Hanging out in Crested Butte is pretty awesome. So is the skiing. And the mountain biking. But the town!

There is way more to Crested Butte than just the ski resort. Granted, the skiing is world class, with its extreme-rated double black chutes and more mellow runs as well, but the town just down the hill is definitely worth visiting.

It’s adorable. It’s this little quintessential little mountain town, maybe eight by eight blocks in size – it takes about ten minutes to walk from one end to another. It’s full of all kinds of cool little shops and funky little restaurants and bars.

Most of the bars have pretty fabulous happy hours complete with drink and food specials.  At least when we were there, Public House had a burger, fries, and a craft beer for $12. They feature beers from Irwin Brewing Co, a local CB brewery.  The margaritas at The Last Steep are strong and $5 for their happy hour. Their food is pretty amazing and affordable as well. On the subject of happy hours and margaritas, Bonez also has awesome margs available. Their food is pretty amazing as well. If great rum is more your style, Montanya Rum has a few choices, as well as delicious craft cocktails. If all you want is a giant burrito for lunch before you head back home, Teocalli Tamale is where you should head.

There are a couple of great places to stay around there, too. If you’re willing to drive a bit and need something super affordable, The Wanderlust Hostel in Gunnison (about 30 minutes down the road) is clean and comfortable, and the guests are always entertaining to hang out with and talk to. They have both bunk rooms and private rooms with shared bathrooms. In the town of Crested Butte, the Old Town Inn is cozy and includes a continental breakfast for guests.  If skiing is your goal, the Nordic Inn is super cute with awesome coffee and just steps from the lifts.

And if you’re in need of outdoor gear, Chopwood Mercantile is the place to go. The owner, Lisa, is wonderful, full of great stories and anecdotes. They’ve got all kinds of cool little accessories as well as a solid selection of current outdoor gear.

Many more experiences are in Crested Butte for those who are interested; these just barely scratch the surface. Go for yourself and let me know what YOU find!