Vibrant Downtown Florence Guidebook
Local Guide
This is the spot that ignited our love for Florence. A great place to spend the day wading or swimming, tubing down a stretch of the river, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, having a picnic with the family, and walking with the dog along the river trail.
Just 2 miles east (4-minute drive) from the house.
Address: 121 Co Rd 119, Florence, CO 81226
There are some tables by the river, but it’s best to bring chairs (there are a few in the laundry room).
For all water sports, we suggest using a PFD Life Jacket. These are available at Walmart in Cañon City.
Florence River Park
121 County Road 119This is the spot that ignited our love for Florence. A great place to spend the day wading or swimming, tubing down a stretch of the river, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, having a picnic with the family, and walking with the dog along the river trail.
Just 2 miles east (4-minute drive) from the house.
Address: 121 Co Rd 119, Florence, CO 81226
There are some tables by the river, but it’s best to bring chairs (there are a few in the laundry room).
For all water sports, we suggest using a PFD Life Jacket. These are available at Walmart in Cañon City.
Another great spot right around the corner from the house. Under 5 minutes away.
This ecological area, dense with wetlands surrounding two pristine lakes, is a wonderful spot to go for walks (dog friendly) and is a great spot for fishing. You can also drop in with your paddle board or kayaks. Swimming is “Cautioned” but still permittable for those open water swimming fans. There is a small beach access on the far south side.
Address: Just 3 miles from the house. On the south side of CO-115, as you are headed toward Penrose. You’ll see a sign for Blue Heron Lake at the turn for the parking lot.
Blue Heron Park
Colorado 115Another great spot right around the corner from the house. Under 5 minutes away.
This ecological area, dense with wetlands surrounding two pristine lakes, is a wonderful spot to go for walks (dog friendly) and is a great spot for fishing. You can also drop in with your paddle board or kayaks. Swimming is “Cautioned” but still permittable for those open water swimming fans. There is a small beach access on the far south side.
Address: Just 3 miles from the house. On the south side of CO-115, as you are headed toward Penrose. You’ll see a sign for Blue Heron Lake at the turn for the parking lot.
If you’ve never made a visit to the infamous Bishop’s Castle – it’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
A little further afield, it’s just 33 miles outside of town. 45 minutes of gorgeous driving, for this breathtaking, heart pumping destination.
This quirky and imaginative castle has been hand-built by the Bishop family over the last 60 years, and still going!
Website: bishopcastle.org
Address: 12705 CO-165, Rye, CO 81069
Please exercise extreme caution when visiting the castle! Climbing to the top is not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights!
125 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Lâu đài Giám mục
12705 CO-165If you’ve never made a visit to the infamous Bishop’s Castle – it’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
A little further afield, it’s just 33 miles outside of town. 45 minutes of gorgeous driving, for this breathtaking, heart pumping destination.
This quirky and imaginative castle has been hand-built by the Bishop family over the last 60 years, and still going!
Website: bishopcastle.org
Address: 12705 CO-165, Rye, CO 81069
Please exercise extreme caution when visiting the castle! Climbing to the top is not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights!
40 miles away (54-minute drive), this is one of the most scenic places along the entire front range! It’s only 10 minutes past Bishop’s Castle, so these are good ones to combine into a day trip. Beautiful to visit year-round.
Great for walking, hiking, fishing, birding, picnicking, swimming (cold but fun!), canoeing, kayaking, paddle boards, photography, and in the winter, sledding!
Address: 9945 CO-165, Rye CO 81069 Just south of the town of San Isabel, the parking is across from the lake on the eastside of CO-165-E.
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Lake Isabel
40 miles away (54-minute drive), this is one of the most scenic places along the entire front range! It’s only 10 minutes past Bishop’s Castle, so these are good ones to combine into a day trip. Beautiful to visit year-round.
Great for walking, hiking, fishing, birding, picnicking, swimming (cold but fun!), canoeing, kayaking, paddle boards, photography, and in the winter, sledding!
Address: 9945 CO-165, Rye CO 81069 Just south of the town of San Isabel, the parking is across from the lake on the eastside of CO-165-E.
Just 21 miles away (35-minute drive) outside of Cañon City, is the highest suspension bridge in Colorado, spanning across the gorge, 1000 feet up over the Arkansas River. With breathtaking views, and so many ways to enjoy this experience; from walking across the bridge, to a gondola ride, and even a zip line across!
Tickets are available to purchase in advance – this park is open year- round.
