Location: Cripple Creek
Top Things to do in Cripple Creek
- 1. The Butte Theatre
- 2. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
- 3. Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center
- 4. Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum
- 5. Phantom Canyon Road
- 6. Shelf Road
- 7. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
- 8. Old Homestead House Museum
- 9. Cripple Creek District Museum
- 10. Bronco Billy's Casino
Top Restaurants in Cripple Creek
What to do and see in Cripple Creek, United States: The Best Places and Tips
The City of Cripple Creek is the Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 1,189 at the 2010 United States Census. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic Landmark status in 1961, includes part or all of the city and the surrounding area. The city is now a part of the Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Cripple Creek
1. The Butte Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 145 reviews
The Butte Opera House is an 1890's era theater refurbished for modern use. Owned and operated by the City of Cripple Creek, the Butte hosts both community and professional performing arts events throughout the year. The Butte is the proud home of The Thin Air Theatre Company, a production company that produces many genres of professional theatre, with an emphasis on Cripple Creek's beloved tradition of Classic Melodrama.
Reviewed By AverageJoe55 - Raleigh, North Carolina
Enjoyed the afternoon show and Olio. The theatre is actually quite nice and in excellent condition considering the overall age. Concessions are reasonably priced and the talent is quite good for a 'local' troupe. The fact that they bring in students from some of the better college acting programs in the US adds to the quality of the production. Well worth the time in Cripple Creek.
2. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
Overall Ratings
5 based on 628 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 CRNorway - Oslo, Norway
We arrived early in the morning. A staff member asked us to wait for a couple of other guests before our decent into the old gold mine commenced. We were anxious to see how an old gold mine looked and to see if the goldfever would get to us.
The guide was a very welcoming, knowledgable women (I don´t remember her name now) whom had first hand experience mining the area. She gave us a very vast and informative tour of the mine. In the end we were all given a small piece of the ore (I can´t tell if my rock contains any gold but it was a very nice gesture) and all of a sudden our whole group realised what the goldrush was and is all about.
3. Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By Tom S - Colorado Springs, Colorado
If you are just in Colorado visiting or live in Colorado and have never been to Cripple Creek, This is the first or second place to stop as you go into town.
The Heritage Center does go into some history of Cripple Creek and the Volunteers at the desk can provide you with more information about the history of the area if you wish.
There is no fee to learn a little about the area and donations are accepted.
If you have children, there are Tee-Pees set up outside in the rear of the building. The train diorama and the Molly Kathleen dioramas are exceptional.
I have always been a little disappointed in The Heritage Center because the untold story of the trollies and electricity in Cripple Creek. You can get more information on that from the Cripple Creek District museum.
4. Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By TallyHoHoHo - San Antonio, Texas
Went here on a whim while visiting Cripple Creek. Didn't realize we'd have so much fun dressing up in jail outfits and taking photos in the jail cells. Great for social media and family photos! Spent about an hour here reading about local residents and...MoreThank you for visiting the Jail Museum in Cripple Creek. We love sharing our unique history and of course our "shadier" history too! We are glad you got some great photos. Maybe send us a family photo Christmas card?
5. Phantom Canyon Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By Michael W - Saint Paul, Minnesota
What a drop dead gorgeous drive - brilliant red rocks, crystal clear river and views that can't be best.
The drive is not for the feint hearted as there are numerous places where huge chunks of the road are gone resulting in sudden drops to the canyon below. Totally worth it, but be careful!!
6. Shelf Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Mostly unpaved, this road travels between Cripple Creek and Canon City and promises outstanding views.
Reviewed By Alan N - Pueblo West, Colorado
I went from the dinosaur digs at Garden Bar up to Cripple Creek. The area is beautiful and the vistas tremendous. Realize that for a portion of the road it is single lane. Best to avoid weekends and try to travel on a weekday when there is less traffic.
7. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Overall Ratings
4 based on 294 reviews
A trip on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, reveals scenic wonders around every curve as century-old steam locomotive transports you back to the gold mining days of Cripple Creek & Victor, Colorado. A treat for railroad and history buffs, kids and the whole family.The locomotive is a 15 ton iron horse of the 0-4-0 type typical of the early day steam engines so important to the winning of the west. The track goes south out of Cripple Creek, past the old Midland Terminal Wye over a reconstructed trestle, past many historic mines and terminates near the deserted mining camp of Anaconda, then returns back to Cripple Creek.Trains leave every 40 minutes from mid-May thru mid-October from our 1894 depot and gift shop at the head of historic Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek. See our annual schedule.Take this is spectacular 45-minute trip of beautiful colors and fascinating experiences… the old steam engine with its pillaring smoke, sounds of steam and working steel… all the effects familiar to the hardy miners who rode the Midland Terminal roadbed when Cripple Creek District’s population approached over 50,000.This unique four-mile round- trip includes an interesting and educational narration on the rich history only a dynamic gold town could produce. Also stops for special points of interest, impressive photo spots, and Echo valley.Handicap and Wheelchair Accommodation is provided with assistance from our staff, please call for specific arrangements.You will enjoy every minute of the ride and will have a better knowledge of this world famous town….Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Reviewed By juliemcp - Elbert, Colorado
This is a great activity to do while in Cripple Creek on nice sunny day - perfect for all ages. The train travels through old and new mining operations and the conductor provides some interesting commentary describing the scenery. The only downside is once in awhile you get a blast of the smoke from coal fire in the engine when the wind changes. This activity is only open from late spring to early fall.
8. Old Homestead House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
House that was a 1890's brothel.
Reviewed By Tina T - La Crosse, Wisconsin
We were just having dinner at Ralf's when a local preacher suggested we visit this museum. This was funny because my husband and I were traveling with out two teenage daughters. But he was absolutely spot on-this museum was great! All four of us loved it! So much local history and specific stories of the ladies that lived there. Tons of wonderful artifacts and a very well-kept house. The ladies that gave the tour were great!
9. Cripple Creek District Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By PhilK03 - Jackson, Minnesota
Our trip was during a rain storm, which because the majority of the museum is indoors was no issue at all. You can spend literally hours in just the main building exploring the history of Cripple Creek with hundreds of old photographs, videos, physical items and more interesting things to see than most museums. The main building is packed to the gills with eclectic items, from hammer drills to the top of a skull that a past mayor used as an ash tray. If you want history then this is the place to go. If your in town, miss the casinos and head to the museum instead, you won't regret it.
10. Bronco Billy's Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 203 reviews
A True Colorado Style Casino! Bronco Billys has been Voted "BEST CASINO" 4 years in a row! By the Colorado Springs Gazette, and Voted "BEST CASINO" Colorado Springs Independent. We have over 800 the latest and throwback Slots - Blackjack - Craps - Roulette3 Card Poker - 5 Award Winning Restaurants - hotel - Charming Banquet Room, The Lounge - AND... Coming soon... THE PALLADIUM, Cripple Creek's only outdoor concert venue.
Reviewed By XSki007 - New Jersey
Great town, very cool casino with multiple levels and rooms, and a nice easy on the wallet place to eat, with a very friendly wait staff.
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