Take a long weekend and Visit Alamosa to soak in the last days of summer! Solo travel, couple travel, or family travel, this itinerary is the perfect quick and affordable getaway that you have been looking for. Continue reading below to read more about your upcoming adventure and start planning your trip today.
Day One
Good morning and welcome to Alamosa! You have a packed schedule the next few days so obviously the best place to start is breakfast! Make your way downtown to the Roast for a tasty local breakfast. Enjoy coffee roasted and ground on site, options ranging from small bites to plates fit for a farmer. Pair it with the perfect latte and enjoy the laid back atmosphere while you get excited to explore Alamosa.
After you are caffeinated and ready to go, you are headed to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Ensure that you have all of the essential items like protective sun gear, sunscreen, plenty of water, shoes to protect your feet from the hot sands, and of course your picnic style lunch that you are going to enjoy later in the day! A day at the dunes wouldn’t be complete without sandboards and sand sleds! You can grab rentals at Kristi Mountain Sports before you leave Alamosa or grab them on your way into the park at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis! When you arrive at the park, you will want to stop into the Visitors Center and learn more about the dunes and maybe grab a cool souvenir! Once you have all the information you need, head into the park for a day of playing catch, sinking your toes into the sand, and exploring the seemingly endless dunefield.
Once you have had your fill of the dunes and are ready to cool down, make your way out of the park and hit the trail to Zapata Falls! This mild hike ends with an incredible view of the falls and a cool stream to dip your toes in after a long day in the sand. Take your time and soak in the views!
After your hike, a shower and a Downtown dinner are sure to sound amazing! Lindo Jalisco is a local favorite and must try while you are in town. Serving up top tier authentic Mexican cuisine and highly favored cocktails and even horchata! The menu has a ton to offer and will give you a chance to taste the delicious green chile you have heard so much about! Indulge your taste buds and enjoy a fun night in this fast paced and fun atmosphere, you wont regret it!
Day Two
Rise and shine! Get ready for day two of Alamosa fun! First thing this morning, we are headed to the All Valley Cafe for a traditional American style breakfast! This cozy stop will give you the best small town cafe vibes! Dine among the locals and enjoy a slow paced, Alamosa morning. Don’t worry about eating too much, your next activity is the Historical Downtown Walking Tour coupled with a tour of the San Luis Valley Museum.
Stop into the Welcome Center after breakfast to get a physical copy of the walking or click here to view the digital version! Hit the streets and check out all of the incredible, well preserved history living in Alamosa. After your Downtown tour is complete, head over to the museum to learn more about the town you are visiting and get an authentic glimpse of the past by viewing the displays! After the museum, take your time and explore the rest of Downtown Alamosa and all of the cute local stores to choose from and shop at until you are ready to stop for lunch.Downtown Alamosa has everything from classic American Cuisine to Thai to award winning BBQ and more! Explore all of your options and choose what is best for you and your crew! Be sure you eat plenty and hydrate well because you still have a half day of adventure ahead of you!
I am sure that it comes as a surprise that the next stop on your Alamosa itinerary brings you to a reptile haven that you won’t forget! Head on over to Colorado Gators Reptile Park for an exciting afternoon of viewing and feeding alligators, interacting with reptiles while learning all about them, walking through an indoor rainforest of sorts, and top off the visit by holding a baby alligator and posing for your next Christmas card photo! This stop will take a few hours, but the timing is perfect to get you to your next destination, which might be even more surprising than alligators in Colorado.
The UFO Watchtower is an out of the ordinary stop that is sure to allow your imagination run wild. Check out UFO sighting stories and learn all about Snippy, the horse that started it all. Take a stroll through the rock garden and consider leaving an item behind. If the stories are true, good things might happen to those who do! Stay until the sun sets and take in the views from the top of the Watchtower. Who knows, you might just have an alien encounter of your own!
It’s been a long day, and we are sure that dinner and heading to your hotel is sounding pretty good right about now! Make your way back into Alamosa for one more meal before you head to bed and prep for one more day packed full of fun. A trip to Alamosa wouldn’t be complete without a meal at the Friars Fork and Sanctuary. This upscale Italian & Mediterranean establishment brings the wow factor to small town dining and is sure to be a memorable meal. Take in the historic establishment, sip on a crafted cocktail and enjoy fresh, authentic dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the San Luis Valley. Take your time and enjoy every bite, we will talk more in the morning!
Day 3
The run has risen and it’s another incredible day to explore and experience Alamosa! You had a busy day yesterday, and you have earned some much needed unwinding and relaxation. Before you head out, breakfast is calling your name. This morning you will be dining at a hidden gem and local favorite: Crazy Corner Cafe. Try authentic Mexican breakfast dishes or stick to the usual, they have a ton of different options, each as delicious as the next. We do recommend trying something, anything smothered in green chile…you won’t regret it! After you have finished up, Sand Dunes Recreation is calling your name for the day. Grab your swimsuits and goggles, hop in the car and head out!
This hot springs location is a hidden oasis that has something to offer every age group. For the kiddos, a full size pool complete with two diving boards and two children’s pools perfect for splashing and playing, rentals for pool toys and floaties, volleyball and basketball, and a full kid friendly menu that is just as delicious for parents as it is for them! For the adults, a relaxing hot tub in the main pool area and an adults only escape complete with 4 additional soaking pools, a bar, and upscale eats that are sure to delight! There is a store hosting swim suits, towels, snacks, souvenirs and more should you forget anything or need something! No matter how you choose to enjoy the area, you can easily spend the majority of your day here having access to all you might need on site. Take advantage of the day and really unwind, we will see you back in Downtown Alamosa this evening for one more activity and meal to complete your long weekend.
Before the sun is gone for the day, hit the streets and take in the art all over Downtown. Find countless sculptures and beautiful murals on each block, each unique and different from the other and many created by the hands of local artists. Interact gently with some of the art and capture unique moments through photos. The sculptures are changed out each year, making viewing them a limited time opportunity and leaves lingering excitement for what might be in place the next time that you visit! Once you have taken in all of the art, it is time to experience one last authentic Mexican meal in town.
Calvillo’s Mexican Kitchen is a locally family owned and operated establishment that truly makes you feel welcome and excited to dine! From a mouth watering buffet to a full menu packed with tried and true family recipes, your mouth will be watering the second you walk through the doors! Sip on tasty margaritas, delight in savory green chile and satisfy your sweet tooth with one of their many tantalizing dessert options! They even host an amazing kids menu that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Take in the authentic atmosphere and stroll through their unique gift shop before you head out. Take your time though, because walking out and heading to the hotel marks the end of your Alamosa adventure. But don’t worry, we have one more stop in store for you before you head out in the morning!
Day 4: Headed out
You’re probably running around the hotel room right now trying to get things together before heading home at this point. We know the end of trips can be hard and going back to the day to day grind might be weighing in. We wouldn’t want you to leave Alamosa with a heavy heart though, so we are sending you to Milagros for a fresh cup of coffee and a warm pastry or light breakfast before you hit the road. This coffee house is warm, inviting and the perfect place to end your journey. Indulge in a sweet pastry or create your own specialty latte, they have almost every flavor you could imagine and the baristas are happy to experiment to deliver a fantastic experience! Even if you don’t quite have time to sit and enjoy, they offer items that are perfect for on the go enjoyment.
We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your time here in Alamosa and are headed home to start planning your next trip here! There is plenty that you didn’t get to experience, so start diving into our website and exploring all that the area has to offer!
We will see you next time! Until then, wishing you safe travels from the Visit Alamosa team!
