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Top 43 things to do and attractions in Buena Vista
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedOct 7, 2025
Updated • updatedOct 7, 2025
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Buena Vista is a charming town that beckons adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. With its stunning backdrop of the Collegiate Peaks and the rushing waters of the Arkansas River, this picturesque destination offers a perfect blend of outdoor activities and local culture. Whether you're looking to paddle through thrilling whitewater rapids, hike scenic trails, or simply relax in a cozy café, Buena Vista has something for everyone. The town's vibrant atmosphere is complemented by its friendly locals and a rich history that adds to its unique charm.
As you explore Buena Vista, you'll discover a delightful mix of well-known attractions and hidden gems. From the exhilarating experiences at Buena Vista Whitewater Park to the mouthwatering offerings at local eateries like Eddyline Brewery and Buena Vista Roastery Cafe, there's no shortage of ways to indulge your senses. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the town's history at the Buena Vista Heritage Museum or enjoy a leisurely day at Mcphelemy Park. With so much to see and do, Buena Vista invites you to embark on an unforgettable journey through its stunning landscapes and welcoming community.
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Restaurants
Attractions
Family restaurants
Temporarily Closed
Historical landmark
Event venue
Nestled in the heart of Buena Vista, Colorado, the Buena Vista Heritage Museum offers a delightful journey through the region's rich mining history and Wild West tales. Housed in the historic Chaffee County Courthouse, this museum features engaging exhibits that captivate visitors of all ages. Families will particularly enjoy exploring a charming model railroad complete with hidden characters and an old-fashioned classroom equipped with slate boards. One of the highlights at Buena Vista Heritage is its annual Apple Festival held every September.
The Annual Apple Fest is a must attend in Buena Vista, CO. This 1915 era farm is a must see complete with turn of the century antiques in the farmhouse and outbuildings. Food, music and fresh apple pie is plentiful.
Chris D — Google review
What a beautiful place! I learned about this from a docent at the Heritage Museum. The 50 Apple Trees were all brought from back east. There is an Apple Festival there in September featuring all things apple....pie, Apple butter, etc.
Nice lil museum! Nice folks, really cool train set.
Cool little museum and an interesting history of the building itself.
Enjoyed the Annual Apple festival with homemade apple pies, free music amidst a historic home. Admission is a donation to the renovation.
Very well preserved old fashioned western home in Buena Vista, Colorado. Apple Fest is held here at this location every year. I had an amazing piece of apple pie!!!!!!
I love to research the History of Buena Vista
And Growing Up in Buena Vista I had the pleasure of meeting the Turner family.
Thank You for maintaining this beautiful
Apple farm.
Very interesting, well displayed lots to see and read. Sweet lady at the front desk has lots of the info memorized and is awesome to listen to.
506 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Brewery
Bar
Pizza restaurant
Eddyline Brewery, established in 2009 and located in Buena Vista, Colorado, is a vibrant tavern known for its own brand of draft brews and bar bites. The brewery's focus is on creating high-quality ales and lagers that capture the essence of Colorado's outdoor adventures. Situated along the Collegiate Peaks and Arkansas River, Eddyline Brewery draws inspiration from the surrounding natural beauty.
This was hands down the best pizza and burger I’ve had in a very long time. My boyfriend and I split the Firecracker Pizza and the cheeseburger, and both were absolutely incredible. The pizza was cooked to perfection, and the hot honey drizzle added the perfect kick. The burger was equally impressive—especially the bun, which I couldn’t stop raving about.
The staff was extremely friendly, and the gentleman who took our order was not only kind but also very knowledgeable about the menu, which made the experience even better. The atmosphere of the restaurant was fantastic. We loved the unique decor, especially the artwork and the cool design of the tables.
The value for the quality and portion size was unbeatable. In fact, my boyfriend and I were so blown away by the food that we canceled our original reservation for our 6-year anniversary dinner—before we even finished eating—and decided to come back here instead. That’s how good it was.
I’ll absolutely be recommending this place to all my friends and family, and it’s officially a must-visit spot for me anytime I’m in town.
Update: Went back that night and it was just as amazing! Same friendly staff, and we tried the root beer and cookie skillet—both were fantastic. Took the Brown Canyon pizza and fish & chips to our Airbnb, and they were just as delicious as before—crispy, flavorful, and super satisfying. Found out the ketchup and tartar sauce are made in-house—no wonder they’re so good. This place is a must-try!
Gracy R — Google review
Great service and the cool concept of a large block with red and green to tell the servers that you want something. What a great idea. The tots were amazing. Great barbecue sauce I don't even like ketchup and I'm pretty sure it was homemade because it was pretty good. In fact, I pretty sure that everything was homemade. I got the mushroom and Swiss patty melt. And well, that was average. My wife had a salad with chicken and she said it was really good. Probably the only thing that wasn't homemade was the croutons. Excellent dressing most likely homemade. Oh and the spicy fried pickles were perfect and dang sure they were hand breaded not from a bag
We went relatively early (around 6pm or so) for dinner and we thought it was fantastic! I ended up getting a Swiss and mushroom melt that was phenomenal; the mushrooms were freshly sautéed and the bread had a nice crunchy crust. Tried one of their seasonal beers, Flow State, and while I'm not a huge beer drinker I did still really like it.
I also love their little cube system! You have a cube on your table that you flip to green when you want wait service or have a question for your server. It's honestly a nice way to get fast service while not feeling cluttered by your server. Quite unique!
Had the Lemon Blueberry in Leadville and it was excellent so I had to stop in when in town. Didn't eat in, just picked up assorted beers to bring home. So far, they are all winners. This will be a new stop for my any time I am in Buena.
Wow! My wife and I had dinner here and it was amazing. Everything we ordered was unique and perfectly executed. We started with spicy fried pickles and buffalo wings, the wings were some of the best I’ve ever had, they were smoked and juicy with crispy skin. We ordered the Numbers pizza and it was excellent too, great crust! The beer was great too! If you’re in BV, go to Eddyline.
Edit: the owner was super nice to email us and listen to the concerns. I appreciated him taking the time to address what happened
Experience was good until the lady checking us out when we bought beer and cider up front was incredibly rude to us. She told my boyfriend to go to the bar to check out because she couldn’t sit people but the way she said it was SO nasty. I was so thrown off by it and how she spoke to us as we’re just waiting to pay. She was a shorter blonde probably 40s ish fyi - highly recommend not having her around your customers, especially when we’re paying for more expensive products.
Great food, great beer, friendly service. Easily handled our large group for lunch (beers literally came to the table as we’re still ordering.)
Nashville hot chicken sandwich was seriously good. Just wish they had a presence in the Denver area!
The Java Stout is seasonal so get it while it lasts! So good - pricy but worth it. The sweet potato fries are my favorite, and I've tried many. The veggie burger actually has veggies in it and has a lot of flavor. Their house-made ketchup is a good compliment to the burger and fries. (I personally like the fries exactly as-is). Pizza is okay; asked for extra crispness but the crust was limp. Good flavor though. Nachos were okay but other menu items were enjoyed more. Outdoor seating is great - varies from hot to cool even in the summer, so bring layers.
102 Linderman Ave, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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cheap
Coffee shop
Bakery
Espresso bar
Wi-Fi spot
Buena Vista Roastery Cafe is a charming coffee shop nestled in the heart of Buena Vista, offering a delightful array of craft coffee drinks, scrumptious baked goods, and light breakfast and lunch options. The cafe boasts an artsy ambiance and an outdoor space that allows patrons to soak in the vibrant energy of this picturesque mountain town.
The coffee was amazing and the baked goods were delicious!! We got a blueberry scone with frosting. I also really recommend the tumeric and chai latte.
The only thing that could be improved upon is the cleanliness as the tables and floor were really messy.
Private N — Google review
Great place to eat or drink somthing. Good food, reasonable priced. May somewhat crowdy, but the friendly admosphere made it easy to share a table.
I visited this coffee shop for the first time today. The cafe was conveniently located in the center of Buena Vista town center, the outside of the cafe looked fairly nice (it would look better if they give the building a fresh coat of paint and clean the outside dining area thoroughly), there was adequate free parking nearby, no staff member greeted me upon entering the cafe, there was a limited amount of seating in the cafe, but I found a small table to sit at, no music was playing, the dining room was clean and neat, my table was clean and not sticky, the employee who took my order was fairly friendly, they had several danish/bread-type items available, a breakfast burrito (either with bacon, or without meat), their medium roast was delicious (especially with one of their many flavored syrups colorfully displayed above the counter on the wall), they had a nice size table on the side for customers with 3 kinds of "cream", stevia, forks, knives, stirrers, etc., and garbage can on the side of the table, there was good, free WiFi, the dining room had big windows to see out toward the beautiful mountains, and the restroom was clean and did not smell.
I've been coming here each summer for 10 years. Great coffee and baked goods, friendly, efficient service, indoor/outdoor seating.
Great coffee, plenty of seating both inside and outside, nice staff.
The coffee and food here are great. The challenge with this place is the service. It was pretty astounding to watch a very busy coffee shop where there was four people behind the counter, two of them were literally doing nothing, correction, one was drinking coffee and not helping. The cashier had to get my coffee instead of checking me out because there was another person just standing there who could've easily grabbed a cup and filled it up. The line ended up going out the door for almost 2 hours. Many people left. I am sure the owners know this. My guess is they don't don't care and make their money off of selling beans or something. If you are in a hurry or want to spend money at a place that actually cares about the customers, I'd go somewhere else.
Perfect stop for a coffee enthusiast who appreciates organic, fair-trade beans and insists on drinking their coffee black to appreciate its unique notes. If that's not you, this place is a take it or leave it.
I visited on a Friday afternoon. There was no wait and plenty of empty tables, however, on a busy day good luck finding a seat. The vibe is American southwest meets generic coffee house. Nothing special, but the outdoor seating area is nice and the location off Main St. is convenient. Staff was friendly, and service was fast.
My coffee was good, but nothing I feel compelled to get again, especially when there are so many other coffee spots to try out.
My husband and I hiked and camped at different spots throughout the Collegiate Peaks and accidentally made the Roastery our home base. We ended up stopping by all four days because we just so happened to drive by town.
I tried the cappuccino, cortado, and Spanish latte as well as a few different pastries each time— all excellent! We went out with two breakfast burritos before leaving town. Each time, the staff was super friendly and helpful. 10/10 would recommend!
409 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Park
Water park
Buena Vista Whitewater Park, affectionately known as BV by locals, is a hidden gem in Colorado's mountain towns. This riverside park offers five main whitewater structures for kayaking and rafting, along with climbing walls and trails. Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, it's a haven for nature lovers and thrill-seekers looking to escape city life.
Traveling through and found this park. I was amazed how much it had to offer, ballfields, trails, pump track, skatepark. This is a great park and the caretakers did a great job on the lawns, ect. It was very busy when i visited. There was a ball game the night i was here. Ballfields were crisp. The field topper been dragged nicely and they chaulked it straight.
Dee D — Google review
Beautiful park for whitewater rafting, fishing, dipping your toes in the water or just soaking up the mountain air and lovely views. Lots of walking and hiking trails start from here, going up into the hills or along the river. A nice easy trail for those looking for something casual goes from one bridge to the next and then leads back through the town with multiple stops to grab a snack or a coffee or relax by the water or in a park.
Beautiful park with an exceptional view of the river. We took the Bridge-to-Bridge trail and enjoyed a moderately easy hike. (We had a 7 year old and a 70 year old in our party, both who could do the hike with a little hand holding assistance).
Beautiful Park with really cool desert trails which scale above the Arkansas River.
The river is beautiful, lots of your people white water rafting and a few trying to ride a standup paddle board - fun to watch 😃. Beautiful hikes along the river and great pickleball courts too!
Must stop or visit if you are close by, MTB trails and Hiking, can do kayaking and even surfing steady wave
A place for short 2 - 4 mile hikes. If you are careful there are a number of places to do a quick dip in the river, that will cool you down.
Beautiful place to stop off and take a nice little hike along the river. I didn't get in the water more than just my fingertips, but I really enjoyed hiking around and exploring the area. There's some spots where you can hop out across the rocks to get further into the river, as well as a couple of waterfalls and pedestrian bridges. Picked this place to stop on a whim and was not disappointed.
715 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Permanently Closed
affordable
New American restaurant
American restaurant
Bar
House Rock Kitchen is a modern and health-conscious eatery located in a small town in Colorado. It offers a lively patio with games, making it a great spot for outdoor dining. The restaurant serves up fresh and healthy food, including burgers, sandwiches, bowls, and vegetarian options. Customers can enjoy the fast-casual dining experience with from-scratch food both indoors and outdoors on the spacious patio. The menu features creative and globally-inspired flavors with an emphasis on vegetarian choices.
Oh my, it was a feast! Will definitely be back for more in the future.
It's a bit chaotic, order first, sit down later palce. You might worry waiting in a queue and seeing the staff seem confused, but it's so worth it.
They have lots of cool options like bowls, burgers, and sandwiches, and oh my, are those tasty.
We tried nachos and guacamole, BBQ burger and brisket sandwich, and loved all of it. In hindsight, we shouldn't have ordered the nachos because there was so, so, so much food on our plates. The sandwiches came kinda broken down. You can add tomatos, greens, and sauces from your plate by yourself. While I will always stuff my burger, my husband goes for the simplest options possible, so this worked out great for us.
They also have nice choice of tap beers and had a cider during our visit.
Again, very, very tasty, big portions, great deal in a cool, casual spot. Lots of customers with dogs, too!
Gluten free options and substitutions are plenty, and they don't charge for it! Finally, a place that doesn't scam people :) Plus, the gluten free bun was really tasty.
