Cripple Creek

Discover Cripple Creek, Colorado

On the back side of Pikes Peak, snugged onto the hillsides of a once-rollicking and wildly rich gold camp, sits today’s Cripple Creek, a limited-stakes gaming town that draws visitors from around the world.

Like many of Colorado’s mountain towns, it was first home to the Ute tribe, which moved through the high country with the seasons, living off the abundance of game and fish.

When settlers discovered gold, the landscape changed dramatically. It was Bob Womack, who had searched in vain along the southwest slope of Pikes Peak for more than a decade before hitting paydirt in 1890. Ironically, his riches were found in a place known as Poverty Gulch, which eventually became Cripple Creek.

Thousands of prospectors and the ancillary businesses of merchants and ladies of the night came to the region, and between the time of Womack’s discovery and 1910, the region was hailed as the “World’s Greatest Gold Camp.” If you were assign a 21st century value to the 22.4 million ounces of gold extracted from more than 500 mines during Cripple Creek’s heyday, you’d have yourselves more than $11 billion.

Gambling Strike in 1991

Although gold production declined dramatically in a relatively short period of time, Cripple Creek hit it big again in 1991 with legalized gambling. Many of the historic buildings became refurbished casinos and hotels, and new edifices were erected where others once stood.

In 1995 an open-pit gold mine was opened at the site of the old Cresson Mine, and it continues to produce today.

Now for many the draw is the glitter of the casino and the sounds of the electric slots and the murmur of gamers at the tables. But for history buffs, the Cripple Creek Historic District, a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, offers a wonderful glimpse into times gone by.

Many shops maintain the rustic ambience of old-time mining days, and the Cripple Creek Heritage Center offers hands-on displays that bring the past alive. Today, visitors to the area can experience the rich Cripple Creek, Colorado history through its shops, attractions and museums.

You can also tour 1,000 feet underground in the historic Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, and the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad provides another perspective on the area’s past.

Colorado Springs

Things to Do in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Against a spectacular backdrop courtesy of Mother Nature and Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is an enchanting melding of historical treasures and cutting-edge 21st century.

Stunning Colorado Springs

To be appreciated for their sheer magnificence in architecture and detail are of course The Broadmoor, Glen Eyrie, Colorado College, McAllister House and Air Force Academy Chapel. But not to be outdone, Mother Nature offers the spectacular height and breadth of Pikes Peak, which stands sentinel over the Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, and down the road south a piece, Royal Gorge in Cañon City. You can also take a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or perhaps hike the Manitou Incline.

Penrose, The Broadmoor, and Colorado Springs

Civil War hero Gen. William J. Palmer is credited with the official founding when the Colorado Springs Co. laid out the new city in 1871, and philanthropist Spencer Penrose and his wife, Julie, added immeasurably to the culture and refinement of “Little London” at the turn of the 20th century with the timelessly elegant Broadmoor. The Penrose’s also financed the Will Rogers Shrine and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and Julie Penrose founded the Central City Opera and Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Shopping and dining? Endless!

Downtown Colorado Springs has a varied collection of shops, eateries, pubs, and clubs, and Old Colorado City provides another several blocks of artisans shops, galleries, boutiques, coffee houses, pastry shops, fine restaurants, family settings, parks, and… well, that’s a good start, and when you visit, you’ll see the vista unfold.

In quaint Manitou Springs, funkadelic visits amicably with yesteryear’s finery in shops and antique stores. You can grab a bag of caramel corn or a hank of cotton candy and wander the historic Penny Arcade, and you can sip from the famed mineral springs fountains.

Lodging is fantastic

Choose from Five Star hotels, B&Bs, cozy cabins, extended stays, and mom n’ pop – Colorado Springs and its sister communities are memories waiting to be made!

Colorado Springs History

For centuries home to the Ute, Arapahoe and Cheyenne peoples, the area was part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and, after various settlements along the way, established as a mining camp during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush in 1859.

With such a rich history, much of it stemming from the treasures brought in from the nearby gold and silver camps of Cripple Creek and Victor as well as Central City and Black Hawk, Colorado Springs might have rested on its laurels comfortably. Instead, it moved with the times and became home to the United States Air Force Academy, Fort Carson and the 4th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, Ent Air Force Base, North American Aerospace Defense Command and even the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Boulder

Things to Do in Boulder, Colorado

If just one word were allowed to describe the Centennial State’s free-spiritedness, we’d choose “Boulder!” for any number of reasons.

University of Colorado Boulder

First, it’s home to the University of Colorado, where academics are lofty, football is passionate, and chillin’ is mandatory. The Hill and Pearl Street Mall are famed for their colorful shops, eateries, and galleries, and people-watching is unparalleled.

