Telluride, Colorado is probably one of my favorite places we’ve ever been! It’s also my memaw’s favorite place she’s ever visited, and when we rolled in on our big move, I could instantly see why. The mountains, the trees, the crisp air, the food, The Peaks Resort where we stayed, it was all dreamy.

As we weaved in and out of the mountains, the kids couldn’t believe their eyes. The Rocky Mountains are massive, and seeing them up close is breathtaking. We chose The Peaks Resort because it has a seasonal pool with a water slide, plus a gondola ride that takes you straight down into Telluride.

When we arrived, we got unloaded and were taken to our room, and let me just say, the bathroom was almost as big as the bedroom. Can you say ultimate bubble bath? Of course, the first thing we did was change into our swimsuits and head to the pool. The kids were squealing the whole walk through the spa, and their excitement rubbed off on all of us.

To get there, you actually walk through the full spa area. You check in with your room number, sign a waiver for the slide (which you’ll understand in a minute), and they hand you big fluffy towels. Total five-star service.

The pool setup was amazing. There’s an indoor pool, outdoor pool, and several hot tubs, which was perfect since it was about 65 degrees that day. Now for the water slide, it’s inside, a straight drop, and shoots you so fast into the pool that I swore someone was going to crash into the glass wall. The kids loved it and went nonstop. Since the older three could go on their own, Josh and I got to relax in the hot tub and watch Adleigh swim. Such a nice break from the car.

They did have food at the pool, but it was wildly expensive. $16 for kids’ chicken tenders? We skipped that and saved our appetites for Telluride later, which was definitely the right move.

That evening we walked to the gondola for our first ride down into town. Three of us love heights and three of us don’t (ahem… Josh, Asher, and Anniston), so half the crew was a little stiff, but the views were worth it. The gondola is also free, which is a huge plus for families visiting Telluride.

Telluride itself is something out of a movie. The whole town is surrounded by mountains and filled with western-style boutiques, leather shops, custom hat stores, and cozy coffee spots. We had dinner at Smuggler Union Brewery & Restaurant and it was easily one of the best meals of our trip. I had steak frites with chimichurri and garlic parmesan fries, seriously, it was so good Josh needs to figure out how to make it at home! He also got the kids to try calamari… they weren’t too grossed out until they realized what it was.

On the way back up the gondola, I couldn’t resist grabbing a slice of pizza at a little ice cream shop while the kids got their cones. No regrets, it was thin, cheesy, and tasted just like pizza straight off the streets of Manhatten.

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast at a little café right in the ski village outside the resort. Tons of shops and coffee spots are right outside the door, which made it easy. Then it was back on the road.

Telluride is worth the trip for the views alone, but when you add in the food, the charming shops, the gondola, and the resorts, it’s the whole package. And that’s not even counting ski season, which would make it even more magical.

If you go:

• Bring a jacket, even in August. Nights are chilly.
• Bring a camera, because every corner is picture-perfect.
• Bring an appetite, because the food is that good.
• Families: take advantage of the free gondola, and skip poolside food, the town options are way better!

Telluride isn’t just beautiful, it’s the kind of place that makes you slow down, breathe, and feel grateful you got to experience it. We can’t wait to go back!