Fairplay Guidebook
Food
Popular place to grab a cup of joe or a yummy sandwich! The indoor seating can be tight on weekends. In summer they have tables outside.
53 habitants recommandent
The Java Moose
730 Main StPopular place to grab a cup of joe or a yummy sandwich! The indoor seating can be tight on weekends. In summer they have tables outside.
Stop here for the BEST fried chicken sandwich in Colorado! They also have breakfast burritos to fuel your adventure! Locations in both Fairplay and Alma.
16 habitants recommandent
Otto's Food Cart
45 S Main StStop here for the BEST fried chicken sandwich in Colorado! They also have breakfast burritos to fuel your adventure! Locations in both Fairplay and Alma.
Reservation recommended. This classic Italian restaurant is great for a nice dinner out or even to celebrate a special occasion. Warning: The linguine and meatballs is spicy! Gloria's favorite is the Chicken Parmesan and Ryan loves the Chicken Bacon Penne Pasta.
76 habitants recommandent
Millonzi's Restaurant
501 Front StReservation recommended. This classic Italian restaurant is great for a nice dinner out or even to celebrate a special occasion. Warning: The linguine and meatballs is spicy! Gloria's favorite is the Chicken Parmesan and Ryan loves the Chicken Bacon Penne Pasta.
Rustic local watering hole with an Old West vibe on Front Street. We go here for burgers and fries.
33 habitants recommandent
McCall's Park Bar
511 Front StRustic local watering hole with an Old West vibe on Front Street. We go here for burgers and fries.
Adorable ice cream shop in a historic building on Front Street. Not just for summer, they have baked goods and sandwiches too!
27 habitants recommandent
Silver Scoop Creamery
456 Front StAdorable ice cream shop in a historic building on Front Street. Not just for summer, they have baked goods and sandwiches too!
Mr. Burro's Cafe
702 Main StreetWe loved this warm, cozy coffee shop in town!
Drink
Don't be fooled by the strip mall exterior! They brew a great selection of craft beer and offer a spacious interior. They have beer to-go too!
78 habitants recommandent
South Park Brewing
297 1/2 US Hwy 285Don't be fooled by the strip mall exterior! They brew a great selection of craft beer and offer a spacious interior. They have beer to-go too!
Local whiskey-maker with a creative and extensive drink menu in an authentic Old West saloon. Highly recommend!
30 habitants recommandent
Snitching Lady Distillery
500 Front StLocal whiskey-maker with a creative and extensive drink menu in an authentic Old West saloon. Highly recommend!
Fun place to have a local brew with indoor and outdoor tables, indoor game room and outdoor lawn games.
Highside Brewing - Fairplay
Fun place to have a local brew with indoor and outdoor tables, indoor game room and outdoor lawn games.
Trails
Be prepared! Before heading out, use a hiking app such as Hiking Project or AllTrails for trail information and to download a map for offline use. Always tell someone where you're going and when you'll return, and bring plenty of food and water, usually 1-1.5 liter per 2 miles per person.
*In winter due to avalanche risk, guests should only snowshoe above treeline with proper avalanche rescue equipment AND know how to use it (beacon, shovel, and probe), check avalanche conditions at caic. org, and assume all risks of a possible avalanche including severe injury and death. In winter 2022, a group of snowshoers were trapped and died in an avalanche on Hoosier Pass only 20 minutes away!
Only 10 minutes by car from the Sunset Suite! This is an easy, gentle hike in the forest which can be done as an out-and-back or a loop. No avalanche risk.
10 habitants recommandent
Beaver Creek Trail
Only 10 minutes by car from the Sunset Suite! This is an easy, gentle hike in the forest which can be done as an out-and-back or a loop. No avalanche risk.
Drive time 15 minutes from the guest suite. From the parking lot on Highway 9 you can get dramatic mountain views without the hike, or access a 2.8 mile inner loop or 3.5 mile outer loop trail.
61 habitants recommandent
Hoosier pass
Drive time 15 minutes from the guest suite. From the parking lot on Highway 9 you can get dramatic mountain views without the hike, or access a 2.8 mile inner loop or 3.5 mile outer loop trail.
We really enjoyed this moderate 3.5 mile, out-and-back hike at the base of Mount Sherman. It's a 25 minute drive from the Sunset Suite, and features a unique grove of 1,000 year-old "limber pine" trees.
24 habitants recommandent
Limber Grove Trail
984-3898 4 Mile Creek RdWe really enjoyed this moderate 3.5 mile, out-and-back hike at the base of Mount Sherman. It's a 25 minute drive from the Sunset Suite, and features a unique grove of 1,000 year-old "limber pine" trees.
