Things to Do in Telluride: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Telluride is an old mining town tucked into a box canyon in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks and waterfalls. A free gondola links the Victorian Main Street to Mountain Village and the ski slopes, and summer brings famous film, music and bluegrass festivals.
This guide covers the best things to do in Telluride, 3, 5 and 7-day plans with Ouray, the Million Dollar Highway and Mesa Verde, plus what to eat and where to stay.
Top things to see in Telluride
Free gondola
Scenic ride to Mountain Village.
Telluride Ski Resort
Steep terrain and long cruisers.
Bridal Veil Falls
Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall.
Main Street
Victorian storefronts.
Bear Creek Trail
Hike to a waterfall from town.
Mountain Village
Pedestrian resort village.
Telluride Historical Museum
Mining-era history.
Alta Lakes
Ghost town and alpine lakes.
Telluride in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Town and gondola
Start on Main Street among the colorful Victorian buildings, visit the Telluride Historical Museum and have coffee in a former saloon. Have lunch in town. In the afternoon ride the free gondola up to the San Sophia station for views, then down to Mountain Village. Return by gondola at sunset for dinner on Main Street.
2Day 2 · Bridal Veil Falls
In summer, hike or drive the rough road toward Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado, with a power plant perched at its top. Picnic with the view. In the afternoon walk the riverside path through town and relax at a café. In winter, spend the day skiing the resort's steep bowls and long runs.
3Day 3 · Bear Creek
Hike the Bear Creek Trail directly from town to a waterfall in a hanging valley. Have lunch back on Main Street. In the afternoon rent bikes or try fly fishing on the San Miguel River, then watch the alpenglow on the peaks before dinner.
Telluride in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Alta Lakes and Ophir
Drive a 4x4 road to the Alta Lakes and the remains of the Alta mining town, then continue past the tiny village of Ophir. Picnic by the lakes and return for an evening in Mountain Village.
5Day 5 · Ouray and hot springs
Drive over Dallas Divide to Ouray, the "Switzerland of America," soak in the hot springs pool and visit Box Canyon Falls. Have lunch in Ouray and return in the late afternoon.
Telluride in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Million Dollar Highway or Mesa Verde
Drive the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, or head southwest to Mesa Verde National Park for ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Have lunch on the road and return in the evening.
7Day 7 · Last day
Have breakfast on Main Street, buy local art and outdoor gear, and enjoy a farewell lunch in the box canyon. Telluride's small airport is ten minutes away, and Montrose's airport about ninety minutes.
What to do in Telluride on a weekend
For a weekend in Telluride, combine Main Street, the gondola and Bridal Veil Falls or a day on skis.
Add Bear Creek with a third day.
What to do in Telluride in the evening
Evenings mean dinners on Main Street, festival concerts in Town Park in summer, après-ski in Mountain Village and dark starry skies.
Bars are relaxed and friendly.
Telluride for couples
Couples will enjoy sunset gondola rides, a soak in Ouray's springs and a fine dinner in Mountain Village.
Telluride with kids
With kids, try the free gondola, ski school, the town park playground and the easy Bear Creek trail.
What to eat in Telluride
Elk tenderloin
Mountain specialty.
Green chile
Southwestern flavor.
Trout
From local rivers.
Breakfast burrito
Fuel for the slopes.
Colorado craft beer
From small breweries.
Where to stay in Telluride: best areas
Main Street
Historic inns.
Mountain Village
Ski-in resorts.
Ophir
Remote cabins.
Ridgway
Cheaper and quiet.
What to do in Telluride when it rains
On rainy days, visit the historical museum, galleries, the Wilkinson Public Library or a spa.
How much does a trip to Telluride cost?
Expect $250–600 per night, $20–40 for lunch and about $200–250 for a lift ticket.
Practical tips for Telluride
Best time to visit
June to September and December to March.
Getting around
The free gondola and buses connect everything.
Our practical tips
- Acclimate to altitude.
- Book festival weekends very early.
- Use the free gondola.
- Rent a 4x4 for back roads.
- Pack warm layers.
- Drink lots of water.
Mistakes to avoid
- Driving 4x4 roads without experience.
- Ignoring afternoon storms.
- Festival dates without lodging.
- Overdoing it the first day.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Telluride?
Ride the gondola, hike to Bridal Veil Falls and ski the mountain.
How many days do you need?
Three days, a week with the region.
Is the gondola free?
Yes, it is free for everyone.
When is the Film Festival?
Over Labor Day weekend.