Cripple Creek, CO Road Trips

Late nineteenth century buildings which have been carefully maintained. In spite of the casino glitziness, the old world charm still manages to shine through and enthrall. Pikes Peak Heritage Center at Cripple Creek, Hwy 67 across from the Mollie Kathleen Mine, ☏ +1 719 243-6769. 9PM-5PM. Free. 1 Cripple Creek District Museum, ☏ +1 719 689-9540. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Old Homestead House Museum, 353 Myers Ave, ☏ +1 719-689-9090. (updated Apr 2025) Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum, 136 W Bennett Ave, ☏ +1 719-689-6556. This red brick building was the Teller County Jail in use from 1901 to 1992. $5/person, kids 6 and under free. (updated Apr 2025) 3 Victor Lowell Thomas Museum, 298 Victor Ave, Victor, ☏ +1 719-689-5509, [email protected]. $10. (updated Jan 2026)

You could easily spend an activity-packed weekend at Cripple Creek and still wish for more time to do the activities. 1 Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, 520 E Carr Ave, ☏ +1 719-689-2640. Take a ride on the old gold trains. This includes detailed commentary on the gold mines in the region. Adults $15, Seniors (65+) $14, Children (3-12) $10. (updated Jan 2021) District Museums - there are three museums to visit. Casinos - these are situated down Bennett Street. Take a walk down the old time main street, Bennett Avenue. Take photos of the renewed late 19th century signs painted on the sides of buildings. 2 Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, ☏ +1 719 689-2466. A must for mining and history buffs, tour and gold sample (updated Feb 2017) 3 The Butte Theater (Historic Butte Opera House), 139 E Bennett Ave, ☏ +1 719-689-6402, [email protected]. Box officeː Th & Su 11AM-4PM, F Sa 5-10PM. Plays, musicals, comedy, and concerts. One of the last theaters to present Classical American Melodramas. Community season January-May, Professional season June-December, with special events throughout the year. (updated Apr 2025) Look for the donkeys roaming the streets at large. Visit Victor, which is nearby and not the slightest bit commercialized - it looks as a mining town would have done 100 years ago. It retains old world charm and has some great antique shops, a broom making workshop (the old-fashioned way) and old-fashioned yarn-making. There is also a small amount of accommodation available here.

There are many places to eat standard fare. There are approximately 12 fine dining restaurants.

There are many bars in the casinos, or you can visit hometown cafés.

Options include staying in the casino lodgings where relevant, in bed and breakfasts and in hotels. 1 Victor Hotel & Restaurant, 321 Victor Ave, Victor, ☏ +1 719-689-3553, [email protected]. (updated Jan 2021) Hotel St. Nicholas, 303 N 3rd St, ☏ +1 719-689-0856. Built as a hospital in 1898 by the Catholic Sisters of Mercy, it has 14 individually-decorated rooms in Victorian style. Includes continental breakfast. The Boiler Room Tavern in the basement serves a light bar-fare menu, a patio with mountain views, and indeed, the original coal fired boiler is on display. The hotel also has an independently owned spa offering massages and facials. (updated Apr 2025) Cripple Creek Hospitality House & Travel Park, 600 North B St, ☏ +1 719-689-2513, [email protected]. 14 guest rooms with Victorian style furnishings, built in 1901 as Teller County Hospital. Also has an RV park with full hook-ups. (updated Apr 2025) The Lost Burro, 4023 Co Rd 1, ☏ +1 719-689-2345. There is a superb camping ground nestled in a snug little valley about 4 miles west of the town called The Lost Burro. It is privately run and is in excellent condition, with RV space at one end and large campsites at the other end. Those staying in tents will not even be aware of RV users. The camping property is extremely large and the views are fantastic. (updated Apr 2025) Cripple Creek KOA, 2576 County Road 81, ☏ +1 719-689-5647 (info), toll-free: +1-800-562-9125 (reservations). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: Noon. (updated Jul 2019)

The best way to reach Cripple Creek is via your own car or motorcycle. There are, however, bus alternatives. The drive from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park and then on through to Cripple Creek is windy but probably offers the easiest entry point. It is bitumen all the way.

Parking can be a bit of an issue, as many areas are 20 minutes or 2 hours only. Casino car parking is strictly regulated and fines and tow-aways occur for illegitimate parking. Look for one of the public parking lots or move your car around. However, the town is so small, that as long as you find a good park, walking is not going to be a major issue and is the best way to get around.