Ania — Google review
This is usually our go to eatery in Buenavista. They have lots of yummy, healthy options and can do dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian. However, this week we hit them on an off day. We got there around 4:45pm, and there were only two other customers in the place. I ordered the chicken sandwich but they were out of gluten free buns, so they said they would lettuce wrap it instead. The first picture is the lettuce "wrap." Basically it was some lettuce piled on top. If I had known that, I would have ordered the salad with chicken. My husband ordered the beef brisket sandwich. The beef was dry and tough. Once seated outside with our food, no one ever checked back in with us. Everyone has an off day from time to time, so we will try here again as it is normally much better with delicious food and ample potions.
A local favorite with a great outdoor patio and mountain views. We visited on a Friday around noon; the line was out the door, but moved quickly. Food is ordered at the counter then brought to your table. We waited around 30 minutes for our food.
The food was fresh. The presentation mouthwatering. Which is why I wanted to love this meal--after all, they advertise how most of their food is locally sourced and organic--but I found something missing in both the Indian and Southerwestern bowls. It's like they couldn't decide whether they wanted to be salads or grain bowls and in trying to do both, miss the mark. On their own, each ingredient in the bowls is good, but they don't mix well. I found the sauce pairings strange, too. A dill sauce to go with the curry that tasted like it belonged on a falafel. And the pumpkin pesto aioli on the Southwestern bowl would have been better suited as a spread on a sandwich.
Don't let that harsh take deter you from trying something else on the menu though. If nothing else, the cozy patio is enough to entice me back to try something else. It's a great spot for kids too since there is a boccee ball game in the patio area.
Great outdoor space. Nice views. They have awesome GF and even DF options. We really enjoyed ourselves and the staff were super friendly. My husband really liked the house burger and I loved the chicken pesto sandwich w / gf bun. Fries were very tasty. We also enjoyed the Brussel sprouts salad.
Sitting outside was just beautiful but it could do with some added shade. The prices were a little high but the portions were huge and delicious! Well worth it. Also, if some one in your party had a peanut or nut allergy in general, this is the place to go! They are really careful with nuts here and I felt very comfortable with my kiddo eating here and all the staff were knowledgeable about it. So that's a HUGE plus for us.
This is a great place to grab a bite to eat. The food is fast and fresh. You can choose to eat inside our outside. I enjoyed this place as I was visiting from out of town. It gave me a fresh and healthy place to find some good food.
Service was always spot on and attentive.
I was in BV for two weeks and t
Ate here 4 times. I really did like it.
While in Buena Vista today our family of 7 decided to check this place out for lunch. Everything we ordered was absolutely amazing. The service was great and the staff was very attentive to our needs. We will take our guests here every chance we get. The food was not fast food junk, but the chef made and very tasty. We loved it!
I had a organic Kale salad with roasted brussel sprouts and it was so good and it was huge!! Omg , like not being hyperbolic, lol
Also had one of their burgers. Really good too. The burgers patties were grass fed, gitta love that. Great craft beers on tap. Ouside sitting , rgis place has it all y'all. Honestly I forgot to take photos of the food, but I did snap some of the outside sittinh area! Definatley a spot I will come back to next time I am in BV
421 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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affordable
Restaurant
Brunch restaurant
Cocktail bar
Wesley & Rose Lobby Bar offers a good dining experience with relatively affordable prices. The menu features tasty options, and the River Spritz is a recommended drink. The spacious bar has a great energy and offers creative cocktails. While reservations are not accepted, the staff is accommodating to larger parties and provides high-end food, drinks, and attentive service. The atmosphere is cool and energetic, making it a nice locale for special occasions or casual outings.
The gnocchi with butternut squash is absolutely delicious!! The waitress suggested crumbing some sausage on top (I was going to add shrimp)and it was a great suggestion. The flavors!! Everyone loved their meals. Waitress was terrific, great atmosphere, accommodating to our baby.
We’ve eaten here several times and are never disappointed. Just great food.
JIll I — Google review
This was the most special of birthday dinners. It was a quiet evening, we were in early. Megan was an absolute delight and very outgoing. We had the crab cake which is enormous with the most complimentary, slightly spicy, aioli, that was my favorite! The truffle fries are ADDICTIVE, the lasagna with meatballs is luxury and the gnocchi, sublime. Key lime pie for dessert and a "wine" spritzer mocktail. The real treat was my Happy Birthday Song. This man is an angel. He sings with the blessing of the Universe. Incredible. 10 🌟 stars.
This was our first visit to this restaurant- and it was a delight!!!
THE highlight of the evening was our server - Sarah. The vibe of the restaurant/bar is a bit stiff - but Sarah made the evening fun and special. Her recommendations and insight on the menu helped us have a great evening!!! Our favorites: Lettuce wrapped cauliflower and the tuna appetizers !! Thank you Sarah!!!
Wow. We were beyond impressed by the atmosphere and food here. Almost everything had a gluten free option and the food was phenomenal.
The outside of the hotel and restaurant look like a New Orleans old town hotel and the inside has this cool train station meets mountain vibe that was super inviting to come to. I loved all of the decor, menu designs, and the space.
The food was AH-MAZING! My friend is pretty limited on her diet and is gluten free.
There were so many really tasty options for her to choose from which was pretty rare.
I had the French onion soup and it was easily one of the best I've ever had. We also shared a gluten free Gnocchi and Pizza. Both were for sure "something to write home about".
Favorites: French Onion Soup, GF Sage Gnocchi, Pizza, Steak, Au Gratin Potatoes, etc.
Parking: Easy street parking for free
Amazing food! Visited here a couple of years ago and had to come back on a recent trip because it had left such an impression. I highly recommend the elk rack, which is cooked perfectly. Save room for the best cheesecake you'll ever have.
Fantastic restaurant in Buena Vista. It may be the best food in town! Highlights were the Greek Godness Salad and the Burrata Salad with the salmon add-on. The flavors were phenomenal with the salmon cooked to perfection. The Marlborough Wine from New Zealand was a wonderful pairing. For dessert we had some simple but very delicious ice cream with chocolate ganache and toasted almonds. The atmosphere and service were great. Kayley served us, and she was spectacular; 10/10! P.S - they have the cutest menus. You’ll be browsing just to see the figures!
Happy hour $3.50 beers is unbeatable
Very cute and well decorated!
It wasn’t packed, but it was full around 5-7.
Food looked good (we didn’t eat). It seems like a place for Frangers rather than for BV locals
This is the cutest place!! From the menus to the interior everything is so nice, and they really know how to make a good espresso martini! We only had truffle fries and martinis but we loved it all and will be back!
1012 Front Loop #1, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
affordable
Restaurant
Gluten-free restaurant
Hamburger restaurant
Lunch restaurant
The Buena Viking is a popular food truck in Buena Vista known for its elevated burgers, sandwiches, and sides. It has a vibrant atmosphere with picnic tables on the patio where locals and visitors enjoy their meals. The food truck's phenomenal burgers are highly recommended, and it's a must-visit spot after any adventure in the area. Despite potential long lines, the service is efficient, and there's even a bar attached to the patio for patrons to enjoy drinks while waiting.
Great local vibe bar with the better rooftop bar, The Crow's Nest (great place to rent out for a reception) because it has its own bar and a retractable roof. Great views of the mountains and Main Street. Main floor has inside and an outside terrace seating (outside is furbaby friendly). Bartenders have strong pours; kitchen has a separate gluten-free prep and deep fryer areas. Love the loaded tots, the pulled pork and chicken, the breaded/fried green beans, and the sweet potato fries. Yes, it is a great place after a day of hiking or rafting the white water!
Da C — Google review
We stopped by Buena Viking in the middle of our road trip. The 14ers festival was going on so there was definitely some rush. However we were able to be get seated inside quickly.Placed an order for Barbarian Burger, Hygge, and Loaded Tots. What we didn’t account for was the delay in getting the food. Had to wait almost an hour to get the food but that was understandable as it was rush time. The food however was super delicious especially the loaded tots. Would definitely recommend Buena Viking but keep in mind of wait times.
Very popular spot with some modern eatery vibes, burgers were great and my kiddo loved the sweet potato fries. The truffle tots were excellent along with my non alcoholic Moscow mule with energy shot, they have regular alcohol as well. We sat out side and then it started pouring and all the staff rallies to get everyone inside and accommodate those of us who got wet, thanks very much for their kindness and consideration.
The new location is great, good inside and outside options. Overall highly recommend. The food was very good, although it doesn’t come with sides so you’ll have to pay extra for some tots. I guess you can expect that from a tourist town though. Recommend getting the loaded tots, very tasty and filling. The service was excellent. They messed up the salad order and not only did they fix it but they took it off the bill as well without us asking. The location was new and clean.
Very cool burger spot with an awesome vibe. Came suggested by two different people so had to check it out. I got a beyond burger and my dad got the Buena Viking burger with the parmesan truffle tots and loved it. Ask for one of their special sauces, we got the sriracha ranch and it was delicious. Server was really nice and food came out quickly!
Great little spot in beautiful downtown Buena Vista! We loved our server and our food. The place is beautiful and the Viking theme is fun! My husband even bought one of their cute shirts. Highly recommend the tots!
This was a fun find in Buena Vista. The lean heavily into their tots and burgers (For good reason!) but also had some good looking salad and chicken options. The staff was friendly, the food felt affordable for the sizing, and the atmosphere was a lot of fun. They had a great outdoor area and balcony to eat and drink on as well.
When we came in it was very busy so we sat at the bar. The bartender was great and we enjoyed our drinks. Unfortunately the burgers fell short, my was cooked well done after asking for rare. My partner received a different burger than he originally ordered, but the manager was accommodating and gave us a discount. Sides are sold separately, we liked the sweet pot fries. Assuming it’s bc it was very busy but they only have two bathrooms here and the wait to go was over 10 mins too. I’d come back for maybe a drink but I’d skip eating here personally.
418 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Outdoor sports store
Camping store
Clothing store
Shoe store
Ski rental service
Located in Colorado, The Trailhead has been a premier outdoor specialty retailer since 1972. It offers a wide range of equipment for various outdoor activities such as rock climbing, biking, and snow sports. Customers can also rent gear by the day but are advised to reserve in advance due to limited supplies on weekends. Additionally, the establishment features a restaurant with a vibrant atmosphere and friendly staff. Visitors have praised the helpful and genuine employees who provide excellent service and valuable tips for outdoor enthusiasts.
Nice bike store along the main road. The staff were great, great outdoor related items and were plenty of them, great atmosphere, and convenient to a bakery/eatery next door if you want to grab a quick bite to eat. Worth checking out!
Nikolai M — Google review
Awesome store with the smell of fresh bread to leave you wanting a little snack after. Pretty much everything you could want in an outfitters store. Freeze dried food/shoes/hydration vest.
The Trailhead is robustly stocked and has great staff to help with products and gear. We sought Christian’s expertise and advice 3 times during 3 trips to this store in a week! He alone deserves 5 stars! Amazing place. Thank you, Christian.
Last Monday (10/6/25) I climbed Mt Princeton in 4 month old hiking shoes and had major problems. I have always had difficulty finding the right outdoor hiking shoes and this hike proved it.
In desperation, I visited the Buena Vista Trailhead 2 days later, the day before climbing Mt Yale. I met Shelby who was very helpful as I described my issues climbing Princeton, including sweaty feet and tow pain due to a hammertoe becoming squashed from swelling, especially when descending. This all left me with very sore feet. I also had a tough time with traction on the rocky slopes.
She patiently waited for me to try multiple pairs of shoes from a wide assortment, each successive pair fixing an issue from the prior attempts.
Finally we landed on the shoe that fit perfectly (Topo Athletic). I had never heard of a wide toe box before but this one was ideal as I tried out their simulated slope.
I hiked Yale the next day and had no issues with sore feet and toes. The shoes had awesome grip, no slipping even on wet rock and fine gravel. I was so impressed with the shoes that I went straight to the store after the hike to thank the staff.
I highly recommend The Trailhead when you need a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. Ask for Shelby!
Paul
Georgetown, TX
This place is the best! Nico, Cooper, Josey, Abe, and Shelby all deserve raises because they are so friendly and helpful! Great selection of socks. 10/10 do recommend.
Great local gear shop! They carry alot( possibly too much since space is tight and hard to shop) overall, an awesome shop with very knowledgeable staff ( Chris and Nico were amazing)! We will return every time we come to Buena Vista!
Also there is a great bakery attached to the shop!
Such a great selection for clothing, decent selection for shoes, but the staff make the whole experience great. Very helpful and knowledgeable and they make the arduous task of finding what you need so much more enjoyable.
Great little camping/hiking store. I got a few essentials before going on a few day camp trip and they had a great selection of items. I got a few energy snacks, sunglasses, a hat, and a camping chair. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff.
402 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Temporarily Closed
Public golf course
Bar & grill
Nestled in the picturesque town of Buena Vista, Collegiate Peaks Golf Course offers a unique golfing experience at the base of the stunning 14,000-foot peaks. The course is well-maintained and provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains. While it's a 9-hole course, golfers can enjoy challenging holes with plenty of water features that add to the scenic beauty.
Great little nine hole course with some amazing views of Mt. Princeton and Mt. Harvard
Gerard I — Google review
Very fun course super nice people! I play golf a lot and I found the course to be fun and challenging. My girlfriend doesn’t play at all and she had a great time great for all skill levels.
Wonderful local neighborhood 9 hole course. I used to be a yearly member at this course, but now they have become a little big for their britches. The fact that you guys charge the same rate for a local as Breckenridge Golf Club and Keystone Ranch/River courses is absolutely ridiculous.
Lower your prices back to a reasonable amount or give a local deal and I'll be back.
What a great golf course in Buena Vista! Well maintained, excellent views and friendly staff. They were very accommodating for our large group of golfers and made all the arrangements for rental clubs, carts, etc. before our arrival. Will definitely be playing here again the next time I swing through BV!
