Many times in my 12 years of running the Durango Business Improvement District I have been told by my fellow locals that they avoid downtown in the summer because it is just too crowded. It is harder to find a place to park, the sidewalks are bustling with tourists and restaurants are full. Here are some reasons you should visit your downtown, and I have a few tips to help you have a good experience.
First, let’s talk about getting here and parking. To get to downtown, you can bike, walk or take the bus. Every bus route, including the Main Avenue Trolley, is free all summer. Every bus goes to the Transit Center downtown, which is only 1.5 blocks from the heart of Main Avenue.
Speaking of the Transit Center, if you need to drive consider parking there. Did you know you can park all day at the Transit Center for only $5? You can pay that fee through the new Park Mobile app, just look for the signs around the lot. The Transit Center lot is free weeknights after 5 p.m. and free all day on weekends. The three parking lots on East Second Avenue are also free on weeknights after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends. Convenient, available and affordable parking downtown, it exists!
Now that you are here, are you ready for a bite to eat? Make a reservation at our amazing restaurants in the busy summer months. Nearly all restaurants take reservations, and if they do not, most have an online waiting list that makes it easy to know when your table is ready.
Looking for events? Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. this summer, the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College hosts free concerts. This is a great opportunity to see your friends, enjoy the shade at Buckley Park and listen to live music.
Reminder that the Durango Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning downtown at the TBK Bank parking lot. There you will find fresh and locally grown food, plus crafts and other goodies made by local artisans. The market will be held on Main Avenue late this summer, stay tuned for more details.
Also coming up is the San Juan Brewfest. The Brewfest is 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 22 and 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at Buckley Park. It features unlimited tastings from 35 breweries, live music booked by the Animas City Theatre and tons of fun. Tickets for Aug. 22 are limited and only cost $40, so if you want to avoid the lines get that discounted ticket. Aug. 23’s tickets cost $50, but you get two bands and an extra hour of fun. There is also a VIP ticket for Aug. 23 at $85 that gets you in one hour early at noon and includes a meal from Grassburger. Visit SanJuanBrewfest.com to learn more, and thank you to Bank of the San Juans for being the presenting sponsor.
Don’t forget about downtown’s unique boutiques, shops and world-class art galleries. I hope to see you downtown this summer!
Tim Walsworth is executive director of Durango Business Improvement District. Reach him at timw@downtowndurango.org or 375-5068.
