Paonia, the Western Slope’s well-kept secret

Surrounded by lush greenery with a mild climate and pleasant disposition, the picturesque town of Paonia, Colorado — in a broad fertile valley between the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forest and a 1.5-hour drive from Glenwood Springs down State Highway 133 — is truly one of the of Colorado’s best kept secrets, so shhh!

When most people hear the name Paonia, the typical response is huh? Or, that’s where they grow the really good weed, right? (That happens to be true, but I digress). This covert little town on the Western Slope is an unknown to many people, including many longtime Colorado residents, but once discovered, the love affair is instantaneous and unavoidable.

Whether your poison is wine and beer tasting, awesome local fare, hiking, camping, stretching it out with some yoga, or even kicking some ass at a remote-control yacht race, Paonia oozes charm and small town flavor of the likes rarely seen since Opie ruled the streets of Mayberry.

To spend a day in this quaint little haven is to allow oneself to be enveloped in pleasantry and positively palpable delight for the senses.

And gastronomically speaking, Paonia packs a healthy punch.

A day of fun in P-Town might begin at the Backcountry Coffee shop (which moonlights as a wine and tapas bar) where sleepy-eyed people meet to mingle and chat over steamy java and freshly baked pastries. Once jacked up on caffeine, a short walk to the Galaxy Bike Shop offers a chance to rent a bicycle built for two—or one, depending on your preference, and a cruise out for some wine tasting at the centrally-located wineries of the area.

If visiting in summertime, the heat and the liquor will inevitably kick in come early afternoon and a swim at Paonia’s River Park may be just the ticket. After a cool off perhaps it’s time for a picnic, either riverside at the Black Bridge winery or at the town park (renowned for being one of the most awesome parks in the county).

Other activities might include browsing in the art galleries, a visit to the Ollie’s ice cream parlor, checking out what’s happening at the Blue Sage Center for the Performing Arts, checking out a book to read at the local library, river rafting, the shooting range, a mini mani-pedi, a massage, or even a visit to Desert Weyr farm where Ken and Oogie raise Black Welsh Mountain Sheep (which happen to be super cute and fluffy and freaking delicious).

When the clock strikes 4 p.m., and providing it’s not Monday, a pint of local downtown micro-brew at Revolution Brewery is in order before meandering out to find food at one of the town’s local eateries.

A few places for dinner, depending on what you’re craving, are the Flying Fork Café for Italian/fusion cuisine, the Fresh & Wyld Farmhouse (also a lovely B&B) for wonderful local and seasonal dishes, the Living Farm Café, a new addition to the local food scene that offers local, fresh ingredients in their dishes. Of course, one mustn’t forget Sol Margarita, where diners will enjoy an extensive menu of authentic Mexican dishes and really un-beatable service. These are just some of the activities visitors can enjoy before retiring to one of the town’s hospitalities, which include but are not limited to hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, private rental cabins and rooms and even teepees.

Paonia is a place where people from all walks of life come to meet and mingle and be. It is a place where quality always rules over quantity and where enjoying ones day is a way of life. If you’ve never been there, my friend, the time has come.