Whereas a lot of its mountainous neighbors are extra acquainted, Leadville is a Colorado city to not be missed. Located southwest of Denver and about an hour and 45 minutes’ drive away, this former mining city is filled with historical past, leisure, and sheer Centennial State magnificence. The census of full-time residents stays simply round 2,700 individuals, and at an elevation of 10,152 ft, Leadville is the very best integrated metropolis within the state and one of many highest within the nation. Together with its excessive altitude, Leadville boasts a plethora of museums, out of doors recreation actions, and an array of native outlets and eating places that make it value a drive whether or not you’re staying for a protracted weekend or simply day-tripping.
Museums and mining historical past for all historical past buffs
As a result of Leadville exists concurrently within the current and the Outdated West, it makes an excellent vacation spot for anybody eager about historical past—notably US and mining historical past. Naturally, the Nationwide Mining Corridor of Fame & Museum is high of the listing, displaying nearly 70 displays and relaying the tales of greater than 250 outstanding women and men in mining historical past. Discover a few of Leadville’s (and Colorado’s) oldest buildings and find out about their lived-in historical past on the Tabor Dwelling (dwelling of Horace Tabor, founding father of the Tabor Opera Home), the Dexter Cabin and Healy Home Museum, or the Heritage Museum. Or, take a historic strolling tour and get a well-rounded historical past of Leadville from a number of viewpoints. These notably in Leadville’s mining historical past can take guided mine excursions—just like the Matchless Mine or Hopemore Underground Mine tour—to get a firsthand look into what mining life was like again within the late 1800s.
Go to the Legendary Silver Greenback Saloon
Considered one of Leadville’s extra well-known attracts is the famed Silver Greenback Saloon, which has been in operation since 1879 and is Colorado’s oldest-operating saloon. Many options of the constructing are unique items, from the visibility-impeding windbreak on the entrance exterior to 2 train-seats-turned-bar-booths, and images from all through the saloon’s historical past cowl the partitions. Stated images depict a number of the saloon’s many guests, which embody noteworthy names like Doc Vacation, Oscar Wilde, and Colorado’s personal Unsinkable Molly Brown.
The Saloon is attention-grabbing sufficient to go to by itself as one takes within the outdated wooden and historical past, however sticking round for a drink and a chew to eat is inspired. In any case, although the menu is just not the identical because it was in 1879, a current overhaul by Eric Johns (relative of the unique saloon house owners) means lunch, dinner, and even brunch by the use of pork stomach sliders, poutine, banh mi, and elk meatballs over rigatoni (to call a couple of).
Spend your days by the lake(s)
Only a 15-minute drive south of Leadville has you at one of the crucial scenic and tranquil spots in Colorado. Twin Lakes is a vastly fashionable out of doors vacation spot three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months for its clear alpine waters, mountainous backdrop, and plentiful alternatives for enjoyable. Carry the boat, kayak, or SUP board for a time out on the water, and if you happen to’re eager on fishing, undoubtedly convey your poles; the lake is frequently stocked with tons of trout and is a first-rate fishing spot. Make a visit right here in early fall for a number of the most spectacular yellow aspens you’ll see in Colorado or bundle up and produce your ice fishing gear as soon as the lake has frozen over in winter. You too can e-book a ship tour to brush up on extra Leadville historical past or just take within the surroundings from a unique perspective. Additionally a brief drive from Leadville is Turquoise Lake, barely lesser recognized than its Twin Lakes counterpart however simply as rife with exercise. Cool off right here any variety of methods, together with windsurfing, however be conscious of the chilly water temps. Equally to Twin Lakes, Turquoise Lake has a myriad of trails extending off its shores which might be excellent for summer season hikes or winter cross-country snowboarding.
Hike your coronary heart out
Being nestled on the base of Colorado’s two highest mountain peaks, Mt. Huge and Mt. Elbert, Leadville definitely has bragging rights relating to mountaineering trails. In the event you’re not fairly feeling the haul of a 14er, relaxation assured there’s a scenic path ready that’s excellent to your exercise degree.
