How to Spend the Perfect Day in Pueblo, CO
Two local residents share their agendas of fun things to do in Pueblo.
Pueblo packs a big punch for a relatively small city, enjoying many amenities familiar to Coloradans (like 300 days of sunshine and a plethora of trails), plus other benefits unique to the region. Its deep agricultural roots, for example, yield some of the most iconic food in Colorado and its mild weather means year-round outdoor access minus the snowfall seen in other parts of the state.
Looking for fun things to do in Pueblo? These two longtime residents share their favorite things about their hometown, as well as how they’d spend their ideal day.
Small-Town Feel, Big-City Fun
Fourth-generation Puebloan Haley Sue Robinson left the city to complete her undergrad and graduate degrees, but in 2017 she returned to her hometown with her wife. “When we moved here,” she says, “my wife said, ‘I’d like to live here for one year and then I’d like to move.’ But we bought a house in 2020, and it’s 2023 and we’re still here.”
Robinson, now director of public affairs for the city, credits that to the affordable cost of living as well as the deceptively large array of fun things to do in Pueblo.
“People expect us to be more small-town than we are,” she says, citing the city’s 70+ parks, like Mineral Palace Park, which boasts an arboretum, swimming pool and lake, as well as its “incredible” trail system.
Robinson’s ideal day starts off with a breakfast burrito at the Taco Stop on Fourth Street. “Why that’s significant is I don’t live on that side of town, but the Fourth Street location is the best,” she says.
That’s followed by a stop at a coffee shop like Gypsy Javas or Grounded Cafe; she also shouts out The Sacred Bean’s latte art, such as a swan accented with rainbow sprinkles and edible glitter. After that, it’s off to Pueblo Mountain Park for a hike on one of its 8 miles of trails.
For lunch, Robinson hits up Joe Tomato Deli & Italian Market, a no-frills spot packed to the gills with goodies: taffy, peanuts, baked goods, chips, jarred pasta sauces, among them. And it’s near another of her faves: the Rawlings Library, which recently underwent a $12.5 million renovation.
“Our library system in general is fabulous,” she says. “Rawlings Library is beautiful and iconic, and it’s super accessible.”
Robinson opts for dinner at Italian restaurant La Forchetta da Massi, where the frutti di mare is a favorite. But there are plenty of other places for a delicious evening meal, including the nearly 90-year old Rosario’s Italian Bistro; Cactus Flower Mexican Restaurant & Cantina; and Fuel & Iron Food Hall, which hosts six different food and beverage concepts.
Dog Days of Summer
Donielle Kitzman, vice president of tourism at the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, grew up in town. Now, she says, “I live out east in the farm area, so farm-to-table food is something I really enjoy.”
She starts her perfect day at Milberger Farms, a 400-acre farm that operates a year-round market stand and restaurant, with an order of biscuits and gravy.
Then, she says, “I think I’ll work off my large breakfast with a leisurely stroll around the Riverwalk with my dogs.”
Her canine companions, Princess Sasha and A Boy Named Sue, love walking the mile-long paved loop along the Arkansas River as much as Kitzman.
“I like the openness of the Riverwalk but also its connectivity to small business,” she says. “If you jump off the Riverwalk on Union Avenue, there’s a lot of antique shops, boutique shops and retail.”
Kitzman’s lunch pick is The Senate Bar & Grill, where she grabs a seat on the patio with the dogs and noshes on a deep-fried pork chop on a stick and a chile wrap, an ultra-simple, ultra-satisfying snack consisting of a roasted green chile and cheese wrapped in a warm tortilla.
During the dog days of summer, Kitzman and her pack make an afternoon stop at The Edge Ski, Paddle and Pack, to rent a paddleboard before heading out to Lake Pueblo for some time on the water.
And for dinner, she’s also dining at La Forchetta da Massi, where her regular order is housemade pappardelle aglio e olio (pappardelle with garlic, olive oil and chile flakes).
Finally, an after-dinner stop at downtown’s Twenty One Steak for live music or trivia (where Kitzman’s team is a force to be reckoned with) is the perfect ending to a spectacular day in Pueblo.
Bonus: Colorado Concierge Boosts Pueblo Tourism
In 2022, tourism spending in Pueblo County was $296 million, up about 7% from 2021 and 15% pre-COVID. “Our tourism numbers have increased consistently in Pueblo,” Kitzman says.
Kitzman attributes that in part to a strong economy and great branding from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), and with the inclusion of Pueblo in the CTO’s Colorado Concierge program, which launched in summer 2023, she’s hoping those numbers will continue to climb.
Colorado Concierge comprises a series of free, online modules in both English and Spanish designed to educate frontline tourism and hospitality workers about everything Colorado, including the basics (no, you can’t smoke cannabis in public, and yes, you need to carry water when hiking and biking); hunting and fishing info; and details about eight different regions of the state and what they offer.
Kitzman created the Pueblo curriculum, which breaks down the history and vibe of the city’s unique neighborhoods, where to see local artwork and theatrical performances, hot spots for fishing, rock climbing, hiking and biking, and what festivals to hit up while you’re in town.
“We in Pueblo want to provide the best customer service,” she says. “Leaving the best first impression possible is top of mind. Being able to provide common talking points that exude pride and care for our community is beneficial to all frontline workers, and we come off looking like a knowledgeable community.”
An incentive program recently launched that offers free giveaways, tickets to attractions and Pueblo-branded gear to those who complete the 20-minute course.
Get to Know Pueblo
Want to learn more about living and working in Pueblo, CO? Check out the latest edition of Livability Pueblo, Colorado.