Boulder Culture

Culturally, this town is the motherlode. For museum lovers, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) features contemporary fare, and the Leanin’ Tree Museum & Sculpture Garden of Western Art is a stroll through all things Western. More than just the past comes alive at the Boulder History Museum with exhibits that range from tofu to rock music, and CU itself houses the University of Colorado Heritage Center in its Old Main building. The college also is home to the University of Colorado Natural History Museum.

Shopping and Dining

If you’re a shopper, this is your place. Boutiques, designer names, thrift, and thrills await. And dining is, to say the very least, a culinary adventure. We’re hard-pressed to think of a cuisine not represented in our town, and you’ll even have the opportunity to visit the farm of origin for some of the freshest fare around.

And don’t forget the breweries. Just sayin’…

Mountain Recreation

Outdoor recreation is limitless. In addition to having Eldora Mountain Ski Resort nearby, America’s #1 Sports town also gives you the chance to experience, in no particular order, hot air ballooning, kayaking, rock climbing, tubing, fly fishing, bike riding, golfing, cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing. The beauty is you can do many of these things – yes, even skiing – all in the same day. That’s Boulder for you! Ahhhh!

Twin Lakes

Enjoy Twin Lakes, Colorado

Welcome to Beautiful Twin Lakes! Just 15 minutes from Leadville you’ll find the charming and historic village of Twin Lakes and its geological namesake, Colorado’s largest glacial lakes. Shimmering in the sun more than 300 days of the year, the lake waters reflect soaring mountaintops and provide a splendid gateway for fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, biking in the warm weather months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter — or just soaking in the peace of the Rockies. While you’re visiting our slice of heaven, be sure to take note of our rich history, too. Twin Lakes was once a bustling hub that connected Aspen and Leadville during the Gold Rush of the 1800s, and the Red Rooster Tavern and Brothel now serves as the Twin Lakes Visitors Center. The famed Interlaken Hotel, favored by well-heeled 1880s travelers, is accessible by trail or boat. Also, the general store, hotel, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and miners’ homes are on the National Historic Register. Lodging, shopping, dining and browsing – Twin Lakes has it all, all the time!

Rifle

Things to do in Rifle, Colorado

On the I-70 corridor between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction, the town of Rifle is a full-color snapshot of Colorado’s rural mountain life. It sits at the base of the White River Plateau, offering the perfect staging area for a deer or elk hunting trip. Campers can stock or restock for trips into the White River National Forest, and travelers can listen to the local ranchers talk cattle, hay, roundup and branding. Guns are also a popular item of discussion in the aptly named town.

Lodging options are plentiful in Rifle, and when it comes time to grab a bite to eat, there are choices galore – including the gun-friendly Shooters Grill. Cuisines run the whole gamut, from Italian to Mexican to Asian and fusion. Fast food, wings, pizza, homemade, diner and more are all there.

Some 15 miles north of Rifle is Rifle Gap State Park, where there’s plentiful camping, fishing and boating on the reservoir. Nearby limestone caves formed by a 50-foot waterfall offer spelunking, if that’s your game, and you are at the gate to the Flat Tops Wilderness area and not far from Grand Mesa.

Everything pertaining to the great outdoors is not only accessible, but it’s also waiting to be enjoyed. Fittingly, rodeo is big, very big, in Rifle. There’s also excellent fishing – including ice fishing in the winter – on a number of waterways, camping in virtually every direction, golfing, hiking, ice and rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and snowboarding – and much more.

For lovers of true Americana, Western history lovingly showcased with Native artifacts and settlers’ memorabilia at the Rifle Creek Museum, and a Veterans Memorial pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

New Castle

New Castle Colorado

With its slogan “Authentically Colorado,” little New Castle sits in the Colorado River Valley fewer than 20 miles west of Glenwood Springs. Not quite in the mountains and not quite in the high desert, New Castle enjoys a bit of both worlds at an elevation of 5,550 feet above sea level.

Ideal Weather in New Castle

Unlike its alpine cousin towns, New Castle boasts four distinct seasons – and unlike its further-west desert cousins, Blazing Summer isn’t necessarily one of them. July highs seldom get over the mid-70s, and wintertime lows are not often colder than the 20s.

Culturaly Diverse

What it lacks in size, the town more than makes up for in charm. Artists, artisans, photographers and crafters have discovered their flow of creativity in the mild climates, and music is a big part of the social life with local bands and blossoming musicians providing entertainment.

Dining is not a universe unto itself with but a dozen eateries, but the choices are enough to satisfy just about any culinary need: steaks, gourmet, pizza, deli, fast and good, diner-style, authentic Mexican, Asian and bar food. It’s all good.

