This little mountain town nestled between the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo mountains in central Colorado is known as the “Heart of the Rockies.” It got this nickname not only because it is nearly the center of Colorado but also because of the warm-hearted nature of the residents who call this home. From its origins of Ute Indian hunting grounds to a railroad town of farming, ranching, and mining, it has transformed into a modern-day recreational mecca for hikers, bikers, and boaters in summer, and winter sports enthusiasts in winter.
Popular Activities
Salida is a bustling popular tourist destination in summer with world-class white water rafting on the Arkansas River that runs through the heart of downtown. Summers are filled with festivals and concerts, the most famous being FibArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas), America’s oldest and boldest whitewater rafting event that includes land and sea events such as kayaking, mountain biking, and running. According to undergroundcolorado.com, this festival has been held yearly since 1949. In winter, Monarch ski resort is less than 30 minutes from town and prides itself on only natural snow and no lift lines. The resort’s tagline “ski independent” has resisted the pull of big corporate money and maintained the allure of small mountain skiing with virtually no lines and easy access to the mountain unlike the larger corporate resorts plagued by long lift lines and hours spent battling I-70 traffic.
Good Eats in Salida
For a small town, Salida has a food scene as eclectic as its homes. Here are some of my favorites:
216 Ferraro’s is a delicious Italian restaurant nestled in a small historic building next to what used to be The Palace Hotel and has since transformed into condominiums. The portions are large, and the lasagna and eggplant parmesan are baked to perfection.
Another favorite is The Fritz, recently under new ownership, has a wonderful small plate menu, the bacon-wrapped dates are to die for, and the warm spice olives took me back to Spain. I haven’t tasted olives that good since my trip to Spain in 2017. They also have a variety of salads, steaks, burgers, and sandwiches. Their craft cocktails are superb.
A new industrious small business run by two summertime raft guides called, Little Dipper Stews and Soups is located at Alpine Park, Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to dusk. They created a winter business by refurbishing a trailer into a mobile soup and stew cart that features 3 selections weekly in 12, 16, and 32-ounce portions. I tried the creamy lemon chicken soup with dumplings. It was filled with carrots and celery and the perfect combination of creaminess with soft and chewy dumplings. They use a base of bone broth that adds a depth of flavor to their delicious soups. I also use bone broth as a base for soups and stews, it’s a great way to add Collagen to your diet which is super important for connective tissue health.
There are a few more honorable mentions but for now I hope you’ll visit Salida and experience the beauty and warmth of this small mountain town in Central Colorado
