The history of Steamboat Springs is unique from other Colorado ski resorts like Aspen and Vail in that it is definitely not, and hopefully never will be, a 5-star ski resort. Steamboat is first and foremost a cowboy town, known for a more homegrown, down-home attitude towards the ski resort experience. However, that is not to say that the town doesn't have much to offer. In fact, in addition to the ski town at the base of the mountain, there is also a vibrant downtown Steamboat Springs, with a plethora of outdoor clothing and supply stores, boutiques, and marijuana dispensaries (only slightly joking - there are three within the town's city limits, and it really isn't the largest town), as well as more restaurants than a 10 block town ought to have.
If I could, I would give you the lowdown on every place worth visiting in Steamboat, but honestly, you would probably get bored. Instead, I'll give you my top five places to visit when I'm not hurling myself down the side of the mountain, in no particular order, and hopefully I will move you enough to visit this charming cowboy town one day (maybe even in the summer. The ski trails turn into really great hiking trails).
5. Aurum
If you're looking for a more fine dining experience for Christmas Eve or New Year's during the winter, Aurum is a fantastic option. The food is along the lines of what you'd find at a really great steakhouse - delicious meat and seafood options, as well as good palate cleansers in the salads. There's a an extensive wine list and a very creative cocktail menu. I ordered a blackberry and gin concoction when I was there recently that was delicious. In addition to the restaurant area, there is also a bar and lounge towards the entrance, where there is a casual menu more typical of a bar, and, oftentimes, live music. But what makes an experience at Aurum even better is that it is situated on Yampa Road, right on the Yampa River - this is especially nice in the summer, when the deck seating is open and those seated in the dining room have a fantastic view out to the water.
4. The Shack
If you're looking for a casual, easy, and cheap family meal, look no further than The Shack. It's only open for breakfast and lunch, but that's because it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. popular with the locals, the food is some of the best classic diner type food you can find - my personal favorites are the heuvos rancheros for breakfast, and the BLT with avocado for lunch. It's also located right on Lincoln Avenue, which runs the length of downtown Steamboat; it becomes very easy to make a day out of having lunch there, as it is within walking distance of pretty much any store at which you could possibly want to shop.
3. Steamboat Art Company
Affiliated with the Steamboat Art Museum just one block away, the Steamboat Art Company is a store that sells a wide variety of things, from clothing to home decor to fine jewelry to various and sundry knick knacks. It's the perfect place to shop for gifts, precisely because of it's varied catalogue - I have found the perfect jewelry for myself and others there numerous times, and love seeing what kinds of art they have available. It runs a little more expensive, but the quality of the pieces matches the price. Whatever you may buy while shopping there will be worth your money.
2. F.M. Light & Sons
A trip to Steamboat Springs would be incomplete without going to F.M. Light & Sons. The original cowboy store, this is the place to go if you want an authentic pair of cowboy boots; the people who work there are extremely knowledgable in the make and fit, and will absolutely find the perfect pair for you. And if you're not really into the cowboy boot thing, they also sell regular boots, as well as really durable, warm knitwear that includes gloves, socks, hats, and scarves. They also have an entire section of fashion clothing that is perfect for people who like an elevated cowboy style - lots of denim and flannel, with a bit of a hippie flair. I've found some really nice oversized sweaters there in the winter, as well as some really great, comfortable summer clothing. It's also barely a block away from the previously mentioned, beloved dining institution known as The Shack.
1. Off The Beaten Path
Perhaps my personal favorite spot on this list is the much beloved local bookstore, Off The Beaten Path. Though it has changed locations (for the last few years, it's been caddy corner to the Steamboat Art Company) and expanded it's square footage over the years, the heart of this place has not changed whatsoever. For a local bookstore, they sell an incredible variety of books, from nineteenth century classics to new fantasy releases (I just bought the new Philip Pullman book there) to best-selling memoirs by people like Mindy Kaling. They also have an upstairs section with a great selection of children's books, with space to sit and read with your kids for a while. There is also a cafe inside, where you can sit and have a coffee while you read your book. But one of the coolest things about this bookstore is that every fall, it hosts the Literary Sojourn festival, wherein hundreds of authors and avid readers pour into Steamboat to read and talk about books and the power of the written word. I love what Off The Beaten Path stands for as a bookstore, so I would really love it if you could take a moment of your time to visit their website and learn more.
An honorable mention goes to the dispensaries, if I'm being one 100 percent honest. It's worth a trip to one of them just to take a look around and see incredible variety of the things you can purchase - cash only, of course.
Steamboat Springs is the perfect place for an outdoor adventure in either season, thanks to being nestled in the Colorado Rockies, but the town itself is charming and full of things to do and places to eat when you don't feel like thrill-seeking. If you've been pondering where your next vacation will take you, whether it's in the winter months for some grand skiing adventure, or during the summer for some stunning hiking and river rafting, please consider Steamboat Springs. I hope to see you there!
