Until recently, Silverthorne, Colorado has been more of a pass-through destination on the way to nearby ski areas and charming Victorian towns. But all that is changing, quickly, with a bunch of new additions and reasons to make Silverthorne, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, a destination itself – AND an Editor’s Pick.

Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan your trip to Silverthorne, Colorado. Photos and graphic by Real Food Traveler.

Where to stay in Silverthorne, Colorado

Hotel Indigo Silverthorne is sleek, the antithesis of the alpine cabin vibe you might expect from mountain lodging. We found that welcoming though, with a hipness and elegance that was still perfectly welcoming and comfortable. We especially liked the lobby, which is wide open, centered on a fireplace, with lots of places to nestle in for conversation and relaxing.
Don’t miss: Getting some exercise at the well-appointed fitness center and the indoor swimming pool with a great view of the courtyard and firepit.

The lobby area of Hotel Indigo in Silverthorne.

The Pad is a hostel and hotel plus remote workspace, bar, and place to catch open mic night – all in one. Constructed, in part, by shipping containers covered in reclaimed pine, it was created by a husband-and-wife team who were inspired by similar structures in Patagonia. There are dorm-style rooms to share with yet-to-be-made-friends as well as private rooms.
Don’t miss: Grabbing a creative cocktail and a light snack at A-BAR, the aptly-named onsite gathering place in the lobby.

A private room at The Pad.

Where to eat in Silverthorne

Kúcu (coo choo) Bistro & Tequila Bar is an inviting restaurant/bar inside Hotel Indigo Silverthorne with a Cabo atmosphere and impressive tequila selection. We had breakfast there and loved the Egg Tacos with sweet potato hash, peppers, and white corn tortillas and the hearty Mixed Kúcu Hash with sweet potatoes, black beans, eggs, and green chile plus the addition of bison sausage. A white-potato-fan, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the sweet potatoes worked in both dishes.
Don’t miss: Adding a side of their delicious pork sausage to your breakfast.

The tequila bar wall at Kúcu inside the Indigo Hotel Silverthorne.

Eclectic Bar & Grill is a new favorite of the locals, judging by the multiple conversations we saw happening between tables. It’ll be a favorite of visitors too, if the amazing wings are any indication. Don’t miss the Sweet Heat Dry Rub version which were meaty, tender, and among the best wings we’ve ever had, which is saying a lot. The Eclectic Salad with mixed greens, watermelon radish, carrots, cherry tomatoes and house croutons was another hit with us. The beer-battered fish and chips, served with fries, slaw, and housemade tartar sauce satisfied all cravings we’d been having for the classic dish.
Don’t miss: Carrot Cake for dessert, a family recipe that’s dense and moist, slathered with the real-deal cream cheese frosting.

Eclectic’s wings are top-notch, as is their plentiful house salad.

Bluebird Market Hall at Fourth Street Crossingis a newly-constructed building, built surrounding The Old Dillon Inn, an historic building that will, in the future, be getting a new life as a full-service restaurant. The big, red wood structure is an interesting contrast to its protector-building which is more industrial with metal beams, cement floor, and reclaimed wood tables. The space houses numerous independent, small businesses serving a variety of food and drink including tacos, poke bowls, burgers, pizza, salads, empanadas, beer/wine/spirits, coffee, ice cream, and grab-and-go items. It’s a dream for groups who have different tastes – you go here, I’ll go there, and we’ll all meet at a table to feast!
Don’t miss: Getting a burger from The Mighty Colorado Burger, with cheese, and add crispy onions – trust me.

Choices, choices from the various, independent restaurants inside Bluebird Market Hall.

Hungry for more? Read about this Editor’s Pick resort in Colorado Springs.

Summer events in Silverthorne

First Fridays – Each month, catch unique activities, music, and food.

Sunday Silverthorne Art Strolls – Running June 12, July 17, and August 21, enjoy a stroll along the Blue River Trail to experience pop-up artists and musicians.

Rocky Mountain Tour de Art – A series of weekend itineraries that expose visitors to arts and culture offerings at both Silverthorne and Steamboat Springs.

Fourth of July Celebration – Hear the National Repertory Orchestra perform patriotic tunes at Rainbow Park.

Ways to get moving

What will you choose? There’s rafting, kayaking, fishing, bike trails, parks, and hiking to choose from. Examples including hiking for all ability levels at Willow Falls with scenic waterfalls along the route and Lily Pad Lake.

Give biking a go on the Blue River Trail’s paved path for a relaxing cruise that meanders through the Town of Silverthorne, alongside the Blue River; the Salt Lick Trails for beginner-to-moderate mountain bikers; or the 31-mile, 2,000 feet in elevation gain with the Silverthorne to Ute Pass path.

On the water, there’s stand-up paddle boarding, boating on Green Mountain Reservoir or Lake Dillon, and rafting or fly-fishing on The Blue River.

If golfing is more your thing, there’s The Raven Gold Club at Three Peaks with rolling fairways set amidst pine and aspen forests. Note, this is where Nordic Skiing happens in the winter so imagine that while your enjoying the views.

There’s also Disc Golf at Maryland Creek Park and skateboarding, sports courts, and a playground at Rainbow Park.

The Outlets at Silverthorne

Besides the natural beauty of the Town, there’s the thrill of a great deal to be had at this outdoor outlet store shopping area with locations for Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Coach, GAP, Le Creuset, Levi’s, and much more.

Don’t miss: Any of the fun! Plan your Colorado getaway to Silverthorne, just an hour and a half drive from Denver International Airport, and find out why it’s one of our new favorite, historic places to visit.

Please note, we were hosted for portions of our visit by the Town of Silverthorne to help facilitate this article. However, as is always the case with the writers and editors of Real Food Traveler, that doesn’t sway our commitment to providing our readers with an honest and objective opinion of our experience there. To learn more, visit our About Us section.