Exploring the Towns Near Mesa Verde National Park: A Guide to Hotels, Restaurants, and Local Cuisine

Mesa Verde National Park, known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, attracts visitors eager to explore its historical treasures. The towns surrounding the park offer a blend of local charm, cozy hotels, tasty restaurants, and unique regional dishes. Below is an overview of the towns near Mesa Verde National Park.

Cortez, Colorado

Cortez is the nearest full-service town to Mesa Verde National Park, located about 10 miles west of the park's entrance. It offers a range of accommodations, from rustic inns to well-appointed hotels. Two notable options are:

Retro Inn at Mesa Verde: Features a retro-chic atmosphere.
Holiday Inn Express Mesa Verde-Cortez: Provides modern amenities.

Cortez's dining scene highlights Southwestern flavors. A must-try dish is the Navajo Taco, available at many local eateries. The Pepperhead restaurant is an excellent choice for this popular dish.

Mancos, Colorado

Just 8 miles east of Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos is a small, artistic community full of charm. Visitors can find intimate lodging options like:

Abode at Willowtail Springs: A cozy bed-and-breakfast.

For dining, Absolute Bakery & Café is a favorite spot for breakfast and lunch with freshly baked pastries and bread. For dinner, Olio offers locally sourced ingredients and a fine dining experience with world-inspired dishes.

Besides the Navajo Taco, another local specialty is Colorado Lamb, which is often roasted or grilled and can be enjoyed at Olio and other regional restaurants.

Durango, Colorado

Approximately 35 miles east of Mesa Verde National Park, Durango is a lively historic town. It offers a variety of hotels, including:

Strater Hotel: An iconic establishment since 1887.
Durango Downtown Inn: A budget-friendly option with comfortable accommodations.

Durango features an exciting culinary scene. For Southwestern cuisine, the James Ranch Grill serves pasture-raised beef burgers and artisanal cheese platters. Another local specialty is Rainbow Trout, often served fresh from the nearby Animas River at establishments like The Ore House.

Dolores, Colorado

Dolores, located about 26 miles northwest of Mesa Verde National Park, offers a peaceful atmosphere. The town features:

Dolores River Campground and Cabins: A charming escape.
Dunton Hot Springs: A sophisticated resort.

Dining options include The Dolores River Brewery, a local favorite known for handcrafted pizza and artisanal beers. The area also celebrates cooking with indigenous beans, such as the Anasazi bean, incorporated into various dishes at local restaurants.

The towns surrounding Mesa Verde National Park offer distinctive character, cultural experiences, and culinary delights. Consider local lodgings and eateries during your visit, and be open to trying regional specialties.

Here are a few helpful websites:

Mesa Verde Country Tourism Information: Visit Mesa Verde
Cortez Lodging and Dining: Cortez Chamber of Commerce
Mancos Valley Resources: Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce
Durango Travel Information: Durango Area Tourism Office
Dolores Visitor Information: Town of Dolores

Bring AI to your customer support

Get started now and launch your AI support agent in just 20 minutes

Try for free Get a demo

Featured posts

How to Do Business in Vietnam: A Complete Guide for Foreign Companies

Vietnam is emerging as a significant business destination in Southeast Asia. Its stable economic growth, favorable business environment, and strategic location attract many foreign companies. Yet, entering the Vietnamese market involves various opportunities and challenges.

Enhancing SEO in 2024

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that requires marketers and webmasters to remain agile and informed. As we move forward into 2024, it is crucial to keep up with emerging trends to ensure that your website stands out in the crowded digital landscape. By improving your SEO strategy, you can increase your site's visibility, attract more traffic, and achieve your online objectives.

Is It Good to Eat Cereal in the Morning?

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. With many options available, choosing the right one can be challenging. Cereal is a popular choice found in many households. But is it a good idea to have cereal every morning? Let’s explore the pros and cons of starting your day with cereal.

RCS Messages vs. MMS Messages: What’s the Difference?

For businesses looking to leverage messaging as a communication tool, understanding the differences between RCS (Rich Communication Services) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is critical. Both offer distinct features that can impact how your brand engages with customers. Let’s explore when it’s best to use RCS or MMS, considering the business user’s needs in areas like marketing, customer notifications, and interaction efficiency.

What Are Shortcodes for Popular Cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies have captured the world's attention and transformed how we think about money, transactions, and investments. Whether you're buying a coffee, trading online, or chatting with friends, you’ve likely encountered terms like BTC, ETH, or LTC. But what do they mean? These are shorthand codes for different cryptocurrencies, making life easier for traders and enthusiasts alike. In this article, let's explore some of the most popular cryptocurrency shortcodes and what they stand for in simple terms.

Is AI the Future of Customer Service for Your Business?

Using AI to handle customer service by learning your company’s help center articles is a powerful way to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. AI can quickly absorb the knowledge stored in these articles and respond to customer queries instantly. This approach helps businesses save time, reduce costs, and provide 24/7 support without the limitations of traditional live chat.

Common Mistakes in a Sales Call

Sales calls provide an important opportunity for businesses to connect with potential customers and convert leads into sales. Despite their significance, sales professionals often make mistakes that can hinder their success. This article highlights common sales call mistakes and offers strategies to avoid them.

Will AI Search Agents Replace Classic Keyword-Based Searches Like Google?

Finding information online can be challenging. For years, users have depended on search engines like Google, utilizing carefully selected keywords. Now, AI search agents are emerging as a potential alternative, promising a more intuitive search experience.

Add this AI to your customer support

Add AI an agent to your customer support team today. Easy to set up, you can seamlessly add AI into your support process and start seeing results immediately

Try for free Get a demo

Latest posts

AskHandle Blog

Ideas, tips, guides, interviews, industry best practices, and news.

• August 3, 2024

Simone Biles: The Greatest Gymnast of All Time

Simone Biles is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time. Her extraordinary performances have captivated audiences worldwide, and her achievements have redefined what is possible in the sport of gymnastics. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Biles once again demonstrated her unmatched talent by winning her seventh Olympic gold medal, cementing her legacy as a legendary figure in gymnastics.

Simone BilesGymnasticsOlympics

• July 16, 2024

What Is an AI Agent in Generative AI?

AI agents play a crucial role in advancements in the AI sector. These sophisticated systems can perform various tasks efficiently, much like a relay team where each member contributes to the overall success.

AI AgentActionsAI

• February 29, 2024

The Power of the 80/20 Rule

Have you noticed that in many areas of life, a small portion of your efforts leads to the majority of your results? This phenomenon, known as the 80/20 rule or the Pareto principle, can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency.

80/20 RuleDecision-making

View all posts