My favorite views on the planet are from this golf course! We love to walk when we play here - more time to soak up the scenery. Beware… the water on this course is coming for your golf balls 😉
No respect from mowers and other workers from teeing off or hitting to greens. One workers had a large hose stretched across green when we were hitting our approach shots, never moved it.
Pretty course (9 holes essentially repeated for 18 holes).
Fun course. Good challeng, different types of holes and plenty of water to eat my golf balls. Beautiful setting!
Limited food menu but good drink menu. They really need a cart person selling drinks on the course!
28775 Fairway Dr, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
affordable
Brewpub
Brewery
Family restaurant
Restaurant
Eddyline Restaurant, located in the vibrant South Main neighborhood, is a bustling microbrewery and restaurant known for its wood-fired meat dishes, pizza, and handcrafted brews. The adjacent boutique hotel offers comfortable rooms with scenic views of the Arkansas River. The friendly atmosphere of the restaurant is complemented by colorful rafting and Arkansas River-themed art adorning the walls. Guests can savor specialties like the Royal Gorge pizza paired with a refreshing Boater Beer Pilsner.
Incredible food and service! I got the pesto pasta and some fries. Everything from the pasta to the ketchup tasted so fresh and homemade. Prices were reasonable and food came out pretty quickly. Decent drink selection too. Would highly recommend!
Holly T — Google review
The food was wonderful, the paintings on the wall were bright and cheery, the servers were all wonderful. The beer was cold, the margarita was delicious.
But the reason I gave it four stars, is to pay $16 for a small salad with no meat,
(to add a chicken breast would’ve been seven dollars more )is a little excessive. $12 for a side Caesar that was just OK was also high priced.
I was a little in shock that our bill was $81 for two people at lunch. Yikes!!
Trust me, we have been traveling a lot, we’ve eaten all across the country, and this price was pretty high .
Popped in for a burger with my buddy. Burger was decent enough although seemed a little dry - probably could have used some kind of sauce. Had the grass fed. My buddy had the green chile. Had asked for med rare and it came out well done. Fries are to die for. I could eat those all day long. Nice decor. Friendly and attentive staff.
We have been on the road for 2 weeks through Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. This place was our favorite restaurant we found along the way. The Bison Strip was beyond good and the Steak Frites were delicious. The service was great - my husband has been craving brewed sweet tea since we left home...it wasn't on the menu, but they made it for him anyway. Cannot recommend this place enough - 10 stars!
We took a break from the hot springs and stumbled upon this amazing restaurant! The atmosphere is cozy with beautiful paintings of aspens, the best food and dessert! I had the avocado burger with a Parmesan crisp and my husband had the jalapeño cream cheese burger! The staff was friendly and prompt! Excellent food, service, and ambience! Will definitely be back again!!!
Can’t say enough great things about this place! Phenomenal food, people, and atmosphere and one of the best places to eat in Buena Vista! Highly recommend and will coming back as the boneshaker burger and house salad are my favorite.
In June of 2025 we stop in on a Friday night about 630, suprised we got seated right away (no wait) and got an outside table too. But we found out that the kitchen was slow and it took about 30 minutes or so for our food to arrive. Beer was cold and a decent selection.
My dad and brothers pulled pork sandwich looked amazing (cannot have any of the food that is cooked over the Pecan wood grill). I had to order the fettuccine alfredo which to my suprise came with a lot of fresh vegetables, was tasty with a light alfredo sauce. The reason for the four stars for the food was the portion size was kind of small for a pasta dish and that almost everything is cooked over the Pecan wood.
Really there are better choices of hard wood that could be used....
Please also hire some more kitchen staff to get food out quicker too.
Barely made it out of the restaurant before writing this review.
Let me start off with the food is 10/10, and the food arrived super quickly.
We ordered the steak frites, and the wagyu Burger (the favorite of the night, by far - you need to order this). Before we made it halfway through our order, we were already planning when we were coming back.
Jenni, our server was super sweet and very attentive. She gives off boss vibes, and I'm here for it. Drew, the bartender, made such a great Rum sour that they had to be included in this review.
Thank you, thank you for Eddyline crew for being so awesome and serving amazing food. I can't wait to come back.
926 South Main Street, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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affordable
Distillery
Food & Drink
Cocktail bar
Nestled on East Main Street, Deerhammer Distillery is a vibrant spot offering delectable drinks and food truck delights. The distillery is renowned for its diverse whiskey selection, including various Old Fashion options. Visitors can relish the lively outdoor space while savoring signature dishes like the BBQ burger and fish and chips. The amiable staff provides informative insights into their craft, making it a must-visit for whiskey enthusiasts.
Are you someone who hears the word "tour" and gets bored? Well, don't sleep on this place. They have a sipping room that you can enjoy whenever, but I would recommend adding on the tour to the pre-whatever you have planned on Main Street. Make a reservation and get your afternoon/evening started an hour earlier. So, first of all, HUGE shout out to Tammy, our tour leader. She was welcoming, informative, and...fun. It is a pretty cool back story too. LOVE their logo. You can tell Tammy was a teacher in a past life, as her explanations of everything you are learning is very much on point. And you DO learn a lot of stuff. She welcomes questions, and I had a lot of them. You also get to sample the product, and the product is GOOD. You might even think in your mind that you don't like whiskey, but don't let that stop you. They have so many KINDS of whiskey that Tammy or whoever will find one you like. They say this very well on their website. "Our distilling is steeped in whiskey tradition, but our methods are infused with curiosity and creativity." Perfectly said. Curiosity and creativity. I think they might pause the tours during the winter, but here is your first great idea for when they come back. To review, make plans on Main Street, reserve a tour, do the tour before your magical other plans, and then take on Buena Vista in a great mood. Tammy, thanks again! Definitely recommend, and see you there next year!
Mark F — Google review
Just from what I know about this place I'm a fan. And I don't really know that much about single malt but I hear that's they are known for their American Single Malt. As a rule I'm not a fan of scotch but I truly enjoyed theirs, no peat which is perfect. I have seen their stuff and not been interested. But saw the "Colorado Whisky" on Tubi featured Deerhammer. The story is awesome and what the history and heritage behind every successful distiller, it's about doing something unique. And that's just about the whiskey.
The facility is small with a nice place to hang out and do the tastings. Don't try the fish and chips but they looked amazing. I'm a fan
Came in for a whiskey flight and some bottles to go. Dave the GM and bartender made us and my kids feel right at home. (He my girls homemade lemonade and cherry limeades.) The whiskey was awesome and their cocktails looked amazing. We will be back for sure. It’s a not to miss in BV. Thanks Dave for the amazing hospitality!
Was able to enjoy some beverages on the patio with the family. Drinks were really good, staff was very friendly, and the food from the food truck was tasty. The patio was very accommodating for our two small children and two dogs. Worth a stop in BV if you are into whiskey style drinks.
Yep another review related to the group who was kicked out because their dog “peed all over your tasting room” because I can’t figure out how to just reply to the others. First, one of those reviews was from someone who was NOT in our group, just FYI. Must have witnessed it and come to their own conclusion that you were out of line. Secondly, the dog was outside of the clear boundary of the tasting room. If you don’t want dogs to pee on the rocks outside of the tasting room, DO NOT PROVIDE POOP BAGS and/or put up a sign. The space the dog peed at your establishment looked/felt no different than the brewery/food truck park just across the street. They also provided poop bags, and had signage asking owners to clean up after their dogs. To be clear, the dog did not pee in your tasting room. It also did not lift its leg up on any surface. It peed on the rocks OUTSIDE. Not surprised by your response though, and fully expecting another rude one. Just want anyone reading these reviews to have the full truth, and not the story told by someone who isn’t capable or taking accountability for any negative review. Cool tasting room, not actually dog friendly, and extremely rude owner.
My husband and I bring folks here from out of town, come on slow days to enjoy our time, one of the best local spots! Today, our server was just not kind. Yelled from the counter not to bring dogs in when my husband was clearly just opening the door for me and then was not nice to my husband when ordering with a remark of “you don’t have to be Iike that.” I do not appreciate bad customer service. Please be more aware & treat people with kindness as you have no idea what happens in their day. Otherwise, we will be back another time
Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Amazing Colorado single malts, bourbon, and rye. Tried them all and loved them all! My favorite was the port cask finished single malt. It was finished in Colorado port casks for over a year! Different, yet familiar, and completely delicious!
Not one to write reviews but not surprised at how we were treated after seeing some. Came with the whole family and multiple dogs to the “dog friendly” patio. All 7 of us were prepared with our drink and food orders with plans to buy a bottle of their whisky as well before we were aggressively yelled at and kicked out of the establishment. The owner watched one of our dogs pee outside… in the rocks, outside of the gated covered patio, next to the roll of dog poop bags they provided. He proceeded to yell at us, in front of our two young children, saying it was unbelievable that we would allow that to happen and he continuously and very aggressively told us to leave until we were out the door. Bummed we weren’t able to try anything and will gladly never be returning. Hopefully this occurs rarely enough to not hurt their business further than missing out on lots of $$$ from our party and I hope the owner seeks help for any anger issues for the respect of the rest of the general public interests.
321 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Raft trip outfitter
Adventure sports center
Boat tour agency
Canoe & kayak tour agency
Browns Canyon Rafting offers an unforgettable experience for adventure seekers. The guides are not only friendly and funny but also knowledgeable about the area, making the trip both fun and educational. Whether you choose to raft or navigate the rapids in inflatable kayaks, the guides ensure that you have a blast while prioritizing safety. Visitors rave about their experiences, often returning with different groups to relive the excitement. The professionalism and friendliness of the staff make every visit a memorable one.
Nicole recommended my family to go rafting here and I’m so glad we did! Josh and Ethan were our guides and our family had an amazing time. My youngest grand daughter told me a secret…. “Amma, next time let’s do this for 30 days and 29 nights!” I think she LOVED it as well as everyone else. 😃
Dianna M — Google review
Such an amazing trip, that after the raft adventure, we booked a ducky trip with my older girls. Captain Ron was fantastic, except his jokes…. kidding, even those were decent. Then we had Mattie who was exceptional and took great care of us on the ducky trip.
We booked the Browns Canyon Half Day Rafting Trip in early June and had an absolute blast! My aunt and I were both first-time rafters, and our guide, Roscoe, made us feel totally comfortable. He was super knowledgeable, helpful, and made the whole experience fun and memorable. I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone—whether you're a beginner or a thrill-seeker. Can’t wait to come back and do it again!
We had so much fun with Nicole as our guide. She expertly navigated us and pointed out some cool facts about the canyon. The half day Brown's Canyon trip was just the right mix of thrill and chill. We'll definitely be back again next summer!
We had a great day!! We did the half day lower browns canyon on duckies and it's a ton of fun!! The class 3 portions are intense but we had great guides, shout-out to Ryan, Roscoe and Callum who took care of us and kept everyone safe.
Rafting Browns Canyon on one day and The Numbers on another day with Browns Canyon Rafting was a fabulous experience for our whole family. Miller was an amazing guide, providing Jungle Cruise comedic patter, useful information about his passion for the river and positive encouragement to his paddlers. We also had a great time with Kiki, who knew the river and was also very positive and encouraging. Both our kids had a blast and one now wants to learn to be a guide during college summers. And many thanks to Matt who shared his knowledge of New Zealand whitewater with us! Thank you to all three!
Our experience with Browns Canyon Rafting was fantastic on every level! Their equipment is so clean and new and the guides fantastic (especially Chuck!)… I HIGHLY recommend you choose them above all others if you are doing a rafting trip!
We had the Best Day rafting with Sam and Jules today at Browns Canyon Rafting! They were fun, professional and extremely helpful while carefully and expertly guiding us down the Gorgeous river canyon. As a first time rafter, I felt perfectly safe and comfortable at all times, and would highly recommend this company to any novice adventurers. Looking forward to coming back!
28395 County Rd 317, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Park
Mcphelemy Park is conveniently situated at the junction of Hwy 24 and Main Street, making it easily accessible for visitors traveling into or through town. The well-maintained park offers a pleasant environment for leisurely strolls along the water, providing a tranquil and relaxing experience with beautiful views of the surroundings.
Great park with the best maintained public bathrooms! Love the story book placed around the trail, lovely playground with large mature tree's for shade.
Mandy R — Google review
Loved this park. So happy we stumbled upon it. It has a cute little story to follow along the water that the library puts on. Some playground equipment. And Lots of opportunity for water play in the river!
A very nice and well maintained park. We grabbed breakfast sandwiches across the street at Grumpys and ate the at the park. The restrooms are spotless too
Nice quiet park to relax and have a picnic at.. Plus the restroom was clean...
Nice park that was well kept. Very nice place to stroll by the water.
Great park we frequent almost every time we come to Buena Vista!
This park was so relaxing and the water just looked so beautiful.
Beautiful park for all ages and dogs!
220 US Hwy 24 N, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
affordable
New American restaurant
American restaurant
Bakery
Simple Eatery is a versatile dining spot located within an outdoor gear and apparel store. The menu offers customizable frozen yogurt, health-conscious New American meals, and daily specials. Customers can enjoy a wide selection of beer and wine, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant's short menu ensures quick service for both locals and visitors.
We really enjoyed our meal at Simple Eatery! The table layout was a little odd, but the service was quick and the food was fantastic. We were also very impressed at the quality of the cocktails! D
I definitely recommend checking it out.
Mr3dPHD — Google review
Happy to find a place that serves a fresh, tasty vegan salad outside of Denver. Our meals were small but refreshing and flavorful. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for plant-based food in Buena Vista.
Well made food presented tastefully. Service was quick, servers were very attentive. They have combos for soup and salad or sandwich. Food came pretty quickly and was very satisfying after our long drive.
