Salida is a town that feels meticulously arranged by a diorama enthusiast with a penchant for the…read morefrontier. Nestled among the peaks of the Sawatch Range, where tumbleweeds might theoretically roll if they weren't caught in the spokes of a passing bicycle, sits an establishment of peculiar perfection: The Biker & The Baker. My compass has unerringly pointed to their door every single time I visit Salida over the past five years. It is a tradition forged in sugar and chain grease, where the rugged American West meets the precision of French pastry. Pairing high-desert riding with artisanal baking seems like a recipe for a pile-up, but the execution here is a sweet ride. You will find aerodynamic cyclists sitting elbow-to-elbow with flannel-draped modern prospectors, united by a singular quest for butter. The Biker handles the gears, the Baker handles the tiers. They aren't just coasting on charm; they are pedaling toward culinary triumph, baking up a storm that rivals the monsoons over the Arkansas River. The confections are miniature monuments to indulgence. I have routinely panned for gold in this valley, but the true motherlode is their lemon tart--a symmetrical marvel of citrus striking like a high-noon sun. Their charcuterie boards are arranged with the geometric exactitude of a surveyor mapping a railroad. Whether you are gearing up to summit Mount Shavano or recovering from a grueling promenade, this sanctuary provides the requisite fuel. It is the exceedingly charming destination itself.

Great good for pastry and breakfast! Nice location and…read moredecoration of the interior and outside. You can sit up on the roof area with a nice scenic view of the city of Salida. The staff attended to us very quickly and professionally. They were there too serve and make sure we were taken care of. By the way it was even more special since it was Father's Day!

We went in right before they closed and the employees were still super attentive. They offered a…read morelot of unique flavors which was great. I got a regular (2 scoops) of chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle bowl. They gave me an extra scoop! It was incredibly good. It was a small shop, but it's better to take your ice cream and sit down by the river anyways. Such a great ice cream stop in Salida!

Cute little ice cream shop right in DT Salida next to the Boathouse restaurant. Really enjoyed the…read morelocal made ice cream flavors! They have a case of baked goods and beverages to supplement your treats. I got the raspberry macaroon which was super delicious. Highly recommend for post dinner dessert for the family.

Great ole fashion pharmacy and old time soda fountain! Love…read morethe layout and rustic interior. Can get a treat while getting your prescriptions or medical needs. They have a dairy free chocolate shake that is out of this world.

The ambiance of this spot alone is worth the visit! It's…read moreunique to have a pharmacy and soda fountain shop all-in-one. It feels like a step back in time in the absolute best way! Points for the fun atmosphere! I ordered a cherry ice cream float and they made everything in house. 1. The ice cream was to dieeee for! So creamy and just what you'd want out of a vanilla soft ice cream. 2. The cherry soda lacked flavor. It felt like I was sipping bubbly water. Maybe next time I'll order with extra syrup? Or forgo the soda part & stick to ice cream only. Overall, this was a pleasant experience & something to check out on your visit to Salida!

Stopped here for post-dinner cocktails with some friends; hubby and I have been here before but it…read morewas fun to bring some friends with us this time! We walked in and were greeted by the bar cat called Batman - super cute cat but was a little icked out that he was walking all over the bar and his water bowl was on the counter. The bartender was super friendly and we sat chatting with him while we waited for our drinks - two Sterling sours (think whiskey sour with gin - YUM), an In the Woods, and Fennel Countdown. The Fennel Countdown was AWESOME - super unique and creamy. I love the aesthetic of the place with its mismatched chairs and eclectic art. Overall really great vibes and experience.

Best place in town! I've been coming here for 12 years and Gingy is so wonderfully hospitable…read more Sanford & Parker are wonderful as well. Woods is our go to spot in Salida- come check it out!

