!" One of the hottest tickets in town, selling out frequently. This truly memorable show is available only at The Peaks Resort & Spa. Located in Mountain Village just a short walk from the world famous gondola. This show has VERY LIMITED tickets available, so everyone will experience the astonishing magic of Ty Gallenbeck up close. Forbes Magazine called Ty Gallenbeck a celebrated magician. You will laugh, question reality, and be part of creating an experience you will not soon forget. We encourage our guests to dress to impress as it helps create a magical evening. This show is recommended for ages 12 and up. NO CHILDREN UNDER 8 YEARS OLD. See more..
5.0 Black Tie Ski Rentals of Telluride (180 reviews)
- Quality equipment at a fair price.
Monday: 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM Gear Rentals

Exclusive Black Tie Ski and Snowboard Rental benefits include: No lines to wait in, Telluride's newest rental fleet, 5 times more delivery vehicles, Telluride's most experienced rental staff, premium demo boot upgrades, kids premium level skis and snowboard's, men's and women's specific models for every level, ski rental clothing, and we will take your equipment to slope side ski valets for FREE! No other ski rental company comes close to our level of service. Experience the Black Tie difference! See more..
5.0 Telluride Outside (173 reviews)
- A Great Visit to Imogene Pass and Tomboy
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Stand Up Paddleboarding

The confirmation email from Telluride Outside said “Guests should be prepared for extremely bumpy conditions, significant exposure (cliffs) and varied weather conditions.” And boy, was that accurate. But our Guide Andy (highly recommend) navigated those treacherous roads with aplomb, provided interesting and informative history & context and was a lot of fun. Outstanding views of the mountainous terrain, fascinating details of mining operations from more than a century ago and an overall enjoyable experience. This 4 hour tour of Imogene Pass and Tomboy ghost town was worth every penny. See more..
5.0 Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours (125 reviews)
- Scenic/Historic Jeep Tour
River Rafting & Tubing • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing • Day Trips

Jerry was our jeep driver and we were his only passengers. He started the tour early, offered us a blanket, and told us it would be best to keep the top up due to the sun. Covid 19 in August 12th, we left at 9:20 am. Jerry was excellent and extremely knowledgeable about mining and area mines. We learned about mines and milling. The scenery was breathtaking. At times the rock roads were very bumpy. We learned about the mining process, history of the area, animals and saw marmets, and a baby moose. We went to the ruins of an old mining town (ghost town). Fantastic tour! See more..
5.0 Diff. (102 reviews)
- So much fun!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals

Excellent experience all the way around pick up & drop off could not have been easier. The Jeep was clean when we picked up, they were very quick to respond to our questions and give us trail recommendations. Highly recommend Colorado 145 and would use them again if we return to telluride See more..
5.0 Black Bear Pass (66 reviews)
- Better pack a lot of snacks with you
Historic Walking Areas

This trail is big time consumer! Trust me. It will take some time (unless you have rented Jeep Wrangler) to just reach bottom of trail where are hairpins that you can spot from town centre of Telluride. Sometimes you will need to make room for some off-road car. Anyway if you go by car you still need to leave it somewhere when you continue to the lakes that are couple miles from viewpoint over former power plant at the top of Bridal Veil Falls. I remember that I have spent something like 45 minutes at one rock out there. I can be someone like that character from Assassin's Creed who gets HP by staying at high view points. Anyway once again pack a lot of water and snacks with you because there are no shops or stores and it takes some time to get to one. See more..
5.0 Dave's Mountain Tours (61 reviews)
- Absolute must do tour when in Telluride!
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Absolutely stunning adventure with a first rate outfit! We had Curtis as our guide as we headed up the Mountains in Telluride on an old mining road in an open air Pinzgauer. Curtis not only knew his stuff he was safe and awesome on a road which can get a little rough to say the least - imagine this road used by miners 140 years ago and it’s just amazing! Views galore, as comfortable as you could be and one of the best tours we’ve taken. Absolutely highly recommend! See more..
5.0 Peak Mountain Guides (42 reviews)
- San Juan Ice Climbing with Spencer!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Climbing Tours