The Mineral Belt Path is an 11.6-mile paved path that’s open to adventurers year-round, providing views of the Sawatch mountains, outdated silver mines, and within the winter, Nordic snowboarding, snowshoeing, and fats biking. Alternately, the Timberline Path is a manageable 2.2 miles and quieter than the Mineral Belt, open to foot visitors solely; arrive on the picturesque Timberline Lake and break for water, snacks, or simply to relaxation your ft earlier than heading again out. Searching for a snug center? Turquoise Lake Path runs parallel to the shores of Turquoise Lake and even has its personal devoted nature path information. And for these actually seeking to put their endurance to the check, the lengthy stretches of the Continental Divide Path or Colorado Path imply enterprise—be sure you’re totally outfitted, bodily ready, and have memorized your backpack resupply areas.
Attend one in every of Leadville’s signature occasions
Along with the year-round points of interest Leadville has to supply, it’s additionally recognized fairly nicely for a couple of eccentric—however beloved—annual occasions. Maybe essentially the most notable is the Leadville Increase Days (and mark your calendar, as a result of they’re proper across the nook): a weekend-long celebration of the Outdated West, full with contests, gunslingers, and burro (donkey) racing, plus all of the meals and craft distributors you may ask for. Staff up with a burro and the mandatory mining provides—together with a decide and a gold pan—and pay homage to the miners of the Outdated West dashing for gold.
Come winter, Leadville is once more flooded with occasion attendees and spectators for its Ski Joring, celebrated yearly since 1949 and a part of the city’s annual Crystal Carnival. Ski joring is a timed impediment course competitors the place groups are made up of a single skier being pulled by a horse and rider over jumps, by rings, and different hurdles constructed inside the streets of Leadville. Temps are low however adrenaline is excessive as onlookers root for his or her buddies, neighbors, or randomly chosen favorites to win.
You possibly can all the time convey the entire household
One of many fantastic issues about Leadville is that there’s a lot to do for each member of the household, whether or not you’re 2 or 92. Take the youngsters on an entertaining, panoramic practice experience on the Leadville Railroad or really feel the joys and rush of air as you zip line by mountains and forest.
Searching for one thing a bit of slower-paced? Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting provides guided horseback driving excursions (and horse-drawn wagon rides!) by open fields, forest trails, and at excellent overlooks of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Huge, and likelihood is you’ll see a ton of wildlife whilst you experience.
As soon as winter hits and the snow is falling, you’ll be able to ski at Ski Cooper—the “locals’ mountain”—or take the kiddos to Dutch Henry Hill for some epic sledding.
There’s a lot to eat, drink, and store Downtown
Although small, Leadville has a shocking quantity of outlets, eating places, and bars alongside its fundamental strip, Harrison Ave. Get your caffeine buzz on at Metropolis on a Hill Espresso, adopted by lunch at Tennessee Cross Cafe, Cuban espresso and sandwiches at Buchi Cafe Cubano, or a number of the finest slices in Colorado at Excessive Mountain Pies. Seize dinner at Treeline Kitchen for some inexperienced chile Colorado corn bread, blackened cod, or BBQ pork and beans, or go to the hard-to-miss Golden Burro Cafe, a great place for vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diners (or these seeking to dine someplace sustainably pushed).
For a stronger beverage (or celebratory post-14er beer), take a look at Two Mile Brewing Co. or the extra rustic, pub-style Scarlet Tavern and Manhattan Bar Inc.
As for purchasing, cheking out Melanzana’s handmade out of doors attire is definitely a top-of-the-list suggestion, however know that visits right here (and the possibility to snag the best fleece of your life) are by appointment-only. Different notable outlets embody Elevation Items, stocked with regionally made merchandise, housewares, and crops; the epic, multi-story vintage store that’s the Western {Hardware} Firm Restricted; and the quaint Alpine Furnishings Firm and Reward Store.
Keep at an enthralling, off-the-grid rental
Whereas lots of the close by lodging provide that traditional, rustic, Outdated-West-Leadville really feel, one lodging choice is very interesting—if you happen to’re prepared to sacrifice a couple of sq. ft. An array of tiny houses line a aspect road in Leadville, overlooking some spectacular views of Mt. Huge to the west. Small in stature however massive in persona, the leases are nice for experimenting if you happen to’re contemplating the tiny home life or just make for an enthralling base camp to your Leadville and surrounding space adventures.