13 of the Best Activities Waiting for You at Cripple Creek Colorado

The Old Homestead House Museum was actually known as a brothel back in the 1890s. This place was popular for its high customers, glamorous women, and exceptional service. Several years passed, this place eventually closed as a brothel and re-opened as a museum with both its interior and exterior restored to its original splendor, which became one of the top attractions in Cripple Creek Colorado that you need to see even if you’re traveling with kids. This is because this historic place now features an extensive collection of photographs that let visitors see how exactly the site looked like back in its heyday.l used to wear. You can even get to see a mannequin donning a dress like what the muses in the brothe Guided tours are also available where you can get a chance to listen to the stories that tells more about the lives of the working girls, as well as their elite clients. In addition to that, you can also witness reenactments that will let you get a better peek of what it was like in the place back in the day.

However, note that the museum is only open between the months of June and October. Tours are also available between 11 AM and 5 PM. So we suggest that you plan your visit to the city well.

Like the Old Homestead House Museum, Outlaws and Law Men Jail Museum also lets you get a peek of Cripple Creek Colorado’s history. Back in the early gold rush days, Cripple Creek’s population increased from 15 to over 50,000 in only a decade. This rapid growth in the population also brought its fair share of troublemakers, as well as criminals. Hence this site was built. And today, you can get to hear some of their stories, as well as the lawmen tasked to keep them in line. Apart from that, you can also get to have a peek of how the structure was originally made as many of the original cells are still in good shape even today. The site also has a number of exhibits that features police logs to even newspaper clippings that let you get a good view of what it was like before in the city. It’s one of the interesting attractions in the city that you also shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

Another museum that you need to see is the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum. This site, however, pays homage to the famed newscaster and author Lowell Thomas. Filled with various pioneering artifacts telling the story of Thomas, this museum will truly let you know more about him, his life, as well as his career.

But this museum also doubles as a place that tells the history of Victor. Thus, you can also get artifacts, books, exhibits, as well as photographs, which depict what life was like in Victor – from its early days to the prime of gold mining.

But what makes this place even more worth-visiting is that it’s not all about learning. This place also knows how to let its visitors experience a fun-filled visit, especially during summer. One of the activities everyone in the family will surely enjoy is the gold panning activity that the museum offers. Here, you can really get to pan real gold and gems. In addition to that, you can also go on a gold mine tour plus a cemetery walking tour.

Another place for a good dose of history is Cripple Creek and Victor Gauge Railroad. Running between Cripple and a mining camp on the city’s outskirts, this railroad once served as one of the main mode of transportation for the locals until 1931 when it closed to passengers. Today, it may have closed its doors to passengers but it opened new opportunities for both locals and tourists alike to get to know some parts of the city’s history. This is because the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad now serves as an attraction where you can get to have a peek of what it was like in the city’s gold mining days through informative narration tours. In addition to that, you can also get to have a peek at the historical mines in the area. Its trains will also take you on a ride where you will pass by some of the scenic views in the area.

The trains run every 45 minutes. It’s a short trip yet it is worth the try as you’re in for a scenic and educational ride.

Speaking of gold mining, you should also see Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Here, you will descend 100 ft. down into the shaft mine where you can get to see various displays of mining methods from the early 1890s. As you delve deeper into the site, you can also get to see exposed gold veins in their natural state. Through this tour, you can also get to learn more information about the city’s gold camp’s history plus the modern-day hard rock gold mining.

As you plan to take a tour on the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, however, note that you’d have to allot more than one hour to explore the site, especially if you’re planning to visit other locations nearby. This is because it would take you two minutes to descend into the mine and tours usually last one hour. Of course, make sure to allot time for exploring the site’s gift shop as you will surely love exploring it too.

Another place that history buffs surely love is the Cripple Creek District Museum. This museum is probably houses a lot of information about the city’s past. In fact, it has the largest collection of photographs, as well as artifacts about the Cripple Creek District in the city.

The museum also boasts of its vast collection of Cripple Creek District minerals. And this display has been noted as one of the state’s finest collections.

In addition to that, the museum also houses pieces of hard rock mining equipment, as well as some everyday household items, which will let you imagine what life was like in the early days of the city. You can also get to see 1930s gaming devices plus collections of regalia which came from early fraternal and civic societies.

The building has five floors filled with exhibits that will not just pique your interest but will also let you gain more knowledge about the history of the city. The best part of it is that the museum is open year-round. However, its operating hours vary depending on the season.

If you have a sweet tooth or if you’re traveling with kids, visiting the Cripple Creek Candy and Variety is also a must. As its name suggests, this place offers candies. But we’re not talking about just any candy; rather, we’re talking about the special handmade candies that it offers. Plus, you should also not miss its old-fashioned manufactured candies that will take you on a trip down memory lane.

You don’t have to worry if you’re not into hard candies. Cripple Creek Candy and Variety has something for everyone. It even offers delicious homemade fudge, as well as truffles that come in various flavors and designs.

In addition to that, the shop sells a wide variety of gift cards, balloons, and even unique vintage packaging. Whether you’re looking for candies or gifts, this place is a must visit too.

Gaming is also fun when you’re in Cripple Creek Colorado. But we’re not talking about video games. Rather, we’re talking about games for adults – casinos. In Cripple Creek, you actually have a number of casinos to choose from. But one of our favorites and highly suggested is Bronco Billy’s Casino. Here, you can enjoy 800 state-of-the art slot machines, daily cash draws, and video poker. There are also tables available such as poker, craps, and blackjack.