This is one of our favorite places for lunch (or dinner) in BV! So many delicious food options! Sandwiches, burgers, salads and some entrees (pasta type). Their food is really flavorful and fresh (not too heavy or greasy). I got a chicken salad sandwich with a side mango & fig salad. Their bread is incredible. Our family regularly gets pretzel bread and beer cheese dip to take home. Their outdoor patio is spacious with shade umbrellas string lights and yard games. The line is usually long, but the service is pretty quick after you order and well worth the wait!
Loved this little restaurant. You order your food and they give you a number. You find a seat and they bring your food to you. I ordered Cheese & Broccoli Soup and the Pretzel Board! What is way more food than I could eat but it was fun trying! Highly recommend!!
Incredible food here! They were quite crowded when we went. Now we understand why. My wife and I had the trout and elk burger. They were amazing! Next time we are in the area we will definitely be going back!
Great place. It's like an outdoor shop with a side bakery. There's a lot of seating inside and outside. A weird (but good) perk: the restroom has a bidet. The food looked good and tasted okay, but it was super cold, like they took the patty out 20 minutes before making the burger. The soups tasted great (cream of broccoli and tomato, both). Sadly, that ruined the experience, serving cold food. The ticket for two burgers was 48. A little high for two cold burgers. One had a gluten-free bun. It wasn't really a burger bun, but it was a good new taste (and was definitely way better than the Udi's that most burger places serve you).
Again sad that they served cold food. We didnt ask for reheat or something. Already took a while to arrive and reheating it (and get spit on it) was not a great option.
I really enjoy this restaurant. The food is excellent, the staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is great. I only gave the atmosphere 4 stars simply because they can get so busy, and I don't like sitting outside, so it's a bit tough to get a table at peak hours. The owner is friendly and helpful too.
402 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Temporarily Closed
cheap
Ice cream shop
Louie's Ice Cream Shop is a must-visit in the charming mountain town of Buena Vista. The shop offers high-quality ice cream in unique flavors, with a favorite being 'Sleepless' (espresso). Guests can savor their treats on the beautiful outdoor patio, making for a delightful experience. Families will appreciate the family-friendly outdoor space and play area, providing ample opportunities for children to have fun and stay active.
As an ice cream aficionado, this place has nailed it. Colorado Mud is hands down the best flavor I’ve ever had in my life.
Great atmosphere.
And, they also have pup cups - bringing all the dawgs to the yard.
Dave V — Google review
The most delicious flavor choices, friendly staff, and picturesque atmosphere at this ice cream shop!
We stopped while on a road trip and the garden area was such a lovely place to stretch our legs, too. The bathrooms were also super adorable and clean. Thank you!
I love the ice cream and the outside courtyard at this place. Be warned, the ice cream is expensive, over $12 for a single and a double scoop in cups. There is a little playground for kids beside the court yard and plenty of comfortable seating on a beautiful summer day in Buena Vista. They have arbors with vines all over them to help shade the court yard. Spoons are cleaned and reused which I thought was clever. They had 20 flavors and I can recommend the butter pecan, Dulce de leche, blueberry cheesecake. However the mango sorbe was more like a snow cone so pass on that. Highly recommended.
5 stars easy. Its ice cream, great american ice cream to match any vibe you need for the summer. Quality and Quantity are top tier for your dollar. We had 3 in our party and were in and out quick and extremely satisfied. 200% recommended for couples, families, or just someone wanting great ice cream!
So cute! I loved the Colorado mud ice cream. Alll the kids ordered cotton candy 🤣 they also loved it. Cute outdoor area! Loved it all
I always wanted to try the huckleberry flavor. It was great! Staff is super friendly. The little patio was a very nice place to sit and enjoy our afternoon dinner sweet treat.
Charming and creative ice cream in Buena Vista was wonderful. Many flavors were available. Pineapple Upside Down Cake, CO Mud and Graham Cracker were rich and delicious! The Salty Cookie Vegas was exceptionally good too! Staff were friendly and quick to deliver a cold, delicious treat!
Very welcoming and helpful staff, good ice cream with varieties for the whole family including what you want it served in, toppings, and they still make malts with your choice of the dipped ice cream. They also will let you sample the ice cream so you can order after trying your flavor(s). Thank you for the great service and good quality and selection of ice cream
414 E Main St Unit 1A, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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Bakery
Nestled in the charming town of Buena Vista, CO, Loback's Bakery is a delightful haven for dessert lovers. This unassuming gem offers an array of mouthwatering treats including cupcakes, pastries, and cookies that are perfect for any occasion. The bakery is particularly famous for its light and airy donuts—especially the crème-filled long johns that have garnered rave reviews from locals and visitors alike. Each bite melts in your mouth, evoking nostalgic memories of small-town bakeries.
This place has incredible melt in your mouth donuts. The cookies also look amazing. We got two crumble donut and two frosted donuts and they are amazing. We also got their half off day olds which are a great deal. This is a smaller shop run by a kind woman. I highly recommend this place. They also have cookies and coffee so a little something for everyone.
Taylor W — Google review
What a hole in the wall bakery is supposed to look like(quoted). All the donuts were fire, especially the cronut, although there are some who would hate, most would think it’s the best donuts they’ve ever had. I also had the applesauce donut which melted in my mouth as the lady at the counter had said. But for me, as a donut lover, these were easily the best or second best donuts I’ve had in my life ;) also it was definitely cheap enough, like 1.5$ average for one.
Just a old school family donut shop. Folks are just as sweetest can be. Thank you 🙏
Pretty sure this place has the best donuts I’ve ever had. Their definitely have addictive element to them. Very light and fluffy. Plus nobody makes donuts anymore. Everyone’s donuts are premade and proofed in store. The twists are by far the best as far as glazed donuts go. The building itself definitely needs a facelift. I don’t think there’s been any changes made to the building since I was a kid but the donuts and staff are amazing and that’s all that really matters.
Nothing beats a classic, hole-in-a-wall, bakery. The whole store has an air of my childhood with all the older wood in the store. The donuts and cookies all inside are not fancy, but they are nostalgic and taste like home!
I have not seen a classic, straightforward bear claw in a long while, and the taste was as good as I remembered. Definitely dropping by again when I am in town!
Stopped by during a busy car show. Service was great. Cresent rolls out of this world. I'm picky about cinnamon rolls. These were delicious. Great job. Can't wait to go back.
Absolutely delicious bakery items here! The filled maple bar was to die for, I also had a date bar and the butter cookies. I would 100% recommend!
Loback's donuts are hands down the best I've ever had and I'm now known around work in Summit County as the person who brings the famous BV donuts. The owners/staff are also really kind and thoughtful, often adding small touches for people's birthdays etc.
326 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Breakfast restaurant
Bagel shop
Coffee shop
Lunch restaurant
The Blend at Buena Vista is a cozy coffee shop that offers a variety of food and drink options. Customers appreciate the opportunity to customize their own vegan "quesadilla" with fresh ingredients like potatoes, beans, salsa, greens, and tomatoes. The menu also includes vegan bagel choices with spreads such as vegan butter, jam, and almond butter.
I went to this coffee shop in Buena Vista for the first time today and had a very pleasant experience. The shop is very conveniently located right on Main Street about a block from Highway 24, has plenty of free parking nearby, is nicely decorated on the outside and inside, I was greeted upon entering the cafe, they have a nicely done electronic menu (about 4' x 4') right above the counter with simple, organized sections of the food & beverage items they sell, lots of delicious looking danishes, muffins, cookies, etc., enclosed behind a glass counter, the employee taking my order was pleasant, friendly and efficient, my medium roast coffee with caramel syrup was excellent (they had stevia), as was my blueberry muffin, and chicken salad wrap that I got for lunch at lunchtime, the dining room had adequate seating, some with padded seating and was clean, my order were served promptly, they had free WiFi that worked great, and the restroom (one) was clean and did not smell.
Craig K — Google review
The Blend is a cute breakfast or lunch spot. The service was quick even though there was a constant line. The Princeton smoothie was perfect on a hot day. The turkey bacon avocado wrap and the classic sandwich were great to refuel after a short hike.
The staff here was awesome! The lady at the counter this morning was willing to help make my latte just the way I liked it. The breakfast sandwiches were out quick and tasted amazing. Can recommend the classic on an herb and cheese bagel for sure!
This place is amazing. Acai bowls, bagel sandwiches, wraps, smoothies. We lucked out on our travels finding it as we needed WiFi for an emergency meeting. Also GF/DF options which our GF selves appreciated.
Vacationed in Buena Vista for four days. On the first morning we stumbled on the Blend, and after eating there, we ate there for breakfast the remainder of our stay! So delicious! I recomend “the Rafter w/ a fried egg” YUMMY!
The food is very good but it's a small place that can feel very crowded very quickly with a few people in it. The tables are built awkwardly high for the low seating and the seat cushions are quite dirty. Also really dislike getting my cappuccino in a paper cup if I'm dining in. Low budget shortcut.
There is no table service they scream out your name and you have to go up and get your food and drink not overlay impressed.
Good caramel latte and an excellent rancher burrito. The burrito is made fresh to order and just really exceptional. It can get busy, and it is a small place inside. They do have a good patio out in back.
Best coffee, smoothies and treats! Loved the honey bear:) service and quality was excellent! The owner is the sweetest. I was traveling and she made me feel like a regular.
301 E Main St #260/4626, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
affordable
Restaurant
Bar
Live music venue
Sports bar
The Lariat is an informal bar and American eatery situated inside a historic structure. It offers a variety of recreational activities such as pool and darts, along with a heated outdoor area. The venue has a welcoming atmosphere that exudes charm from times gone by. The food and beverages served are exceptional, ensuring an enjoyable dining experience for guests. Furthermore, live music performances add to the overall appeal of the establishment. Patrons rave about their delectable Baja tacos and outstanding fish and chips.
Absolutely amazing in all ways. Great brunch menu and a wonderful music experience. Watched Wife Swap and had a fantastic burger. Chips and 3 different salsas… the green chili is fire! Always a treat to visit with friends to watch friends play their gig. And a delight to have the chef stop by and check on us!!
Alice ( — Google review
Great live entertainment and wonderful service. One bite of their pig wings will make you think of heaven, the next will send you there. And don't even get me started on their catfish! Practically melts in your mouth, it's so good! Can highly recommend.
My wife and I had our wedding reception at The Lariat recently. JP was super easy to work with in the year leading up to the event and everything was awesome the night of. Food was really great and easy to do buffet style. Drinks were fantastic and the sound system was perfect for a live wedding band. Thanks a ton!
The food was excellent, really cool vibe and atmosphere! We sat at the bar and the bartender was great! It was open mic night with some really good artists playing their songs. Pool tables, darts, just an all-around great place to hang out!
Great appetizers and Frose was delicious. Definitely coming back when we visit BV again.
I love this place so much. An EXTRAordinary concert venue with great food—yes please!! One of my go-to bars and music places in not just BV but all of Colorado!
Sunday night dinner was awesome! Thank you to Jennifer for the fantastic service. Timing the appetizer, drinks, and meal, we enjoyed it all. We had Mac and cheese appetizer. So good with a bit of crunch and a nice kick. French onion soup tasted like homemade. Birra tacos. Yum! Burgers were perfectly cooked. BLT…tons of bacon. Need I say more? I had the rope salad. So many flavors. So filling. To the owner…THANK YOU.
Stopped by here since we were in town for the Bronco rally.
The fish is outstanding!
We had the fish and chips, and the fish tacos. The fish is so crispy, you don’t even realize that you are eating catfish.
Outstanding, love it!
206 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Raft trip outfitter
Rafting
Scenic spot
Tour operator
Performance Tours Rafting offers a range of guided rafting excursions to various picturesque locations along the Arkansas River, including Buena Vista, Royal Gorge, Breckenridge, and Idaho Springs. Visitors have raved about their experiences, praising the knowledgeable guides who provided entertaining and informative commentary during the trips. The company's proximity to Main Street in BV makes it convenient for visitors to explore nearby dining options after their adventure.
Had an amazing experience with performance tours! Such a fun day at Browns Canyon. We had the best guide- Chris. Incredibly knowledgeable, great humor and really made it a fun and exciting day- 8 of us with three kids. Will definitely be back! Thanks for a wonderful day on the water!
Heather W — Google review
We had an AWESOME experience with both Performance Tours and our guide Lauren! Booked online and had a couple hiccups so had to call and ended up scoring a discount bigger than I was able to get from our property host so that was great! River was epic - they had all the supplies we weren’t able to bring (shoes / oars / etc) - couple of our kids had a bit of apprehension but she made it very fun and while we watched the antics of other boats ours was slow and steady and a great time was had by all!
We had the absolute best time in Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River. We took our 10 and 7 year old daughters for the first time and they loved it and wanted to go again the next day. Rhome was our guide and she was the best! She was so good to our girls and did such a great job guiding us. We always felt super safe while also having fun! We will be back again. Thanks for the awesome memories!
I was unable to go at the last minute due to an injury and we appreciated their flexibility in upgrading my family to the more challenging Royal Gorge trip. Their guide, James, was very knowledgeable about the history of the area including it's geological development. Not only was he fun to be with and encouraging; he was an excellent guide on the water, giving clear instructions and making sure everyone was comfortable and safe. Rafting the Royal Gorge was a highlight of my family's visit to Colorado and we would highly recommend Performance Tours and our guide James for a fantastic rafting experience!
Our guide was Chris he was funny, knowledgeable, fast on his paddle, he Navigated the river and rapids well. Me and 4 others did The Numbers. Though the water was lower than we’d like, Chris made it fun. All but one member of our group has prior rapid experience. Up to lvl 5 or 6 with me and some members of our group. The equipment was in good conditions. The instructor did amazing with instructing the groups before they got on the river about safety and what to do in the event you get thrown out or flipped. We had a great time even as adrenaline seekers on rapids that didn’t get above 2 because of the water vl. 10/10 experience provided.
