Fun things to do in and around Pueblo
Pueblo is teeming with unique locations and authentic experiences. And, while it might take more than one trip to Pueblo, here are several Pueblo places that you must see!
Sangre de Cristo Arts Center
With seven rotating galleries, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center is a must-see stop for art lovers. The Arts Center boasts several art collections that embody the American Southwest, including: the King Collection of Western Art, the world’s largest repository of work by Printmaker Gene Kloss, and a growing collection of historic and contemporary Santos and Retablos. More info.
Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo
The Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo is located in beautiful Rock Canyon on the banks of the Arkansas River. A delicate blend of aquatic, riparian, transition and semi-arid grassland habitats provide homes to a wealth of plants and animals. Dine in style at the restaurant overlooking the Arkansas River, enjoy an educational talk and demonstration about birds of prey, and bike along the extensive river trail network. More info.
Frontier Pathways Scenic & Historic Byway
This nationally designated scenic byway climbs from Pueblo's high plains, up through Hardscrabble Canyon into the Wet Mountain Valley, and descends back through the foothills onto the high plains at Colorado City. Along the byway, visitors can stop in Westcliffe, a quaint mountain town, with great shopping, wildflower meadows, intimate views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, and plenty of summer festivals. More info.
Steelworks Museum of Industry and Steel
Witness a relic of American industry by visiting this treasure, which sits across the Interstate from the still-pulsing steel mill. Blessed with amazing archives and artifacts from everything to former coal town maps to medical equipment, this museum captures a quintessential American story of immigration, industrialization, innovation and conflict. More info.
The Arkansas River
The Arkansas River that slices through Pueblo’s downtown area is a recreation rock star, offering everything from fly-fishing and rafting west of Pueblo to world-class bird watching and fishing at Valco Ponds. For kayakers and boogie boarders, Pueblo’s Whitewater Park is an urban kayak course with eight drops and is surrounded by a collective mural considered the world’s longest public-created art. More info.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Just a short drive west of Pueblo, experience the natural beauty of the famous Royal Gorge each year aboard Colorado’s finest scenic railroad. Enjoy the comfort and charm of carefully restored railroad cars. Travel in glass-topped vista dome cars, have a gourmet lunch or dinner and even partake in a murder mystery on the train. This is a fun way to enjoy the charm of classic train travel and the dramatic views of the Royal Gorge. More info.
