Nestled dramatically amid the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado, tiny Ouray is one of those sweet, scenic towns in the Rockies that offers dramatic scenery and plenty of cool outdoor pursuits - from ice-climbing to hot-springs soaking. Yet this gay-friendly, laid-back community - nicknamed "Switzerland of America" for its vertiginous setting - is less crowded and far more affordable than many of Colorado's most high-profile resorts. Here's a visual tour of this inviting town.
 View of the Ouray valley and downtown, from the Million Dollar Highway |  Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs, a gay-friendly property in downtown Ouray |  Ice-climber ascending from the base of Ouray Box Canyon |  Main Street's shops, galleries, and restaurants, in downtown Ouray |
 Ourayle House brewpub, the quintessence of small-town cheer and great beer |  Ice-Climbing lessons with Ouray's San Juan Mountain Guides |  Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Park, at north end of downtown |  Mousse's Chocolates & Coffee, and artisan chocolatier and coffee roaster |
 Million Dollar Highway (aka U.S. 550), rising just above the south end of town |  Sunset over downtown's colorful Main Street |  Ouray Ice Park, on the south end of downtown |  San Juan Mountains, overlooking downtown Ouray |
