I need some help. The wife and I are taking our family to Telluride over the 4th of July this year for our family vacation. It will be us, our 2 kiddos, my mother, my sister, and my mother in law. Hoping you guys can give me some family friendly suggestions for things to do and places to eat in Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton. We will be there July 2 through the 6th. We are driving in from Southern New Mexico. Thank you in advance.

Well, I'd say "mountain biking, hiking, four-wheeling, etc.", but with a big group like that, I think sight-seeing might be the most applicable.

Ouray has a lot for the whole family - hot springs, strolling down main street, etc.

Silverton is kind of a hard-core high-altitude town.  Just a few restaurants and shops.  Maybe a 4x4 tour?

Telluride is a bit more cosmopolitan jet-setter with a ski-town, outdoorsy vibe.  High end restaurants combined with a Grateful Dead, dive bar mix.  Great place, spectacular views.  Take the gondola, explore, hike, etc.  Spa day?  

Maybe make the driving loop.... Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Durango, Dolores, back to Telluride.  Prettiest part of the state.  Dolores is a funky town.  Brewery there is great.

Not exactly Telluride, but worth the trip to head to Mesa Verde and four corners.

Most of what you do around Telluride has to do w/ outdoor stuff.  Hiking, white water rafting, fly fishing, etc.

Thank you for the input. It does help with the decision making.

not sure if your kiddos are old enough
https://ourayviaferrata.org/



T-ride is perhaps the smuggest town in the west, and I have worked in all of them.   The landscape is outstanding.  



Currently it is "mud season" so many places are closed but I can update in the next few weeks.