10 Things to Do in Pueblo This Weekend
Living in Colorado gives you an endless supply of places to visit, things to do, and fun ways to spend your weekends, and Pueblo is no exception! Take a hike through the main trails offered in the area, or visit the Pueblo Zoo with your friends. Take a look at a few of our favorite places to visit to make the most out of your Colorado experience!
TOP 5 PLACES TO GO IN PUEBLO
Nestled in City Park on the west side of the city, Pueblo Zoo covers more than 30 acres and features over 400 animals across nearly 150 species. With habitats ranging from the Serengeti desert and Australian Outback to the Amazon Rainforest and Malaysian tropical islands, the Zoo is home to a wide variety of vibrant, exotic fauna from across the globe. Not to be outdone, the Zoo’s Pioneer Ranch and Colorado Wetlands exhibit features an array of plants and animals native to the Centennial State.
Constructed in the 1930s by FDR’s Public Works Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, and Works Progress Administration, the Zoo is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The Zoo hosts numerous events and programs throughout the year and has rental facilities available for private parties. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab refreshments at the Safari Café and don’t forget to stop by the gift store kiosks situated across the Zoo to pick up a souvenir!
3455 Nuckolls Ave
Pueblo, CO 81005
Admission: Free Under 3, Kids (3-12) $10, Youth (13-17) $11, General $12, Seniors (65+) $11
Near Mineral Park just north of Downtown Pueblo, the Rosemount Museum is a three-story, 24,000 square-foot museum housed in the historic Thatcher House. Built between 1891 and 1893, the mansion served as a home to three generations of the Thatcher family before being donated to the City of Pueblo in the late 1960s. The vast majority of the home’s furnishings remain just as they did during the family’s residency, allowing visitors an authentic step back in time.
The Museum features a variety of period artifacts and exhibits on Rosemount’s exquisite craftsmanship, the Thatcher family’s history, and the Pueblo of yesteryear. On the third floor, Rosemount hosts the extensive, eclectic collection of Andrew McClelland, a wealthy business magnate who collected artifacts, curiosities, and oddities on his travels around the world. A popular venue for weddings and parties, the Rosemount’s veranda, carriage house, and well-manicured grounds are also available for rental.
419 W 14th St Pueblo, CO 81003
Admission: Free Under 6, Kids (6-18) $4, General $8, Seniors (60+) $6
Located just a short drive west from Pueblo, Lake Pueblo State Park spans more than 10,000 acres and features over 60 miles of shoreline surrounding the sprawling reservoir. The Park is a popular destination for a variety of water sports, including boating, jet skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, kayaking, paddle boarding and more! Lake Pueblo also offers camping, a network of hiking trails, and Rock Canyon Swim Beach.
Wildlife abounds in the lake and surrounding landscape, with everything from mule deer and rabbits, to coyotes, prairie dogs, raccoons, beavers, badgers and a host of snakes, lizards, and turtles. The Lake is also an angler’s paradise, with small and largemouth bass, trout, catfish, wiper, crappie and walleye pulled from the Arkansas River-fed reservoir. A bit further west, Pike and San Isabel National Forests offer additional outdoor recreation activities.
640 Pueblo Reservoir Rd Pueblo, CO 81005
Admission: $9/day per vehicle
Once home to Native Americans, frontiersmen and an active business district, the area surrounding the Arkansas River in Downtown Pueblo was decimated by the historic flood of 1921. After years of deterioration, the area was reimagined by an enterprising band of Pueblo business and civic leaders who envisioned a vibrant mixed-use district featuring restaurants, shopping, and lodging, as well as abundant parks and green space.
Today, the rejuvenated area is a vibrant local treasure that hosts community events, festivals, concerts, and much more. Open air pontoon boats, gondolas, pedal boats, kayaks and paddleboards ferry visitors up and down the water. Grab a bite at popular eateries like Brues Alehouse, Twenty One Steak, Angelo’s Pizza or Blue Ocean Sushi Bar, browse a variety of art galleries, relax with a pedicure or peruse dozens of unique boutiques throughout the district.
101 S Union Ave Pueblo, CO 81003
Admission: Free
Located on the eastern outskirts of Pueblo on the grounds of Pueblo Memorial Airport, the Weisbrod Aircraft Museum was founded by local aviation enthusiasts in the 1980s to preserve and promote military aviation. With several expansions over the years, the Museum now includes two large hangers housing dozens of military aircraft and vehicles, as well as the International B-24 Memorial Museum and the Southern Colorado Space Museum and Learning Center.
The PWAM features a wide array of indoor and outdoor educational and interactive exhibits, artifacts, and collections spanning from the dawn of military aviation in the early 20th century, through the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and beyond. Throughout the year, the Museum hosts events, reunions programs and fly-in airshows at the adjacent Pueblo Memorial Airport. Be sure to grab a souvenir in the gift shop to support the Museum and commemorate your visit!
31001 Magnuson Ave Pueblo, CO 81001
Admission: Donation
TOP 5 AMAZING PLACES TO EAT IN PUEBLO
LA FORCHETTA DA MASSI
Best Italian
Located on Union Avenue near the Arkansas River Walk, La Forchetta da Massi crafts authentic Italian cuisine that will make you feel like you’ve touched down in Bel Paese! From bruschetta and crudo, to a variety of housemade pasta dishes like spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, ravioli, and gnocchi, you’ll want to try it all. For dessert, try a slice of rich tiramisu or a bowl of affogati!
126 S Union Ave
Pueblo, CO 81003
MR. TANDOORI URBAN BAR & GRILL
Best Indian
From their location in the Historic Riverwalk district, Mr. Tandoori serves classic Indian dishes with a contemporary twist. Start with vegetable samosa or a cup of dall soup, then choose from an assortment of curries, masalas, kormas, vindaloos, biryanis and tandoori oven-roasted meats. Try a cup of chai tea, mango or rose lassi and cap off your meal with Gulab jamun, rasmalai, or rice pudding!
310 S Victoria Ave Unit C Pueblo, CO 81003
CACTUS FLOWER RESTAURANT
Best Mexican
Just off Interstate 25 on the north side of town, Cactus Flower Mexican Restaurant has been a local favorite for Mexican and southwestern cuisine for over 30 years! Cactus Flower is famous for their extensive selection of margaritas, both frozen and on the rocks. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, choose from classics like chile rellenos, tamales, fajitas, tacos, and much more!
4610 N Elizabeth St
Pueblo, CO 81008
SHAMROCK BREWING CO.
Best Brewery
Shamrock’s Brewery in the heart of downtown has been a Pueblo institution for nearly 80 years! Saddle up to the antique bar and order a pint of Shamrock’s Steel City Gold, Pueblo American Pale Ale, or Vandelay IPA. Shamrock also serves a great selection of traditional pub fare like wings and burgers, as well as Irish-inspired dishes like Jameson meat loaf, corned beef, and Irish beef boxty.
108 W 3rd St Pueblo, CO 81003
TSUNAMI SUSHI BAR. WOK & GRILL
Best Sushi
Featuring an impressive array of fresh sashimi, nigiri, and unique maki rolls, as well as wok-fired pan-Asian dishes and hibachi-grilled meats, Tsunami Sushi Bar. Wok & Grill has something for everyone! Pair your meal with an ice-cold Japanese beer, or sample from the restaurant’s selection of hot and cold sakes. Tsunami also hosts live music acts every weekend!
326 S Union Ave Pueblo, CO 81003
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