Shopping opportunities are found on Main Street and at he New Castle Plaza. And as for outdoor activities, because of New Castle’s proximity to the rivers and open spaces, canyons and badlands of the high desert as well as the skiing resort areas of the mountains, there’s no shortage of things to do regardless of season. Choices include but are not limited to: biking, boating, cross-country skiing, camping, alpine skiing, golfing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, snowboarding, hunting, golfing, and snowboarding.

Keystone

Vacation in Keystone, Colorado

At Keystone, you’ll find everything that makes a perfect Colorado vacation all in one place. Whether you’re hungry for the adventure, or you just want to enjoy some R&R and soak in all the mountain scenery, or relax at the spa. Learn more about the Keystone Ski Resort.

Idaho Springs

Things to Do in Idaho Springs, Colorado

Long considered the birthplace of the Rocky Mountain Gold Rush, Idaho Springs has attained considerable popularity has an outdoor enthusiasts’ mecca in its own right and a good lodging choice with easy access to six nearby ski resorts.

Its history is well preserved, with numerous restored 19th century mines providing tours and a Main Street that has retained much of its authentic Gold Rush architecture and charm.

In addition to treasures held dear by miners and settlers of a bygone era, Idaho Springs also continues to showcase a resource that brought the area’s early Native American inhabitants to the region: natural hot springs valued for their restorative powers, and Indian Hot Springs is a locals’ and visitors’ favorite.

Scenery is also a huge draw: The highest paved road on the continent goes south out of town and reaches the top of Mountain Evans, one of the state’s 53 Fourteeners – peaks that reach more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Nearby Golden Gate State Park provides views of the Continental Divide, and the drive to Central City and Black Hawk is also scenic.

For outdoor recreation, Idaho Springs provides either direct access or is a great staging area for biking, with the Oh My God Road to Central City challenging and exhilarating. There’s also fishing, golfing, hiking of course, horseback riding, ATVing, climbing and canyoneering, skiing and boarding, whitewater river rafting and ziplining. Woo hoo!

Georgetown

Visit Georgetown, Colorado

An easy 45-minute drive up Interstate 70 from Denver lands you smack dab in the middle of beautiful downtown Georgetown, one of Colorado’s definitive “small but mighty” attractions in the state’s many historic gold mining towns.

First established in 1859 during the Gold Rush, this mining town is tucked into a valley corridor some might call “breezy.” The elevation is 8,530 breathtaking feet above sea level.

A Historical Journey

As you stroll through Georgetown downtown’s National Historic Register District, you’ll be privy to several attractions, including the Hotel de Paris Museum, once a luxurious hotel, the restored Hamill House, an elegant reminder of Victorian times, the Firefighting Museum and the Energy Museum. Make sure to soak up some of this great history while you’re in town. Once the third-largest town in Colorado, Georgetown is now home to slightly more than 1,000 residents. Still, services are fantastic: outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, four-wheeling, fishing and horseback riding, and you can also tour the Lebanon Silver Mine.

Georgetown Stunning Scenic Train Ride

Check out the Georgetown Loop Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad as well. The line connects Georgetown with nearby (and uphill) Silver Plume, gaining 640 feet in elevation during the two miles up. You’ll also cross four trestles as you travel through the steep-sided, narrow Clear Creek Canyon.

And while I-70 provides a quick route to Summit County and its four ski areas and an incredible array of outdoor activities and events. Guanella Pass (a seasonal road closes in late November, and opens on Memorial Day) is the perfect opportunity to put your car into “mosey” gear and do some serious sightseeing. You won’t regret a moment!

Carbondale

Explore Carbondale, Colorado

Is Carbondale a big little town or a little big town? We’re not sure, but one thing we do know is that it’s a beautiful setting for outdoor activities and a wonderful peek into the state’s rich history.

Sitting at the base of Mt. Sopris at the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers, Carbondale is just 12 miles from Glenwood Springs and 30 miles from Aspen. The sun shines on average 295 days each year, and in addition to abundant vitamin D, this sweet little place also blesses its visitors with access to soothing geothermal pools at nearby Avalanche Ranch.

Fly fishing is a favorite pastime in the Roaring Fork Valley, and when you’re not wetting a line, you can venture off on a bike or hike along the Rio Grande Bike and multi-use trail.

Summertime is rodeo time in Carbondale, with rip-snortin’ thrills every Thursday night, and on the somewhat more refined side of activities, concerts and films are presented during June and July.

Golf? But of course! Scenic drives? Spectacular! Dining? Divine!

In short, historic big/little (or little/big) Carbondale is a not-to-be-missed gem.