It takes 20 minutes to reach this trailhead from the guest suite. This is a difficult hike up a 14er with incredible views at the top! It is 6.6 miles round trip and 3,300 feet elevation gain. The trailhead is just off Highway 9 for easy access.
PARKING
During summer, parking is by reservation ONLY and can be made online at parkquandary. com up to 14 days in advance as either short-term, half day or full day. I recommend reserving a full day if you've never hiked a 14er as they are seriously hard! Summit Express also operates a free shuttle every 30 minutes from the Breckenridge Airport Road parking lot.
PLANNING
Get an early start before 6:00 am and try to get off the mountain before noon to avoid afternoon thunderstorms! Bring sunscreen, warm layers, hat, gloves and raingear.
49 habitants recommandent
Quandary Peak Trailhead
Mc Cullough Gulch RoadIt takes 20 minutes to reach this trailhead from the guest suite. This is a difficult hike up a 14er with incredible views at the top! It is 6.6 miles round trip and 3,300 feet elevation gain. The trailhead is just off Highway 9 for easy access.
PARKING
During summer, parking is by reservation ONLY and can be made online at parkquandary. com up to 14 days in advance as either short-term, half day or full day. I recommend reserving a full day if you've never hiked a 14er as they are seriously hard! Summit Express also operates a free shuttle every 30 minutes from the Breckenridge Airport Road parking lot.
PLANNING
Get an early start before 6:00 am and try to get off the mountain before noon to avoid afternoon thunderstorms! Bring sunscreen, warm layers, hat, gloves and raingear.
The trail to 14er Mount Sherman is a 40 minute drive from the Sunset Suite. This is the easiest 14er for those who have never hiked one, but it's still difficult! The out-and-back hike is 5 miles round-trip and 2,000 feet elevation gain. There are stunning views at the top as there are with all 14ers.
PLANNING
Bring plenty of food and water, usually 1.5 liters per 2 miles per person for a 14er, as well as sunscreen, warm layers, hat, gloves and raingear. Set out before 6 am and get off the mountain before noon to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
6 habitants recommandent
Fourmile Creek Trailhead
9718 4 Mile Creek RdThe trail to 14er Mount Sherman is a 40 minute drive from the Sunset Suite. This is the easiest 14er for those who have never hiked one, but it's still difficult! The out-and-back hike is 5 miles round-trip and 2,000 feet elevation gain. There are stunning views at the top as there are with all 14ers.
PLANNING
Bring plenty of food and water, usually 1.5 liters per 2 miles per person for a 14er, as well as sunscreen, warm layers, hat, gloves and raingear. Set out before 6 am and get off the mountain before noon to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Ski Areas
World-class ski resort with plenty of terrain for all ability levels.
TICKETS
You can skip the lift ticket line and save a little dough by purchasing your tickets ahead of time at breckenridge. com. If more than 9 days in advance, they can mail them to you at home before your trip. If less than 9 days, you can pick them up faster at the mountain.
PARKING
Info available at breckpark. com. For free parking during ski season only, park at the Airport Road parking lot, which is 45 minutes from the guest suite in normal traffic. The free shuttle runs from the Airport Road parking lot and drops off at the base of the gondola. This parking lot is also served by the local yellow route bus, which stops at the gondola and also at the base of Peak 9, where you can get on the mountain directly (our preference).
Pay parking is available at the North and South Gondola lots, usually $20 Friday to Sunday and $10 Monday to Thursday. For latest prices see breckpark. com. No overnight parking!
612 habitants recommandent
Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 Ski Hill RdWorld-class ski resort with plenty of terrain for all ability levels.
TICKETS
You can skip the lift ticket line and save a little dough by purchasing your tickets ahead of time at breckenridge. com. If more than 9 days in advance, they can mail them to you at home before your trip. If less than 9 days, you can pick them up faster at the mountain.
PARKING
Info available at breckpark. com. For free parking during ski season only, park at the Airport Road parking lot, which is 45 minutes from the guest suite in normal traffic. The free shuttle runs from the Airport Road parking lot and drops off at the base of the gondola. This parking lot is also served by the local yellow route bus, which stops at the gondola and also at the base of Peak 9, where you can get on the mountain directly (our preference).
Pay parking is available at the North and South Gondola lots, usually $20 Friday to Sunday and $10 Monday to Thursday. For latest prices see breckpark. com. No overnight parking!
