Spring Break is just around the corner and Visit Alamosa can't wait for you all to spend it with us! The San Luis Valley is home to beautiful scenery and wildlife, amazing hikes, an iconic National Park, hot springs, and even alligators! There is no shortage of activities for you and your family to enjoy in Alamosa, but we have picked 6 of our favorite activities/destinations to help you start planning your trip! Cure your spring fever with a relaxing break in beautiful Alamosa Colorado.
1. Visit The Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must see while you're in Alamosa. Both family and pet friendly, this is a stop your entire family is sure to love! Pack up your sports balls, kites, frisbee, and a nice picnic to enjoy while youre on the dunes. Stop by Kristi Mountain Sports before you head out and rent a few sand boards or sand sleds! Adults and children alike enjoy this unique activity. Rally up the family and hit the trails. The park is home to 5 different low rigor hiking tails that are fit even for young hikers! You can find more information about these trails here. Take an afternoon to enjoy all of the scenery without any of the walking! Saddle up and take a horseback riding adventure across the dunes! Don't have or didn't bring your horses? Not a problem! You can book your ride through Zapata Ranch!
2. Visit the Colorado Gators Reptile Park
Yes, you read right! Come and see gators IN COLORADO. This unique park started over 20 years ago as a tilapia farm with a need for fish disposal, and what could be better than baby alligators? Colorado Gators purchased the reptiles and let them get to work. A curious linemen spotted the gators from up above and had to see for himself. His curiosity sparked the idea, and the rest is history.
Upon entry, you and your family will be given the opportunity to hold a real baby gator and get your photo snapped with it. You can take your own camera or the park offers to print your photo for you as a unique memento to remember the day! For the people that are feeling brave and want more than to hold a baby, you can opt in to wrestle the gators. To experience a more mellow farm activity, grab your pole and fish their 2 mile creek for a few hours. You will see different species of birds, lizards, snakes, giant tortoises or spot Kong, the 49 year old giant snapping turtle that calls the facility home.Travelers have come from all over the world to visit this attraction and we know you will want to, too! Learn more about this exotic stop here.
3. Restaurant Hop to Some of the Best Local Eateries in Alamosa
Alamosa is home to an abundance of locally owned and operated restaurants. With unique menus hosted at each location, there is sure to be many meals that are sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters. Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there are options for all! Grab breakfast at a cafe that has been open over 60 years, grab lunch at an award winning BBQ joint, and dine at a Jame Beard nominated eatery. Dont forget dessert! Delicious rolled ice cream is just a short drive from downtown. Travelers can plan their meal itinerary easily and see all of our locally owned dining establishments by viewing the restaurant guide hosted on the Visit Alamosa page.
4. Explore Downtown
Shop!
Alamosa is host to a unique downtown that offers an abundance of different shopping opportunities. From antique stores, to boutiques, hobby stores, and handmade craft stores, there are no limits to what you might find! San Juan Avenue is a hub for locally owned shopping stops. Head into any of the shops around Alamosa to find unique souvineers to take home with you and share with your friends.
Take the Walking Art Tour/ Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Stroll through historic Downtown Alamosa and learn about its past by taking the Historic Downtown Alamosa Walking Tour. See beautiful architecture and beautiful glazed, colored tiles around town. While you explore, be sure to check out the Walking Art Tour on display for your viewing pleasure up and down Main Street. Lay your eyes on unique pieces that add to Alamosa’s unique charm!
5. Relax and Unwind in the Hot Springs
Spring Break is great for relaxation and unwinding! After so much exploring and experiencing the town, slip away to the Sand Dunes Hooper Hot Springs for a full day of R&R that both adults and children alike will love! The main pool area offers a shallow kids pool, a full size pool with several depth options, as well as a hot tub. They run a full menu out of the main pool house so there is no need to have to leave! If you are 21+ and visiting, mosey on over to the pool's adult only Greenhouse Facility This area features a bar and a classy menu hosting upscale options. Visitors have the options of soaking in the 3 hot tubs, wading through the cool off pool, or soaking up steam in the sauna. All of the pools at Sand Dunes Recreation are filled with natural, hot artesian spring water, making it all the more unique. The greenhouse is home to many tropical plants that truly make this a unique colorado oasis. Check out all this facility has to offer you and your family this spring break here.
6. Spot Aliens at the UFO Watchtower
Before you head to the hotel for the evening, take a drive along the Cosmic Highway and follow the green aliens to have an out of this world experience at the UFO Watchtower. Visitors from near and far stop in to see if they will be one of the lucky viewers to spot a UFO in the vast San Luis Valley skies. Be sure to pack an item to leave behind in the garden with all of the others that have visited before. It is said that leaving an item there links humans to the two portals in the garden and that good fortune comes to those that leave something behind! Believers and skeptics alike can test their theories at this otherworldly adventure stop!