We LOVED our trip! James was an excellent guide! Great pricing, clean changing rooms, and experienced guides! The Royal Gorge trip had amazing views and exciting rapids! Would definitely use Performance Tours Rafting again!!
Seriously one of our best days ever on a family outing. We had the time of our lives. Our kids (ages 12 and 14) loves every minute of it, and we can’t wait to go back. Special shout out to Blaine, our guide. He made the day memorable for all us. Be sure to ask for him! Can’t wait to do it again!
I highly recommend booking the full-day rafting trip with Ian! He was an outstanding guide—knowledgeable, funny, and made the entire experience so enjoyable. Between the thrilling rafting, Ian’s great sense of humor, and a delicious lunch, the 6-hour trip flew by. If you’re considering it, definitely go for the full-day option—it’s absolutely worth it!
115 Gregg Dr, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Fishing store
Fishing charter
UpRiver Fly Fishing offers a fantastic experience for fishing enthusiasts. They provide float fly fishing trips on the Arkansas River, allowing anglers to access around 11 miles of water, which is more than what can be covered by wading. The guides are highly praised for their patience, knowledge, and teaching skills. Additionally, they offer 4x4 trips and ensure that all equipment provided is top-notch. Clients have raved about the delicious sack lunches provided during the trips.
My friend and I did a 6-hour float fish this past week with Rich and he put us on fish all day long. I enjoyed it so much that I booked a 4-hour float fish and that was with Colton. Once again, he put me on fish all day. These guides are awesome and very knowledgeable about fly fishing and the beautiful Arkansas River that we accessed. I learned so much from both of them and can’t wait to return. They were also very conscientious about safety on the river, which is a must!
Laurie W — Google review
I had 2 other buddies, 12 year old and myself and had a blast!! We did a full day float and caught more fish then we can count. 3 of the 4 of us this was our first float! Belive me we all will be back ! Eric and Mike were our guides and they were awesome to say the least. Choose Up River if your in the BV area!!
Our guide, Morgan is THE BEST! She took us to a super beautiful lake today, and was extremely patient and knowledgeable. She went above and beyond and stayed with us 30+ min longer just to help us catch our fishes 🥺❤️. She made us fall in love wish fly fishing!
The team at Upriver is amazing - they know their water, customer needs, and will get you into fish! Tanner is an amazing guide and very fun to spend the day with. The offer a variety of different trips - walk/wade/, float, and the shop has an amazing selection to keep you on the river after your guided trip ends. The guide for all levels of anglers at a great price! I will be back to fish with them next year.
Great trip and unsurpassed patience and knowledge! My 11 year old and did a half day lake trip and loved every minute of it. Rich did an outstanding job explaining everything to us as novice fly fishermen. Him and Michael then outfitted us with everything we need for the rest of the summer and beyond. Highly recommend!
Amazing fly shop. Always willing to give advice and wants customers to have success. We have fished with Eric twice and he’s awesome with beginners and experienced folks! Can’t wait for future trips!
I planned a surprise alpine lake trip for our anniversary. Our exemplary guide, Tanner, went above and beyond in terms of knowledge, experience, and safely driving us too and from the lake. We were both thrilled with the unforgettable day of fishing with Tanner and UpRiver! I will send all of our BV guests to UpRiver!
My friend and I just got back from a 6-hour Arkansas float. It was amazing. I haven’t fished in a few years, so I had some rust to knock off. Our guide, Chris, was very patient, helpful and always shrugged off my incompetence with positivity. I finally started to find my cast and we caught so many browns! Great operation, and there is nothing like float fishing. I’ll be coming back.
107 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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Fishing store
Fishing charter
Sporting goods store
ArkAnglers is a top-notch fly fishing outfit that offers guided trips and operates a full-service fly shop. The company prides itself on delivering exceptional customer service and provides a variety of half and full-day excursions, including rowing courses and classroom-based fly fishing instruction. Most trips take place on the renowned Arkansas River, but some also venture to the South Platte River or nearby high-altitude alpine lakes accessible only by hiking in.
My husband and I did the Never Ever half day package with Ark Anglers this week and had a blast! They provided everything for us - from waders to rods. Kim was our guide and she was THE BEST! So friendly, patient, and knowledgeable - the best teacher we could have asked for during our first fly fishing experience. She even saved me by loaning socks and a jacket when the weather turned :) Catching fish was just the cherry on top of a fun morning in a beautiful setting. The next time we are in the area we will definitely be doing another trip!
Nika T — Google review
Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, great prices and super guides. Don was our guide and had us on the fish from the start. I had never fly-fished before and he was patient and very helpful. Highly recommend ArkAnglers and Don
My boyfriend and I fished with Trace yesterday. Fishing, catching, and Trace’s superb rafting skills were over the top! The brown trout were on fire with the streamers. Trace educated me and taught me many skills needed for streamer fishing. Boyfriend Jim had over 100 bites and landed over 40. Great day on the Ark. we will return to fish with Trace.
Fantastic! My husband and I went on a half-day learn-to-fly fish private tour and it was so great! Drew was a wonderful guide; knowledgeable, patient, and fun. Neither of us had ever fly-fished (and I’d never fished at all) and we ended up catching 6+ fish each thanks to Drew’s guidance.
The river was stunning at this time of year! Highly recommend!
Amazing experience on a private part of the Arkansas River. You will not be disappointed. Ask for Don as a guide! He even took the time to mail back my GoPro I left in his truck.
Soooo awesome! Rob was a GREAT guide- a veritable one-man show. He reads the river so well and is the all-around package of skill, wit, patience, and as a maneuverable oarsman. I caught tons of fish even though conditions were less than ideal with high, murky water. Would strongly recommend.
I needed a fishing license so I stopped here. They were very nice and I was in and out with in 10 minutes. Give this place a go. They have a lot of very cool fishing stuff within their walls. Thank you.
As a novice angler, a lot of fly shops can be intimidating or less than helpful, but Ark Anglers was top notch. They helped me find what I needed and were happy to offer suggestions about where to fish and helped me find a good selection of flies. I’ll be going back there whenever I’m in the area.
517 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Historical landmark
Beaver Falls Bridge, situated in Buena Vista, Colorado, is a historic bridge that draws the attention of history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados. Accessing the site may require parking in town and walking over from a nearby spot due to its location off a private property road. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of the river and take advantage of the opportunity to explore a scenic river hike in close proximity to the bridge.
So on the map thinking to drive there, but found it is private road and bridge. Hikers can kindly use a bridge passing from one side of the river to another. But sign says be respectful.
Natha B — Google review
This bridge is great & in a beautiful area with Mountain & Arkansas River views. This trail accesses a great network in the Buena Vista system near town. You need to park in a different place than the Google maps directions take you, as you’ll see the road that goes straight to the bridge ends at a private residence with nowhere to park. You’ll see the car lot one road over. Park there & then walk to the bridge, if you’re approaching by car.
Nice views of the river, there's a cool river hike right by here as well
Nice view of the river. We didn't check out much. There are so many confusing signs we didn't know what we could or couldn't do or where we were allowed to go
Great view!!!
Barbara Whipple Trail, located in Buena Vista, is a popular destination named after Barbara Whipple. The trail offers stunning lookout points over the city and mountains, making it a great hike for visitors. It is well-maintained with information pavilions and clear wayfinding signs. The trail provides options for hikers to choose loops of varying lengths and offers opportunities for activities like surfing, swimming, and fishing by the river.
Recommended to my girlfriend and I by her dad and it did not at all disappoint. It was a great hike with many good look out points over the city and the mountains behind it. A hike I would recommend to anyone visiting the area. Not too hard but just the perfect length. And located all right by the River where you can find surfing/swimming and fishing!
Chris M — Google review
Nice trail to do in the morning before it gets to hot or to cold in the evening. Decent views of the city. Would rate the path good walk ability for teen and older.
Well maintained trail with lots of information pavilions. Great views of the valley. Even in the winter the trails were mostly clear with a few snowy patches. There are plenty of way finding signs so you can self navigate while hiking. You can pick a few loops so you can hike as long or as short as you want.
I had a wonderful time hiking this trail by myself while I was in town visiting. It’s well marked and maintained too. You may see some bikes or horses along the way too. Don’t forget to bring water!!!
24River Park
Mentioned on
Playground
Nestled in Buena Vista, South Main River Park is a delightful destination that promises an array of activities for everyone, regardless of age or outdoor preference. This lively park serves as more than just a recreational area; it’s a gathering place where locals and visitors alike can immerse themselves in nature while participating in various community events. With thoughtfully designed facilities, South Main River Park truly enhances the outdoor experience for all who visit.
715 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA
25Biggies
cheap
Sandwich shop
Restaurant
Biggies, located in Buena Vista, Colorado, is a casual counter-serve spot known for its hearty sandwiches. The menu features a variety of options including meat and cheese hoagies, gyros, subs, hot or cold sandwiches that are handmade in front of you. This locally owned eatery prides itself on using quality ingredients to create gourmet sandwiches that are popular among the locals. Customers praise the friendly staff and quick service at Biggies.
We had a great visit to Biggies today! They gave us a rundown of the menus and suggested a couple of choices. Everyone was really happy with their choices. I split The Elk and Cheese and The Roast Beef and Cheddar with my daughter. Both sandwiches were excellent but The Elk and Cheese was slightly better.
Jared G — Google review
I had the Spicy Italian sandwich with peppers on it. It wasn't really spicy, but it was good, and had a good amount of vegetables on it. The fries were good and hot. It was busy, which seems to be the case whenever I pass by. There is some outdoor seating, which is nice. The kitchen was definitely not short on help, and orders were out in a reasonable time.
Second time here first time had the spicy Italian which was very good. This time got the green chili Philly . It was delicious one of the top Philly sandwiches I’ve ever had and the fries were amazing also. And the staff is always super friendly!! Will definitely be back!
We love visiting Buena Vista and try new places. We saw the good reviews and decided to try and we were not disappointed. The gentleman that took our order was absolutely awesome! Super friendly, welcoming us with a smile. We other the Rancher sandwiches and they were very good, and they have unlimited fountain drinks. Even though is fall and the evening's are started to get chilly, we enjoyed our food outside in the patio. We always travel with our dog and finding Dog friendly restaurants is hard to find. They even had a big water bowl for the doggies. We highly recommend Biggies ! Is right on 24 just before Main Street.
1000 stars! 10/10 this place is hands down best eats in buena vista! The FOOD IS AMAZING! firecracker is hands down my favorite! Something else id like the add is my husband and I came in at 2:55pm!!! We had NO IDEA they closed at 3pm and the owner still served us with open arms and amazing attitudes! They made our sandwhiches perfectly! We felt so rude for coming in that late but they went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed!
My husband and the owner chatted about our adventures in moab! Best spot in buena vista!!!
We LOVE Biggies. Every time we pass through Buena Vista we make sure to stop here. The owner always has a big smile on his face, and the sandwiches never dissapoint. We love their Gyro, steak or chicken cheese on a Hoggie, and their special for November and December "The gobbler" is to die for. Definitely worth a visit, your taste buds will not be dissapointed. Been here dozens of times and have never once been dissaponted. I always forget to get a photo of the food because im so exited to eat it. Heres a selfie of us excited to eat
Lord I don't want to leave a review but I can't not leave one lol this is my go to every single time I come to town. The owner and staff go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. The food is like 5 star stoner food, the best after soaking in the hot springs. Their ranch I could drink it's so freakin good. Everything fried is good from the mushrooms, pickles to the sweet potato tots. The Firecracker and the gryo are 😋😋 highly recommend a stop just don't want it to get over crowded and turn touristy 😒
This place is excellent in every aspecr!! Probably the best Philly I ever had!! The Amoroso bread was on point and melted in my mouth and the sandwich itself was so savory and tasty. I am still thinking about it days later!! The fries are similar to a five guys…exactly how I like them. Our entire meal was Chef’s kiss!! And let’t not forget the exceptional service. Can’t wait for my return :)
234 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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cheap
Pizza restaurant
Elkhorn Pizzeria is a local spot in Buena Vista, Colorado that offers a unique blend of comfort food. The hand-tossed pizzas are a standout, with crispy dough and well-balanced toppings. The Pho is also highly recommended for its delicious flavors. Visitors can enjoy watching the skilled pizza-making process while waiting for their orders. Fresh ingredients and homemade dressings add to the appeal of this bustling pizzeria.
Passing through with a hankering for pizza. After weighing the options we decided to give this a shot. At first I was skeptical of my choice, but honestly? The pizza was by far the best pizza we have had in a long time! We have 8 kids and eat pizza pretty often so... well done!
It is very eclectic and eccentric. From menu options... from Pho to Pizza... to beans as a sauce option. Then you have late 90s elevator music playing loud while a game is on one TV and the Simpsons is playing on another. The decor is... I'm not really sure. The buildings bones give a great pizzeria vibe, I wish they would run with it! The mural as you walked in could be extended and while the tables and bar are pretty epoxy/wood tables they could spiced up to match better.
Overall experience was positive. Great food ! Will definitely go back again!
Chelsea R — Google review
Pizza and wings are amazing. Friendly staff and cool place with other options such as subs and cold beer. Only complaint is a bit hot inside. I know the ovens make it hot. But been there twice and both times experience was exceptional. Oh and gluten free dough is "bussin" according to my teen! Must try!
Amazing pizza. Great crust and toppings. Staff and service great! Go early, we went at 5 pm on a Saturday...by 530 people were lined up out the door. We had the meat lovers, Caesar salad, and pepperoni pizza. All SO GOOD!
