5 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Durango, Colorado in the Winter

Visitors can’t help but fall in love with the charming town of Durango. In fact, Durango was voted one of the Top 10 Christmas Towns by HGTV so visiting in the winter is extra magical. There is so much to do during all the different seasons but if you’re planning a winter family getaway, here are the top 5 things to do in Durango with kids!

5 Things to Do in Durango With Kids During the Winter

Table of Contents

• 1. Ski at Purgatory Resort
•  2. Stroll Through Historic Downtown Durango
• 3. Ride the Narrow Gauge Railroad to Cascade Canyon
• 4. Soak in the Pagosa Hot Springs
• 5. Explore the Mesa Verde Ruins

1. Ski at Purgatory Resort

Perhaps the most popular thing to do in Durango with kids during the winter is skiing at Purgatory Resort.

Thankfully, they make it easy and affordable to ski with your whole family.

They offer free lift tickets with no blackout dates for kids 7 and under, as well as 4th graders (proof of age and grade required).

It is also worth looking into the Power Pass that includes unlimited access to these resorts: Snowbowl, Purgatory, Sipapu, Pajarito, Hesperus, and Nordic Valley.

Purgatory has a fun area in the park called Animas City Adventure Park where kids can slide through houses, in a tunnel, and past a train.

There are also some gentle slopes and a few great ski trails through the trees.

If you’ve ever been on a family ski trip, you know it can be a hassle helping the kids carry all their gear.

Purgatory has made it easier with free all-terrain wagons in the Village Plaza to help move kids and gear around the Village.

The resort also offers a Kid’s Ski and Snowboard School and on-site daycare for children 4 and under.

They even offer a Strider Snowbike lesson for ages 3-4 to help them get a feel for balancing on the snow.

Other family-friendly winter activities at Purgatory Resort include a year-round mountain coaster, a tubing hill, snowmobile rentals, snowcat tours, snowshoeing, a spa, and more.

They also have some fun summer activities on the mountain. See our guide 6 Things to Do in Durango in the Summer for more information and recommendations.

2. Stroll Through Historic Downtown Durango

Historic Downtown Durango is a fun place to walk around and explore the many different shops.

Your kids will love getting a treat at Fuzziwigs Candy Store, browsing through the bookstore, picking out a souvenir at the Rio Grande Trading Post, or sipping hot chocolate at a corner cafe.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant in Durango, I would recommend RGP’s Flame Grilled Wraps. Their wraps are insanely delicious!

The restaurant is located in the back corner of the main level of the mall located on E 9th St and Main Ave.

It’s an unassuming little spot without seating, but you can eat in the food court. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

The Grass Burger was also a family favorite. Their burgers and fries get two thumbs up from adults and kids alike. They have a little area blocked off with toys for younger kids as well.

Oscar’s Cafe is also worth mentioning for breakfast or lunch. The food is delicious, the portions generous and the prices reasonable. It also has a fun 50’s diner atmosphere. Seating is limited and it fills up fast.

Other kid-friendly things to do in Durango’s Historic Downtown:

• Animas City Park: Boasts the best playground in Durango! Located on the banks of the Animas River, with a walking trail to explore as well. If you’re feeling a little stir-crazy on a cold winter day, just bring the kids here to burn off any extra energy!
• The Powerhouse Science Center: Located in a historic generating plant and offers a variety of hands-on interactive displays and exhibits. When the weather is cold outside, this is the perfect place to spend hours learning and exploring. Open every day 9 am-4 pm, except closed on Tuesdays. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6 for kids 3-17, and 2 years and under free.
• Conundrum Escape Room: Put your family’s problem-solving and teamwork skills to the test with these fun and challenging puzzle rooms!
• Durango Recreation Center: Even in the winter, kids love to swim! With a giant slide, lazy river, diving boards, and even a rock climbing wall, your kids will be entertained for hours.

3. Ride the Narrow Gauge Railroad to Cascade Canyon

Train travel has always seemed so romantic. It is such a unique way to explore off the beaten path.

When researching the best things to do in Durango, the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway is ranked as the #1 tourist attraction on Trip Advisor and comes with rave reviews.

I was a little skeptical about the length and cost, but it ended up being a great way to spend a day.

It is a stunning train ride to Cascade Canyon as the track hugs along the cliffs overlooking the scenic San Juan National Forest and Animas River.

If you have a little one who is fascinated with trains, then it is pure magic to see them light up with excitement.

And chances are they will spend the remainder of the trip spouting off train facts.

Once you arrive at Cascade Canyon, you’ll have about an hour to eat lunch and explore. Pack your own lunch and enjoy an outdoor picnic.

