• A long dining table set with white plates, glasses, and cutlery, decorated with candles in glass holders and bottles with green stems, in a dimly lit setting

    Enjoy Big Eats

    Whether fueling your daily adventures or looking for a night on the town, you will surely enjoy some of our favorite establishments.

    Lunch / Dinner

    Ito’s - Japanese cuisine (10 min)

    Quincy’s - nostalgic steakhouse (10 min)

    Penrose Pizza - woodfired pizza (12 min)

    Nirvana - Indian cuisine (25 min)

    CHIPS Y SALSA!! - mocktails & more (10 min)

  • A live band performing on an outdoor stage near a swimming pool with people relaxing and swimming.

    Beyond the Soak

    WE GET IT. YOU CAN ONLY SOAK SO LONG. DON’T WORRY. EVEN BEFORE WE MADE DESERT REEF ONE OF THE COOLEST PLACES ON EARTH OVER 3 MILLION VISITORS CHOSE TO VISIT THE AREA ANNUALLY. SO, GO DO STUFF

    (THEN COME BACK TO SOAK MORE).

  • Two bowls of oatmeal topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries, cherries, orange slices, passion fruit, and star anise, on a rustic blue table with a spoon, a light blue napkin, and a jar of coffee.

    Kickstart The Day

    Start your day with a delicious and, depending on your choices, maybe even nutritious breakfast.

    Breakfast

    Coyote’s Coffee Den - breakfast, lunch, coffee, margaritas (14 min)

    Pour House - coffee, breakfast until 11 (closed Sundays) in downtown Florence (10 min)

  • An orange and gray passenger train traveling through a rocky canyon.

    Ride the Rail

    Sign up for the Murder Mystery Dinner Train or simply soak in the scenery. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers casual and first-class dining options. This 1950s-era train offers a relaxed, one-of-a-kind experience with multiple daily excursions.

    https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/

  • People shopping at an indoor antique market, browsing various vintage and decorative items including ornate gold figurines, candelabras, and ceramics.

    Go Antiquing

    Florence is known as the antique capital of the state and boasts countless independent shops for thrifting and antique shopping. Most of these stores can be found on Main Street, but some larger warehouses are a short drive away.

    Florence Walking Tour

Seek Adventure

  • A woman mountain biking on a dirt trail with a dog running alongside in a desert landscape under a clear blue sky.

    Mountain Biking

    A large network of incredible biking trails can be found just outside of Florence in neighboring Cañon City. These trails provide a range of terrain difficulty for all types of riders. Bring your own bike or rent a bike through one of the many bike shops in town. Don’t forget your water!

    Our Favorite Trails
  • Sky View of The Royal Gorge Bridge

    Royal Gorge

    There are countless ways to experience the incredible Royal Gorge! Purchase tickets to walk along the Royal Gorge Bridge for breathtaking 360 degree views, or take in the sights from the air on a scenic helicopter ride. Catch the train car from Canyon City and enjoy a ride along the river and through the Royal Gorge.

    Visit the Royal Gorge
  • A black helicopter parked on an airport tarmac under a partly cloudy sky.

    Helicopter Tours

    Enjoy fabulous aerial tours, with options ranging from the Royal Gorge to Pikes Peak. You’ll gain the most amazing view of the area’s epic landscape.

    Click Here
  • A person wearing a red helmet and a blue life jacket kayaking in turbulent water, using a black paddle in a bright orange kayak labeled Jackson.

    Whitewater

    The Arkansas Rivers draws whitewater enthusiasts from all around. These world-class rapids can be explored with a kayak and raft rental companies who will take you on an adrenaline filled adventure you won’t forget!

    TripAdvisor Guide Reviews
  • A person on a zip line swinging through the air near a multi-level steel and wood structure, with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

    Ziplines

    Choose your adrenaline level and test your acrophobia by flying through the sky on one of the area’s many zipline tours.

    Royal Gorge Zipline

Take a Road Trip

  • A field of yellow flowers with mountains in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.

    Salida

    Travel less than an hour along the scenic canyon following the Arkansas River to the destination town of Salida.

    Do:
    Zip lining
    Concerts in the park
    World Class Mountain Biking

    Stay:
    Amigo Motor Lodge

    Dine:
    Amica’s Pizza & Microbrew
    Biker & Baker
    Sweeties
    Elevation Brewing
    Howl - coffee and curated general store

  • A vast desert landscape with rolling sand dunes, sparse desert bushes, distant mountains, and a clear blue sky.

    San Louis Valley

    The San Luis Valley is the Largest Alpine Valley in the world.

    Do:
    Valley View Hot Springs
    Joyful Journey Hot springs
    Sand Dunes National Park
    General Specific Vintage and Curiosities Store

    Stay:
    Mellow Moon Lodge
    Frontier Drive Inn

    Dine:
    Windsor Hotel
    1874

  • Traditional adobe-style buildings in a desert landscape with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

    Taos

    Do:
    Ojo Caliente Hot Springs
    Taos Pueblo
    Taos Ski Valley - hike or ski

    Stay:
    Ojo Caliente
    Hotel Luna Mystica

    Dine:
    Manzanita Market
    Taos Cow
    Sol Cafe
    ACEQ
    Love Apple
    Lamberts Treehouse
    Rolling Still

  • Dried red chili peppers hanging on wooden beams outside a building with a blue door and potted plants

    Santa Fe

    Do:
    Georgia O’Keefe Museum
    Meow Wolf

    Stay:
    El Rey
    Ten Thousand Waves

    Dine:
    Joseph’s Culinary Pub
    Paloma
    Tesuque Market
    La Mama