What makes it stand out among the casinos in the city is that you can also get to spend a night or two in its historic hotel that has five on-site restaurants. There are also music nights held at its hotel. The best part of it is that during this event, you can also get to enjoy free cocktails and appetizers, making it one of the perfect spots in the city to just chill with your friends.

Wildwood Casino is yet another gaming place you need to check out. For starters, this is because It is the only casino in Cripple Creek Colorado that has the largest single-level casino floor. Apart from that, it is the only Vegas-style casino in town. Thus, there’s no need for you to look further to experience Las Vegas’ casino atmosphere.

Here, you can play more than 500 slot machines. The place also offers table games, such as craps, roulette, and blackjack. You can also get to play video poker. Player’s Club Cards are available too. And the best part of it is that you can enjoy it for free.

What we love more about this place is that it allows its customers o collect bonus points. With this, you will be eligible for some of the more exclusive giveaways and promotions in the casino.

And like Bronco Billy’s Casino, this place also offers a nice hotel. But what makes it stand out more is the shuttle service that it offers to and from the casino, which is free of charge, by the way.

Speaking of casinos, another highly-suggested casino that you need to see is Colorado Grande Casino. Unlike Bronco Billy’s Casino and Wildwood Casino, this one offers a more intimate atmosphere. In spite of it being small, it can still talk big about the games that it offers. Here, you can still get to enjoy a wide range of both old and new casino games. This includes video poker and dollar reel slots. You can also get to play table games like live-action blackjack.

Colorado Grande Casino also offers a place where you can spend a night or two. However, unlike Bronco Billy’s Casino, this one only has seven hotel rooms to offer located above the gaming floor. In spite of that, your stay will still be worth it as breakfast is already included in the room rate. Sometimes, casino guests are also given complimentary stay.

And don’t worry if you feel the need to fuel up as the site has a café where you can enjoy good coffee, pastries, sandwiches and other snacks. There is also a restaurant at the basement where you can grab full meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It may be small but it’s yet another great place to be with your friends when you’re in the city.

Back in the heydays of the gold mining industry in the city, donkeys played a huge role. They spent their lives making trips up and down the mountain. Without them, miners’ lives won’t be that easy. And to celebrate their huge contribution to the mining history, as well as the city’s history, the ton set up Cripple Donkey Herd that houses the direct descendants of the donkeys that helped with the mining industry back in the day.

The site also holds a donkey derby which is held every month of June. In this event, you can get to witness participants leading donkeys through an obstacle course in a race to the finish line.

Cripple Creek Donkey Herd is definitely a place to see adorable donkeys and a fun place to see the eventful donkey derby. Whether you’re traveling with your friends or your family, this place should be on your list too.

Of course, the city also has countless restaurants to fuel you up with good food as you tour the city. But among all of the places where you can eat, one of our highly recommended restaurants is Dynamite Dick’s Dining Emporium. Tucked on Midnight Rose’s second floor, this place is where you should go to, especially if you’re looking for an all-day breakfast place. But this place is also where you should go to enjoy hearty soups, healthy salads, and delicious burgers, sandwiches and steak. This restaurant is also a place to enjoy decadent desserts like red velvet cakes and stuffed cookies.

The best part of it is that you can get to enjoy everything in this place every day. However, note that Dynamite Dick’s Dining Emporium’s hours vary. From Sunday to Thursday, the restaurant is open from 7 AM to 11 PM. Meanwhile on Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy the place even until midnight. It’s a perfect place to fuel up with some good food so be sure to check it out too.

For some good entertainment, don’t miss out on Gold Bar Room Theater too. This site also joins the historic attractions on this list. Opened in the 1940s, this place has been providing entertainment for both locals and tourists until it closed in the early 1990s. But in 2009, it was carefully restored and re-opened its doors to the public.

However, needless to say, it focuses more on giving you unparalleled entertainment. Here, you can get to see various performances such as comedy nights and classical piano concerts. The theater also let you get a peek of past as it stage also offers historical performances.

Apart from outstanding performances, this place also boasts of its interior. Its stage still sports the same hand-painted stage drop that it had in the 1990s.

The theater is also connected to a hotel, the Imperial Hotel that offers dinner and theater packages. Aside from its comfortable rooms, this place is also a must see as you can also stay in the same rooms that some of its most famous guests once stayed.

There’s still so much to discover and experience in Cripple Creek. And even a whole day might not be enough to see them all. Hence, we suggest that you stay a bit longer. If you plan to do so, here are some hotels that you might want to check out.

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Cripple Creek Colorado Hotels

Cripple Creek KOA

If you’re into camping, this place is for you. Here, you will be treated with panoramic views of the high mountain countryside as you stay in RVs and tents. They also have deluxe tents for the ultimate glamping experience. Nature lovers will surely love it.

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Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino

We’ve already mentioned casinos that have hotels where you can spend a night or two. Truly, they are worth considering. But if you are on a limited budget, Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino is for you as it offers more affordable yet equally clean and comfortable rooms. And even if it’s located within a casino, its rooms are still quiet and relaxing.

Century Casino and Hotel Cripple Creek

If budget is not a problem for you, why not treat yourself to a luxurious stay at the Century Casino and Hotel? Apart from its luxurious and comfortable rooms with modern amenities, this site also boasts of beautiful interiors, making your every penny spent worth it.