Website: royalgorgebridge.com
Address: 4218 County Road 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212
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Cầu và công viên Royal Gorge
4218 Co Rd 3AJust 21 miles away (35-minute drive) outside of Cañon City, is the highest suspension bridge in Colorado, spanning across the gorge, 1000 feet up over the Arkansas River. With breathtaking views, and so many ways to enjoy this experience; from walking across the bridge, to a gondola ride, and even a zip line across!
Tickets are available to purchase in advance – this park is open year- round.
Website: royalgorgebridge.com
Address: 4218 County Road 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212
Only 9 miles away (17-minute drive), in neighboring Cañon City, is the Rail Station for the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This heritage railroad offers 2-hour trips along the river through the steep-sided Royal Gorge.
Book tickets in advance online.
Website: royalgorgeroute.com
Address: 330 Royal gorge Blvd, Cañon City, CO 81212
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Royal Gorge Route Railroad station
South 3rd StreetOnly 9 miles away (17-minute drive), in neighboring Cañon City, is the Rail Station for the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This heritage railroad offers 2-hour trips along the river through the steep-sided Royal Gorge.
Book tickets in advance online.
Website: royalgorgeroute.com
Address: 330 Royal gorge Blvd, Cañon City, CO 81212
Neighborhoods
The Downtown Florence shopping and restaurant district starts just 3 blocks west, and 2 blocks south, on Main Street and Petroleum Ave. It’s exactly a half mile and is a pleasant 10-minute walk through the neighborhood.
East Main Street
East Main StreetThe Downtown Florence shopping and restaurant district starts just 3 blocks west, and 2 blocks south, on Main Street and Petroleum Ave. It’s exactly a half mile and is a pleasant 10-minute walk through the neighborhood.
Food scene
The coffee we provide for you comes from this outstanding coffee roaster. The shop is spacious and nice, and they have a great drink menu, including full espresso bar, beer and cocktails.
Open from 7am to 5pm (later in the summer).
Pour House
117 W Main StThe coffee we provide for you comes from this outstanding coffee roaster. The shop is spacious and nice, and they have a great drink menu, including full espresso bar, beer and cocktails.
Open from 7am to 5pm (later in the summer).
With a name that’s a throwback to the origins of the town of Florence, this drive-thru and walk-up kiosk serves great coffee and is open early.
Open from 5am to 5pm.
Oil City Coffee Bar
129 E Main StWith a name that’s a throwback to the origins of the town of Florence, this drive-thru and walk-up kiosk serves great coffee and is open early.
Open from 5am to 5pm.
Fixed menu (Filet Mignon or Prime Rib).
Awesome!
121 W Main St.
They don’t take reservations, but you can call and ask for an available time slot.
Worth the wait!
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Quincys Steak & Spirits
121 W Main StFixed menu (Filet Mignon or Prime Rib).
Awesome!
121 W Main St.
They don’t take reservations, but you can call and ask for an available time slot.
Worth the wait!
Largest menu in town! Great service, great food.
114 W Main St.
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Ito Japanese Steakhouse Sushi & Thai Restaurant
114 W Main StLargest menu in town! Great service, great food.
114 W Main St.
Amazing pizza, including gluten free options. Papa (and mama) are wonderful.
132 W Main St.
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Papa's Italian Restaurant
132 W Main StAmazing pizza, including gluten free options. Papa (and mama) are wonderful.
132 W Main St.
Cinnamon Shack Cafe
116 East Main StreetNice little café. Breakfast and lunch.
116 E Main St.
Two Sisters
506 E Main StAmerican fare restaurant. Breakfast and lunch.
104 E Main St.
Fresh baked pastries! Breakfast and lunch.
113 W Main St.
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Aspen Leaf Bakery and Cafe
113 W Main StFresh baked pastries! Breakfast and lunch.
113 W Main St.
Florence’s very own local brewery and taphouse. With 21 local brews on tap. Dog friendly patio. Featuring alternating food trucks for non-beer sustenance.
200 S Pikes Peak Ave (one block past Main St.)
Open late, till 10pm.
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Florence Brewing Company
200 S Pikes Peak AveFlorence’s very own local brewery and taphouse. With 21 local brews on tap. Dog friendly patio. Featuring alternating food trucks for non-beer sustenance.
200 S Pikes Peak Ave (one block past Main St.)
Open late, till 10pm.
Two Sisters
506 E Main StDelightful little ice cream shop, open till 8pm.
106 E Main St.