Spice life up a little.
September is a witching time of twelvemonth in Colorado — not just for the nerveless soupcon in the air and the yellowing of leave , but because it marks the recurrence of the annualPueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival . Each year , people from around the state and far beyond its border descend upon Colorado ’s southerly metropolis in hopes of tasting the honeyed estrus of the pepper that ’s exclusive to the region .
While the exact rootage of the crop remain unknown , it ’s believe that pepper husbandry start in Colorado ’s Arkansas Valleyas early on as the mid-1800s . From the cultivation and southern Colorado ’s dry climate , a unexampled variety of chile grew , and it became the pridefulness and joy of Pueblo .
Now , from September 20th to 22th , visitors can make their way to Pueblo ’s Union Avenue for a all-encompassing raiment of vendors , God Almighty , growers , and chef , all united around their love of the Pueblo green chile . In accession to fun side upshot like the Chihuahua parade and jalapeño - feed competition , you ’ll be capable to taste and buy as many chiles as your affection ( and breadbasket ) can handle — from bags full of Pueblo green chiles freshly roasted before your oculus , to dried chiles and “ chile - centrical ” trade good and treats .
Courtesy of The Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival
Drive time
1 minute , 45 minutes from Denver5 hours , 15 minutes fromAlbuquerque
What to Do Beyond the Chile Festival
The Downtown Pueblo Riverwalkis the centrepiece of town and a great way to spend a few hr , whether you ’re just strolling along the water , popping in and out of shops and eating house , or if you ’re lucky enough to slip up upon one of the many events held there .
Pueblo is also full of museums . Three of the best : thePueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum , thePueblo Heritage Museum , and theSangre de Cristo Arts Center .
To say nothing of the grandness that comes with being at the tail - end of the Rockies . Hike , bike , or camp throughout the mountains to the western United States of town , including up in the Pike - San Isabel National Forest and theGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve . If somehow you do n’t see local wildlife along the way of life , be sure to check out thePueblo Zoo(actually , determine it out anyway ) .
Where to Eat and Drink
cockcrow : For a hearty breakfast , B Street Cafe should be top of the list for traditional dish like omelet , Benedicts , and waffle . For those start their days on the lighter side , making love Mug’screpes and deep brown should do the trick .
sting : The 60 minutes between breakfast and sweet is where Pueblo intellectual nourishment really beam , andFuel & Iron Food Hallis a solid billet to start ; its go around construct offer something different every fourth dimension you gossip . That said , Bingo Burgeris up there with the effective burger spots in Colorado .
Dinner : La Forchetta da Massi ’s perplex Italian solid food cross , with varying pasta dishes and a minute more ambience , making it unspoilt for slightly more upscale dinners and group outings . But if you do n’t mind a little mess , GG ’s BBQis where you ’ll find The Gus : sauce - slathered beef brisket between two grill cheese sandwich . It is undeniably tasty .
Courtesy of The Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival
Tacos : Look no further thanTacos Fuego . We may even catch some heat for let this local secret slip , but if you like tender , savory nitty-gritty , melt tall mallow , and a whole lot of flavor and spiciness , this one ’s for you .
Where to Stay in Pueblo
Pueblo has its fair parcel of accommodations , though most fall in the hotel or unforesightful - terminus letting category . you’re able to find spate of big - name hotels in the area , plus rental options from the likes ofVRBOand Airbnb , and a few orgy - worthy standouts .
Station on the Riverwalkis a boutique hotel deposit in Downtown Pueblo , within walking distance of pretty much everything . It service as the town police station and jail from the 1940s to 2010 . So when you ’re check its availability , you ’re choose from a change of “ jail cell ” that have been designed by local artist to offer modern elan coinciding with a huge piece of Pueblo story .
For even more story , you could hold a room at theOrman Mansionand take in the sumptuousness of its Victorian style . establish in 1889 , the rooms are as lavish as you ’d expect . It will put up an interesting direct contrast to your fete shenanigans but a reposeful plaza to break apart after you ’ve had your playfulness .
Courtesy Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival
