San Luis ColoradoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near San Luis, Colorado.
1. Stations of the Cross Shrine
SACRED RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGE
The Stations of the Cross Shrine sits atop a mesa in the center of San Luis, featuring 15 bronze statues depicting the final hours of Jesus Christ's life. Visitors follow a dirt trail that leads to the San Luis Shrine, experiencing a spiritual journey along the way. The south side is particularly notable for its powerful bronze statues portraying scenes of Jesus's death and resurrection.
2. La Mesa de la Piedad y de la Misericordia
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
La Mesa de la Piedad y de la Misericordia is a significant religious landmark in San Luis that draws visitors seeking spiritual reflection. The site offers panoramic views of the surrounding San Luis Valley while providing a peaceful setting for contemplation. As one of the town's most important cultural treasures, it represents the deep Hispanic Catholic heritage of Colorado's oldest continuously inhabited town.
3. San Luis Community Park
LOCAL OUTDOOR GATHERING SPACE
San Luis Community Park serves as a central outdoor gathering space for both locals and visitors to enjoy. The park features multiple covered picnic spaces, barbecue grills, and a colorful playground for children. It reflects the community-oriented culture of San Luis while providing a pleasant venue for relaxation and recreation.
4. Great Sand Dunes National Park
NORTH AMERICA'S TALLEST DUNES
Great Sand Dunes National Park contains North America's tallest sand dunes, reaching heights of up to 750 feet and covering approximately 30 square miles of the 150 square mile park. The dramatic landscape was formed from sand and soil deposits dating back over a million years during the last ice age. Located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the edges of the San Luis Valley, the park offers one of Colorado's most distinctive natural settings for hiking, sand boarding, and exploration.
5. Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center preserves an important 19th-century military outpost once commanded by Kit Carson. The museum offers visitors a glimpse into frontier life and the complex history of the San Luis Valley region. Historical exhibits showcase the fort's role in territorial Colorado and its significance to the development of the surrounding communities.
6. Great Sand Dunes Swimming Pool
GEOTHERMAL RECREATION AREA
The Great Sand Dunes Swimming Pool offers a refreshing geothermal water experience near the dramatic dunes landscape. Visitors can enjoy swimming in naturally heated waters while taking in views of the surrounding mountains and valley. The facility provides a perfect way to relax after a day of outdoor adventures in the San Luis Valley.
7. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
COLORADO'S OLDEST CHURCH
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Antonito holds the distinction of being the oldest church in Colorado, dating back to the 1850s. The historic structure represents the deep Hispanic Catholic heritage of the San Luis Valley and serves as an important cultural landmark. Visitors can appreciate the church's traditional architecture and religious significance to the region's earliest settlers.
8. Cano's Castle
UNIQUE FOLK ART STRUCTURE
Cano's Castle is a striking folk art structure located approximately 38 miles from San Luis that showcases an extraordinary example of outsider architecture. The distinctive building is constructed from repurposed materials including beer cans, hubcaps, and various metal scraps. This eccentric landmark represents the creative spirit and unique artistic expressions found throughout the San Luis Valley.
9. UFO Watchtower
EXTRATERRESTRIAL OBSERVATION POINT
The UFO Watchtower in Hooper provides visitors with a quirky destination dedicated to extraterrestrial sightings in the San Luis Valley, an area known for numerous UFO reports. The facility includes an observation platform, a gift shop, and a garden featuring cosmic art and visitor-contributed items. This unusual attraction embraces the valley's reputation for mysterious phenomena and draws both serious UFO enthusiasts and curious tourists alike.
10. Colorado Gators Reptile Park
UNEXPECTED DESERT ATTRACTION
Colorado Gators Reptile Park offers the surprising experience of seeing alligators and other reptiles thriving in the high desert of the San Luis Valley. The facility began as a tilapia fish farm that used geothermal waters and later expanded to include rescued alligators and exotic animals. Visitors can view hundreds of alligators, hold baby gators, and learn about reptile conservation in this unexpected alpine desert attraction.
11. San Luis Museum and Cultural Center
LOCAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The San Luis Museum and Cultural Center preserves and celebrates the rich Hispanic heritage of Colorado's oldest town. Exhibits showcase artifacts, photographs, and stories that highlight the community's 170+ year history and cultural traditions. The center serves as an important educational resource for understanding the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Indigenous influences that shaped the San Luis Valley.
12. Zapata Falls
HIDDEN MOUNTAIN WATERFALL
Zapata Falls is a spectacular 30-foot waterfall tucked within a rocky crevasse at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near the Great Sand Dunes. Visitors must hike a moderate trail and wade through chilly creek water to witness the hidden cascade as it crashes into a secluded stone chamber. The site offers not only a refreshing natural attraction but also stunning panoramic views of the entire San Luis Valley and the distant sand dunes.
13. Calvillo's Mexican Restaurant
AUTHENTIC VALLEY CUISINE
Calvillo's Mexican Restaurant serves some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine in the San Luis Valley, featuring traditional recipes passed down through generations. The family-owned establishment is known for its generous portions, homemade green chile, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Visitors seeking a taste of the region's Hispanic culinary heritage frequently cite this restaurant as a must-visit dining destination when exploring the area.
14. Crestone Artisans Gallery
LOCAL ARTISTS COLLECTIVE
Crestone Artisans Gallery showcases the diverse work of over 20 local artists living in the eclectic spiritual community at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The cooperative gallery features an impressive array of paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and sculpture that often reflect the mystical nature of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can purchase unique handcrafted items directly from the creators while experiencing the distinctive artistic energy that has made Crestone a magnet for creative and spiritual seekers.
15. San Luis Valley Brewing Company
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
San Luis Valley Brewing Company offers craft beer enthusiasts a taste of locally-brewed specialties made with pristine Rocky Mountain water in the heart of the valley. The brewery and restaurant occupies a historic building in downtown Alamosa where visitors can enjoy handcrafted beers paired with a menu of pub favorites featuring locally-sourced ingredients. With its relaxed atmosphere and rotating selection of innovative brews, this establishment has become a popular gathering spot for both locals and travelers exploring the San Luis Valley.