Durango, Colorado

Friendly, ebullient Durango is the largest town in southwest Colorado and the best hub for exploring the Four Corners region. Such is the attractiveness of the town and surrounding San Juan Mountains that it has attracted an influx of new residents in recent years, here to enjoy its year-round outdoor activities, excellent range of restaurants, and flourishing arts scene.

Durango was founded in 1880 as a refining town and rail junction for Silverton, 45 miles north. Steam trains continue to run along the spectacular old mining route through the Animas Valley, though nowadays tourists, not sacks of gold, are the money-making cargo. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad runs up to three round-trips daily ($75–159 round-trip; Tel:970/247-2733, Web: www.durangotrain.com ) between May and October, from the depot at 479 Main Ave at the south end of town. The views from the train are spectacular as it chugs by rocky cliffs and through huddles of lush aspen, framed by the rugged Animas River below.