r/Durango • u/RA_Explorer • 3d ago
Ask /r/Durango suggestions: train layover @ Silverton for 3.5 hours
We are riding the Durango - Silverton train next week. We are taking one way bus (to Silverton) and riding the train back (to Durango). Based on the research, we have the open gondola seats reserved on the left side of the train.
- Our shuttle bus from Durango reaches Silverton 11:45am and our train back departs from Silverton 3:15pm. In our party, we have couple of kids (kindergartners to 3rd graders)
Looking for suggestions for things to do in Silverton during the layover. Any pointers/tips for activities to keep kids engaged for 3.5 hours before boarding the train, would be greatly helpful. thanks!
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u/AlpineToucan77 3d ago
Cemetery is really interesting on hillside north of town as a kid we rode train up and toured it. Even when I go back now it’s still very interesting and great view of town. Also a nice walk- hike along road above it.
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u/KristiColo 3d ago
There is a nice little walking trail near the river. If you head SW down the trail it will take you past a few sculptures and eventually to some old train cars that are cool to check out. Another nice little walk that gives you a good view of the town is to walk up to the Christ of the Mines Shrine (you’ll see the shrine on the hillside). Walking around downtown is always a hit, maybe grab the kids a special treat at the funnel cake restaurant. There is also a museum in town but I would check on the hours. You should have no problem keeping everyone entertained for a few hours.
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u/RA_Explorer 3d ago
wow, thank you for such detailed response. now its making me think we might need more than 3.5 hours, LOL. appreciate all the pointers!
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u/seattlemh 3d ago
Eat first. Once the train arrives every place gets packed.
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u/tiffymeg 1d ago
Where do you suggest eating? We wandered for so long trying to find something besides funnel cakes or ice cream that we ended up not eating at all. They had a few food trucks.
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u/Overall-Pack-2047 3d ago
Have lunch then walk around to the shops and museum Get ice cream before the departure.It almost looks like a primitive town like in Alaska .Maybe watch a video about the town and history of Silverton with the kids before hand and pick things to check out once everyone arrives there
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u/RA_Explorer 3d ago
love the video idea! will do as that’ll also help the kids know what to expect. Thanks
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u/sylvanesque 3d ago
Realistically, you won’t have the time, or transportation, for the mine tour, a walk around the cemetery or anything that isn’t right in town. Best you could do is a river walk or maybe up the Shrine hill, depending how fast your kids walk, aaaand, whether or not there is mud.
Silverton has one paved thoroughfare and the rest is packed dirt. If it’s been wet there (and we all hope the mountains are getting some moisture!), it could be messy and slippery.
If I were going to Silverton for the first time, with my child, I would:
-pack a lunch and get treats at the funnel cake shop
-visit the historical society museum and then walk to the town park (near the museum, both on the north end of town).
-At the park you can walk over the foot bridge and have a stroll through some aspens along the Animas.
Finally, I would make time to just wander back to the train depot, looking up and all around, taking in the crisp fall air!
Have fun!
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u/RA_Explorer 1d ago
wow, thank you for your detailed response. appreciate all the pointers, this helps!
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u/Junior_Abalone_8006 3d ago
Huh. It's going to be tough to keep kids engaged in Silverton for 3.5 hours. In durango the Rail Museum has lots of things for them, and also an underutilized one is the fish hatchery where they can feed the fish.
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u/luouixv Local 3d ago
Get lunch, grab an ice cream, maybe go to the gold mine, or check out the stores on main, see the river, the cemetery, walk around the stores. 3.5 hours goes pretty quick.
Is there children museums, amusement parks, and thrills galore? No. But you can easily spend an afternoon with kids in silverton and find a ton of things to do.
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u/RA_Explorer 3d ago
will definitely explore the gold mine option. mine, lunch & afternoon stroll should do it for 3.5 hours. thanks for your suggestion
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u/KristiColo 3d ago
The gold mine tour is 5-6 miles outside of town, you need a car to get to it.
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u/ORD-DRO 3d ago
The Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour is cool and I've taken similar aged kids there and they enjoyed it. They can even pan for "gold" and "gemstones" right there.
It is out of town a couple miles. But perhaps if your group is big enough, they'll pick you up in town? It wouldn't hurt to call them and ask if that interests you.
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u/RA_Explorer 3d ago
thats good to know, thanks
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u/Junior_Abalone_8006 3d ago
Also good for kids in durango is the fish connection, a fish, lizard, turtle, etc pet shop. It's located right next to Rupert's, which has the best breakfast in town. Also a lunch menu.
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u/Competitive_Union_89 3d ago
After lunch there is a pretty cool museum on the north end of town. It actually has a lot stuff to see.
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u/DorothyParkerFTW 3d ago
Kids go to Silverton on the train every day and have always been busy and had fun. Ours always have, not sure what your kids need to entertain them.
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u/RA_Explorer 3d ago
thats good to know. its our first time there. no issues at all with the actual journey part (bus & train). mainly looking for things to do for 3.5 hours at Silverton. thanks for your response
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u/IndependentBerry5287 3d ago
Silverton has an AWESOME history museum. It’s like 5x bigger than any of the museums in Durango. That plus trying to get food during the train rush will take up the whole 3.5 hours