Hannah & Tom’s Guidebook
Food scene
Buena Vista punches far above its weight in the food and drink scene. Restaurants are almost universally family-friendly and casual. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather our favorites.
Fast casual food with a variety of bakery items, soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Plus a frozen yogurt bar and good kids' meals. There is a patio for three seasons. It shares a building with The Trailhead, our favorite outdoor gear shop with local sporting guides. Check the local happy hour.
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Simple Eatery & Spoon It Up
402 E Main StFast casual food with a variety of bakery items, soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Plus a frozen yogurt bar and good kids' meals. There is a patio for three seasons. It shares a building with The Trailhead, our favorite outdoor gear shop with local sporting guides. Check the local happy hour.
Fast casual whole food dishes, our favorites are the beautiful, huge House Bowls. They have a bar and happy hour. Great three-season outdoor dining with bocce and blocks for kids. One of our top picks.
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House Rock Kitchen
421 E Main StFast casual whole food dishes, our favorites are the beautiful, huge House Bowls. They have a bar and happy hour. Great three-season outdoor dining with bocce and blocks for kids. One of our top picks.
Solid fare, popular for wood-fired pizzas and their own beers. South Main location is awesome for access to live events going on at the South Main Town Square.
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Eddyline Restaurant | South Main
926 South Main StreetSolid fare, popular for wood-fired pizzas and their own beers. South Main location is awesome for access to live events going on at the South Main Town Square.
Momma's favorite that does a few things very well - their smoothies, their breakfast bowls, and their bagels. Plus the staff are always super-friendly.
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the Blend at Buena Vista
301 E Main StMomma's favorite that does a few things very well - their smoothies, their breakfast bowls, and their bagels. Plus the staff are always super-friendly.
Dad's favorite mocha in town. Also a regular stop for breakfast burritos and ice cream in the evening.
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The Midland Stop
801-1B Front LoopDad's favorite mocha in town. Also a regular stop for breakfast burritos and ice cream in the evening.
Local coffee roaster's cafe. Lots of coffee and quick breakfast offerings.
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Buena Vista Roastery Cafe
409 E Main StLocal coffee roaster's cafe. Lots of coffee and quick breakfast offerings.
Distillery that offers tours, whiskey flights, cocktails, with nearby food truck.
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Deerhammer Distillery
321 E Main StDistillery that offers tours, whiskey flights, cocktails, with nearby food truck.
(Not open at the moment.) Legit live music nearly every night, plus a good selection of food and drink. Voted "Best Bar in the Rockies" by Elevation Outdoor Magazine.
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The Lariat
206 E Main St(Not open at the moment.) Legit live music nearly every night, plus a good selection of food and drink. Voted "Best Bar in the Rockies" by Elevation Outdoor Magazine.
The fanciest stop in town in the beautiful Surf, a 10 minute walk from our condo. Yummy food and posh drinks, but check and make sure it's open. At this point, it looks like it's open nights except Sunday, and Sunday brunch from 8 AM to 2 PM.
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Wesley & Rose Lobby Bar
1012 Front LoopThe fanciest stop in town in the beautiful Surf, a 10 minute walk from our condo. Yummy food and posh drinks, but check and make sure it's open. At this point, it looks like it's open nights except Sunday, and Sunday brunch from 8 AM to 2 PM.
Classic cafe food, pancakes and eggs and bacon, and good salads and sandwiches.
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Roosters Crow Cafe
527 US Hwy 24 NClassic cafe food, pancakes and eggs and bacon, and good salads and sandwiches.
Yummy ice cream in an even better setting - a whole yard of play space for kids. Open late.
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Louie's Ice Cream Shop
414 E Main StYummy ice cream in an even better setting - a whole yard of play space for kids. Open late.
Bread+Salt
418 US Highway 24 NorthBrand new restaurant! Expansion from popular spot in Frisco, CO.
“La Herradura is a family owned and operated business in Buena Vista, Colorado. All of our recipes originate from Puebla and Jalisco, Mexico and we pride ourselves on making everything from scratch and strive to be the home of the best margaritas in town!!”
La Herradura
708 US-24“La Herradura is a family owned and operated business in Buena Vista, Colorado. All of our recipes originate from Puebla and Jalisco, Mexico and we pride ourselves on making everything from scratch and strive to be the home of the best margaritas in town!!”
Loback's Bakery
326 E Main StHometown spot with DONUTS!
The Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar
412 E Main StSeriously great beer selection and snacks.
Jade Garden
US Highway 24 NorthBest traditional Asian cuisine in town. We like Little Cambodia in Salida, too.
