Mountain towns excel at being eclectic delights, and recognizing and embracing that, five Colorado destinations have come together to form a “Creative Corridor” to showcase their wide-ranging arts and cultural offerings.
Of course, in true Colorado fashion, the circuit also shines the spotlight on outdoor adventure — a nod to Mother Nature, the skilled artist responsible for painting Crested Butte with vibrant wildflowers in the summer and gifting Carbondale with its mighty monolith, Mount Sopris.
The Creative Corridor spans 331 miles, and organizers hope it will help curate itineraries for visitors this summer. It’s akin to the Historic Hot Springs Loop that was developed a couple of years ago to draw visitors to Colorado’s bubbling, au naturel hot tubs. All of the destinations in the Creative Corridor are Colorado Creative Districts, a designation for the state’s most art-focused communities, which are brimming with galleries, artists in residence and special arts events.
Here are the stars of the new Creative Corridor, as well as some ideas for what to see, do and eat when visiting.
Carbondale
More than 200 creative organizations, businesses, artists and artisans have taken up residence in this central Rockies town.
Spend an afternoon bopping around Third Street Center (520 S. Third St., 970-963-3221), where you’ll stumble on grassroots art galleries. Other highlights here include the Powers Art Center (13110 Colorado 82, 970-963-4445), a memorial to pop artist Jasper Johns, and True Nature Healing Arts (100 N. Third St., 970-963-9900) a center for yoga and spiritual wellness with an underground kiva. For the cool factor, you can slumber in the stills at the Marble Distillery Inn (150 Main St., 970-963-7008).
A must-see: The Rio Grande ARTway, a hiking and biking trail, that has been beautified with a Latino Folk Art Garden and a Youth Art Park, with interactive sculptures, a woven teepee, gardens and even a funky, multimedia structure that serves as a bug hotel.
Where to eat: Phat Thai (343 Main St., 970-963-7001) is a Main Street institution where curries star on the menu alongside a Thai rendition of fried chicken.
Salida
The Arkansas River cuts through Salida’s downtown, drawing rafters and kayakers, and the nearby Collegiate Peaks are a draw for those looking upward to nearby fourteeners. But Salida is more than an outdoor lover’s paradise.
Its downtown is lined with studios, galleries and locally owned eateries, many in charming Victorian-era buildings. For a unique stay, the Mountain Goat Lodge (9582 U.S. 285, 719-539-7173) is a bed and breakfast just outside of town with friendly resident goats that provide the milk for the lodge’s breakfasts and cheese-making classes.
Where to eat: Satiate your sweet tooth at The Biker and The Baker (123 W. First St., 719-207-4001) which has an inventive and ever-changing dessert menu. (Think: Peanut butter and bacon chocolate cake or blueberry poppyseed creme brûlée). The dessert shop also sells wine, beer, cheese and charcuterie. Vintage furniture and bold floral wallpaper earn it an “A” in ambiance.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte’s artistic credentials include more than 70 creatives in town, including metal workers, photographers, plein-air painters and ski manufacturers. Take a self-guided tour of the galleries in the Elk Avenue historic district. Or, come for one of Crested Butte’s many festivals, including the Crested Butte Music Festival, which runs in July and August or the Film Festival that plays out Sept. 27-30. The Purple Mountain (714 Gothic Ave., 970-349-5888) is a bed and breakfast that serves a select Colorado craft beer complimentary to guests.
Where to eat: The Secret Stash (303 Elk Ave., 970-349-6245) serves wildly creative pizzas, including one with a Thai peanut and coconut-curry base that’s finished with a sweet Thai chili sauce and chopped peanuts.
Paonia
Paonia has a large share of organic farms, orchards and vineyards, making it the consummate host for farm-to-table meals and winemaker dinners. For a sample, pick fruit and do a hard cider tasting at Delicious Orchards (39126 Colorado 133, Hotchkiss, 970-527-1110). In town, Grand Avenue is idyllic, with turn-of-the-century buildings housing local shops and restaurants, art galleries, a movie theater and a radio station.
Where to eat: Try a five-course winemaker dinner at Leroux Creek Inn and Vineyards (12388 3100 Road, Hotchkiss, 970-872-4746). The dinners are classic French cuisine and use local produce, meat or fish from the organic farms and ranches in Delta County.
Ridgway
More than 10 percent of the 900 residents of Ridgway call themselves artists. Here’s a snapshot: Billings Artworks makes Grammy Awards, and Panji Bags makes eco-friendly, hardcover cases for instruments. The restored historic Sherbino Theater (604 Clinton St., 970-318-0892) offers live music, poetry readings and lectures and the town does full-moon artist studio tours, setting its art walks apart.
Where to eat: Provisions (616 Clinton St., 970-626-9861, provisionschef.com) is a European-style cafe with community-style tables inside an old barbershop.
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