Great Weekend Getaways - Mountain Magic

Farmers' markets

By Christine Loomis

Pick almost any day of the week and there's a farmers' market somewhere in the Colorado mountains. Farmers and fresh produce are still at the heart of the markets, but you'll find a lot more, too.

Aspen's see-and-be-seen downtown Saturday market—heels and chic straw hats are appropriate—has organic produce and baked goods, along with stalls featuring fine crafts and artwork from paintings and blown glass to jewelry and accessories. Among the most beautiful are pieces sculpted from luminous Colorado Yule Marble. It's a good bet that Woody Creek Cellars will be on hand selling its organic artisan wine, and if you love fresh flowers, get them here. Want to have your aura read, reduce muscle pain with elk antler capsules made in Hotchkiss, purchase a custom pet memorial from a New Castle artist or indulge in all-natural peppermint foot cream made locally? You can.

Vail's market, Sundays on Meadow Drive, offers everything from gourmet food to chair massages to pony rides. Start with treats from Vail Gourmet Cookie Company—strictly for sustenance, of course. Many vendors—jewelers, artists, bakers—have stores along Meadow Drive, so if you don't see what you want outside, check inside. Or just sit in the shaded stand where folks read the paper and watch the colorful market all around.

In Telluride, a town famous for its annual bluegrass festival, local musicians are as much a part of the Friday afternoon farmers' market as local produce and goods. Set up on South Oak Street from June through October, the Telluride market also features organic wines, Colorado game meats, fresh local eggs and more. Tourists and visitors alike come to shop.

Some other 2006 farmers' markets to check out: Estes Park, 470 Prospect Village Dr., Thursdays until Sept. 28, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Dillon, Marina Park parking lot, Fridays until Sept. 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Granby, town parking lot, Fridays until Sept. 29, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.; Gunnison, Main & Virginia, Saturdays until mid October, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Visit www.ag.state.co.us/Mkt/farmfresh/farmersmarkets.html or call 303-239-4115 for a complete list around the state.

Please note: This article is from our archives and some facts may have changed. Please contact your nearest AAA office and ask to speak to a travel counselor to update you on the latest travel information.

Christine Loomis is a freelance writer and editor in Lafayette, and a frequent contributor to EnCompass.