8 Picture-Perfect Main Streets In The Rockies
Any beautiful town has one undeniable feature: a charming main street. Although the backdrop can steal your gaze, the craggy mountaintops or razor-thin ridges, a main street is the quintessential hub of any community, especially small ones. This is true of New England, true of the Rockies, and true of anywhere else. So, whether you prefer cobblestones and half-timbered façades as you would find in many European towns, or paved roads bounded by old brick buildings and hand-lettered signs, you will find a main street in the Rockies with your name on it. Starting with Telluride, Colorado, discover 8 picture-perfect main streets in the Rockies.
Telluride, Colorado
Like many of its peers out West, Telluride was founded in the 1870s by a rowdy group of Wild West silver miners. Today, however, it is a vacation-worthy beauty surrounded by the heart-gripping grandeur of majestic snowcapped mountains that appear to stretch to the sky. Colorado Avenue, which serves as the main drag, is dominated by the San Miguel County Courthouse (or San Miguel Combined Courts), an eye-catching red-brick building with a history that dates back to the 1880s. The downtown area features adorable pastel Victorian-style houses, the iconic Sheridan Opera House, an intimate venue with great sound for a mood-lifting show, and gondolas that drop skiers off right in town. Heard Gallery has lots of cool rocks to admire or buy, while Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail is a nice place to burn your legs and enjoy panoramic views.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge, Colorado, or just “Breck,” pairs small-town charm with big mountain views in a way that makes many other towns look drab and average. The town was founded by a 23-year-old General George E. Spencer in 1859, one of a few hardy prospectors lured by the prospect of material wealth. Main Street, which runs the length of the city, is flanked by beautiful Victorian-style buildings, most of which date back to the town’s childhood years. Although a lot has changed, the town itself, including its Main Street, still carries nostalgic whispers of a bygone era and serves as the gateway to the world-class Breckenridge Ski Resort, one of the most popular ski areas in North America. Downstairs at Eric's is a blast from the past with a fun arcade and delicious wings, while the historic Lomax Placer Mine is a cool place to learn about the basics of gold panning. Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Refuge, just out of town, features picturesque trails with signs noting nearby wildlife.
Livingston, Montana
No one knew Livingston existed until the transcontinental Northern Pacific Railway swung by, instantly catapulting it onto the map. The town was the final place an engine could be serviced before traversing the Bozeman Pass, the established thoroughfare into the state’s southwestern periphery. Thousands of years ago, the pass served as a travel corridor based on bison migrations. Today, Livingston is the gateway to the world-famous Yellowstone National Park and has a charm-soaked Main Street with so much color and character. Although famous for its stout collection of bars, Livingston is also big on art and boasts more than a dozen galleries, including the 5-star-rated Parks Reece Gallery. Meanwhile, Elk River Books is a great place to unwind and cozy up with a good book on a comfy couch, while Tru North Cafe is loved for its delicious avocado toasts and inviting atmosphere.
Whitefish, Montana
With the stunning backdrop of Glacier National Park, Whitefish is naturally fine-tuned for beauty and epic outdoor adventure. Before hitting the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort, consistently in the top 10 of SKI Magazine's annual “Best Ski Resorts in the West,” take time to traipse through the downtown area, a charming stretch with Western-style architecture and an eclectic mix of local shops and farm-to-table restaurants. You can start with savory, slow-cooked wild boar ragù at Abruzzo Italian Kitchen, or with decadent huckleberry peach pies at Loula's Cafe, located in the Historic Masonic Temple building. There’s the Whitefish Theatre, where you can have a good laugh, and the town’s crystal-clear lake, a paddleboarder’s haven framed by towering pines.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains. The town’s vibrant Main Street, centered around the Taos Plaza, is a mind-rousing area with traditional adobe architecture, locally owned businesses, art galleries, and inviting restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine. Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, arguably the best house tour in town, is a beautiful home with lots of paintings and furniture carved by Nicolai Fechin, a renowned Russian-born artist celebrated as one of the most important portrait painters of the 20th Century. Taking the cue, the Harwood Museum of Art celebrates the town’s artistic legacy via beautiful landscapes and thought-provoking political pieces. As for food, Azteca Mexican Grill has an incredibly cute courtyard for enjoying traditional chili rellenos.
Wallace, Idaho
Wallace’s Bank Street may sound overly commercial, but not until you notice its eye-catching historic buildings (rebuilt more than once because of recurring forest fires) and the sublime views of the surrounding Panhandle National Forest. Hillsides press so close here, meaning your gaze will occasionally wander to not-so-distant views of grazing elk or deer. You will find gorgeous Queen Anne architecture, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, an abandoned Union Pacific right-of-way that any hiker will want to explore, and the centrally located Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum, a cool place with a decent collection of interesting exhibits. Finally, the iconic Fainting Goat Restaurant and Bar has a dog-friendly patio seating, where you can enjoy some of the best onion rings in the world.
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan is tucked away at the eastern base of the Bighorn Mountains, part of the wider Rocky Mountain region. Downtown Sheridan often feels like walking straight into a Wild West film, and Main Street, with its historic storefronts and watering holes, is the perfect stretch to kickstart your adventure. You may not see hardy ranchers with knee-length boots, but the Cowboy feel here is unmistakable. Therefore, in line with the Cowboy theme, start with a filling breakfast at Cowboy Cafe, a Main Street establishment, whose homemade pies are worth every bite. You can then swing by King’s Saddlery to watch and learn how ropes are made, then head to the 5-star-rated Don King’s Western Museum, which keeps an interesting collection of saddles and firearms. There is also a movie theatre, if you want to crown your day with a memorable matinee.
Frisco, Colorado
Many vacationers consider the small, genuine town of Frisco to be one of America's most breathtaking mountain towns. The town is known as “Main Street to the Rockies" because residents and tourists can enjoy awe-inspiring views of the world-famous mountaintops from the town’s 2-square-mile downtown area. Cozy cafes sit side by side with colorful storefronts, presenting a scene that any painter will drool over. You can start at The Uptown On Main and enjoy yummy lasagnas with mountain views on the patio, or cross the street to the phenomenal Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe, whose bakery items are worth driving from Denver or any other nook in the country. Meanwhile, Frisco Historic Park & Museum is a cool place to get a whiff of Colorado’s pioneer history, while Rainbow Lake and Peaks Trailhead is a swoon-worthy outdoor playground that will make a nature enthusiast feel like a kid in a candy store.
So, while you will be tempted to roll with bighorns, admire bald eagles as they wheel about in the sky, or explore some of the most epic slopes on the continent, step back a bit to appreciate the decent number of charming main streets in the Rockies. You can find a cozy cafe and sit on the patio, admiring life-changing views, cozy up with an interesting read at an indie bookstore, browse a fascinating collection of exhibits, or just amble down the streets, relishing its relaxing atmosphere and laid-back ambiance.
