Alison & Ryan’s Local Guidebook
Food scene
The crown jewel of fine dining in downtown Basalt, this Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant is a local's favorite for great tapas, cocktails and a charming atmosphere. A little on the pricier side, but great for a special night out or just for appetizers and drinks.
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Tempranillo Restaurant
165 Midland AveThe crown jewel of fine dining in downtown Basalt, this Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant is a local's favorite for great tapas, cocktails and a charming atmosphere. A little on the pricier side, but great for a special night out or just for appetizers and drinks.
A Basalt institution, this greasy spoon is a must for breakfast or brunch (special menus on Saturday and Sunday includes top-notch eggs benedict and a cinnamon-swirl pancake that's bigger than the plate). If you want authentic small town Colorado that's the antithesis to Aspen swank, this is the place.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
Two Rivers Cafe
156 Midland AveA Basalt institution, this greasy spoon is a must for breakfast or brunch (special menus on Saturday and Sunday includes top-notch eggs benedict and a cinnamon-swirl pancake that's bigger than the plate). If you want authentic small town Colorado that's the antithesis to Aspen swank, this is the place.
Located on the banks of the Frying Pan River this is the best spot in town during the summer months when a beer on the patio hits the spot. It's a great spot for families with young kids and has a something-for-everyone menu featuring American fare with a little bit of a Colorado twist and a few healthy options, too.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
The Tipsy Trout
181 Basalt Center CirLocated on the banks of the Frying Pan River this is the best spot in town during the summer months when a beer on the patio hits the spot. It's a great spot for families with young kids and has a something-for-everyone menu featuring American fare with a little bit of a Colorado twist and a few healthy options, too.
Mod is from Thailand, so she knows how to dish up some of the best Thai food this deep in the Rockies. Great for takeout or eat in, but don't miss the duck spring rolls and if you like spicy, the red curry is super good.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Mod's Thai House
132 Midland AveMod is from Thailand, so she knows how to dish up some of the best Thai food this deep in the Rockies. Great for takeout or eat in, but don't miss the duck spring rolls and if you like spicy, the red curry is super good.
We love this brewery for it's chill atmosphere and great beer, especially in the summer. The food is really good too, especially the smashed potatoes. A great spot for families with little ones.
26 Einheimische empfehlen
Capitol Creek Brewery
371 Market StWe love this brewery for it's chill atmosphere and great beer, especially in the summer. The food is really good too, especially the smashed potatoes. A great spot for families with little ones.
For a more modern/contemporary vibe, check out Free Range for creative American cuisine featuring local ingredients, yummy cocktails and a solid wine list.
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Free Range Kitchen & Wine Bar
22864 2 Rivers RdFor a more modern/contemporary vibe, check out Free Range for creative American cuisine featuring local ingredients, yummy cocktails and a solid wine list.
We love our quaint local coffee house, which is actually a historic house. Awesome coffee and good food for breakfast and lunch, this is a great place to go with kids or a casual meal where you can just order at the counter and go. This is also a great place to use high speed wifi to download all the movie and shows you want to watch so you don't use up all our satellite internet data allowance! :)
7 Einheimische empfehlen
CC Cafe
104 Midland AveWe love our quaint local coffee house, which is actually a historic house. Awesome coffee and good food for breakfast and lunch, this is a great place to go with kids or a casual meal where you can just order at the counter and go. This is also a great place to use high speed wifi to download all the movie and shows you want to watch so you don't use up all our satellite internet data allowance! :)
Hot Springs
We love this local hot springs resort because it has 18 pools overlooking the Colorado River and lots of great amenities including a cafe that sells beer and wine, nice locker room facilities and a sound system. There's also a large family pool and hot tub that's great for kids, too.
148 Einheimische empfehlen
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
281 Centennial StWe love this local hot springs resort because it has 18 pools overlooking the Colorado River and lots of great amenities including a cafe that sells beer and wine, nice locker room facilities and a sound system. There's also a large family pool and hot tub that's great for kids, too.
This is one of our favorite places to go whenever we want a day of relaxation. This is by far the most beautiful, clean, private hot springs I have been to and not sulfurous at all. Reservations for the hot springs are required, even for the day, Sessions are from 9-1 or 1-4. Massage is available on site with a reservation. The scenery from the pools is to die for and there are 5 pools, including a larger pool/waterfall for kids that's a bit cooler and even an old school "hippie dip" wooden hot tub. This place is a must!
