Steamboat Springs is more than a great ski mountain. It’s a real town. And downtown Steamboat Springs is the heart of this friendly Western community, where ranchers, skiers and artisans share the Steamboat experience.

The downtown district is alive with personality – from century-old buildings, to a thriving arts scene, to world-class dining. Throw in Steamboat’s “down-home” character, and it’s easy to understand why locals live here, and visitors return year after year.

Start your day by dining at a street-side café, like Winona’s or Creekside Café. There’s nothing better than eating breakfast with the sounds of the tumbling Soda Creek waters. Spend the middle of the day browsing Main Street’s impressive selection of boutique shops and independent, locally owned businesses. Stroll through the many art galleries featuring a variety of local and national artists.

Restaurants like Mambo Italiano and the Sweetwater Grill buzz with happy hour revelers enjoying cocktails on outdoor and roof top patios. The choice is yours for dinner — from a quick burger at Johnny B Goods to fine dining at Bistro CV and Cottonwood Grill. Or relax with a glass of wine on the deck of the Boathouse Pub and watch the sunset behind the Yampa River and Howelsen Hill.

Summer streets come alive on Saturday mornings from June through August with weekly farmers markets, featuring dozens of vendors offering everything from locally produced foods to handcrafted art.

The first weekend in February brings the annual Winter Carnival which began in 1914. On Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of people line Lincoln Avenue to witness the Street Events. Events include Street Slalom, Ski Joring, and the Famous Donkey Jump for children ages 6 to 14 years old. So bring the kids and connect with the downtown excitement.

The Steamboat experience begins and ends in the heart of downtown Steamboat. While the storefronts have changed over the decades, the allure of spending a beautiful Northwest Colorado day strolling along Lincoln Avenue hasn’t. And it just keeps getting better.

Main Street Steamboat
Bud Werner Memorial Library
Carmike Chief Theater Plaza
First Friday Artwalk