Natural scenery, hiking trails, high peaks, and museums are some of the charms that attract visitors from all parts of the world to visit Colorado. It should be noted that Colorado was the pioneer of the resort destinations in the United States, and still, it continues to receive thousands of visitors each year. This is a subtle indication of its attractiveness, and the ability to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding traveler. Therefore, if you are headed to Cripple Creek, expect nothing but pure fun, adventure, and relaxation. Be sure not to miss the following things to do in Creeple Creek, Colorado.
1. Experience America’s only vertical shaft gold mine tour with Gold Mine Tours Inc.
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is one of the unique experiences that makes a trip to Cripple Creek exciting. It is a historic shaft mine that descends to a depth of 1,000 feet (304 m) deep down into the mountains. It is a unique chance to get a taste of the Old West and how gold mining was done hundreds of years ago. You will not only see samples of the precious stones but also learn the history and appreciate the evolution of underground gold mining.
Gold Mine Tours Inc
Address: 9388 CO-67, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Gold Mine Tours Inc
Opening hours: 8:45am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 25 USD
2. Go down memory lane at Cripple Creek District Museum
Cripple Creek is known as the World’s Greatest Gold Camp and the best place to have a good understanding of the scope of the mining done here is Cripple Creek District Museum. The museum features five buildings that contain great collections of mining memorabilia, mineral displays, and artifacts that defined the gold rush. Also present in the mines are Victorian-style living quarters, mining cabins, engineering maps of the underground mines, and western firearms among others. It is an incredible place to enrich yourself with the history of the gold rush.
Cripple Creek District Museum
Address: 510 Bennett Dr, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Cripple Creek District Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 8 USD
3. Learn about the world’s oldest profession at Old Homestead House Museum
Would you like to know how brothels looked like during the Gold Rush in Cripple Creek? If so, then a visit to Old Homestead House Museum will answer all your questions. This was the most elegant brothel in Colorado and it was a very popular place among rich gold merchants. Through the tours and the artifacts preserved in the museum, you will learn more about the nature of the trade as it was done in one of the most luxurious parlors at that time. The stories, as told by the local women, will reveal more about the lives of the women involved in the trade.
Old Homestead House Museum
Address: 353 Myers Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Old Homestead House Museum
Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
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4. Enjoy the outdoors at Mountain View Adventure Park
Posted by Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation on Friday, 25 May 2018
Mountain View Adventure Park has been newly renovated and is currently one of the top recreational areas in Cripple Creek. The park features and adventure playground with various playing equipment for the kids, a disc golf course, a sledding hill, a dog park, and hiking and biking trails. Also present is a BMX track where annual Cripple Creek BMX races are normally held, though guests are free to use the park without any charges.
Mountain View Adventure Park
Address: 510 Co Rd 89, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
5. Explore scenic wonders on a century-old steam locomotive
There is no denying that Cripple Creek has very beautiful sceneries, especially when you head out to the rural areas. Experience even more pleasure while exploring the scenery riding a century-old steam locomotive. This is the kind of experience that awaits you with the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad tour. Enjoy the scenic wonders of the Cripple Creek, as you take a ride back to the gold mining days of the region. If you are a history buff, or you want a trip that all members of the family will enjoy, then this is a highly recommended addition to your itinerary.
Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Address: 520 E Carr Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 15 USD
6. Witness ATV and rodeo shows at Cripple Creek Fairgrounds
Have you ever seen a battle royal between two ATVs or do you love watching the cowboys as they ride almost acrobatically with their bulls or horses? Well, these are the kinds of experience you can expect at Cripple Creek Fairgrounds. Check it out on the weekends for a fun and entertaining day.
Cripple Creek Fairgrounds
Address: 421-433 Carr Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
7. Sample delicious homemade fudge at Cripple Creek Candy & Variety
Posted by Cripple Creek Candy & Variety on Monday, 17 October 2016
Cripple Creek Candy & Variety is a candy store with a variety of treats such as homemade fudge, homemade truffles, chocolates, and sweets in various designs and shapes. This is one of the few places where you will find old-time favorite flavors such as Cow Tales and Mary Janes. You will also find an assortment of cards, balloons, and unique packaging, making it a one-stop shop for all your gifts while in Cripple Creek.
Cripple Creek Candy & Variety
Address: 325 Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Cripple Creek Candy & Variety
Opening hours: 10:30am - 6pm (daily)
8. See how criminals were housed in the past at Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum
The Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum tells the story of outlaws and the lawmen tasked with keeping them in line. Many of...
Posted by Victor Hotel on Wednesday, 10 October 2018
A visit to the Outlaw & Men Jail Museum will paint for you a very clear picture of how criminals were housed in the late 1800s. With the gold rush, not everyone came to Cripple Creek to search for gold–some were keen on getting it easy through crime. It was in this prison that such criminals were housed, including highwaymen, burglars, and petty offenders. You will also see the donkeys whose ancestors were mine workers until 1930s.
Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum
Address: 136 W Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
9. Try your luck at Bronco Billy's Casino
If you’re feeling lucky, you should head to Bronco Billy’s Casino. It is not just a casino, but a leading entertainment joint in Cripple Creek. It offers great fun, delicious meals, and fortunes to those with the guts to gamble. The establishment has a total of three casinos, with one being operational only during Christmas. With the remaining two, however, you are assured of great experience especially if you know what you’re doing.
Bronco Billy's Casino
Address: 233 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Bronco Billy’s Casino
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Spend a fun day out at Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation
Posted by Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation on Friday, 25 May 2018
Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation has the goal of building happy and healthy communities as a way of improving people’s lives. It is a fitness facility with comprehensive programs designed to take care of the health, nutrition, and both mental and physical fitness of the members of the community. Other than just looking into your fitness, the center also has a variety of games to help you get better physically, while also entertaining you at the same time. These include an indoor skating facility, picnic areas, BMX track races and much more!
Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation
Address: 128 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7:30am - 7:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: Free
11. Watch a show at The Butte Theatre
Check out the richness in the art and culture of Colorado by watching a show at The Butt Theatre. The theater normally has a total of seven shows and a total of 165 performances per year, and depending on the time of your visit, check their website for their schedule to know what’s up for watching.
The Butte Theatre
Address: 139 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: The Butte Theatre
Opening hours: Visit website for performance details
Price: From 9 USD
12. Relish breathtaking views while you hike along Vindicator Valley Trailhead
Ute Valley Park on the northwest side of Colorado Springs offers a quick getaway for hikers on its 538 acres of rocky...
Posted by Hiking Colorado Springs on Sunday, 5 May 2019
The trail takes you through several abandoned gold mines which will further reveal to you the scope of mining that took place in this region. What you will find along this trail are relics of the years gone by. You will also love the site of the metal hoist gold tower as well as the change house that has stood the test of time to tell the story of the gold rush. And of course, the Colorado landscapes as seen from this trail are worth dying for.
Vindicator Valley Trailhead
Address: Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
13. Treat yourself to the best American fare at Maggie’s Restaurant
Burger night!
Posted by Johannah Garza on Monday, 12 August 2019
Sample the culinary diversity in this region by settling down for a meal at Maggie’s Restaurant. The restaurant is famous for its breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings, and the fact it is open for long hours every single day of the week ensures that you will always have a place to grab a bite after a tiring day of exploration.
Maggie’s Restaurant
Address: 300 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Maggie’s Restaurant
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
14. Enjoy the evening at Colorado Grande Casino & Hotel
Are tempted to try your luck by playing a game of poker or slots during your visit? Well, make your way to Colorado Grande Casino & Hotel. This is a small casino and hotel, with the casino occupying the downstairs and rooms on the upper stairs.
Colorado Grande Casino & Hotel
Address: 300 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Website: Colorado Grande Casino & Hotel
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
15. Dine at Dynamite Dick’s Dining Emporium
Posted by Cripple Creek Steakhouse on Saturday, 23 March 2019
Immerse yourself in tasty and delicious meals at Dynamite Dick’s Dining Emporium. The joint has an extensive menu that will reveal to you the true nature of the culinary diversity that exists in Cripple Creek, and Colorado in general. Their food comes in great portions and is reasonably priced. The wait staff is also hospitable and will make you want to feel as comfortable as possible so that you can enjoy your meals. It is extremely family-friendly and has a special menu for the younger guests.
Dynamite Dick’s Dining Emporium
Address: 256 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, USA
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
16. Learn about the region’s heritage at Cripple Creek Heritage Center
Cripple Creek may have been the World’s Greatest Gold Camp, but it has a lot more to offer as far as history and heritage is concerned. Cripple Creek Heritage Center has a sizeable collection of exhibits from the gold era, though they also have incredible exhibits and information on the overall effects of the mining in the area. Also present are exhibits about life before the gold rush, as well as dinosaur bones believed to have come from creatures in the area thousands of years ago.
Cripple Creek Heritage Center
Address: 9283 S, CO-67, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, United States
Website: Cripple Creek Heritage Center
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
17. Get sporty on Gold Camp Trail
Gold Camp Trail is a 143 mile (23km) loop trail that runs alongside the defunct railroad from Cripple Creek to Colorado Springs. The trail is considered moderate and can be used for both jogging and biking. Along the trail, you will be treated to beautiful views of wildflowers and the Colorado landscapes. Some sections go through and on top of tunnels that were dug for the trains. Some sections are narrow but if you have the patience to wait for the oncoming traffic, then this is nothing of major concern.
Gold Camp Trail
Address: Cripple Creek, Colorado
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
Enjoy the history and the landscapes of Cripple Creek
With all these things to do in Cripple Creek, Colorado, so much fun awaits you. To get the most out of your trip, be sure to keep this list of things to do in handy so that you have a well-planned itinerary upon arrival.
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