* The Zapata Ranch is located just 5 minutes from the Sand Dunes and is owned by The Nature Conservancy, and operated by the Zapata Partners. Overnight lodging at the ranch is available, as well as bison tours and extended-stay vacations where guests can participate in daily ranch life, and extensive nature programs. Call the ranch to make your reservations today: 719.378.2356, or visit their website: www.zranch.org

* The Great Sand Dunes Oasis and Lodge is located just outside the National Park on Highway 150. A full service restaurant, campground, RV park and lodge, which features a heated indoor pool await all visitors. Call (719) 378-2900 for the lodge and (719) 378-2222 for the Oasis.

* The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a great place to hike, take photos, have fun with the entire family or find simple solitude. The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest dunes in the U.S. reaching a height of 650 feet and covering over 37 square miles. Medano Creek flows along the base of the dunes to cool and refresh you. It's known as the disappearing creek because it is normally visible but disappears into the sand during dry periods. There are individual and group camping facilities on site. Admission is $3 per individuals ages 16 and over. Children under the age of 16 still get in free. Call (719) 378-6300 for more information or check out www.nps.gov/gsa

* About 4 miles south of the Great Sand Dunes on Hwy 150 you'll find the road to Zapata Falls. Travel up the four-mile winding road, then take a 1/4 mile hike and you'll reach the beautiful Zapata Falls. To really enjoy the view, expect to get your feet wet. 

* Alamosa - the town delivered by train. Built on the backbone of the railroad, Alamosa was platted in 1878 by Alexander Cameron Hunt, director of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway Company and former territorial governor of Colorado. In June of 1878, flatcars delivered lumber and hardware, two hotels and many other buildings from the construction camp and former terminus of the railroad at Garland City. On July 4th, 1878, the first passenger train arrived in Alamosa establishing a vital service that was to flourish and continue until 1951. The next decade saw the establishment of all manner of retail and the building of the historic brick buildings in the downtown area of Alamosa. As business flourished, Alamosa became a boomtown know as the "Queen City of the San Luis." Alamosa was unique for it's railroad station. See the historic Engine 169, featured in the 1939 World Fair in Chicago, located at Cole Park. Call the chamber (719) 589-3681 or the visitors center (719) 589-4840 or 1800-BLUSKYS  or visit: www.alamosa.org

* Rio Grande Scenic Railroad - The route between Alamosa and La Veta was carved out of the Sangre de Cristo mountains over 100 years ago. The last regular passenger train was discontinued in 1953. You can be among the first to experience the re-awakening of this historic line that travels from downtown Alamosa, through Forbes/Trinchera Park, around the horseshoe curve, along the edge of the San Isabel National Forest, through two tunnels and into the historic 1870's town of La Veta. There you will have time to enjoy lunch, shopping and museums before climbing aboard for your return trip to Alamosa. Call 1-877-726-7245 or log on to www.riograndescenicrailroad.com

* Cattails Golf Course is located at 6615 River Drive, Alamosa. They feature a beautiful 18 hole course, a pro shop, and a restaurant called the Blue Fox. Tee times: 7 a.m. to sundown. Call (719) 589-9515 for more information. 

* The Luther Bean Museum - located at 208 Edgemont Blvd. in the Richardson Hall (the oldest building at Adams State College) is on the 2nd floor on the south end of the building. Filled with antiques, the Woodard Collection of artifacts from around the world as well as works from local artists. Admission is free and open to the public year round except major holidays. Hours of operation are 9am-4pm Tuesday - Friday. Tours are available for larger groups. Call (719) 587-7151 or visit: www.adams.edu/lutherbean

* Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is 12,026 acres in size and is comprised mostly of natural wet meadows, riparian corridors and river oxbows off of the Rio Grande River. Some of the wildlife species you'll see there at various times of the year include sandhill cranes, bald eagles, White-faced ibis, snowy egrets, Canada geese, ducks, shorebirds, raptors, owls. and elk and mule deer. Enjoy a quiet walk along the 2.5 mile long Rio Grande Nature Trail that begins at the information kiosk and parking lot near the terminal point of the entrance road. The refuge is located 4 miles east of Alamosa on U.S. Highway 160, and 2 miles south on El Rancho Lane. Call (719) 589-4021 for more information or visit: www.fws.gov/alamosa

* Alamosa Early Iron Festival is held every year on Labor Day weekend at Cole Park in Alamosa. Cars are brought in from around the U.S. to sit on display to allow folks to view the ageless beauty of these classics. For more information contact Jeff Woodward at (719) 589-9170 or visit : www.earlyironclub.com

* San Luis Lakes State Park - In the shadow of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, is peaceful San Luis State Park and Wildlife Area. This unique desert area includes approximately nine miles of easy, level hiking and biking trails. Waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors fill the sky over this outstanding watchable wildlife area most of the year. In addition, big game such as deer and elk can be seen roaming the surrounding ranch land. Bison are found at the nearby Nature Conservancy - Zapata Ranch. San Luis State Park features a modern campground with showers and electricity, fishing, windsurfing, boating, water skiing, picnicking and photographic opportunities. The park is located just 15 minutes west of the Great Sand Dunes on the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway. Call (719) 378-2020 for open dates and water levels or visit: www.coloradodirectory.com/costateparks/sanluis.html

* Blanca Wetlands are unfortunately closed to the public from February 15 to July 15, but when it is open, it can be one of the best birding spots in the county. Numerous ponds and marshes support essentially all the breeding and migratory water birds of the area. The real ornithological jewel here is a breeding population of Snowy Plover, but you will be lucky to find one. Before birding here, you might want to stop at the BLM office in Monte Vista (719) 852-5941 or the one in Del Norte (719) 657-3321 to pick up a map, since the geography of the place has no rhyme or reason, and it's very easy to get lost. 

* SunEdison - North America's largest photovoltaic (PV) solar plant covering 82 acres and providing 8.22-megawatt of power. This plant is unique in that it consists of three different types of solar technologies: Single axis tracking, Fixed mount and dual Axis tracking.

* Telling the story of the people who explored & settled the San Luis Valley. Displays of Native American culture, Hispanic settlers, the Japanese-American community, Adams State College, military regalia and early railroading can be seen at the
 San Luis Valley Museum at 401 Hunt Ave. Open year round. $2/adults and $1/children Call (719) 587-0667