61 Einheimische empfehlen
Avalanche Ranch
12863 CO-133This is one of our favorite places to go whenever we want a day of relaxation. This is by far the most beautiful, clean, private hot springs I have been to and not sulfurous at all. Reservations for the hot springs are required, even for the day, Sessions are from 9-1 or 1-4. Massage is available on site with a reservation. The scenery from the pools is to die for and there are 5 pools, including a larger pool/waterfall for kids that's a bit cooler and even an old school "hippie dip" wooden hot tub. This place is a must!
Sightseeing
Just 9 miles up the road is a large reservoir for paddle boarding, fishing, boating, and day use. We recommend driving past the main boat launch entrance to a day use area called Freeman Mesa, about 10 miles farther down the road. Here you'll find a nice grassy area with picnic tables and a better beach for swimming and paddle boarding. A gorgeous place to spend the day! You can also visit the main boat launch area for the day but its a little busier with campers and boaters.
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Ruedi Reservoir
Just 9 miles up the road is a large reservoir for paddle boarding, fishing, boating, and day use. We recommend driving past the main boat launch entrance to a day use area called Freeman Mesa, about 10 miles farther down the road. Here you'll find a nice grassy area with picnic tables and a better beach for swimming and paddle boarding. A gorgeous place to spend the day! You can also visit the main boat launch area for the day but its a little busier with campers and boaters.
Head down toward Carbondale and jump onto CO Hwy 133 for the breathtakingly scenic drive up the Crystal River Valley. Stop in Redstone and meander it's tiny, quaint Main Street with antiques shops and for a homemade chocolate chip cookie or ice cream cone at the General Store before venturing on to Marble, one of the most scenic and remote towns in Colorado. If you have 4WD, check out the Crystal Mill or spend the day paddle boarding and swimming on Beaver Lake (a fishing license is required for all visitors, even if you're not fishing and they do check). Swing by Slow Groovin BBQ for house smoked meats, handcrafted cocktails and a super fun atmosphere (open June - Oct).
37 Einheimische empfehlen
Marble
Head down toward Carbondale and jump onto CO Hwy 133 for the breathtakingly scenic drive up the Crystal River Valley. Stop in Redstone and meander it's tiny, quaint Main Street with antiques shops and for a homemade chocolate chip cookie or ice cream cone at the General Store before venturing on to Marble, one of the most scenic and remote towns in Colorado. If you have 4WD, check out the Crystal Mill or spend the day paddle boarding and swimming on Beaver Lake (a fishing license is required for all visitors, even if you're not fishing and they do check). Swing by Slow Groovin BBQ for house smoked meats, handcrafted cocktails and a super fun atmosphere (open June - Oct).
Tipps für Reisende
Verkehrsmittel
4WD or AWD required in winter
We live on a steep dirt road that is not maintained by the city, so 4WD or AWD is required in winter in order to access our house. You will want this for driving in the mountains anyway!
Verkehrsmittel
No public transportation available from the house
We live in a rural area and there is no public transportation and taxis are going to require a reservation and be quite expensive, so a car is a must. There is a public bus service that runs up and down the Roaring Fork Valley (RFTA) that is very reliable an an excellent option for travel to the ski areas. Bus stops are located in downtown Basalt and Basalt Park & Ride off Highway 82.
Nicht verpassen
Wildlife abounds
On cold mornings, look for big horn sheep on Frying Pan Road (you can't miss them as they often travel in herds and tend to stand in the middle of the road until they are ready to move on). Beware of bears in spring, summer and fall--do NOT leave any garbage outside or they can be a real nuisance. Also, we do have mountain lions in the area, so hike in groups or with your dogs. They prey on deer (of which there are many) so aren't really a threat, but they are around. Look for bald eagles who often nest along the Frying Pan River!
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Colorado Weather
They say if you don't like the weather in Colorado, just wait 5 minutes! Our weather is typically sunny and dry, but storms can come in fast and temperatures can vary wildly. The key is to bring layers so you are never caught off guard and can adapt accordingly. Everything is casual here--no need to dress up.