Top Things to do in Colorado
Top Hotels in Colorado
- 1. Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- 2. Grand Hyatt Denver
- 3. Monarch Casino Resort Spa - Black Hawk
- 4. Le Meridien Denver Downtown
- 5. Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
- 6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Trinidad
- 7. The Oxford Hotel
- 8. Origin Hotel Red Rocks
- 9. SCP Colorado Springs Hotel
- 10. Warwick Denver
The 10 Best Mines in Colorado, United States
Colorado is home to no less than twenty-six ski resorts such as those in Vail and Breckenridge; other winter activities include snowboarding, sledding, sleigh rides, snow hiking and snowmobiling. The state is blessed with national parks, grasslands and forests where in warmer weather you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing. Wildlife abounds, from bears to moose and raccoons to wolverines. More interested in local history? Head for either the Ute Indian Museum or the Koshare Indian Museum, and don't miss the forts such as Fort Garland and Bent's Old Fort. For a complete change, why not take a ride in a hot air balloon from South Park Valley or Boulder and admire Colorado's picturesque landscape from above?
Restaurants in Colorado
1. Edgar Experimental Mine
2. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 805 reviews
The only 1,000 foot vertical shaft gold mine tour in the U.S.; the vein was discovered by Mollie Kathleen Gortner in 1891.
Reviewed By tamarah32 - Granite Falls, United States
We had a lot planned for the day, so we arrived at 8:45, hoping to get on the first tour of the day, when they opened at 9 am. While we were on the first tour, they decided to start at 9:30 instead of right away, which was slightly annoying. We had 45 minutes to wander the property while waiting. There are a few cute displays of old mining equipment and a nice gift shop, but 10 minutes would have been plenty. Note: The bathroom in the gift shop was surprisingly nice and clean. The hoist was a little jiggly, but to be expected given it was a working jib built to haul workers and mining equipment in and out. My husband liked that it was a bit of a rough ride, as he enjoyed the feeling of going deep into the earth (we rode the Strataca hoist into the salt mines a few days prior, and that one was smooth, more like a hotel elevator). It sure beats going up or down the shaft, using the historical methods described on the tour, though. It’s a fast ride, so even if you’re claustrophobic, you should be okay for that minute or two. The other levels are lit up, so you can see them as you descend, which was pretty cool. As far as the tour itself, though, it was fascinating. Sarah was our guide; she was amazing with actual mining experience. Full of enthusiasm, and really knew her stuff. She told us the history of the mine and shared plenty of stories to help us really feel like what it may have been like mining there in the 1800s. We enjoyed how the tour takes you through a timeline of how mining started in the early days and throughout the years, with really well laid out displays. One of the coolest things about the tour is that she actually demonstrated how the tools and machinery operated. My husband and I felt like it was worth the $25/person fee and would definitely recommend the tour to anyone travelling through the area. Note: This is called "Gold Mine Tours, Inc" on Google.
3. Hopemore Mine Tour
4. Hidee Gold Mine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 225 reviews
The Hidee Gold Mine offers a Hands On approach to History, Mining, Geology and gold panning! We are Fun and Educational for all Ages!
Reviewed By denac353 - Saint Peters, United States
I can not say enough about this tour ! Mark was our guide and extremely informative and hands on!! My 7 year old son had a blast. Mark helped him chip out his ore and even helped him pan for his gold. Mark even went the extra mile to drive to the top of the snowy drive and pick up my elderly aunt who was unable to walk down. We will be back for sure!!
5. Capital Prize Gold Mine Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 195 reviews
Most extensive mine tour in Colorado! Visitors can enjoy an easy walk over 1,000 feet into the mountain and see several tunnels. Experience the challenges of working by candle light, view seven of the 17 gold veins discovered, see the machinery and tools and explore a stope. Visitors will also learn about drilling, blasting and mucking and the importance of mining back in the early days of the Wild West. The Capital Prize is still an active mine and visitors will see a modern prospecting operation which includes dredges, sluice boxes, classifiers and shaker tables. Instead of gold panning, you get to mine the real stuff inside our stope and keep what you find!
Reviewed By Jteamsport7 - Rosemount, United States
Our first trip to Colorado and we loved every bit. Our family trip of 5 adults and 6 children had a bucket list of things to do and a gold mine was one of them. Capital Prize Mine did not disappoint! The family/staff was amazing! Friendly and charismatic! They gave us a detailed history of the mine as well as educated us on how the minerals are mined and processed both now and then! The kids even got to chisel away at a mineral vein and walk away with a token of their hard work! That little chunk of ore to them was priceless! We’ve been through other mine tours before and this one although humble has topped our lists of best mine adventures!
6. Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
Strike up your Adventure! The Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour walks you 1,500 feet horizontally into Gold Hill, rich in gold, silver, and other precious metals. Guests are at all times accompanied by a thoroughly trained guide who has first-hand experience working the mine. The guides are prepared to answer questions and eager to share the legend and lore of the mine. While you're here enjoy our Miners Breakfast!
Reviewed By jeanetteb201 - Phoenix, United States
After donning hard hats, we embarked on an easy, flat path into the mine and had an enjoyable time listening to the guide talk about the miners and the mining process.
7. Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
8. Hard Tack Mine Tours & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Open daily, 10am to 5pm, June to September. Open during the winter by appointment. Admission: $13 for adults, $9 for children. The Hard Tack Mine brings the unique history of mining to life. Join us for underground mine tours, exhibits packed with mining history and machinery and a fantastic underground gift shop brimming with treasures. You can also pick up last minute supplies at the Company Store located just outside the mine porthole. The mine is located on the Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway, near the Hidden Treasure mill site and the ghost town of Treasure City.It is a constant 45 degrees in the mine, so a light jacket is recommended. Tours are handicap accessible and state inspected. Group tours are available year round by appointment.
9. Argo Mill and Tunnel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 930 reviews
Hours of Operation are Weather dependent!!! Visit one of the region's most amazing historic mining heritage sites, the Mighty Argo Mill and Tunnel. Our walking tour includes a visit to our history room to view a video introducing the historic impact of the Argo, a journey through our historic 5 story gold ore mill, a look inside the first 200 feet of the 4.5-mile tunnel, an exploration of the historical artifact museum at the base of the Argo Mill, and an optional gold panning lesson. COVID-19 POLICIES: All guides and guests wear masks at all times on tour and while in the Mercantile. (Our county issued a mask order on July 2.) Now booking individual tour groups of up to 9 people. Smaller groups will not be combined unless all parties agree. Tours no longer include a bus ride. Tours start at the ground floor of the mill, go up multiple flights of stairs, into the tunnel, and then back down the stairs. Staff follows tour groups to disinfect all surfaces and hard hats.
Reviewed By meganmJ7877DF
My 8 year old nephew is a rock and geology enthusiast so we made a trip to Idaho Springs to visit the Argo Mill and Tunnel as well as another local gold mine that gives tours. Will made this tour our favorite. He is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide with a special knack for making the info interesting for kiddos. The experience lasted almost 2 hours and my nephew never lost interest. This is also a great place to visit for anyone interested in American history and the 19th century - kids and adults alike. We highly recommend a tour here with Will!
10. Florissant Fossil Quarry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By nusch425 - Linwood, United States
Our family loved this hands-on attraction just down the street from the Fossil Beds. We felt like it was a hidden gem! Dixie was awesome and helped us learn how to find the fossils and identify what we found. (She was really good with our fossil- loving 9 year old too.) We spent an hour or two there and even went back later in the week to hunt for more fossils. One of our favorites!