Place an order on line for a Hawaiian pizza, not sure if I made a mistake or the restaurant did, I discovered the pizza had no tomato sauce after I brought it back. The pineapple pieces also appeared to be put on after the pizza was baked because they were all falling off from the pizza. Other than that, the pizza tasted fine but not outstanding.
I got a call from the restaurant after I posted the review. They offered to remake my pizza to make it right. I already ate the one I got so I turned it down. Any time a business take initiative to correct a mistake (in this case it could have been my mistake), it deserves a five star.
Looking for that old school jazz lounge? What about watching cats play that jazz? Now ask yourself what would make all that better, if this place served pizza!
Well folks this place exists in Buena Vista, CO!
Ok may not be an old school lounge but does have cars playing jazz music and excellent pizza!!! Mom & Son were working we went in, they were great. Was fun to watch them work together. Reminds me of my home town pizza joint in Tx.
The cats playing jazz on tv was very fun. Found a new channel for my step-dad and dogs. 🤣
Pizza - ordered their L meat lovers and fried dough. Pizza was ON POINT. Their sauces to cheese to meat was perfect. Not too little, not too much. Crust stayed crispy on the bottom but on the top soaked in the sauce. The meat and mozzarella they used had a good savory salty taste where you could actually taste each item. Fried dough was a great finisher.
We ordered L pizza, fried dough, bottle coke & bottle water = $40 - $45
We will be back, only live 2 hrs away and worth the drive.
Decided to go there for my birthday. My meatball sub was burnt and crumbled like bread crumbs as well as hardly any sauce then my husband ordered a calzone no mushrooms from allergy and it was filled with them. Nicely asked if we could try again and they made the same mistakes and we asked for a refund and ate somewhere else
Fantastic pizza! A great find in Buena Vista. Loved the laid back atmosphere and friendly staff. Good GF pizza!
Drove down to Buena Vista, CO.. for pizza as Half Moon Pies in Leadville was closed... it is a weekday in November...🤔🤷🏼♀️😉
ELKHORN PIZZA..... is LITERALLY THE BEST PIZZA I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!
And... I'm a thin crust sausage and mushroom Chicago pizza girl.....
This place will be on my list of... Must stop here... from now until.... forever......
💗💗💗💗
601 US Hwy 24 N, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
affordable
Chicken restaurant
American restaurant
Fast food restaurant
Chester's Chicken Express is known for its welcoming service and seriously good tenders. Customers have praised the friendly and caring staff, particularly mentioning Ernest who goes above and beyond to provide a great food buying experience. The restaurant is always clean and maintains a friendly atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the delicious fried chicken and gizzards served at Chester's Chicken Express, making it a go-to spot for those craving some tasty comfort food.
Good food, good service. Fast. Thanks, Byron and Chris yall were great!
Krysten G — Google review
They gave us 2 cold chicken sandwiches. When we returned the cold meal the older woman was very rude and slammed the sandwiches into the trash. When we spoke to management we were told the chicken was cold because of the sauce it is dipped in. Regardless, I expected a warm sandwich and would have been happy to wait for it, or a replacement if the woman at the counter wasn’t so nasty about it. We will not be back unless the staff is more polite and the food is hot.
Chicken was cooked well but crust was to crunchy. Took forever to get food and had to buy drinks separate in gas station area.
Imagine this….. in the middle of no where on a road trip, one place says they are open until 10pm, hopes up that food is within reach, walk in and told they are closed, it was only 9:15pm…….
We stopped at the Loves store for gasoline in Buena Vista. It was close to lunch, so we had Loves hot dogs and a bag of Fritos. Sorry, we didn't eat Chester Chicken. Our King Soopers sells Chester Chicken, but we think their recipe has changed, and we don't like it.
This is a gas station. Food was not fresh but it's a gas station
Their brunch menu is diverse and exciting.
I walked in to Love’s to get some fried chicken. I approached the counter and saw few pieces of chicken left and said I would take them all and some green beans. The man waiting on me was obviously not in a good mood. I said to him “are you having a bad day”. He gritted his teeth and did not reply and continued his rudeness to me. As I was checking out, I asked him what did I say wrong and he replied still gritting his teeth, he was tired of sarcastic people and I was included . He charged me $26 for a family meal which I did not receive, paid it and no thank you. If he was having a bad day, he should not be working with the public. I have written a complaint to management and am doubtful anything will be done about it. No excuse for taking it out on a customer if having a bad day.
115 Harrison Ave, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Snack bar
Stedman's Sodas, Sweets, and Treats is a charming soda and sweet shop located in the Buena Vista Shell Station. Established in 2006 by Mark and Tacy Lewis, this unique establishment offers a nostalgic experience with its collection of vintage sodas, fudge, candies, and other treats. Visitors can take a trip down memory lane as they explore the delightful selection of old-fashioned goodies.
This gas station stop offers a unique candy selection with treats like bottle caps, candy cigarettes and butterscotch lifesavers. Staff recommends the fudge and popcorn (my sister's jelly donut fudge was great). They also have a great soda selection, including top-rated Dad's root beer. A must-visit just off the highway in Buena Vista.
Jesse H — Google review
Stopped by while waiting for a table at Crave. Large selection of tasty fudge in all sorts of flavors. Each one was unique, delicious and bold. They had a buy 4, get 2 free special that made it an awesome deal.
I have been stopping here and buying sodas for YEARS. Today I stopped in for my daughters birthday, we were getting 3 sodas. When I tried to cash in my punch cards for 1 of the sodas Natalie would not honor them despite having way more than 12 punches. Never again.
What a quant little gas station/quick stop. Decor was adorable, unique stock of items for purchase, and a food truck outside when we were there.
Stopped here for ice cream. Thank God we chose this gem of a shop. First off the chocolate ice cream was the best I've ever had in my life. Then was the soda selection, it was incredible. The fudge. The fudge was so delicious. The owner was so nice and she was very helpful. GO TO THIS SHOP. YOU'RE INNER CHILD WILL LOVE YOU.
I was out looking for a Red Bull real quick and thought “oh a cute lil gas station I’ll just run in.” I was taken by surprise seeing that this was a sweets and soda shoppe. The owner was so kind and told us all about their sodas and homemade fudge, and a bit about the town. Went in for Red Bull, left with a 6 pack of a variety of sodas, 6 pieces of fudge, and a handful of candy. The fudge is to die for, I would visit Buena Vista again for this fudge alone. Definitely make a stop in here.
Amazing homemade ice cream! The fudge looks delicious too but I didn't get to try it. They also have hundreds of bottled sodas and old school candy. Very cool place to stop! It's very unassuming and is masked by a shell station. Don't let that fool you, it's a must stop!
Cute store! Lots of old fashioned treats. Salty Caramel ice cream is delicious! But management needs to know that on 8/21/20 at 5:30 a young lady was serving ice cream - so courteous and sweet. But customers were lining up at the window and inside the store. She couldn’t keep up. Another slightly older teen sat on a stool at the other side of the store playing on her phone and when I suggested she may wish to help she refused. Just sat on her stool watching the line of people grow.
227 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Grocery store
Supermarket
Buena Vista LaGree's is a charming grocery store located in the heart of Main St. Visitors can find a diverse selection of hand-crafted wood furniture and an array of food products catering to various dietary needs, including corn allergies. The store offers a wide range of grocery items, from fresh produce to frozen plant-based protein products. Customers appreciate the reasonable prices, helpful staff, and great deals on meat and produce.
This market is simply marvelous. It reminds me of the one in Fairplay, and it is at least twice as big.
Pricing is competitive, too. I noticed some particular bargains in the meat department, including one that was about 20% lower than the "sale" price at the big chain store down the street.
They also had the 10# bags of chicken leg quarters, which I hadn't seen for a while, and for only 99 cents/pound.
Lloyd M — Google review
This supermarket is clean and well maintained. The layout is a little odd, but they have everything you need plus more. There's even an ammo vending machine!
I bought 5 different items. One was a NY strip that was reduced in price but instead of taking the old tag off and putting a new one on it rang up both prices. The cantaloupe was on sale for $1.79 and it rang up as $3.99. Innocent mistake? I hope so. Luckily I checked my receipt in the parking lot and was finally able to go in and get my money refunded but it still cost me 20 minutes of my day and I have to wonder how many people don’t check their receipts. I wouldn’t be surprised if that cantaloupe is still ringing up wrong. Anyway, not sure how you can be in the grocery business that long and not make sure things ring up correctly.
Go for the discount “ugly” produce. The rest of the store is pretty pricey, but the deals on ugly or “needs to be eaten today/tomorrow” produce are the best I’ve ever seen. We do most of our other shopping at City Market or Walmart but make a quick stop here every 3-5 days for nearly free perfectly acceptable-to-us discount fruits and veggies.
Great grocer to stop and resupply food while camping in the mountains. Snacks can be had cheaper next door at family dollar, but good place for fresh stuff and very friendly staff.
Best grocery store in Colorado. Locally owned and operated. Family run, community oriented. Prices are always competitive. If you have issues simply have a civil conversation and I assure you concerns will be addressed.
Awesome store, never crowded. Very clean and well stocked. Today was my first visit, I'm a customer from now on.
You can buy ammo here by vending machine. Be sure to bring your driver license to be scanned.
415 US Hwy 24 N N, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Park
Columbine Park is a charming community park located near downtown Buena Vista. It features a playground with various equipment such as monkey bars, slides, swings, and a sandbox. The park offers shaded seating for parents and picnic tables for visitors to enjoy. A creek runs through the grassy area filled with trees, providing a serene atmosphere for relaxation and leisure activities. Additionally, the park hosts concerts on Thursday nights during the summer.
The playground is so nice and really well maintained. The grounds are clean. There is a beautiful river running through but not so close that it's dangerous with the kids. The park is near everything but off the main road which is nice. Huge area to run for the kiddos. Public bathrooms which are not perfect but just so glad they are there!
Jessi V — Google review
Love this park in the center of Buena Vista, it has a large playground suitable for young kids to growing adults. On-site restrooms are close by and many options for food in walking distance, along with a gas station. Park has plenty of parking too. Great spot to stop and walk the dogs.
Public bathrooms were clean!
Multiple monkey bars
Tons of shade for lounging and eating.
Multiple play apparatus.
Close to a creek and a main road for a quick soda.
Cons:
Shares parking with commercial and food so busy-ness of those establishments makes it feel more frenetic and less relaxing than a playground 1/4 mile down the street.
Equipment was not shaded in afternoon.
Patriotic! Enjoying summer travels!
Very pretty park for picnics, children and dogs! Pretty river running through it!
We really like this park, but had to hold off on 5 stars because the restrooms leave much to be desired. As any parent of young children will tell you, restrooms are key. Still, the creek is beautiful and there are lots of swings.
Very nice little park on the middle of town to enjoy you day! There is nice playground equipment for the kids. There is public restrooms here also. Sun and shade, picnic tables, and a creek along on side of the park. Very clean and well maintained public park.
This is a very nice park right off the highway and near downtown Buena Vista . A great place to just relax and read about or take a dip in the water they say the fishing is really good here i'm not much of a fisher though it's just a really nice calm quiet place in the summer. Also has concerts every thursday night in the summer. Now for the down part in the winter the lake is strange and it's dirty and nasty looking. All in all I do love it there and you will too i'm sure
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Log cabins
Cottage
Guest house
Lodge
Mountain cabin
Vista Court Cabins and Lodge is a charming mountain retreat with well-maintained cabins and beautiful grounds. The location is convenient for exploring downtown BV, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The cabins offer a timeless mountain town atmosphere with modern amenities, making it a perfect choice for a cozy getaway. While some guests noted minor cleanliness issues, overall, the experience was positive, with many looking forward to returning.
Amazing experience staying at Vista Court Cabins and Lodge.
I was in Buena Vista for a wedding right down the street and this place couldn’t have been more convenient, accommodating, and comfortable. They do a great job taking care of the property and cleaning the cabins. They even allowed me to get in my room early so I could get ready for the wedding. Great place and great people/hosts. Highly recommend!
Jordan B — Google review
We have been visiting Buena Vista since I was a teenager. Many times I and my wife and children have stayed at Vista Court. It's very conveniently located near lakes and interesting sites. We could prepare meals in our cabin or dine at many nearby restaurants. All of my family are very fond of Vista Court. Now I and my older brother, both in our mid 70's, look forward to returning to enjoy the wonderful accomodations and friendly staff each year. We both love fishing, we practice catch and release, so no fish dies with a hook in it's craw. Vista Court is definitely the place to stay, be it for one night or a week or more. Five stars all around.
We spent one weekend night in this place after rafting in Buena Vista.
The place was very clean and cozy. Stuff nice and helpful. Location is great , equipped for outdoor activities, two minutes away from restaurants.
Beds were comfy but unfortunately none of us could sleep, woke up all night. The bathroom was extremely small, but that's expected for Cabins.
The kitchen is equipped with all your basic needs. Before using anything better wash it, people didn't wash the dishes, glasses.... well.
The biggest disappointment is checkout at 10 am. At 10:03 stuff was at our front door to remind us we have to check out at 10:00.
Overall it wasn't bad, but a little bit overpriced.
This place is just magical! Highly recommend, my only complaint is that you don't get enough time (early check out and late check in times, but that's the standard anymore), so will book for more than one night next time. Grounds are meticulously maintained, the cabin we stayed in was just adorable, clean and comfortable - we loved it and so did our dogs. Staff are very nice and friendly. Lots of stuff to do on grounds, horseshoe pits, tetherball, big connect 4 board, shuffleboard, playground, lots of grills & firepits, etc. Definitely don't sleep on this one!