K's Dairy Delite
223 US-24Throwback ice cream and treats.
A gas station with vintage candy, over 200 kinds of glass bottled sodas, small-batch fudge and popcorn, and an ice cream counter in the summer <3
Stedman’s
227 US-24A gas station with vintage candy, over 200 kinds of glass bottled sodas, small-batch fudge and popcorn, and an ice cream counter in the summer <3
Coffee, sandwiches, treats. A bit further from our condo as it's south on Highway 24.
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Brown Dog Coffee Company
713 US-24Coffee, sandwiches, treats. A bit further from our condo as it's south on Highway 24.
Biggies
234 US-24Sandwiches and salads.
The Biker & The Baker
129 W Sackett AveInnovative bakery and delightful dine-in in Salida🥐
Brand new spot for charcuterie and small plates. Ideal for happy hour.
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The Cellar on Railroad
301 E Main StBrand new spot for charcuterie and small plates. Ideal for happy hour.
Retro gas station turned coffee shop near the whitewater shops☕️
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Station 24 Cafe
12867 US Hwy 24/285Retro gas station turned coffee shop near the whitewater shops☕️
Sightseeing
While there are fabulous Colorado opportunities one, two, and three hours away, and Buena Vista is central to all of that, this guidebook focuses on the things you can do to have an amazing getaway while staying local.
We are fifteen minutes from beautiful Princeton Hot Springs. They have everything from year-round pools to waterslides.
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Mount Princeton Historic Bath House & Hot Springs
15870 Co Rd 162We are fifteen minutes from beautiful Princeton Hot Springs. They have everything from year-round pools to waterslides.
We are only six miles from Cottonwood Hot Springs. This hot springs is more low-key than Princeton Hot Springs, a bit more mellow, rustic vibe.
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Cottonwood Hot Springs
We are only six miles from Cottonwood Hot Springs. This hot springs is more low-key than Princeton Hot Springs, a bit more mellow, rustic vibe.
Buena Vista is famous for Browns Canyon whitewater rafting and float trips! Choose a local company, or if you already participate in the sport, you know what an awesome destination the Arkansas River is.
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Brown's Canyon
Buena Vista is famous for Browns Canyon whitewater rafting and float trips! Choose a local company, or if you already participate in the sport, you know what an awesome destination the Arkansas River is.
Mount Princeton
One of the nearest Colorado 14ers.
Mount Harvard
Another close and accessible 14er.
Momma's favorite shopping in town. Boutique shop with some cool local products (i.e. Dram Apothecary). Also check Howl in Salida if you love this type of shop.
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Rock Paper Scissors
411 E Main StMomma's favorite shopping in town. Boutique shop with some cool local products (i.e. Dram Apothecary). Also check Howl in Salida if you love this type of shop.
Sundance and Friends
1111 Riverpark RoadUnique South Main shopping with cool outdoor decor.
Spot for renting mountain bikes along South Main. Also check Downtown for more options.
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Black Burro Bikes
801 Front LoopSpot for renting mountain bikes along South Main. Also check Downtown for more options.
Sundog Colorado
301 E Main StAntique shop with some good southwest finds.
Learn more about the area and its history at this local museum.
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Buena Vista Heritage Museum
506 E Main StLearn more about the area and its history at this local museum.
Mc Phelemy Park
Our local family favorite for shady playground and low-key fishing.
New playground with bouldering elements that are suitable for all ages, five minute walk from our condo.
Rocks and Ropes Course
Riverside TrailNew playground with bouldering elements that are suitable for all ages, five minute walk from our condo.
Monarch is the nearest ski mountain to Buena Vista. It's a beautiful 40 miles southwest of BV, and gets great powder in a weather system all its own.
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Monarch Mountain
123 N F StMonarch is the nearest ski mountain to Buena Vista. It's a beautiful 40 miles southwest of BV, and gets great powder in a weather system all its own.
Copper Mountain
World-class Colorado skiing 1:10 away.
Splash Park
277-301 E Main StFree public splash park to cool off in the summer with snacks nearby!
Buena Vista Bike Company
310 E Main StLocal business with bike rentals, sales, and gear.
Summit Church
18105 Alta Vista DriveThis is the closest little playground to our condo - no trees for shade though.
Columbine Park
A shady park with big playground. This is why BV is so awesome for kids!
Tim Brown does gorgeous old-timey tintype photography that makes the most amazing souvenir. Find him in Salida.
Tim Brown Photography
6395 Terrace CirTim Brown does gorgeous old-timey tintype photography that makes the most amazing souvenir. Find him in Salida.
Bright and eclectic shop with fun and funky import, decor, and jewelry.
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The Village
414 E Main StBright and eclectic shop with fun and funky import, decor, and jewelry.