The City of Durango was founded in 1880 during the Gold Rush. Main Avenue was one of the first developed roads that has maintained our area’s history with original buildings repurposed into locally owned shops, restaurants, and more. Locals and tourists alike enjoy strolling through historic downtown as well as enjoying many parades and other events here throughout the year. Below are some of the highlights of Durango’s Main Avenue block by block.
5th Street
At the very southern end of Main Avenue, traffic turns into a one way street going south and leads you to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Station. This original location was one of the founding pieces of Durango as miners settled here. The Gaslight Twin Cinema offers a more cozy Allen Theater movie watching option and the General Palmer Hotel which features victorian luxury from the original establishment built in 1898. Other Durango staples like Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Durango Bagel, Four Leaves Winery, and Nini’s Taqueria are also located on this block. As the end of the road turns you east towards 2nd Avenue, you can continue exploring many other shops and restaurants just a block off of Main.
6th Street
Also known as College Drive, 6th Street is a Main east to west thoroughfare in Durango. On this block, iconic Durango establishments such as Jean Pierre Bakery & Wine Bar, the Balcony Bar & Grill, 636 Main (once Ken & Sue’s), and Orio’s Roadhouse reside. Of course, the infamous Strater Hotel is impossible to miss as its ornate, original structure, built in 1887 towers over many other buildings. Also a part of this legacy, the Office Spiritorium, Diamond Belle Saloon, Mahogany Grille, and Henry Strater Theatre keep the old western theme with an old-timey theme, curated menus, Saloon Girls, and ragtime pianists. Other notable businesses like the Ore House, Animas City Theater, The Wild Horse Saloon, and East by Southwest are located just off Main on E College Drive.
7th Street
The seventh block of Main hosts a plethora of fan favorite restaurants including Derailed, Fired Up Pizzeria, Switchback Tacos, Grassburger, and Season’s offering a wide variety of options. Cafes like Durango Coffee Company, Magpies Newsstand Cafe, and Hermosa have become ideal stops while downtown too. Outdoor stores (Gardenswartz Outdoors and Crows Closets) offer popular brands while Durango Rug Company, Animas Trading Company, and the Durango Antique Market offer eclectic items from jewelry and clothes to pillows and trinkets galore.
8th Street
8th and Main acts as the center of downtown Durango hosting the Durango Welcome Center who provides area information, maps, pamphlets, and public restrooms! Another prominent building is the Main Mall which doesn’t have big name brand stores but rather more not-to-miss locally owned shops and restaurants. The Sparrow, Lively, There’s No Place Like Home, and Urban Market are all local favorites. Beads and Beyond and Stitch are specialty art and craft stores. Sister stores Pine Needle & Pine Needle Dry Goods as well as Brown’s Sport Shoe & Brown’s Shoe Fit and Gardenswartz Sporting Goods (sister store to Gardenswartz Outdoors) offer more outdoor name-brand clothes and gear. Galleries like Diane West and Sorel Sky are also on this block.
9th Street
9th Street features many restaurants from breakfast at the Durango Diner, Chinese food at May Palace and Nepalese at Himalayan Kitchen to fine dining at Eolus and El Moro, and dessert at Animas Chocolate Company. Durango bars include El Rancho and Starlight Lounge on this block next to stores such as Duranglers, Tippy Canoe, Mountain Bike Specialists, and Maria’s Bookshop.
10th Street
Home to restaurant establishments like Carver’s Brewing Company, Rice Monkeys, and Cream Bean Berry, other shops like Dancing Willow Herbs, Studio &, and the Boarding Haus offer items like tea, art, and skateboard/snowboard gear. The Old Main Post Office is another historic Durango professional building although the post office is now located on 8th Street on the east side of Main Avenue. Across the street, the Crossroads Durango building was built in 2006 and is home to many smaller businesses as well as Alpine Bank with an unmissable clock tower.
11th Street
Most fitting on this block is the 11th Street Station which hosts a variety of food trucks and Ernie’s Bar. This popular corner venue is used for live music and other events throughout the year. Crossfit Duragno, Taco Libre, and the Bank of Colorado building (which also hosts other businesses) is located on this block. Of course, we are proud of The three story historic building that is home to The Wells Group. Our window displays and expansive office has room for our full time Brokers as well as client meeting rooms.
12th Street
Most well known for housing Buckley Park on the east side, this park truly takes a whole block and offers grassy areas as well as an event venue. On the west side of Main Avenue, 1201 Main is home is Primi, an Italian restaurant as well as many other small business and some residential condos. Further north, the iconic Durango Herald building has been home to the local newspaper since 1881.
13th Street
Really the last block of historic downtown, although Main Avenue continues - known as north Main - the North Point Building is a large complex with many businesses inside from a furniture store to music studio and pottery studio. On the northeast corner, the Crossroads Center provides a strip mall-like building for AutoZone, Ski Barn, Mattress Outlet, and more. Here at 14th Street, Main Avenue splits off into Camino Del Rio which is part of Highway 550 running north and south through town.
Ever since Main Avenue was more frequented by horses than cars, these nine blocks create a very special part of Durango, CO. There are many other businesses that reside in downtown Durango than we mentioned and are always happy to welcome visitors! There are also many offices and some residential units. Main Avenue is a great view point of Hogsback and Perins Peak with many railroad crossings to wave at passengers. Please let us know if you have any questions about downtown Durango or more things to do in Southwest Colorado.
