Cortez, Colorado

Overview

Cortez is a city in Colorado, and is a Home Rule Municipality that also serves as the county seat of Montezuma County. It is served by the Cortez Municipal Airport which has daily flights to and from Denver via the Great Lakes Airlines. The city is a good place to find prehistoric sites, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Small as it is, a lot of tourists stop by the city of Cortez not because of its own attractions but mainly because of the many attractions that are located just a short drive from the city.

Fast Facts

• Cortez is a small city that occupies a total area of just 5.5 sq mi (14.3 km²) of which 0.1 km² is comprised of water bodies.
• It has a total population of less than 9,000 but has regular travelers because of its proximity to the many popular attractions in nearby areas.
• There are several prehistoric sites in Cortez.
• The city is also the site of the miracle landing of the Lockheed U-2 “Dragon Lady” reconnaissance aircraft flown by Major H. Mike Hua. He was able to land in a lighted airport that he didn’t know existed and was not even in his maps when the engine caught fire.

Best Hotel Accommodations

There are no four-star or five-star hotels in Cortez but one can still expect to find great accommodations with comfortable rooms and good facilities. A favorite hotel in town is the Holiday Inn Express on East Main Street. Bearing 2.5 stars, the property features about 100 well-appointed rooms and suites that are tastefully decorated and come with modern furnishings. Guests also enjoy complimentary continental breakfast in the morning including its famous cinnamon rolls. Facilities for the leisure and convenience of the guests include a fitness center, swimming pool, restaurant and free high-speed Internet access. Tourists can also check out the accommodations offered by Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites and Tomahawk Lodge. For cheaper accommodations, among the best choices in Cortez include Cortez Mesa Verde Inn, Kelly Place Bed and Breakfast/Retreat Center, and National 9 Inn Sand Canyon. Book your Cortez Hotels with Reservations.com.

Things to Do

One of the best things to do in Cortez is to explore the many prehistoric sites in the city, which includes the Mesa Verde National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, the McElmo Drainage Unit (AD 1075-1300), and the Lowry Ruin. Still, if the traveler does not have interest in tracing ancient, prehistoric history, s/he might try shopping in the local shops. Cortez is actually a commercial center. Still, there really is not much to see and do in Cortez. It is best for travelers to book into Mesa Verde Tours to enjoy the area. Better yet, they can go out of the city to explore popular destinations like the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, Four Corners National Monument, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, and Anasazi Heritage Center and McPhee Reservoir.

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Restaurants and Dining

As a popular stop for travelers, it is not surprising that there are lots of restaurants and dining options in Cortez. These restaurants offer a wide variety of menus for travelers to enjoy. Some of the favorite options are Jack and Janelle’s Country Kitchen, Pepperhead, Nero’s, Pippos Diner, and Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant. These restaurants offer menus ranging from American favorites to Italian cuisine to Mexican food. Stonefish Sushi & More offers great Japanese and seafood menus, while Once Upon a Sandwich serves the best sandwiches and delicacies in the city.