Just spent a weekend climbing ice in the San Juans in Colorado with Peak Mountain Guides and I can't say enough great things about Spence and the crew at Peak! From the planning call with Lance to discuss objectives and itinerary, to the ascent of a couple backcountry routes outside Silverton, everything was awesome. Spencer was attentive and provided valuable feedback on my climbing technique while making sure everything was efficient and safe. Next time I'm in the Ouray area, I know who I'll be calling to setup another adventure! You can't go wrong with a day in the mountains with Peak Mountain Guides. See more..
5.0 Sheridan Opera House (37 reviews)
- Charming venue in every way
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Theaters

The Sheridan Opera House was built in 1913 by J.A. Segerberg as a vaudeville theater and cultural center for the town of Telluride. In the early 1990s, the SOH was in jeopardy of commercial development; but was saved from demolition by the creation of the Sheridan Arts Foundation and restoration efforts taken on by The Colorado Historic Society. Today, the SAF continues to work as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization to: -Restore and preserve the historic Sheridan Opera House as an arts and cultural resource for the local communities -Bring quality arts and cultural events to Telluride -Provide local and national youth with access and exposure to the arts through education Today, the SOH continues to serve as a beautiful theater with a variety of configurations allowing it to host events of all types from movies to concerts, recitals, lectures. Telluride's premiere music venue hosting live music, theater, private events. Be sure to stop by to enjoy some of Telluride's best nightlife! See more..
5.0 Tasting Telluride Food Tour (36 reviews)
- Fabulous Tour
Food Tours

My wife and I had such a wonderful time on Lois and Howie’s food tour. The food was wonderful and it was very interesting hearing about the history and personalities behind the various restaurants we visited. That being said, the highlight of the tour was Howie and Lois themselves. They are are fabulous people with an incredible wealth of first hand history of the region. It was a unique privilege for us to be able to spend the day with a couple who arrived in the region the first year the ski hill opened and have witnessed the evolution of the area over the past 46 years. As someone who has personally been visiting Telluride for the past 26 years, it couldn’t have been more enjoyable for me to get to hear the stories about the early years! See more..
5.0 San Juan Outdoor Adventures (33 reviews)
- Could not recommend more!!!!
Bike Tours • Climbing Tours

Could not recommend this outfit more!!! Our group of three called the day of to book a Via Ferrata hiking tour (I would definitely recommend booking earlier because these full up fast) and Josh (the owner) was more than accommodating to include us in a trip. This was a bucket list item and not for the faint of heart. Both Chris (our guide) and Josh (the owner) accompanied us and encouraged and reassured us doing an excellent job of teaching and pointing things out along the way. What an amazing opportunity and we felt that we were in the best hands as both had tons of experience! After 8,000 trips across this rock face, they lost count!!!! San Juan Outdoor Adventures provided all the necessary gear and Even took some amazing photos for us! Could not recommend them more! We will definitely call them up our next time in Telluride! See more..
5.0 Telluride Paragliding (30 reviews)
- Incredible experience!
Parasailing & Paragliding

These guys are pros! Ryan was great with communication, booking was easy, walked me through all the information. Jack was my pilot, both were on time and so positive. I've done this a few times elsewhere and that was the smoothest take off and landing I've ever had. If you're thinking about giving it a go these are the pros to go with! Enjoy the ride! See more..
5.0 Sneffels Highline Trail (28 reviews)
- Wildflowers Galore in July!
Hiking Trails

Rated as difficult and requiring experience with altitude, this scenic 13-mile hiking trail skirts the perimeter of the Sneffels Wilderness, with a 3,600 foot elevation change. See more..
5.0 Lynette A. Foley LMT, Heaven Can Wait: Massage & Meditation (25 reviews)
- Amazing Massage by an Amazing Masseuse
Monday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Spas

When you come in we'll sit down for a few minutes while you're soaking in a magnesium foot bath. We'll customize your session to address your specific needs. I have over 20 years experience and 700 hours of training in Swedish massage and Trigger point work using hot stones. My office is centrally located in Telluride at Pine & Pacific. Please let me know if I can help with therapeutic pain relief or a deeply relaxing massage. I'd love to share my work with you! See more..
5.0 Alpine Chapel (15 reviews)
- A Church Like Very Few Others
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

The pastor is on fire ...not condemning, not judgmental ...but loving, passionate, inviting. Pastor Michael is the real deal! I live this church and always can hardly wait to attend the service when we are in town. My wife and I actually have adopted this as our church and watch the sermons on you tube when we are home. See more..
5.0 Tomboy (15 reviews)
- Best burger ever!
Spent More than 3 hours Ghost Towns