My fiancé, now husband, stayed at Vista Courts as we were getting married at Twin Lakes. The cabins were absolutely adorable! Very vintage vibe which I LOVE! Our room was decorated for us as well as 2 pottery keepsake mugs. The staff was so friendly and the grounds are immaculate. During the afternoon, docile deer came and lounged in the shade of the trees. We had use of a gas grill, could borrow books, DVDs , and a DVD player. Some might think the cabins are small, but I feel they were intimate. It was quiet and so lovely. 12/10 would stay here again!
This place has amazing grounds, clean rooms, and a fantastic location next to Burna Vista downtown. The staff are friendly and helpful, and it’s a great place to do a quick game of tetherball or horse shoes. Our dog was welcome and I highly recommend it for anyone stopping off for a fun time in BV!
My husband and I got rained out of camping the night of the 24th, so I had to quickly research where we could stay and I landed on this place.
The staff member who answered the phone was incredibly knowledgeable and quickly matched us to a room that fit all our needs. She even made sure we were closest to the laundry room and had enough time to wash and dry all our wet gear. She was incredibly kind and was quick to answer through their text service. I wish I had her name so I could give her a huge shoutout in saving our evening!
The room was great and had a fireplace and plenty of space to keep all our stuff. The amenities of this property are insane, and even provide clean & free laundry pods and dryer sheets! I wish we had had more time to explore as I would definitely stay here again!
Wowwwwww this room was so cute. For that price I wasn’t expecting it to be so sweet. The hot springs location was super convenient. I only wish I would have stayed another night. It was clean and tidy. I will be back %100.
1004 W Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Bar
Beer garden
Historical landmark
The Slammer is a lively saloon located in an old BV jailhouse, offering a vibrant Western aesthetic inside and a bustling outdoor patio. It boasts an extensive selection of over 100 whiskeys and craft beers, served by friendly bartenders. Visitors can enjoy learning about whiskey or simply unwind with a drink. The venue is also suitable for hosting events and parties, with the outdoor space providing a fantastic atmosphere for gatherings.
Great bar with a high quality beer and (extensive!) whiskey selection, set in a former jail house. Dog friendly with indoor and outdoor seating. Friendly and knowledgeable bartender. Beers were great.
Josh L — Google review
Cool little hole in the wall spot in Buena Vista especially for whiskey and bourbon lovers. Had a cozy and fun time hanging out by the fire pit sipping whiskey on a cold March night. Can’t wait to return after a Summer hike.
Neat little bar! Love the outside area with the firepit and warm overhead heater! I wish they would serve a domestic light beer like Coors, busch, or Michelob.
Great selection of beers and distilled spirits. Had local live music while we were there. The patio is a great place to chill.
The extremely affable owners of the Slammer have absolutely nailed a fun niche experience in BV: a highly curated American whiskey selection of which they are very knowledgeable, delicious craft beer representative of breweries across the country, a few fun small snacks, select canned wine/beverages, and an uncommon setting...an old historic jailhouse. All of which made for spectacular birthday libations and celebrations! Cheers to a job well done, fellas!
Great whiskey selection with reasonable prices in an awesome atmosphere. Friendly staff, laid back vibe in a unique building/theme and great patio. Worth the visit!
Great selection of craft beers!
I enjoyed a pint of the double IPA, and will go back soon for another pint!
Super friendly service!
Rare and barrel proof whiskey on offer by folks who know their stuff. Great beer list to back your dram.
Built in the old historic jailhouse on Main Street, the surroundings couldn’t be more perfect. Close to the riverfront and the kayak shop, plenty of recreation post incarceration 🔐
412 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Adventure sports center
Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (BVMA) offers a range of outdoor experiences, from challenging trails like Vitamin B to guided backcountry skiing trips. The company's knowledgeable and friendly guides make the process easy, whether you're scheduling a trip or taking a course like AIARE 1. With instructors who are well-versed in the diverse geography of the Arkansas River Valley, BVMA is highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the backcountry safely and responsibly.
A group of friends and I just finished our AIARE 1 course. We had Spencer as lead and Nick as support. They were both absolutely wonderful. So professional, so competent and knowledgeable in Back Country Safety and how to mitigate unnecessary avalanche danger when touring! Spencer was absolutely kind and supportive of my slightly less advanced technical skills and made doing new and scary things way less stressful for me. I would absolutely take more courses through Buena Vista Mountain adventures Thank you!!
Khalsa A — Google review
Great New Years snowshoe on Colorado Trail with Tommy. Tommy was very friendly and knowledgeable. We certainly enjoyed getting to know him and exploring part of the Colorado Trail. Would recommend Buena Vista Mountain Adventures for your adventure.
Life Changing experience with BVMA. Before class I was nervous just talking about avalanche terrain, after the 3-day AIARE 1 course I am no longer afraid. I now know how to prepare, stay safe, and avoid dangerous terrain in the mtns.. Strongly suggest this course to anyone with my similar feelings and desires about exploring the backcountry safely. Tommy, Abe and the rest of the crew were top knoch. I'll be back continue my education with them...next Wilderness Medical Course.
Excellent Wilderness First Responder course. Tommy was very knowledgeable and helped set up everyone for success. We had lots of reps and interesting scenarios that allowed us to put our WFR skills to the test.
Great guided trip with Michael. Blue bird day with a foot of fresh snow. Michael was super safe, attentive and gave some great knowledge of the backcountry/avalanche mitigation during the tour. The price was also very reasonable, highly recommend!
Had a great weekend going through the AIARE 1 course. Great instructors, good information in a friendly classroom and field environment. Highly recommended to all going into the backcountry. Thanks BVMA.
My husband, nephew and I took the AIARE course and it was fantastic! 2 days of intense learning and a third day of incredible low angle powder skiing at monarch pass. So grateful for everything we learned! Tommy and Spencer were organized, professional and inspirational 🥰
Loved our weekend with BVMA! We did a 2 day guided backcountry ski with Nick. The whole process was so easy, from scheduling to paying. Our weekend out was incredible! Nick is such a great guide. Super knowledgeable and just an all around nice guy! Would recommend BVMA to anyone looking for a backcountry guide.
402 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Rodeo
Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds is a must-visit spot in Colorado, offering an authentic mountain town experience. Despite the perception that rodeos are exclusive to Texas, Colorado has a rich history of cattle farming and rodeos. The grounds provide stunning views and are surrounded by excellent dining options. Visitors can enjoy various events such as the Mile-High Jeep Club All4Fun event or the Buena Vista Contin Tail Gem Show.
Fantastic experience - Definitely plan to come back next year!
MATTHEW K — Google review
Saw the 4th of July. Fireworks show one of the best all-time I've seen we will be going back for the 4th of July to see this again
Came out for the Buena Vista Contin-Tail and had an amazing time.
360 degrees of breathtaking views with Mt Princeton in the background.
Just a little windy ;)
Amazing views, surrounded by some great restaurants, all with great staff. Went for the 2019 Mile-High Jeep Club All4Fun event, been going for a few years now, Highly recommend even if its not an event. It can get a bit rainy or windy, but the views by far surpass the downsides. Love it.
Fantastic location, beautiful views. The rock show was well organized and entertaining for everyone. I can't wait till next year.
We go here to support gymkana. Young adults put this together. This is the second year for the summer event. Very enjoyable.
Went to the gem show. It used to be held downtown, but this year at the rodeo grounds. It was very windy out there due to lack of trees. Many vendors were complaining about high winds knocking down the set ups.
Nice place to walk a dog off leash or fly a drone! Terrific scenery in a wide open expanse.
Art gallery
Gift shop
Jewelry store
Leather goods store
Shoe store
Sundance & Friends, located in Buena Vista, is a charming shop that showcases an array of quality, handcrafted artisan items, many of which are created by local or Colorado artists. The store offers a diverse selection of art pieces and unique gifts with intriguing stories behind each one. Visitors can find the captivating pop bottle cap art by the artistic patriarch of The Moore Family Folk Art from Aspen among other masterpieces.
Really impressed with the young lady working the evening of January 19 and 20. I was in Buena Vista for my daughter's wedding. My brother-in-law was interested in a ukulele at this store so I accompanied him to the store. I immediately focused on a turquoise necklace. My wife had been wanting a turquoise product for a couple years and I found the perfect necklace for her. Unfortunately I had forgotten my wallet at the house and the young lady put it on hold for me. I was able to go back the next evening and she had it waiting for me and gave me all the details of who made it and it was quite a wonderful purchase and my wife really enjoyed it
Del R — Google review
This is such a lovely shop! Anytime we’re in town my husband and I stop at Joyful cafe and Sundance and Friends. I found the cutest gold earrings here, and the jewelry selection is beautiful. I also accidentally left my purse in the park across the street, and Phoebe went out of her way to get it and mail it back to me—so kind and thoughtful!
Cori and staff were so kind! She helped me customize a necklace made by her with a memorial charm I brought in. She was fast and professional. I was able to pick up my necklace the next day. Great place, good quality and good prices.
My favorite shop in Buena Vista, amazing collection of unique and local items and the owner couldn't be nicer!
Popped into this little shop on a whim and found it full of quality, hand made artisan items, many by local or Colorado artists!
The staff was wonderfully attentive and knowledge on the products and helped on picking out the perfect pair of incredible, hand-made leather moccasins - a family craft of over 50 years!
Beautiful place to get unique, authentic gifts that has a story behind each one!
Stopped by while visiting BV on a trip and loved seeing all the local artisan goods. I especially loved their handcrafted guitars and ukuleles that the staff allowed me to play. If I had a bit more disposable income, I would have definitely walked out with one of those instruments.
Perhaps the best specialty gift shop with exquisite high-end, high-quality products I've ever seen assembled in a single shop.
Fantastic, attentive, and knowledgeable staff and thoughtful service. It was such a memorable experience that I would seriously consider returning to Buena Vista from Austin just to shop!
This is a wonderful local artesian shop. We just stopped in and were taken aback by the incredible selection of one of a kind jewelry, paintings, wood carved pieces, and even hand made ukuleles. We found a wonderful necklace with Colorado’s state mineral of rhodochrosite that was made by the extremely friendly woman who greeted us and rang us up (I regret not catching her name). Ever item has a unique story, and they have the details for each. Wonderful! My picture of my wife’s necklace doesn’t do it justice.
1111 Riverpark Road, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
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Antique store
Collectibles store
Nestled in the picturesque town of Buena Vista, Sundog Colorado is a treasure trove for those seeking unique finds and authentic experiences. This charming shop offers an eclectic mix of items, from stunning southwestern jewelry to vintage clothing and antiques that tell a story. The friendly owners are always ready to assist you in discovering one-of-a-kind pieces, whether you're on the hunt for cowboy boots or a beautiful leather backpack.
One of My favourite shops in the entire USA. My band stops by any time we’re playing in the area. If you want to make someone in your life very happy, (or yourself), stop by and see Julie!!!
Sammy F — Google review
Sundog is an absolute dream of a store—full of beautifully curated vintage goods with the most perfect Western vibes. You can feel the heart and soul in every corner, from the rustic decor to the thoughtfully chosen pieces. We stopped in while in town celebrating our engagement, and Julie (the sweetest human ever) made our visit extra special. Before we walked out, she ran after us with a vintage horseshoe for good luck—such a thoughtful and touching gesture that we’ll never forget. Whether you're hunting for something unique or just want to soak in some good energy, don’t miss this spot. Truly one of the highlights of our trip!
Great little gem of a shop in the heart of BV. Super-friendly and helpful. Purchased a bolo tie for a friend's wedding.
Really nice shop with an awesome selection of western antiques. The prices were all reasonable, and the owner was very nice. I’ll have to come back sometime.
Bought a beautiful Indian cuff bracelet for my girlfriend. The owner is very friendly, and loves Indian jewelry herself.
Bought two rings that were supposedly turquoise. The shopkeeper talked me about the differences in stone size/design and which Native American tribes they likely came from. After spending over $100 on each ring and wearing them for the past few weeks the turquoise paint started chipping off of one of them! I don’t know the origin of the deception but definitely do a little scratch test if you can to determine whether the turquoise is genuine. Better yet, but directly from an Indigenous seller. Don’t make my same mistake.
We had a great time exploring this gem of a shop! Owner is very helpful and sweet. Some great finds!
This is my favorite store in all of Colorado. The owner is incredible and has helped us source some unbelievable vintage jewelry, hats, ski suits, hats and art work. 10/10 recommend.
301 E Main St #260/4626, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Temporarily Closed
Art gallery
Gift shop
Picture frame shop
Rock Run Gallery, situated in the South Main Neighborhood of Buena Vista, is a beloved spot for art enthusiasts. The gallery proudly showcases an impressive collection of artworks by Nora Larimer and over forty other talented artists. Visitors can admire a diverse range of pieces including wood turnings, glasswork, furniture, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and photography. Customers have praised the friendly service and reasonable prices at this charming gallery and frame shop in Florissant.
The locations, space, selection and service were all lovely. From walking in the door to leaving I was well taken care of and I love my treasures purchased as well. Prices were also extremely reasonable and competitive!! Home now, the items fit wonderfully in my home and I will think of this beautiful city whenever I use them.
Sheena M — Google review
What a great find! I walked in and was greeted by an extremely nice woman whom I chatted with while shopping around. I immediately fell in love with all of the bright artwork of local mountains. I purchased one of the tiles to display by my desk and made sure to grab a card for future purchases. Highly recommend!
Living in Florissant, Colorado (country) I decided to support small town businesses. Nora has a very nice gallery and frame shop. She was very friendly, helpful and had a good selection of framing and mating to chose from. She also communicated updates by giving me a call. I am so very pleased with my selection and overall purchase for my very special piece of artwork and would definitely give Rock Run Gallery my return business.
Beautiful art at a wide range of price points. Some items are $25 while others are $2500. The gentleman in the store was extremely pleasant, and not at all pushy. He was perfectly content to let us peruse the store and pet his puppy.
