Alamosa

Alamosa is a small town in south central Colorado, USA. It is noteworthy as the nearest significant town to Great Sand Dunes National Park, a similarly near neighbor of the eastern hub of a superb scenic railroad, and also because during the winter, it frequently records the lowest temperature of the day of any place in the contiguous United States. == Get in == === By car === Alamosa is at the intersection of US highways 160 and 285, about 230 road miles from Denver. (The straight-line distance is considerably less, but the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains deter traffic.) === By plane === 1 San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS IATA). Served by Boutique Air, with the essential air service program. Flies between Denver and Alamosa, with about three flights daily each way. (updated Apr 2020) == Get around == == See == Adams State University. In Alamosa, with a nice campus. == Do == Cattails, 6615 River Dr. Cattail's is an 18 hole, par 71 golf course that winds through woods and wetlands, with panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. This course is noted for its 12th hole, a challenging par 4 featuring a water hazard off the tee, a dogleg, and then another water hazard. The Colorado Gator Farm, 9162 County Rd 9 North, Mosca (25 miles outside of Alamosa). They are an alligator farm & reptile park with more than 400 alligators and dozens of exotic reptile species. The Gator Farm is also a rescue facility that takes in reptiles that have outgrown their homes. They have constructed a biodome on their property that is a home to various tropical plant species. 1 Zapata Falls. A waterfall found 40 minutes outside of Alamosa off of Highway 150 in Mosca. The sign for the falls is small and green, and takes you on a winding dirt road that goes up the mountainside and brings you to the parking lot. Here they have a hiking trail, a scenic outlook for pictures, and a restroom. There are also campground sites for those who wish to spend the night. The trail up to the waterfall is a half mile long with benches placed along the route for those who need to take breaks. The Zapata Falls are free to visit and are open year round to the public. Splashland, 5895 HWY 17, ☏ +2 719-589-6307. A geothermal, outdoor swimming pool that was built in 1955 and has since been renovated, and has added a concession stand for its patrons. This pool is only open seasonally. For hours == Buy == == Eat == Calvillo's, 400 Main St, ☏ +1 719-587-5500. Family-owned Mexican restaurant known for their lunch and dinner buffet and their margaritas, can accommodate large groups and are also available for catering. $5-14. Campus Cafe, 435 Poncha Ave, ☏ +1 719-589-4202. American diner with soups, salads, and sandwiches. They are only open for breakfast and lunch. $4-10. City Market Delicatessen, 131 Market St, ☏ +1 719-589-2492. Deli located inside the City Market grocery store. Assorted sides and sandwiches, catering. El Charro Café, 1605 Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-2262. Known for their Mexican dishes. Very limited seating, with only 10 tables inside the restaurant. Only open for lunch and dinner. Hunan Chinese Restaurant, 419 Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-9002. Classic Chinese cuisine, sushi and alcohol, open for lunch and dinner, take-out available. under $14. Juanito's, 2069 First St, ☏ +1 719-589-0277. Mexican cuisine, specials on tacos every Tuesday, serves alcohol. Outdoor seating available seasonally. Take-out is always available. Milagros Coffeehouse, 529 Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-9299. Coffee house with a variety of fresh baked goods, muffins, quiches and breads. Sandwiches and wraps, several varieties of ice cream. under $7. Mi Taquito, 400 Main St (behind Calvillo's), ☏ +1 719-587-5500. Authentic Mexican dishes and a fresh salsa bar. Nino's Mexican Restaurant, 326 Main St, ☏ +1 719-587-0101. Mexican restaurant that serves alcohol, does take-out orders, outdoor seating seasonally. Open for lunch and dinner. Oscars Restaurant, 520 Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-9230. Mexican restaurant open for lunch and dinner, take-out options available, serves alcohol. San Luis Valley Pizza Company, 2069 West 1st St, ☏ +1 719-589-4749. Makes their own specialty pizzas and desserts. Weekday lunch buffet. Subs, wings, pasta and salads. They offer delivery and take-out, and serve alcohol. St. Ives Pub & Eatery, 719 Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-0711. Bar & grill with daily specials from $1 tacos to $.50 wings. Several TV's for sports enthusiasts and a full bar. == Drink == San Luis Valley Brewing Company, 631 Main St. (On the corner of San Juan and Main St. (Hwy 160)), ☏ +1 719 587-2337. 11AM-9PM. Craft brewed beers and famous homemade root beer, menu on website. +1 719 587-BEER. Purple Pig Pub, 624 Main St, ☏ +1 719 589-2220. == Sleep == Best Western Alamosa Inn, 2005 Main St, ☏ +1 719 589-2567. A fairly large property not far from Adams State College, on the main drag through town. Not special, but entirely acceptable. from $75. Comfort Inn of Alamosa. Outdoor family activity area, free breakfast, pool & jacuzzi, fitness center, meeting/conference room, WIFI, pets allowed. (updated Sep 2016) Days Inn, 223 Santa Fe Ave, ☏ +1 719-589-9037. Free continental breakfast, fitness center, WIFI, and pets are allowed for a fee of $10 per pet. Hampton Inn, 710 Mariposa St, ☏ +1 719-480-6023. Free breakfast, pool & jacuzzi, fitness center, meeting/conference room, WIFI. Holiday Inn Express, 3418 Mariposa St, ☏ +1 719-589-3596. Free breakfast, pool, jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, meeting/conference room, business center, WIFI, pets allowed. Riverside Inn, 250 Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 719-589-4945. Twenty rooms available at daily, weekly or monthly rates. They allow pets. Super 8 of Alamosa, 2505 W. Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-6447. Free continental breakfast, pool, jacuzzi, WIFI, pets allowed. Valley Motel, 2051 Main St, ☏ +1 719-589-9095. Free breakfast, kitchenettes available, WIFI, pets allowed. == Connect == == Go next == The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve at 11999 Highway 150, Mosca is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with the tallest dune (known as the Star dune) measuring 750 feet high in elevation. The Pinyon Flats Campground at the park has 88 individual camping sites along two distinct loops. Restrooms have sinks, flush toilets and a sink for washing dishes. Each campsite has a fire grate and picnic table. Antonito is a small town about 30 miles south of Alamosa. Lodging exists at Antonito, but it's not as plentiful as in Alamosa. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, toll-free: +1-888-286-2737. Trains run from the eastern terminus at Antonito to Chama, New Mexico through some superbly scenic country. The line offers options for round trips to Chama or the half-way point, with a possible return from Chama via bus. Reservations are a must. In the town of Hooper, there are a few developed hot springs in the San Luis Valley, about twenty miles (30km) north of Alamosa. Sand Dunes Swimming Pool and RV Park, 1991 County Road 63, Hooper, ☏ +1 719 378-2807. Open year-round, daily except Thursday. Family-owned natural artesian pool features 150,000 gallons of clear, odorless hot springs water which maintains a temperature between 98-100 degrees year-round. A 25 person therapy pool maintains a temperature of 107 degrees. Covered baby pool. Suits, towels, and toys available for rent. Concession stand offers organic produce from on-site greenhouses. Just east of the road to Antonito is the similarly small town of Manassa, birthplace of the great boxer Jack Dempsey. Jack Dempsey Museum, 412 Main St., ☏ +1 719 843-5207. M-Sa 9AM-5PM (summer).