From the moment you drive into Buena Vista, you can tell it offers limitless outdoor recreational opportunities. In addition to this, Buena Vista also has a darling Main Street made up of boutique shops selling vintage and handmade items, bike gear, art, and more. It’s hip, filled with fun energy, and it has great dining and entertainment options too.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Gold Medal Arkansas River. World-renowned for its amazing whitewater, Buena Vista’s pride and joy has brought rafters and kayakers to the Arkansas River Valley decade after decade.
With so many options, how will you ever squeeze everything in during a three-day visit? Contact Wilderness Aware Rafting. We can help.
Day One: A Full-Day Raft Trip with Wilderness Aware
Choose from Wilderness Aware’s several full-day raft trips on the Arkansas River. Our most popular trip takes guests through the stunning Browns Canyon National Monument. But for those of you who want a bit more of a challenge, a trip on the Numbers may be what you’re looking for. Our full-day trips include a delicious riverside lunch.
After your trip, swing through House Rock Kitchen for dinner on the patio, then take a walk along the river as the sun sets. There’s also a good chance you’ll catch music at the Lawn at South Main, so bring your dancing shoes.
Day Two: Adventures on Land
Start day two with a zipline tour arranged by Wilderness Aware. Zipline high in the snow-capped Rocky Mountains surrounded by clear, blue skies and tall, majestic old pine trees. Located close to Vail and Breckenridge near Leadville, Colorado, this 2-hour tour is great for all skill levels and kids 55 or more lbs. This amazing tour is available year-round and includes six separate double zip lines.
Time to grab lunch in town! Visit Simple Eatery or Crave for a variety of delicious options sure to please everyone in your group.
In the afternoon, Wilderness Aware can also help arrange an ATV or Jeep rental with Collegiate Peaks Off-Road, a year-round Jeep and UTV rental company. See the Collegiate Peaks like you never imagined by going deep into the forest or to the top of a mountain!
For dinner, head to Wesley & Rose in the Surf Hotel or Eddyline Brewery in South Main, and then watch the sunset over the Collegiate Peaks.
Day Three: Time to Relax
After two high adventure days, you’ll no doubt want a day to relax. We recommend starting your morning off with a stroll down Main Street, where you can grab breakfast at The Blend or The Roastery. As shops open up, you can go in and out and discover something special to take home for yourself or a loved one.
After this, head to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort for a relaxing day of soaking and laying poolside. There’s no need to worry if you have kids with you. The water slide at Mt. Princeton will keep them entertained for hours.
If you want just a bit more adventure after your soak, continue driving up Chalk Creek to St. Elmo, where a large population of chipmunks is happy to eat sunflower seeds straight out of your hands. N“o need to bring your own, the St. Elmo general store sells seeds for this exact purpose.
When you’re ready for dinner, The Buena Viking serves the best burgers in town. For a post-dinner cocktail, no one mixes a better drink than the Deerhammer.
