Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 719-269-1112;
www.canoncity.hamptoninn.com
;
102 McCormick Pkwy; r incl breakfast from $175;
)
Stark and standing alone at the eastern end of town, past Walmart, this is the
most comfortable choice in the area. It's a chain, but rooms are large (all have two queen
beds) with wood furnishings and flatscreen TVs.
El Caporal
( 719-276-2001; 1028 Main St; lunch $5.75-7, dinner $6.75-12; 11am-9pm; )
This funky, family-
owned diner serves up decent Mexican fare. Tuck into
carne asada,
grilled chicken din-
ners with refried beans, rice and guacamole, tasty chicken
tacos al carbon,
enchiladas,
burritos, chimichangas and a fine
arroz con pollo
(chicken with rice). The tortilla and
green chili soups get rave reviews, too.
MEXICAN
$
ITALIAN
$$$
Merlino's Belvedere Restaurant
( 719-275-5558;
www.belvedererestaurant.com
; 1330 Elm Ave; lunch $7-12, dinner $15.50-28.50; noon-2pm
& 5-8pm Mon-Fri, noon-9pm Sat, noon-7:30pm Sun; )
Back when Cañon City was less enlightened
the Italian immigrants - who came here to work the land and grow food - were confined
to these plains south of the river. A generation later in 1945, Merlino's opened up and it's
still running, with hearty American-Italian meals served in a basement dining room that
resembles something from the
Love Boat
.
There are lavender booths, kitschy fountains and silk plants, but you aren't here for the
decor. If you don't get a steak, order the handmade
cavatelli
(potato pasta), spaghetti,
manicotti or fettuccine and top it with chicken, meatball or house-made sausage. Lunch is
not served on weekdays in the off-season.
Information
Ranger Office
( 719-269-8500;
www.fs.usda.gov
; 3028 E Main St; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Sharing an office
with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this office has topo maps and camping and
hiking tips for the Spanish Peaks Wilderness, the Gold Belt Byway and the southern San-
gre de Cristos.
Getting There & Away
Cañon City is on US 50, 40 miles west of Pueblo and 59 miles east of Salida.
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