Telluride, Colorado
We all know the main reason for visiting Telluride, right? Its world-class ski slopes! This charming small town is dominated by Telluride Ski Resort, which encompasses over 2,000 skiable acres.
But if you decide to visit in the warmer months, you can enjoy spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains from one of the area’s incredibly photogenic hiking paths, including Jud Wiebe Trail and Bear Creek Trail.
You can even experience all this on an off-road adventure in a high-clearance vehicle to the Ophir Pass summit or while driving along the San Juan Skyway. Telluride is a wonderfully walkable mountain town, so don’t worry if you don’t have a car for your vacation.
You can spend some time strolling around, browsing the boutiques, and trying out award-winning restaurants on Colorado Avenue, which is lined with beautiful historic Victorian buildings. So pack some comfy walking shoes!
Even more jaw-dropping mountain views await you on the free gondola ride from town up to Mountain Village, which is a European-style, pedestrian-friendly resort town that also offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities for travelers.
Remember that you’ll avoid crowds if you choose to visit during the spring and fall. And some attractions, like the Telluride Historical Museum and gondola, are closed during the quieter months.
Were you surprised by any of the charming small towns that made it on our list? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
And in the meantime, if you liked this article, we have many more like it. For instance, here are the US places many of our readers consider the MOST dull: Top 12 Most Boring US Destinations People Say You Shouldn’t Visit