Minturn

Minturn was born in the early 1800s when families settled at the confluence of the Eagle River and Gore Creek. It quickly developed with the opening of the Gilmann silver and gold mine in 1886 and the arrival of the Rio Grande Railroad in 1887. It was incorporated as Minturn in 1904. Over the years, Minturn has adapted to several major changes in the local economy, the development of Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts, the closing of the Gilman mine and the abandonment of rail lines. Today, Minturn maintains its distinctive character, architecture, quality of life and its reputation as one of most authentic towns in the Rocky Mountains.

Hotel Minturn is located 1 block off Main Street and only steps away from many restaurants including the Minturn Country Club, the Turntable Restaurant and the Minturn Saloon. A short walk down Main Street will take you to Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar and to Minturn Mile Liquors.

Minturn features many fine retail shops, including Mountain Pedaler of Vail, one of the best cycling shops in Colorado; the Weston snowboard shop, Vail Valley’s finest rug store The Scarab and Holy Toledo, Vail Valley’s premier consignment boutique. The Battle Mountain Trading Post antique shop is also located on Main Street as well as Minturn Anglers, the premier fly shop and guide service in the Vail Valley.

When visiting the Vail Valley during the winter season, one classic ski run is the legendary Minturn Mile, an off piste scenic adventure that ends a short walk away from town. The Minturn Mile run is not truly completed until you stop at the Minturn Saloon for its famous margaritas and delicious Mexican food, game birds and ribs!

During the summer season, Minturn features the original Minturn Farmers Market on Saturdays. The market takes place right outside the door of Hotel Minturn! The Minturn Market includes children’s entertainment and music for people to immerse themselves in the genuine charm and culture of Historic Downtown Minturn.

If you wish for something different than the “bright lights” of Vail and Beaver Creek, you can drive South on US Hwy. 24, the Top of The Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway. The old mining town of Redcliff is just a few miles away. Redcliff is very picturesque, and the community is very welcoming to visitors; at Mango’s Bar & Restaurant you will find the best fish tacos in the valley. The scenic drive continues through the area where in the 1940s Camp Hale was created: the training site of the legendary 10th Mountain Division. It is commemorated with multiple signs along Hwy. 24 and at Tennessee Pass where a monument in memory of the 10th Mountain Division soldiers is located at the entrance of Ski Cooper ski resort. US Hwy. 24 will then take you to Leadville, North America’s highest incorporated city at 10,200 feet. Great shopping, restaurants and the National Mining Museum make Leadville a great destination for a day trip, just 30 miles from Minturn. A few miles past Leadville on Hwy. 24, you can turn onto State Hwy. 82 toward Twin Lakes (12 miles from Leadville) and after another 19 miles, reach Independence Pass. The Pass, at 12,095 feet, is the highest paved road crossing the Continental Divide. Another 18 miles will take you to Aspen. Independence Pass is generally open only from Memorial Day to November, depending on snow conditions.