Hubby and I were staying overnight in Salida a few weeks back. We went to Amicas and were not…read moredisappointed. We enjoyed one of their wood fired pizza. Plenty of toppings, right amount of sauce and perfect crunch on the crust. We also shared a bowl of potato soup, soup of the day. Which came out pipping hot. Very clean and friendly staff. We always enjoy when we go to Salida. We own a salsa business, Lynda Sue's Salsa. We left a couple of jars for the staff to try. You can find our salsa at the LaGree's in Pueblo, Poncha Springs and Buena Vista. lsksalsa@gmail.com

A very flavorful pizza out in the sticks…read more The Salsiccia is a standout favorite, and the Rex's Amber pairs with it perfectly. Service was quick, attentive, and on point. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the addition of mushrooms really elevated the dish. It's also easy to find, right in the downtown area.

Definitely a top-tier specialty coffee shop and gift store. They serve Corvus coffee, a renowned…read morecoffee roaster out of Denver. The staff are friendly and welcoming and are knowledgeable about the coffee they sell. We tried the Iced Nitro coffee, Ice flash coffee, Golden Milk and Santo Palo latte. All the drinks were excellent. We especially liked the Nitro and Flash brewed coffee. The profile was rich, full body and balanced; very refreshing and drinkable. The Nitro was, of course, a bolder, richer flavor of the two. They were some of the best iced coffees I've tasted. The shop offers many varieties of whole bean, single origin and blended coffees from Corvus Rosters; which they will gladly grind for you. They also have lots of specialty food, body products, and gift items for sale along with a vinyl record section. For excellent coffee, friendly service and a nice shop to browse while waiting for your drinks, Howl Mercantile is awesome. They also have a few tables indoors and outside.

Every time we stop in Salida, this is one of the places I have to visit. I love getting a coffee…read more(honey lavender latte this time) and walking around the shop looking at the local goods! The aesthetic is on point and everything is carefully curated - love the selection of cards they have, as well as food items and health/beauty/random gifts. Their hours are also nice - we were looking for coffee after skiing all day and was nice they were still open at 4PM to grab a coffee. The latte as always was excellent and my friend liked her cappuccino as well!

We couldn't have been happier with our choice of Blue Truck Ice Cream for our wedding! From the…read morevery start, Cindy and her team were incredibly communicative and accommodating, ensuring that all of our guests' allergies were taken into account. The variety of flavors available was impressive, and everyone found something they enjoyed! The adorable 50's car and vintage outfits added a charming touch that made our special day even more memorable. Our guests couldn't stop raving about the ice cream and the friendly service; they loved snapping photos with the truck, which became a delightful backdrop for many of our wedding pictures. A particularly touching moment was when Cindy graciously set up a picture of my husband's late grandparents next to the truck. His grandparents adored ice cream, and knowing that they left him money for dessert at his wedding made having Blue Truck Ice Cream there even more special. Overall, the kindness and dedication of the Blue Truck Ice Cream team truly made our dessert a sweet ending to an unforgettable day. We wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking to add a unique and heartfelt touch to their event!

From the owner: Blue Truck is all about smiles, vintage vibes and lots of friends! Our family and our ice cream…read moretruck have been in the same area since before 1950! We really care about our community, neighbors and our friends! We offer options for everyone, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian and more. Our truck has ice cream sandwiches, bomb pops, strawberry shortcake bars, froz'n fruit bars and more! We drive around selling ice cream around town! Wave us down by putting two arms in the air and wave! We're here to share smiles with you! We do special events! We do special parties! Drop us a line at www.bluetruckicecream.com for more information or to chat!

Molly and Tiffany are the sweetest people. I love that I can have coffee and play card/ board games…read morewith my son. There's a little trail by here you can take scenic walk to get some coffee. There's a river nearby too. This is the best spot if you like good music, good coffee and a relaxed setting you can chill at all day. They have a co-op too if you want to get out of the house and work from there. Love love love it here.

The owners Ben a d Molly are incredible! They are so friendly and take great pride in their store…read more I bought all kinds of goodies! Next time I can't wait to try the ice cream. Definitely worth visiting if you are staying in Howard or just passing through!!!