Cripple Creek ColoradoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Cripple Creek, Colorado.
1. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
HISTORIC MINING EXPERIENCE
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine offers the only 1,000-foot vertical shaft gold mine tour in the United States. The vein was discovered by Mollie Kathleen Gortner in 1891 and has since become one of the area's top-rated attractions. Visitors can experience the history of gold mining firsthand while descending deep into the mountain.
2. Phantom Canyon Road
SCENIC MOUNTAIN DRIVE
Phantom Canyon Road is a picturesque scenic drive that showcases the natural beauty surrounding Cripple Creek. The mostly unpaved road offers outstanding views of the Colorado landscape and is popular with both locals and tourists. It's an ideal route for those looking to experience the majestic scenery of the area at a leisurely pace.
3. Shelf Road
HISTORIC MOUNTAIN ROUTE
Shelf Road is a mostly unpaved scenic route that travels between Cripple Creek and Canon City. The historic road promises outstanding views at every turn and offers a glimpse into the transportation routes of the past. Adventure seekers appreciate this drive for its rugged terrain and spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains.
4. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN
The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad transports visitors back to the gold mining days with its century-old steam locomotive. The scenic railway reveals breathtaking wonders around every curve as it winds through the historic Gold Mining District. This family-friendly attraction provides both entertainment and education about the area's rich mining history.
5. The Butte Theater
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS
The Butte Theater is an 1890s era opera house that has been refurbished for modern use while maintaining its historical charm. Owned and operated by the City of Cripple Creek, the venue hosts both community and professional performing arts events throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment in a setting that captures the spirit of Cripple Creek's golden age.
6. Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum
WILD WEST HISTORY
The Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum allows visitors to explore Cripple Creek's fascinating law enforcement history. Housed in the former Teller County Jail, this museum offers a glimpse into the lives of both the criminals and peacekeepers of the Wild West era. Exhibits feature authentic jail cells, historical artifacts, and compelling stories from the town's colorful past.
7. Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center
REGIONAL HISTORY DISPLAY
The Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center serves as both a visitor center and a museum dedicated to the region's rich history. Displays highlight the area's geological formation, mining heritage, and the development of Cripple Creek as a prominent gold rush town. Visitors can gather helpful information about local attractions while gaining insight into what made this mountain community so significant.
8. Old Homestead House Museum
HISTORIC BROTHEL TOUR
The Old Homestead House Museum offers a unique glimpse into Cripple Creek's red-light district history from the gold rush era. Once the most elegant brothel in town, the preserved building now showcases period furnishings and artifacts that tell the stories of the women who worked there. The museum provides a fascinating perspective on a lesser-discussed aspect of Western mining town culture.
9. Cripple Creek Casinos
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Cripple Creek's casinos offer round-the-clock gaming entertainment along historic Bennett Avenue with ten establishments all within walking distance. Visitors can try their luck at unique and exciting games, slot machines, and now sports betting after changes to Colorado gaming laws. The casinos operate 24 hours with no last call, providing non-stop action for those hoping to strike it rich.
10. Victor Lowell Thomas Museum
MINING TOWN HERITAGE
The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum preserves the history of the nearby mining town of Victor, often called the City of Mines. Named after famous broadcaster Lowell Thomas who grew up in Victor, the museum houses mining artifacts, historic photographs, and exhibits detailing life during the gold rush. Visitors can also arrange underground mine tours through the museum to experience firsthand what mining was like during Victor's heyday.
11. Cripple Creek Ice Festival
WINTER ART CELEBRATION
The Cripple Creek Ice Festival is one of the most exciting annual events in the historic Pikes Peak Region, scheduled for February 15-23, 2025. Ice sculptors transform blocks of ice into impressive works of art that line the streets of downtown Cripple Creek. Visitors can admire the sculptures, participate in winter activities, and enjoy special promotions at local businesses during this popular winter celebration.
12. Donkey Derby Days
BELOVED LOCAL FESTIVAL
Donkey Derby Days is one of Colorado's most beloved events, celebrating Cripple Creek's historic mining heritage with donkey races and family activities. The festival honors the donkeys that once worked in the mines and now roam freely as protected residents of the town. Visitors can enjoy food vendors, live entertainment, and the chance to meet the descendants of Cripple Creek's original mining donkeys during this unique annual celebration.
13. Wildwood Casino
LARGEST GAMING VENUE
Wildwood Casino stands as Cripple Creek's largest gaming venue, offering expansive gaming floors filled with slots, table games, and sports betting options. The casino complex includes dining establishments, a hotel, and entertainment facilities all under one roof. Visitors appreciate the modern amenities while still being situated in the historic mining town atmosphere that makes Cripple Creek unique.
14. Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway
HISTORIC MINING ROUTES
The Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway encompasses a network of historic transportation routes that once connected the mining districts of Cripple Creek and Victor to supplies and markets. This National Scenic Byway includes Phantom Canyon Road, Shelf Road, and other historic routes that showcase spectacular mountain scenery. Travelers can experience the same paths that early prospectors and suppliers used during the height of the gold rush era.
15. The Mining District
WORKING GOLD OPERATION
The Mining District near Cripple Creek and Victor features a modern, working gold mine that continues the area's rich tradition of gold production. Visitors can take tours that contrast today's large-scale mining operations with the historic methods used in the past. This unique experience provides insight into how gold mining has evolved while still remaining an important part of the region's economy and identity.