Nora is my go to for local framing. She does am impeccable job. She's also an accomplished artist and has a lonely selection of her own work and that of others for sale.
Delightful gallery, they shared with us that there are over 40 artists included! So much talent in one gallery!
Lots of great paintings, prints, unique items and jewelry. Could spend all day in there!
Many nice works from multiple artists working with a variety of mediums at reasonable prices.
902 South Main Street, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Park
South Main Town Square is a vibrant community hub situated near the Arkansas River and just a few blocks away from Historic Main Street. This popular gathering place hosts a variety of exciting events, including Paddlefest, Rapids & Grass Beer Festival, and the lively summer Farmers Market series. It's an ideal spot to mingle with locals and unwind by the river, offering trendy design, nearby trails, shops, and restaurants.
Awesome spot to unwind and relax after driving. We walked along the river and enjoyed the couches!
Michael B — Google review
Another Great Foodshed Alliance Farmers Market! Great people and products! Awesome experience had by everyone
Fun place to hang with kids and adults....close to river and services
Trendy design. Next to the river, with trails. Shops, restaurants.
701 Front Loop, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Park
River Park Pickleball Courts, located in Buena Vista, have recently opened six new courts for public use. These courts are available to the public at all times, providing ample opportunity for pickleball enthusiasts to enjoy the sport in a beautiful setting.
I dropped in for open play several times while in BV in May. Everyone was very friendly and the play was competitive. And, you can’t beat the view, of course! I stopped at the Roastery afterwards for a scone and walked back to my airbnb. 😊
Becky B — Google review
Beautiful courts with an even more beautiful view!!!
Courts are great and most of the people are friendly. Enjoyed our play.
Beatiful facility to play pickleball!!
714 E Main St, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
4.8
(655)
4.5
(67)
Scenic spot
Sights & Landmarks
Vista point
Lookouts
On our way from Estes Park down to Salida. Stopped here to stretch our legs and use the facilities before getting back on the road. What a nice place for a picnic, with individual covered spots with tables, as well as a main gazebo with info panels about the mountains and the valley over the years. Also setup to accommodate horse trailers, and multi-use trails. The views are absolutely amazing here!
Shalini J — Google review
I stop here to let my dog stretch his legs whenever I drive between the front range and the West slope. It's a great place to chill for a bit and enjoy the view of the collegiate peaks.
No trash cans or flushing toilets. Remember to pack out trash and dog poop bags
The overlook has a peaceful energy, and it’s never felt overcrowded whenever I’ve visited. There are clean pit toilets, shaded picnic tables, benches, and informational signs that explain the mountain range. It’s a great place to stretch your legs, eat lunch, or just take in the moment. There’s also access to a camping spots, bike & hiking trails.
Beautiful little overlook of the Collegiate Peaks Anna the valley below.
Requires a CO state parks pass, which you can but there at the entrance.
Nice outlook with picnic tables and bathrooms. There's a fee or pass that is asked. Great place to watch the sunrise
Beautiful spot to take in the view. I waited for the moment the Full Moon was setting, and the sun about to come up.
I don't understand why the State has to charge $10 to see it, though. Should be free for everyone...
Beautiful stop and a picnic area. Restrooms on site. Self-service ticket booth.
Lovely overlook with picnic areas, and a small covered pavilion. It also has a horse trailer turnaround! Plenty of parking. $10 daily entry fee.
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4.7
(102)
4.4
(30)
Temporarily Closed
Museum
Wedding venue
History Museums
Depot & Caboose, located in the old Chaffee County Courthouse, is a small museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the local history of Buena Vista. Run by a non-profit organization, it features various exhibits such as old wedding gowns and a working model railroad showcasing 130 miles of the Arkansas River Valley. Visitors can explore the exhibits on their own or opt for a guided tour. The museum also hosts events during the summer months.
We rented out the historic courtroom for our wedding rehearsal/welcome reception and the venue was perfect. Everyone was so kind and easy to work with and all the guest absolutely loved the beautiful venue and learning something new about BV while they were there. Thank you so much!
Janielle — Google review
A small but well-kept museum. Good for kids -- see the train model on the top floor -- and it's a good easy way to see the area's history without boring young kids. Definitely recommend, especially if you can get in on a free day!
History at an historic place! A must see in BV. One of the best museum in Chaffee county.
we love to visit places like this, unfortunately due to COVID 19 they are on shortened hours and we arrive just as they were closing. We talked with friendly hosts and they told us the trees by the front door were Bristle Cone Pines, planted in 1880.
Get in here for some quality history! From the wonderful docent who greeted us, to the player piano, there's something for everyone. This historic gem will tell you stories and keep you entertained with pictures that chronicled the Town. My favorite exhibits were the Train diorama upstairs and the Women of the West exhibit. What a great way to enjoy an hour or so while visiting downtown.
Wonderful people great staff. And also I have a model train it looks like there's
Loved our visit. Super great Museum with a large variety of interesting exhibits and artifacts. Really told a great story of the history of the area and of what life was like back in the day! Some really great historical photos. Loved the school room exhibit and the railroad history.
This is a wonderful museum. There is a lot of great stuff inside without it feeling too large or too small. The diorama was the icing on the cake to an already great time. And Kurt, a retired high school teacher from the town that volunteers, gave us great info on the way in and out. Thank you, Kurt. I look forward to returning with family.
116 US Hwy 24 N, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
4.9
(62)
4.8
(12)
Mountain peak
Nature & Parks
Mountains
Huron Peak is a well-known hiking route located in the Collegiate Peaks range, standing at an impressive altitude of 14,012 feet. Named after the indigenous Wyandot people, this peak offers breathtaking views from its summit. Along the way, hikers can encounter various wildlife such as goats and marmots, as well as vibrant and diverse floral displays.
So beautiful. Our group consensus is this is the most beautiful 14er we have experienced.. so far.
A few things that may be helpful… the road in is indeed rough. It is well maintained but it is a mountain dirt road with a lot of potholes and the going is slow!! Google maps will not reflect the actual time it takes you to get up that road. Just go slow but give yourself plenty of time. Google maps thinks the speed limit is 55. I would say you average 20mph.
Once you get up there, the parking area is to your right… .4 miles later there is a sign for 4wd road. We had a Chevy traverse w AWD and decided not to risk it (the 4wd road). It was the right choice. I would only take it if you have a jeep or a truck w 4wd and some clearance. We saw one Subaru outback that made it but I guarantee there were some scrapes.
The walk is 2 miles exactly from the 2wd lot to the trailhead. This is going to add a solid 30-40 min at each end of the hike.
From the trailhead, I clocked 8 miles round trip, so a total of about 12 miles including the walk.
We took a very leisurely pace both up and down. We didn’t hit the actual trailhead until 7:25. Got to the summit in 3 hours. We were a group of 4, all in shape but not hiking regularly.
Dan O — Google review
Went up Huron 7//14/25 with varying weather conditions. Rainy and foggy alternating with sunshine. No views when I was on Huron but some groups got better luck. It was a littlele muddy from rain, but no snow to contend with. Summer conditions.
Ran into a gentlemen on the way down who gave some good beta on the north ridge. Decided to descend that way, tagging a few more peaks on the way down. Ended up just sending one of the slides on the east side off Cross Mountain, linking up with FS381 and connecting back to CR390. Pretty steep, but manageable even with the rain making things a little slick.
Some miscommunication ended up with me walking back around to the 4wd trailhead at Huron, but good day overall.
Positives: Incredible views at the summit including of the Three Apostles, Missouri Mountain, and La Plata Peak.
Not too steep or technical, great 14er to begin with.
Almost no wind at the top (at least on a late August day) which I have never experienced before.
Proximity to campsites in the area.
Negatives: Largely unremarkable trail chocked with switchbacks.
A 4WD vehicle is needed to access the upper trailhead, otherwise you must walk most of the road from Winfield which adds a couple miles. Even getting to the 2WD parking lot via Chafee County Road 390 Highway 24 is not easy.
So the road isn’t that bad. We stopped about a mile and a half from the true trailhead. However while walking along it this morning, the road didn’t seem bad at all. Typical 14er conditions. Make sure to start early and bring sunscreen. The switchbacks sucked and for whatever reason I struggled today, even though I did Mount Yale last Saturday. Saw three mountain goats at the summit. Great 360 degree views. Highly recommend.
Quick hike up and back from the 2WD trailhead; good climb and a fairly quick run down. You'll only need 4WD to get to the upper TH for a couple short sections. The TH itself does not have a toilet and is not very level. The views from the top are amazing!
Stunning view. Very calm and small summit, makes you feel as though you're on top of the world. Right in the middle of Colorado too so you can see everything, especially the three apostles about .5 miles away. Great camping spots at the bottom of the peak for the night before. One of the most peaceful things in the world when listening to Rocky mountain high at the top of the peak. Stunning pond area right above tree line that's great for resting. I love it!
Amazing views, i think winter hike gives you the best views and also during peak of fall colors. This was my 14th 14er., Till the treeline it is easy, the climb after treeline is challenging. Bit of Fresh snow patches, weather was great. Little chilly and windy but great hike. You may need to 4x4 with high clearance to reach to trail head else park your vehicle 2 miles below trailhead.
This is such a great and easy mountain! It has the best views of the sawatch range by far and you dont have to work relatively hard to get there. Its a fairly short hike considering it is a fourteener, which is great for those who don't have a ton of experience. And furthermore, all the places around Huron to camp are gorgeous. Its also less crowded than twin lakes and mount Elbert, although you will still find decent crowds here.
5.0
(9)
4.2
(5)
Art gallery
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Lee Lester Studios is an impressive art gallery that showcases remarkable Western artwork, including lifelike wildlife pictures and sculptures. The bone structure and muscle definition in the art pieces are truly extraordinary. If you appreciate rugged animals in their natural habitat, such as Mountain Sheep, then this gallery is a must-visit. The hosts of the studio are welcoming and the overall environment is beautiful.
Incredible Western art. Wildlife pictures and sculptures are so authentic. Amazing bone structure and muscle definition! If you admire rugged animals in their environment, like Mountain Sheep, you will live Lee Lester's art.
Cyndi W — Google review
Lee’s watercolor is the best I’ve seen anywhere. His bronze work is masterful. Incredible talent and skill.
Beautiful place with beautiful hosts! Had the best time ever! Feed the deer in the yard. Seen all the beautiful flowers not to mention the art work done by Lee. Can't wait to go back! 💞💞💞
Gorgeous artwork created by a Master Artist and all-around wonderful man. Lee is my father, but that doesn't change facts. 😊❤
The best Western art with a variety paintings, bronzes, mounted deers.
Amazing art and bronzes!!
Great artist!
15201 Co Rd 306, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA•
Other best-of categories in Buena Vista
Popular road trips from Buena Vista
What's the weather like in Buena Vista?
It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Buena Vista for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.
- Weather in Buena Vista in January
- Weather in Buena Vista in February
- Weather in Buena Vista in March
- Weather in Buena Vista in April
- Weather in Buena Vista in May
- Weather in Buena Vista in June
- Weather in Buena Vista in July
- Weather in Buena Vista in August
- Weather in Buena Vista in September
- Weather in Buena Vista in October
- Weather in Buena Vista in November
- Weather in Buena Vista in December
All road trips from Buena Vista
- Buena Vista to Denver drive
- Buena Vista to Colorado Springs drive
- Buena Vista to Aspen drive
- Buena Vista to Steamboat Springs drive
- Buena Vista to Glenwood Springs drive
- Buena Vista to Durango drive
- Buena Vista to Vail drive
- Buena Vista to Canon City drive
- Buena Vista to Estes Park drive
- Buena Vista to Fort Collins drive
- Buena Vista to Pagosa Springs drive
- Buena Vista to Ouray drive
- Buena Vista to Boulder drive
- Buena Vista to Pueblo drive
- Buena Vista to Grand Junction drive
- Buena Vista to Gunnison drive
- Buena Vista to Castle Rock drive
- Buena Vista to Alamosa drive
- Buena Vista to Telluride drive
- Buena Vista to Montrose drive
- Buena Vista to Cripple Creek drive
- Buena Vista to Longmont drive
- Buena Vista to Littleton drive
- Buena Vista to Vail drive
- Buena Vista to Crested Butte drive
- Buena Vista to Woodland Park drive
Explore nearby places
- Buena Vista
- Nathrop
- Salida
- Fairplay
- Leadville
- Cotopaxi
- Aspen
- Breckenridge
- Crested Butte
- Copper Mountain
- Gunnison
- Red Cliff
- Snowmass Village
- Frisco
- Cripple Creek
- Divide
- Keystone
- Dillon
- Canon City
- Beaver Creek
- Vail
- Woodland Park
- Cascade
- Georgetown
- Manitou Springs
- Wolcott
- Evergreen
- Idaho Springs
- Colorado Springs
- Central City
- Black Hawk
All related maps of Buena Vista
- Map of Buena Vista
- Map of Nathrop
- Map of Salida
- Map of Fairplay
- Map of Leadville
- Map of Cotopaxi
- Map of Aspen
- Map of Breckenridge
- Map of Crested Butte
- Map of Copper Mountain
- Map of Gunnison
- Map of Red Cliff
- Map of Snowmass Village
- Map of Frisco
- Map of Cripple Creek
- Map of Divide
- Map of Keystone
- Map of Dillon
- Map of Canon City
- Map of Beaver Creek
- Map of Vail
- Map of Woodland Park
- Map of Cascade
- Map of Georgetown
- Map of Manitou Springs
- Map of Wolcott
- Map of Evergreen
- Map of Idaho Springs
- Map of Colorado Springs
- Map of Central City
- Map of Black Hawk
Buena Vista throughout the year
Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Buena Vista?
Get inspired for your trip to Buena Vista with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:
Best attractions in nearby cities
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Best restaurants in nearby cities
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