After you’re done eating, head to the river and explore around.

*Related post: if you’re heading to Durango from Arizona, be sure to make a stop at the Petrified National Forest!

What to expect when taking the Durango & Silverton train with kids:

• I would definitely recommend going in the winter instead of the summer. It is shorter (4 hours on the train vs. 7 hours), and cheaper.
• The train goes to Cascade Canyon instead of all the way to Silverton. You will have an hour at Cascade Canyon where you can eat lunch at the picnic tables or walk around and explore by the river. We were hoping to be able to play in the snow and build a snowman but there wasn’t enough snow. Be sure to pack coats, gloves, and boots if you plan to play in the snow.
• It is only 26 miles to Cascade Canyon, but the train goes really slow so it takes 2 hours to get there. The first almost hour is just getting out of town and the scenery is less than spectacular. Once we started our way up the mountain and moved to the open-air car, it took our breath away. Hugging the edge of a sheer cliff with a roaring river below, towering Ponderosa Pines, and snow-capped mountains. It was just beautiful.
• You will be on the train for 4 hours, so be sure to bring some games, books, and other things to entertain your kids. Especially when going through town.
• They have a snack car, but everything is overpriced so I would recommend bringing your own snacks and drinks.
• You can move from your reserved train car into the open-air car whenever you would like. It is definitely the best way to experience the train!
• A visit to the train museum at the end is included. My kids loved the fascinating artifacts and displays, especially the full-sized train cars on display and the model trains.
• I would recommend doing this at least once. It’s probably not something we would do again, but are glad we had a chance to experience it.
• You can often find deals advertised so be sure to check before booking.
• If you are traveling between the end of November to the beginning of January, be sure to check out the Polar Express Train Ride.

4. Soak in the Pagosa Hot Springs

Located about 1 hr and 20 minutes from Durango, Pagosa Springs is well worth the drive for a day trip. There is plenty to do in Pagosa Springs, here are a few recommendations for top winter activities with kids:

• Hot Springs: There’s no better way to spend a winter day than relaxing in hot springs with the snow falling down. Especially after a long day on the mountain. There are three options to choose from, The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort & Spa, and Overlook Hot Springs Spa. The Springs Resort and Healing Waters resort are both located right along the San Juan river offering beautiful mountain views with the sound of the flowing river in the background. The Overlook Hot Springs has a rooftop pool and great views of downtown lit up at night.
• Ice Skating: The Pagosa Multi-Purpose Pavilion Ice Rink offers open public skating Monday-Thursday from 4-6 pm. There are also some ponds behind the River Center that is maintained by the town and are open for skating when the ice is at least 4 inches thick. It is free to skate on the ponds and skate rentals are available nearby.
• Sleigh Ride: What better way to experience the magic of winter than on a horse-drawn sleigh ride? Take a 40-minute ride through the snow-covered hills and valley.
• Sledding: You can find several free sledding hills around town. A popular sledding hill is Reservoir Hill behind Healing Waters, near the parking area at Lobo Overlook. You can rent a sled for $5/day from Alpen Haus. Or visit the High Country Lodge Tubing Park for $15/session.
• Treasure Falls: A short 1/4-mile hike from the parking lot will bring you to these impressive falls. Legend has it that a chest full of gold was buried in the area which leads to the name Treasure Falls.

5. Explore the Mesa Verde Ruins

Mesa Verde National Park is made up of over 600 preserved cliff dwellings and was home to the Ancestral Puebloan people for 700 years.

The park is open year-round, but the tours are only available April-October. For more information about the touring the dwellings, see our guide How to Spend One Day at Mesa Verde National Park.

This may deter visitors from coming in the winter months, but there are definitely perks to visiting in the off-season.

Things to do at Mesa Verde in the winter:

• The summer months bring the crowds. In the winter you can enjoy the solitude as you soak in the views and take unobstructed photos in the peace and quiet. 
• The Wetherill Mesa is closed in the winter, but you can still drive the popular Mesa Top Loop Road to see the dwellings. The Mesa Verde Museum is also open and admission is free.
• Rent cross-country skis from Slavens True Value Hardware in Cortez and ski one of the groomed cross-country trails. The trails at Morefield Campground are perfect for beginners with a gentle terrain. Check the link for all the information.
• Moonlight snowshoe events are held in January and February at the Morefield Campground. It is free and open to all ages. Snowshoes can even be checked out for free at the Visitor Center or the Mesa Verde Museum. Dates vary, check the website for details.

Durango is the perfect location for a family winter getaway! I hope this list will help you discover the best things to do in Durango with kids!

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