The beaten path is just that, beaten. Lucky for you, BAP! has our finger on the pulse, far from the beaten path and just off the main drag. So when you are in the ‘Boat and are looking for the local lowdown, look no further. Here’s the skinny your concierge won’t tell you…

Best Burrito in town:

Azteca Tanqueria. Located on 9th Street between Lincoln and Oak. Azteca offers giant burritos at a more than reasonable price, stuffed with goodies, and the best bit? Breakfast is served all day!

Breakfast Joint:

Best value will be Johnny B Good’s, on Lincoln and just across the ally from BAP!. If you are looking for something a little less greasy spoon, check out Winona’s just down the way on Lincoln between 6th and 7th. The service is always fast and friendly and the restaurant is one of few that recycles.

Cup of coffee:

Steaming Bean, where Mocha Molly's used to be, downstairs, corner of Lincoln and 7th.

Best Sandwich:

Geeks Garage above Cellar Liquors offers a Turkey Bacon Sammie with a chipolte mayo that will keep your lady friend sniffing your collar saying..."you smell gooood.".

Best Slice of Pizza:

Brooklyn’s on Lincoln. Slices available late night (a boon for the night owl) made with fresh ingredients and served up by our favorite paddlers.

Best apres ski:

Slopeside. On a sunny day, kick back with a pint and watch tourists try to ski headwall.

Best Burger:

WE HAVE A NEW WINNER!!! Big House Burgers on the curve! Using local beef, fresh ingredients and an easy to budget a la carte menu, this is not only the most reasonably priced burger, but the most tasty in town. Of you are pinching pennys, no worries because the basic burger (about $6) stands alone.

Steak that doesn’t cost $25:

Mazzola’s Majestic Dining downtown on Lincoln and 9th. The Tuscan Steak is a reasonably priced mouth watering treat that you wouldn’t expect to find in an Italian restaurant. P.S. the bread service is excellent. Sit at the bar and ask to see JJ’s prom picture, that ought to give you a few laughs.

Live Music:

Summer is filled with everything from Strings in the Mountains to the low brow stomping at Howelsen Hill Free concerts. This summer features Rusted Root, Greyboy Allstars, Susan Tedeschi, The Freddy Jones Band and The Avett Brothers.

Soak:

Strawberry Hot Springs. If you don’t have a 4WD vehicle call Sweet Pea Tours for a ride. During the day, the Springs are a beautiful way to ease those sore muscles you haven’t used since the last time you skied, the landscaping has integrated the hot spring water bubbling out of the hillside to couple with the Mad Creek River, creating natural warm pools that flow freely without added chemicals. At night, leave your trunks at home and watch the stars from the steaming pools.

Best day off the mountain:

Go Rock/Ice Climbing with Rocky Mountain Ventures! Contact them through the website, www.rockymountainventures.com. Prefer dirt to rock? Contact Dig This, www.digthis.com and spend a day playing in a big kid size sand box all your own. (plus check out the BAP apparel on sale at Dig This!)

Best Snowshoe trail:

Don’t waste a perfectly good day snowshoeing on the mountain. Head up to the top of the pass to the Dumont Lake campsite and snowshoe to the Rabbit Ears. You can get hiking guide books at BAP! Don’t know the area? Contact Patrick at Rocky Mountain Ventures to take you there, (970) 870-8440.

Cross Country Skiing:

Check out Howelsen Meadows, right downtown. Area offers a number of loops for all abilities.

Best read:

Pop into Epilogue Book Company on between 8th adn 9th on Lincoln. Erica is excellent at recommending page-turners.

Ski tunes and rentals:

Check out the friendly folks at the Gondola Sportstalker in Gondola Square. If they are good enough for the Winter Sports club, they are sure to do you right.

Coldest Beer:

Smokehouse on Lincoln and 9th. Free peanuts and Texas pints that will give you brain freeze.

Tubing:

Summer: Go to Bob’s Conoco on 10th and Lincoln. This traditional auto mechanic shop can usually hook you up with a decent tube for a lazy summer day on the river. Winter: Head out to Saddleback Ranch, (970)879-3711

Hiking:

Get to BAP! and buy yourself a signed copy of Hiking the Boat II, featuring detailed descriptions of area hikes including directions to the trailheads, preferred seasons to hike and level of difficulty. Need that human touch? Yampatika offers weekly nature hikes, give them a call (970)8719151.

Mountain Biking:

Emerald Mountain has an intricate and well maintained circuit of trails for all abilities and tops off with the lane of pain, sure to make you burn.

What not to do:

Litter. This means cleaning up after your pooch, too.

Speed. Jaywalking is a way of life. Watch out for pedestrians and whenever possible, park your car and walk!

Don’t try to drive to Strawberry Park Hot Springs in your rental car. Unless you have 4WD and a good idea of where you are going, let a tour company take you there.

Don’t go out in the back country, be it skiing or hiking or biking alone, without letting someone know where you are, especially if you are not familiar with the area. Routt County Search and Rescue is good, but pricey and being irresponsible in the field puts everyone at risk. Please, play smart.

Don’t go to restaurants you have at home. Yeah, we have a Village Inn, but you can do that when you are back in the Real World, instead, try something NEW!

Be a respectful when using the river. Tube only when appropriate, signs will be posted if the conditions are too low for tubing, yield to fishermen, and clean up after yourself (and others). The community and the fish will appreciate your consideration.

Don’t sit around your condo all day. Get out and see what the ‘Boat has to offer! We know it is scary sometimes, but we are here to help. Call the Beat Boredom Hotline, (970)879-7507 and ask for Potty if you need assistance.