Where to detour to wait out I-70 traffic jams in Colorado mountains
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PlayGarten at Bluebird Market. Photo courtesy of PlayGarten
If you need to wait for I-70 traffic to ease, whether in the mornings or evenings, you can find plenty of fun pit stops along the way.
Dig in: Colorado's mountain towns offer a bounty of restaurants, shops and sights to see.
Here are some of our favorite places to stop:
Eats: The Craftsman Brew Co. in Edwards and its sister restaurant, il Mago Pizza, are two of the tastiest places for a bite.
- In Frisco, Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe is a local favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- In Idaho Springs, the original Beau Jo's is always a great stop for Colorado-style pizza.
Coffee shops: It's easy to find a good cup of coffee along the interstate, but Plume Coffee in Silver Plume, The Frothy Cup in Idaho Springs, and Mountain Dweller in Frisco are our favorites.
Breweries: A beer after a long day on the slopes hits the spot. And you can find some of Colorado's best breweries just off the interstate.
- Westbound & Down Brewing specializes in IPAs but offers all sorts of styles at its Idaho Springs taproom, which also is a restaurant.
- Outer Range Brewing's flagship brewery (its second location is in the Alps) is the place to get a hazy IPA with big flavor and little bite. Its partner restaurant, Bird Craft, sells Thai-spiced fried chicken.
- Vail Brewing west of the ski resort boasts a large taproom, outside seating and a Rocky Mountain Taco food truck.
Entertainment: Exit at Silverthorne for fun. If the kids need a break, visit the four-story, indoor PlayGarten at Bluebird Market.
- If the dog needs a walk, the Blue River Trail goes through town and with possible stops at Angry James Brewery and Thirsty Pika Taproom.
- Silverthorne's Recreation Center offers day passes to enjoy four indoor pools, three water slides, as well as a jacuzzi tub, sauna and steam room.
- Go shopping. The Outlets at Silverthorne offer a retail respite.
