Location: Cripple Creek
Top Things to do in Cripple Creek
Top Restaurants in Cripple Creek
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Top 5 Things to do Good for Kids in Cripple Creek, Colorado (CO)
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. 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.
2. Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By TravelTeachN2833ER - Mount Vernon, United States
I highly recommend that you make this your first stop in Cripple Creek. There is a great museum that gives a thorough history of Cripple Creek and the gold rush. The upper floor has fossils and a stegosaurus model, so kids would love that. The person at the desk was friendly and SO helpful. She recommended activities that she thought we would enjoy based on our interests and marked them out on a map. And this is all free!
3. Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By TravelTeachN2833ER - Mount Vernon, United States
We enjoyed an hour touring this unique museum. There are interesting stories and exhibits that highlight this little-known facet of life in a boom town. The cost is reasonable and the clerk was friendly and helpful.
4. Phantom Canyon Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By Stormchaser214 - Divide, United States
We got to drive on this road after church on Sunday. It was very scenic but it's very narrow, which is one of the only drawbacks. Nice to go on if you have a couple hours.
5. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 373 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.
