Buena Vista is a small town that sits in a gorgeous valley surrounded by public lands on all sides. Thus, most of its attractions are outdoor recreational activities. In the winter, enjoy skiing at either Monarch Ski Area or Copper Mountain Resort. In the summer, enjoy whitewater rafting down the Numbers or Brown's Canyon, both runs are on the Arkansas River and are very close to Buena Vista. In July, Buena Vista has an Art Walk when all of the galleries stay open late, offer wine and appetizers, and feature local artists. In August, Buena Vista has a festival called Gold Rush Days, which has craft vendors, a parade, and a pack-burro race (the only sport indigenous to rural Colorado). Year round you can enjoy Cottonwood Hot Springs or Mount Princeton Hot Springs, where you can actually sit in the river where the hot springs come out of the ground! Make sure to check the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce web site for any local events that might be happening while you are in town.