9 reasons to visit Buena Vista, Colorado
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Located about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Colorado Springs between the towns of Leadville and Salida lies the town of Buena Vista, meaning Good View in Spanish. A population of around 3,000 Buena Vista is a must place to visit.
First occupied by the Ute Indians in 18th and 19th centuries who were hunter-gatherers, and in 1725 explorers came and settled in the area. With the discovery of gold in 1859, this brought thousands of miners to the Arkansas River Valley hoping to strike it rich.
By 1864 the territory really began to change, settlers came to the area to farm, because of the abundance of water. A pioneer family named Mahon were among the first settlers in the area, the town would be first called Mahonville after this family.
By 1879 Silver was discovered in Leadville, which led to a huge influx of settlers. Leading to some unsavory characters like thieves, ruffians, and outlaws coming to the area, it is said there were once 32 saloons, many dance halls, and no churches.
It was also in 1879 that Mahonville was changed to its final name of Buena Vista. In 1880 plans were made to lay tracks for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad to Leadville, and later that year a second rail line, the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad came through.
By 1894 Buena Vista had electricity, telephone service, streetlights, parks, cemeteries, and schools. Travelers and miners traveling toward Leadville made Buena Vista a popular stagecoach stop.
Today, however, there aren’t any saloons left, and Buena Vista is a much slower paced town than it was over 150 years ago, but it is a great place to spend a day or a couple of days.
Here’s to enjoying your trip to Buena Vista! If you’re in town for a day or a couple days, you’ll find good food, history, and amazing views.
Main Street & Shopping
Book Stores
Food
Wildstone Ceramics Studio
Historic Chaffee County Courthouse
Hot Springs
St. Elmo Ghost Town
Chocolatte’
Turner Farm & Apple Orchard
Main Street & Shopping:
Main Street is an absolute must-visit! With plenty of unique shops to explore, you can easily spend hours browsing and discovering treasures.
When it comes to parking, you’ve got options! There is parking available on main street, but it can get very busy, and hard to find a spot. Side street parking is available too, just watch for signs to make sure it’s allowed.
For hassle-free parking, head to the large dirt lot on N. Railroad Ave and E. Main Street. It’s free and makes it easy to park and enjoy a leisurely stroll down the street.
The Village:
One of my favorite shops in BV. Beautiful fair trade items, amazing colors, a gift for just about anyone in your life.
They have kids toys, and you can even make your own floral arrangement with flowers that will never die. I can’t get over the amazing colors with the products they offer.
Book Stores:
Once Upon a Trapeze:
Such a great book shop! They have brand new books and a small section of used books as well. Toward the back of the shop is a kids section, with so many options to chose from. You will not be disappointed with this shop!
(Front of shop image courtesy of Once upon a trapeze.)
Book Nook:
An absolute must visit! The entire house is filled with books, on the first floor and the second floor. Make sure to check the closets upstairs too!
They also have art supplies, gifts, board games, and more. If you go out back check out “the barn” where you will find even more books, and gifts.
The back yard, has a Labyrinth to walk to help you gain some peace in your mind.
(Image courtesy of Book Nook)
Food:
K’s Dairy Delite:
Open seasonally, order at the outside window, pick up your food inside, and grab a drink from the fountain. Seating inside is limited, bar style. Outside picnic tables and a park across the street if you can’t find a close spot.
Good burgers and fries, and good sized ice cream! When we were there at Halloween time they gave you fun Halloween themed names on your receipt and when they called your order it was order for Frankenstein!
Eddyline Taproom and Brewery:
Located of Linderman Ave, Eddyline’s has inside and patio seating. Inside has beautiful artwork to look at (and purchase) outside has some mountain views. Depending on the time of year you might want a light jacket, if sitting outside. The patio is dog friendly!
Offering pub style pizza, tacos, burgers, salads, and craft beer. Kid friendly meals too.
The restaurant has a small gift shop inside where you can buy Eddyline merch and brews.
(Image courtesy of Eddyline Taproom & Brewery)
Eddyline Restaurant:
Tucked in on South Main, this location offers smoked meats, salads, calzones, pizza, and a kid friendly menu. Outside and inside seating. Beautiful views, with many trees outside, and a small park with a rock to climb in front of the restaurant.
Also offering a small gift shop where you can buy Eddyline merch and brews.
(Image courtesy of Eddyline Restaurant)
Wildstone Ceramics Studio:
This is a great option if you want to get your creative side on! You walk in and immediately feel welcome. We were given a tour of the facility and told of many options of art projects, classes and activities they had upcoming.
Image courtesy of Wildstone Ceramics
Historic Chaffee County Courthouse:
Visit a courthouse that was completed in 1882. Used as a courthouse for over 5 decades, then a school in 1936, the school then sold the building to the town of BV for $1 and it became the Buena Vista Heritage Museum. Today you can see the courtroom, a model train railroad, learn about the women of the valley, a school room, mining history, merchants, military, and medical history. So much history in one spot!
(Image courtesy of Buena Vista Heritage)
Hot Springs:
Charlotte Hot Springs and Botanical Gardens:
About 10 minutes from BV, is Charlotte hot springs. A smaller hot springs, with 3 pools, and a botanical garden.
If you wish to stay at the hot springs, you may choose between two beautifully restored cabins: the 1800’s Holloway, or the 1920’s Merrifield.
(Image courtesy of Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens)
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa:
About 10 minutes from BV, Cottonwood has rich history that dates back to the Ute Indians who also used this hot spring. Go for a soak, get a spa treatment, or stay a couple days.
With different options to choose from when it comes to lodging! They also have a small gift shop.
(image courtesy of Cottonwood hot springs inn and spa.)
Mount Princeton Resort and Spa:
Located about 15 minutes from BV, set on 70 acres Mt. Princeton offers lodging that you can choose from creekside to cliffside, a small market, and restaurants. You have options to choose from, when getting in the water, a soaking pool, creek pools, an infinity pool, and they even have a water slide.
(Image courtesy of Mt. Princeton resort and spa)
St. Elmo Ghost Town:
Located about 40 minutes from BV, St. Elmo is one of the best preserved ghost towns. You can explore the whole town that once had around 2,000 people living there. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day imagining what life was like back in the 1880’s.
The road to St. Elmo is paved, and turns into a well graded dirt road for the last 5 miles.
Chocolatte’:
Such a great idea. Enjoy your coffee, or treat and take a break while your children play. Ice cream, coffee, soda, and snacks for the kids. I love the decorations and the vibe in this shop. It is very warm and inviting!
Turner Farm & Apple Orchard:
Open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, this living history museum is such a treat to explore. With about 50 apple trees and five historic buildings, you can wander the grounds and step back in time.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, they have Friday at the Farm, where you can enjoy live music, bring a picnic and chair, and enjoy spending time with friends.
