Go There: A Delicious Weekend in Pueblo, CO
About two hours from Denver, Pueblo's vibrant culinary scene, rich history, and growing arts community are worth exploring.
Pueblo, tucked in southern Colorado, about two hours from Denver, has a rich past. In the 1840s, the city started as a small fort and trading post called El Pueblo. However, the discovery of the area’s valuable mineral deposits helped it blossom into one of the country’s largest steel producers. These days, the town remains a center for industry and agriculture (it hosts the Colorado State Fair and the region’s popular Chile and Frijoles festival). Pueblo is also known for its vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, thanks to a talented population of producers, including artists, restaurateurs and farmers. Here is a weekend guide to Pueblo, where deliciously fiery fare, deep dives into Colorado history and riverside strolls are just the beginning.
In This Article
Where to Stay
There are plenty of accommodations in Pueblo, from tried-and-true hotel brands to comfy Airbnbs. Book early (particularly during the summer months) to score a room at Station on the Riverwalk, the city’s only boutique hotel. The tiny hotel in the heart of downtown Pueblo and housed in what was Pueblo’s police station and jail from the 1940s to 2010. Station’s seven rooms are located in former cells (yes, really), which are furnished with a blend of preserved prison elements such as exposed ceilings, metal doors and concrete floors and modern touches like plush bedding, rain showers and flat-screen TVs.
Other places to stay in downtown Pueblo, a walkable district along the Arkansas River with a bounty of shops and restaurants, include the Courtyard by Marriott Pueblo Downtown, which is attached to the convention center. Additionally, the Springhill Suites by Marriott, is a favorite of guests for its spacious rooms and indoor pool and hot tub.
If you prefer an AirBnb, Pueblo has options for groups of all sizes. This roomy three-bedroom loft is located downtown and offers tons of amenities. Or make yourself at home in a two-bedroom vintage gem, a house built in 1903 that has been updated with chic, Scandinavian-inspired furnishings.
What to Do
The El Pueblo History Museum, which will give you an overview of the region’s storied past, is an excellent place to start your tour. There, you can see a recreated 1940s adobe trading post and the original excavation site and view exhibits spotlighting the people and events that helped shape Pueblo into the city it is today. After your history lesson, stroll along the Pueblo Riverwalk, a peaceful 32-acre waterfront corridor along the Arkansas River in the heart of downtown. Those in town from May through September can even opt for a boat or gondola ride on the water.
Also, check out the Veterans Bridge, which honors service members of all military branches, and Heroes Plaza, a memorial that commemorates the city’s four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Finally, when the sun goes down, visit Neon Alley off South Union Avenue (near B Street Cafe). The alley is home to an art installation of vintage neon signs.
To experience southern Colorado’s outdoor beauty, venture to Lake Pueblo State Park. In the 10,000-acre park, you can hike amid 200-year-old juniper trees, take in views of Pikes Peak (the mountain that inspired Katharine Lee Bates’ “America the Beautiful”) and camp year-round. The lake is also known for its stellar fishing opportunities if you’re up for dropping a line.
Where to Eat & Drink
Opportunities to work in the steel mills encouraged many immigrants from Europe and Latin America to settle in Pueblo, where they shared their food traditions. The results are a vibrant culinary scene enriched with global favors. The city’s most famous dish is the slopper, an open-face burger smothered in green chile and sprinkled with raw onions. It’s so popular that many restaurants in town serve their rendition. Some popular places to get one include Gray’s Coors Tavern, Sunset Inn and Rita’s Mexican Food.
Pop by Solar Roast Coffee, which serves beans toasted by the world’s first solar-powered coffee roaster for early-day fuel. Then join the locals in line at Burrito’s Betty, a counter-service Mexican restaurant known for its killer tamales and breakfast burritos. Lunchtime calls for a visit to Dee Tacko, which opened in Pueblo in 2020 and serves a lineup of hearty tacos. Start with the shrimp queso, and order a trio of the COVID-19…corn tortillas topped with sirloin steak, grilled cheese, pico de gallo and creamy avocado salsa.
Pop by Brues Ales Alehouse for dinner and drinks, which serves elevated pub grub, beers and cocktails in the same building as Station by the Riverwalk. Or go to La Forchetta da Massi, a hot spot for bolognese, ravioli and other Italian classics with a great selection of grappa and cocktails. Fuel and Iron — Pueblo’s first food hall — is also scheduled to open in the spring of 2023. The community gathering place (named after the iconic steel mill) will feature bites from local chefs and restaurateurs, including Diavolo Hot Chicken.
Where to Shop
The streets of downtown Pueblo are lined with shops and boutiques selling everything from antiques to jewelry. Peruse local handmade goods like soaps, home decor and pantry items at Collective, and stop by the Pueblo Art Guild Gallery or Steel City Art Works Gallery to pick up a one-of-a-kind masterpiece to brighten your home. Locals love Cotton’s Antique Emporium, Union Antique Mall and Deedas Corner for vintage finds.
To take advantage of the area’s agricultural riches, drive to one of the area’s farm stands, typically open spring through fall, if not year-round. While the produce available will shift with the seasons, look for tomatoes, berries and stone fruits in the summer months and apples, chiles and various gourds at spots such as Milberger Farm and DiSanti Farms.
Local Obsession
Pueblo chiles are a hot commodity in Colorado (literally). The peppers, known to be meatier and more fiery than New Mexico Hatch chiles, are harvested in September and October by southern Colorado farmers. A coveted variety is the Mirasol, a chile that grows upright toward the sun and has a fruity, full-bodied flavor with a medium kick (in dried form, they’re known as guajillo peppers). The best way to enjoy the widest variety of Pueblo chiles, including the Mirasol, is by attending the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival (September 22–24, 2023). Farmers sell a rainbow of peppers (available fresh and roasted on-site) during the sprawling event, and attendees can also try them in everything from rellenos to sloppers. Other entertainment includes a dog parade, a jalapeno-eating contest and live music.