If you're looking for a break from the crowds, check out this local ski area under 1.5 hour drive from Fairplay! You won't find snow machines, gondolas or lift lines, just one large parking lot, one base area and lots of natural snow!
145 habitants recommandent
Monarch Mountain
123 N F StIf you're looking for a break from the crowds, check out this local ski area under 1.5 hour drive from Fairplay! You won't find snow machines, gondolas or lift lines, just one large parking lot, one base area and lots of natural snow!
The most affordable ski resort in central Colorado and less than 1.5 hour drive from Fairplay and the Sunset Suite. Lift tickets and information available at skicooper. com.
73 habitants recommandent
Ski Cooper
232 Co Rd 29The most affordable ski resort in central Colorado and less than 1.5 hour drive from Fairplay and the Sunset Suite. Lift tickets and information available at skicooper. com.
Ryan's favorite ski area has a casual local vibe and the longest ski season in Colorado! Check their website for opening dates. Depending on conditions, they usually open mid-October and stay open until June! In the spring season, you can reserve a front row parking spot for tailgating on their website, and sip cervezas while you bask in the sun at the foot of the slopes! They often have live music too. The drive is a little over an hour from Fairplay in normal traffic.
293 habitants recommandent
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
28194 US-6Ryan's favorite ski area has a casual local vibe and the longest ski season in Colorado! Check their website for opening dates. Depending on conditions, they usually open mid-October and stay open until June! In the spring season, you can reserve a front row parking spot for tailgating on their website, and sip cervezas while you bask in the sun at the foot of the slopes! They often have live music too. The drive is a little over an hour from Fairplay in normal traffic.
Things to Do
Much more than a museum, this is a historic preserved mining town reminiscent of the Old West. You can even explore a train car! Open in summer only.
85 habitants recommandent
South Park City Museum
100 4th StMuch more than a museum, this is a historic preserved mining town reminiscent of the Old West. You can even explore a train car! Open in summer only.
Our top choice for hot springs! You can soak your cares away in the natural creekside pools or the in-ground soaking pool. It's a 50 minute drive from the guest suite but totally worth it!
260 habitants recommandent
Mount Princeton Historic Bath House & Hot Springs
15870 Co Rd 162Our top choice for hot springs! You can soak your cares away in the natural creekside pools or the in-ground soaking pool. It's a 50 minute drive from the guest suite but totally worth it!
City/town information
With activities and festivals year round, there is always something to see or do in this internationally-recognized ski town! Only 30 minutes from the Sunset Suite. Broken Compass Brewing is a popular spot to grab a microbrew!
596 habitants recommandent
Breckenridge
With activities and festivals year round, there is always something to see or do in this internationally-recognized ski town! Only 30 minutes from the Sunset Suite. Broken Compass Brewing is a popular spot to grab a microbrew!
Cute downtown on a riverfront. In summer watch the kayakers navigate the whitewater rapids! Only 35 minutes from the Sunset Suite.
102 habitants recommandent
Buena Vista
Cute downtown on a riverfront. In summer watch the kayakers navigate the whitewater rapids! Only 35 minutes from the Sunset Suite.
Laid-back bohemian town about an hour from the Sunset Suite. Favorite spots include the Brown Dog Coffee Company and Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub. If you're lucky enough to be here Memorial weekend, check out the Bluegrass on the Arkansas FREE music festival!
102 habitants recommandent
Salida
Laid-back bohemian town about an hour from the Sunset Suite. Favorite spots include the Brown Dog Coffee Company and Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub. If you're lucky enough to be here Memorial weekend, check out the Bluegrass on the Arkansas FREE music festival!
Conseils sur la ville
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Altitude Sickness
Since Fairplay is located at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, drink plenty of water in the days before and after arrival. You will acclimate to Fairplay better if you are able to spend a few days beforehand visiting a lower elevation destination, such as Denver, Colorado Springs or Salida. When going out for the day, wear sunscreen and bring more water than you think you'll need. If you have symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, fatigue or dizziness, rest, drink water, and if all else fails, return to a lower elevation. If symptoms do not improve, seek medical attention!
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Whitewater Rafting (Summer)
Some of the best whitewater rafting in the world is located only 30 minutes from the Sunset Suite on the scenic Arkansas River! From nearby Buena Vista you can catch a half day, full day or overnight trip. Book ahead especially for weekend dates! Brown's Canyon is a popular intermediate route which is fun for most ages and abilities. Easy and difficult trips are also available. Companies include
Wilderness Aware (inaraft.com)
River Runners (whitewater.net)
American Adventure Expeditions (americanadventure.com)