Durango's name comes from the Basque word Urango meaning water town. Founded in 1880 Durango is located in the Animas River Valley and is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains. When the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad originally built a track to Silverton, Durango was established as the hub of its rail system to transport raw ore from the mountains to smelters located in Durango. The city itself comprises a mere 5.6 square miles and although the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad now only hauls visitors to Silverton, in 2006 it will have been in continuous operation for 125 years.

Many of the original buildings constructed by early pioneers are still standing and are used today throughout the historic districts of Main and Third Avenues. These buildings in historic downtown Durango were built with bricks and stone due to a city ordinance that was enacted after a fire in the summer of 1889 damaged seven blocks on the Main Avenue. The downtown Durango area has almost as many restaurants as San Francisco, the restaurant capital of the western United States.

In Durango, every day is a celebration of its unique history, and its citizens often come together to commemorate the past and honor the rich culture with a variety of special events including Hozhoni Days, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail-fest, and Fiesta Days.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum
Attraction type: Scenic railroad; Transportation museum

Soaring Tree Top Adventures, Durango
Attraction type: Tour

Durango Mountain Resort, Durango
Attraction type: Ski area

Children's Museum of Durango, Durango
Attraction type: Children's museum

The Cliffs at Tamarron, Durango
Attraction type: Golf course

Animas River, Durango
Attraction type: River

Animas Museum, Durango
Attraction type: History museum

Diamond Circle Melodrama, Durango
Attraction type: Performance; Theater

The Colorado Trail, Durango
Attraction type: Hiking trail; Biking trail

Hillcrest Golf Club, Durango
Attraction type: Golf course

Trimble Hot Springs, Durango
Attraction type: Spa; Hot spring/geyser

Animas River Trail, Durango
Attraction type: Trail