Buena vista is in Chaffee County, Colorado. It sits just about in the middle of the state in the upper Arkansas River valley. It only has a couple thousand people, only one revered stoplight, but it offers much more than you might think.

Like many towns in the state, Buena Vista was once a mining town. When the industry went bust, the town fell on hard times. What has been preserved is now used as resources for historic re-enactments, which are held throughout the summer. There are also cemetary tours and an intricate train model set at the Buena Vista History museum.

There are many local art venues and galleries that even offer classes on art. The artists are local, and that is seen and portrayed in the artwork.

Chaffee County has a distinction with other counties in the state. It's got the most alpine lakes of any county. It also has the most peaks higher than 14,000 feet. That means there is a lot to do outside.

The upper Arkansas River, which already has a healthy flow, is considered one of the best rivers to raft in the nation. This winter, snowmelt is likely to be much higher than average allowing for a longer season with potentially stronger rapids. Coby Vidakovich, from Buffalo Joes Rafting, expects a variety of conditions this season for all ages.

Earl Richmond with CKS CO Kayak expects some of the best kayaking in a while as well. Along the upper Arkansas, there is about 100 miles of class 2 to class 4 kayaking.

Carol Neville is a fly-fishing instructor and guide. She has fished the area for many years. Cottonwood Lake is a stocked lake west of Buena Vista. Around the lake, hiking, camping, and four-wheeling is popular.

Other things to do for the whole family include jeep tours, exploring old mining tunnels, hiking, and biking.

If you want to bike or off-road, a variety of rentals are available in town.

And after an exhausting day, there are some oppotunities to relax.

Thomas Warren is with Mount Princeton Hot Springs. It is a full-service resort located just minutes from Buena Vista. Many upgrades have been done to the resort in the past few years including a new swimming pool. The hot springs can get over 140 degrees. Unlike most hot springs in the state, these have no odor.

For more on the town of Buena Vista, check out http://www.buenavistacolorado.org/.