Located in the Vail Valley, just 10 minutes from Vail, Minturn, Colorado is one of the best small towns in the state. Often overlooked by its glamorous neighbors, Vail and Beaver Creek, Minturn offers everything you need for a weekend getaway in the mountains for half the price.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Vail, but I also love a small town with a bit of character and a less expensive price tag. Aside from being the home to a world-class fitness center where professional skier Lindsay Vonn likes to train, Minturn is a class all its own.
Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a history buff, or simply looking for a quiet mountain getaway, this charming town has something for everyone. Its location between Vail and Beaver Creek makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider area, while its laid-back vibe and friendly locals will make you feel right at home.
Here’s your guide to things to do in Minturn, Colorado:
Where to stay in Minturn, Colorado
One of the best reasons to visit Minturn, Colorado is to stay at the Eagle River Inn. Opening in the late 1800s, the historic hotel received a much-needed renovation and is now one of the best boutique hotels in Colorado.
Resting along the north side of the Eagle River that flows through the town, the Eagle River Inn stands out from the crowd with its fresh coat of white paint, charming Southwest vibes, and luxurious details that immediately elevate your weekend getaway.
The 13-room boutique hotel features everything you need for a weekend in the mountains. Outside, you’ll enjoy views of the river lounging by the fire pits or hanging in a hammock. A separate patio with a hot tub provides the perfect space to soak sore muscles after a long day on the mountain.
Inside, you’ll find Southwest design details mixed with cozy mountain lodge vibes. Lounge by the Kiva fireplace with your glass of wine or enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in the intimate dining area. A continental breakfast is served every morning with all the good stuff like yogurt, fresh fruits, eggs, fresh bread, charcuterie, and more.
Cozy rooms feel like a day at the spa with plush bedding and linens, robes and slippers, and smell-good toiletries. Choose from King-size rooms, plus two rooms with twin beds, or if you have a larger group or plan to stay for more than just the weekend, rest up in their two-bedroom suite with a full kitchen.
Discover historic Main street
Minturn, Colorado is not big, in fact, it’s a very small town of less than 1,000 permanent residences. Its hub is the historic main street, i.e. HWY 24, that runs through the center of town.
Similar to many of Colorado’s mountain towns, Minturn was an old mining and railroad town that at one point enjoyed a big boom and then a sudden bust. Founded by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in the late 1800s, and then incorporated in 1904, Minturn is one of the oldest towns in Eagle County. It had a brief comeback in the 1920s when it was briefly known as the lettuce capital of the United States because of the Evercrisp Lettuce Company’s large lettuce production on Meadow Mountain. But that soon went bust as well.
Today the historic main street is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, hotels, and shops. You’ll also be able to spot a few historic buildings and homes reflective of the town’s mining and railroad days.
Where to eat
For such a small town, you’ll find a nice offering of restaurants and bars to keep you fed and entertained.
You can’t leave town without eating at the Minturn Saloon. Located across the street from the Eagle River Inn, the Minturn Saloon is Vail Valley’s most historic restaurant, with famous guests like John Wayne who made the saloon famous.
Its recent renovations have given this rustic saloon new life while keeping some of its historic charm. An inside dining area and bar host guests year-round, while the outdoor patio along the river is perfect for dining alfresco in the summer.
An elevated Tex-Mex menu offers items like Baja fish tacos and blue corn enchiladas with bison meat. Be sure to try the famous Duke margarita that has made this a favorite spot for apres margaritas.
Another fun spot for tacos is Rocky Mountain Taco. The fast-casual restaurant offers, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, and burritos to-go or enjoy on the shaded patio. Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ and the Crazy Chicken are other fun options as well. And for some of the best Thai food around, try the Thai Kitchen.
Grab a whisky at The Wee Dram
One of the more unique things you’ll find in Minturn is the tasting room for local distiller; Eagle River Whisky. The family-owned business focuses on a distinct passion for crafting exceptional American single malt whisky using 100% malted barley and time-honored, old-world techniques. Using fresh Colorado alpine snowmelt from the Holy Cross Mountain Wilderness, a source that Minturn is proud to call its own, you’ll find exceptionally crafted single malts, blended malts, and peated malts.
In downtown Minturn, their cozy little tasting room, reminiscent of a European pub, is where you’ll find a friendly welcome from the owners and a tasting of three different whiskies or your choice of a hand-crafted cocktail.
Wild Mountain Cellars
Across the street from Thai Kitchen is the only winery in town; Wild Mountain Cellars. The local winery has been in operation for years and serves a nice selection of reds and a few rosés. The cozy tasting room opens to an outdoor/indoor patio area with plenty of room for table games with friends while listening to live music.
Visit the Minturn Market
If you’re in town on a Saturday during summer, don’t miss the Minturn Market. This vibrant farmers market features local produce, artisanal crafts, live music, and local food trucks—offering a true taste of the community.
Outdoors at your fingertips
Because of Minturn’s location in the Vail Valley, you’ve got direct access to the White River National Forest and the Holy Cross Wilderness. 225 miles of forest service trails offer a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more.
A few of my favorite trails to check out whether you’re visiting in summer or winter:
- Grouse Creek – one mile from town along HWY 24 (across from Meadow Mountain Business Park) this is a nice in-town trail with mountain and creek views, along with wildflowers in summer. In winter, the moderate trail is perfect for snowshoeing. The loop is 5.5 miles round trip.
- Cross Creek Trail – you can make this hike as long or as short as you’d like. The trail crosses the Eagle River and leads to several lakes and mountain views. I would rate it as moderate because once you pass the bridge it’s a bit of a climb to the first lake.
- Mt. of the Holy Cross – considered one of Colorado’s most picturesque 14ers, this roughly 10-mile hike is tough but well worth it if you’re willing to put in legwork and early morning departure. To access you’ll take Tigiwon Road from HWY 24 for about eight miles until you reach its end. The road also provides access to the Cross Creek Trail (mentioned above), Halfmoon Pass, and Fall Creek Trails. Note: this road closes to motor vehicles in the winter.
Hike or ski the Minturn Mile
But the most famous trail in town is the Minturn Mile. The “out-of-bounds” ski run brings skiers from Vail Mountain into the town of Minturn—ending at the Minturn Saloon. This is a popular route for those staying in Minturn and skiing in Vail. Note: this is not part of the ski resort, so you enter at your own risk. In summer, the trail is known as the Game Creek Trail for hikers.
Fly fishing in the Eagle River
Minturn is a haven for anglers. The Eagle River, which runs through town, is known for its excellent fly fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, check out Minturn Anglers in town—a local outfitter offering guided trips and equipment rentals.
Explore Little Beach Park
Little Beach Park is the town’s central activity hub. The park features shaded picnic tables, a playground with a climbing wall for kids, and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts the town’s summer concert series. It’s also a great spot to cast in a line along the Eagle River.
One of the more unique features of this park is its bathrooms. Yes, the bathrooms. In 2015, the Minturn restrooms won the Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom award. What’s meant to represent the passageway of a mine, the thoughtfully designed bathrooms feature unique design elements, decorative and artful details, and they’re really clean!
See the Gilman Ghost Town
Just outside of town, as you continue south on HWY 24, you’ll come to the historic Gilman mine. Similar to other mining towns in Colorado, when the boom went bust, many scattered and left these towns abandoned. The Gilman Mine closed in 1977 and what’s left is a shell of its past. You can still see remnants of the town from the highway and its ghostly remains.
Be sure to also stop and take a few photos of the Green Bridge that connects you to the small town of Red Cliff nearby.
