Westcliffe
There are a wide variety of things to do in this quiet small town located 16 miles from Maytag Mountain Ranch.
The Arts
The Crystal Mountain Center for the Performing Arts was formed in 1992 with the creation of The Jones Theater. Located in a brick structure, it was originally a saloon and pool hall in the 1880's, where town rowdies could hang out and spend the money they got from mining silver in nearby Silver Cliff and Rosita. Now the theater serves as both a movie house and live theatre. Refurbished to its original 1930's glamour, there are now 8 live productions each summer and a full season of first run movies in the 184-seat house. Tickets are for sale daily.
Church Services
Attend one of the historic churches in Westcliffe, Hope Lutheran, the Episcopal Church, or the First Baptist Church. If you're not religious, you can always just stop by for a tour. Each of these buildings was built in the late 1800's and early 1900's, and as you can imagine, they have a unique story behind them. There are a number of other denominations in Westcliffe. Information about church services and activities are available weekly in the Wet Mountain Tribune.
Dining
Dining options include dinner and a play at the theater, or the always delicious Oak Creek Grand General Store and Steakhouse. Fine dining can be found at Sangrita or the Letter Drop Inn just outside of Westcliffe in historic Rosita. If you're in the mood for pizza, check out Pizza Dough Main in Silver Cliff. More of a breakfast person? Try Karen's Gourmet Coffee Shop, a Westcliffe favorite.
Holiday Celebrations
Annual holiday celebrations are kicked off with the Memorial Day Parade. The Fourth of July brings the annual ice cream social and flea market capped off by spectacular fireworks over Lake DeWeese. Labor Day in Westcliffe is known as Western Days in Colorado. Three fun packed days include a horse parade, the Wet Mountain Fiddling Contest, and a variety of Western musicians, cowboy poets and Western artists. Christmas time brings the Parade of Lights heralding the arrival of Santa and the Holiday House Tours.
Shopping & Sight Seeing
Shop for Western antiques, visit the art galleries, pottery shops and western wear outfitters. Explore the many ghost towns in the area. Some of these towns are occupied by local residents, who have taken pains to restore and preserve the character and buildings. Visit St. Elmo in the high mountains southwest of Buena Vista, or Turret which sits in Rustic Cat Gulch north of Salida, and Bonanza is located southwest of Salida. Other deserted mining camps near Salida include Calumet, Cleora, Monarch, Hartsville and Shavano. A few building stones and broken down cabins still remain there.
Have questions about Westcliffe and the activities there? Contact Us and we'd be happy to help.