This is a very cozy restaurant and has a nice menu. We had the Colorado burger with truffle fries along with lamb chop lollipops as an appetizer. The meal was great, I think it was the best burger we ever had! We ordered the peach pie with ice cream and it was truly unbelievable. The staff seemed light due to Covid, but the service was still very good. See more..
5.0 Valley Floor (14 reviews)
- Fantastic for bike/trail riding !
Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

We were utterly charmed by the beauty of the Valley Floor. We rode trail bikes along the many trails (some were gravel roads) on the floor and had to keep stopping to take picture - so many beautiful vistas with mountains, valley and river ! We watched a herd of about 50 elk in a small forest and enjoyed the day. Even if you don't have a bike, the trails are all walkable and many are shaded. See more..
5.0 Deep Creek Trail (3 reviews)
- Trail Head in Town or out of Town
Biking Trails
This steep Telluride, Colorado mountain biking trail is intended for the experienced biker. See more..
5.0 Tony Newlin Gallery At Telluride (1 review)
- Beautiful photography, unique stone tables
Art Galleries
I stopped in to this gallery when the agate occasional tables caught my eye. There was a selection of agate, amethyst and quartz slab tables that I thought were quite unusual and very pretty. The photographs displayed on the wall were simply beautiful, featuring bears, wolves and other nature's creatures. My favorites were of a black wolf and a huge one with lots of brown bears salmon fishing. The gallery is small, but there is a lot to see. See more..
4.5 Main Street (429 reviews)
- Stunning Views on Main Street
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The mountains seem to rise from the edges of the city as you stroll Pacific Ave. Parking can be a bit tricky at peak but very doable most of the time. Lots of boutique shops, restaurants and...not surprisingly... real estate companies. Many original buildings remain, spruced up and now housing businesses rather than mining interests. Definitely worth a gondola ride if staying at the ski resort. Plan several hours, bring a credit card, and treat yourself to lunch and/or dinner. See more..
4.5 New Sheridan Hotel (200 reviews)
- Great prices, amazing history, lots of fun!
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

In 1896, presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan condemned the gold standard, famously forecasting that it would “crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” He delivered that speech at the New Sheridan Hotel. See more..
4.5 Telluride Historical Museum (173 reviews)
- A must see attraction if one wishes to understand the origins of Telluride
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

Located at the top of N. Fir street in Telluride, Colorado the Telluride Historical Museum works to bring the regions rich history to life through engaging exhibits, insightful programming, and entertaining events. The Museum displays the regions history from it's geological formation to prehistoric times (they have dinosaur bones!), on to it's indigenous roots- housing an Anasazi blanket from between 800-900 years ago- and history of the native peoples followed by the boom and bust mine years with an incredible collection of artifacts showing what life was like during those times. They also offer a robust overview of Telluride's mining history and innovation including photos, maps, and artifacts from the local mines as well as history on the Rio Grande Southern Rail Road and it's inception as well as the first commercial use of Alternating Current (AC) electricity. Their more contemporary collections retell the founding of the ski area and popular local festivals. See more..
4.5 Bootdoctors Telluride (133 reviews)
- Excellent boot fitters
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Gear Rentals

Winter Ski and snowboard shops with full array of rentals, clothing and accessories. World renowned boot fitting and ski/board tuning. Full service bicycle shops Outfitting including rafting, Mtn bike and fat bike tours and rentals, stand up paddle board tours and rentals, guided hikes,... Footwear, sportswear, outerwear. See more..
4.5 Town Park (126 reviews)
- Best campground ever!
Neighborhoods • Parks

My favorite campground ever! Stayed there last week, closed it down on October 12th as that was the last day of the season. Absolutely gorgeous spot. We were right on the stream, actually two streams. Trails from the campground, easy walk or ride to the gondola and town is a short walk away. Highly recommend. See more..
4.5 Jud Wiebe Trail (123 reviews)
- Not so easy but WORTH it
Hiking Trails

This trail really took me much energy and time but the view at the end of it was definitely worth it. We went there during sunset and view over Telluride valley was absolutely breathtaking! Paths to the top were narrow but gave me relaxing feeling to walk in between trees. I recommend you to make a stop at the top just like we did. You can sit there and overwatch Telluride and surrounding ski slopes with really nice scenery made by weather. Like my title says it's not the easiest hike so pack some snacks and drinks with you. See more..