Destination: Pueblo

PUEBLO - At a time when Colorado Springs is starting to wind down and is getting ready for the start of school (sorry I had to bring that up, kids), our state’s Steel City is just gearing up for fun.

The Colorado State Fair kicks off next week with concerts, roller derby and Ferris wheels, and then toward the end of September, the sweet aroma of roasters will fill the air as Pueblo throws its annual Chile & Frijoles Festival, the spiciest harvest festival in the West.

Both festivals present great day trips.

But why not stay a night and really get the most out of your Pueblo experience? Shop in the gorgeously restored Depot District. Stroll along the river. Eat at a great restaurant.

Here’s a short guide to help you with your itinerary.

WALK THE RIVER

The last thing you might expect from a blue-collar town like Pueblo is a fancy-schmancy, San Antonio-style river walk. But, hey, it worked for San Antonio.

While certainly not as packed with chichi cafés as its Texan cousin, Pueblo’s Historic Arkansas Riverwalk is nevertheless a beautiful, happening place — especially on weekends.

It’s a lovely stroll, but if it’s your first trip, you should treat yourself to a boat tour. You can go the romantic route and pretend you’re in Venice, renting gondolas ($5 per person) or taking sunset or dinner cruises ($165-$230 for two). An affordable alternative for the whole family is the narrated excursion tour ($5 for adults, $3 for kids 3-12), which provides a funny, insightful overview of local history and the riverwalk.

DON’T MISS: The Boettcher Outdoor Education Center at the east end of the riverwalk. It’s an outdoor amphitheater that includes a hands-on exhibit about Pueblo’s past.

Find more details at puebloharp.com,

MORE FUN ON THE WATER

Lake Pueblo State Park

One of the most popular boating and fishing spots in the state, this 4,646-acre reservoir just a few miles west of town features spectacular cliffs that, in parts, look like they were imported from Lake Powell. Other activities include bicycling, birding, horseback riding, river tubing and swimming. Fees are $6 per vehicle per day or $60 for a vehicle yearly pass. Camping is $14-$18; parks.state.co.us.

Pueblo Whitewater Park

Serious kayakers and adventurous boogie boarders can splash through this new downtown water park between Union Avenue and the West 4th Street Bridge. The park has eight drops and runs along the amazing Levee Mural Project, which is 3 miles long.

A DOSE OF CULTURE

Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center

210 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, sdc-arts.org, 1-719-295-7200

There’s nothing dusty about this arts center in the heart of downtown. Don’t be surprised to find exhibits that capture the culture and interests of Puebloans. Take, for example, the current exhibit, “Metal Marvels: Art Inspired by the Car,” which goes full-throttle on the region’s automotive obsessions.

Attached to the arts center, you’ll find the Buell Children’s Museum, ranked No. 2 in the nation by Child magazine.

Other cool museums in the area: El Pueblo Museum, The Steelworks Museum, The Rosemount Museum, the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum and Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site.

More at pueblochamber.org.

FAMILY FUN

It’s not unusual for a city to have a giant park for picnics and strolls, a children’s carnival with a tremendous array of kiddie rides and a zoo. But Pueblo is one of the few spots that has all of the above in one place: City Park, a green family-friendly oasis West of downtown.

A FEW BITES

Bingo Burger

101 Central Plaza, Pueblo, 1-719-225-8363; bingoburger .com

Talk about your cheeseburgers in paradise. We’ll have a full review of this epic burger joint in the next GO!

Restaurant Fifteen Twentyone

123 N. Main St., Pueblo, 1-719-542-9999; restaurant1521 .com

Denver chef Duy Pham’s posh eatery would be right at home in New York or San Francisco. In Pueblo, this refined, romantic, daring contemporary eatery is a marvel.

Nacho’s

409 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, 1-719-423-4232

Pueblo has several great Mexican restaurants. This is among our favorites. The green chili and homemade tamales will show you why. They’re spicy, complex and homey all at the same time.

Hopscotch Bakery

333 South Union Ave., Pueblo, 1-719-542-4467; 
hopscotchbakery.net

Owned by Mary Oreskovich and Richard Warner, formerly of Steel City Diner fame, the retro-hip Hopscotch is among the state’s best. Everything’s fresh, local, organic and amazing. Go for the chocolate bouchon or, if you have time for lunch, go for a panino and eat it beside the riverwalk.

BIG EVENTS

Colorado State Fair

Aug. 27-Sept. 6

The Colorado State Fairgrounds hosts an amazing collection of animal competitions, rides, food, concerts and much more. For more, see next week’s GO!

Chile & Frijoles Festival (pictured at left)

Sept. 24-26

Held downtown on Union Avenue‚ the fest features food, music‚ arts and crafts‚ cooking competitions and chilies — roasted or raw; pueblochamber.org.