Not many places can blend a Wild West sensibility with ski-town chic, but Steamboat Springs is successful on both fronts. The mountain of Steamboat dominates the horizon with almost 3,000 acres of skiing, while working ranches consume the valley. As for the town itself, you can still find a bit of the Wild West, but Steamboat is maturing as more restaurants and bars open.
With Your Boots Still On:聽厂濒辞辫别蝉颈诲别听骋谤颈濒濒
I鈥檓 sure the appropriately named聽 has an interior bar, but why would you bother when the sprawling outdoor area, which locals call 鈥渢he Beach,鈥 has ski in/ski out access? Picture hundreds of riders fresh from the slopes soaking up the sun in plastic chairs and ordering drinks from the massive outdoor bar carved out of ice.
Best Restaurant in Town:聽Laundry Kitchen and Cocktails
makes 鈥渨estern rustic鈥 feel refined, with a聽gastropub聽menu that focuses on small plates served inside a building teeming with exposed brick and rough-hewn wood. Start with whatever鈥檚 pickled, get a bunch of plates to share, and order a signature cocktail聽with house-infused booze.
Cheap Eats:聽Taco聽Cabo
You鈥檒l have to drive to the outskirts of town to inside a renovated gas station, but it鈥檚 worth it. The tacos are simple聽but inventive and under $4. Get the聽barbacoa, or show up on Friday and Saturday, when the owner makes聽al pastor聽tacos (marinated pork cut聽shawarma聽style). Bonus: Grab your tacos and wander into Storm Peak Brewery across the street.
Up All Night:聽厂耻苍辫颈别鈥檚
While Steamboat Springs has undergone a chic makeover in recent years, , on the edge of the Yampa River, has remained a dive鈥攁nd we mean that as a compliment. The Hurricanes are lethal, the bartenders are entertaining as hell, and every once in a while, you can get a 鈥渕ystery beer鈥 for $1.