Explore this charming former mining town’s history and beauty.
While many of itsmountainous neighborsare more familiar , Leadville is a weekend trip not to be overlooked . This former minelaying town may be little , but Leadville is full of history , playfulness , and pristine Centennial State peach , with the sorcerous Twin Lakes as its neighbour and a more often than not light drive southwestern United States of Denver . Officially incorporated in 1878 with just a few hundred residents , Leadville ’s universe soared to roughly 30,000 hoi polloi ( about the same sizing as Denver ) before finally settling to a modest 2,600 multitude in the present twenty-four hour period . At an elevation of 10,152 feet , Leadville is the highest unified metropolis in the state and one of the highest in the state , vaunt a variety of museum , out-of-door refreshment , and local shop class and eating house that make it worth the drive whether you ’re bide for a long weekend or just day - tripping . Here ’s your scout to drop clock time in Leadville and lay down the most of it .
Travel time:
From Denver:1 hour , 45 minutesFrom Cheyenne , WY:3 hours , 15 minutesFrom Moab , UT:4 hours , 30 minute
If you don’t do anything else: Visit the Silver Dollar Saloon and Twin Lakes
One of Leadville ’s more well - known draw isThe Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon , which has been in mental process since 1879 and is Colorado ’s oldest - operating saloon . Many characteristic of the building are original slice , from the visibility - jam windbreak at the front outside to two caravan - seats - turned - taproom - kiosk , and photos from throughout the saloon ’s history cover the rampart . say photos depict some of the saloon ’s many visitant , which admit remarkable names like Doc Holiday , Oscar Wilde , and Colorado ’s own Unsinkable Molly Brown .
Fill your days:
Museums and history in Leadville
Because Leadville exists simultaneously in the present tense and the Old West , it makes a with child terminus for anyone interested in chronicle — specially US and mining history . Naturally , theNational Mining Hall of Fame & Museumis top of the inclination , displaying almost 70 exhibits and relaying the stories of more than 250 prominent manpower and woman in mining history . Explore some of Leadville ’s ( and Colorado ’s ) onetime buildings and learn about their lived - in story at the Tabor Home ( home of Horace Tabor , beginner of theTabor Opera House ) , the Dexter Cabin and Healy House Museum , or theHeritage Museum . Or , take ahistoric walk tourand get a well - rounded history of Leadville from multiple vantage point . Those interested in particular in Leadville ’s mining story can take guided mine tours — like theMatchless Mineor Hopemore Underground Mine tour — to get a firsthand tone into what mining life was like back in the belated 1800s .
Hiking and outdoor activity around Leadville
Being nestled at the base of Colorado ’s two highest mountain vertex , Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert , Leadville certainly has gasconade rights when it comes to boost lead . If you ’re not quite feelingthe haulage of a fourteen , rest assured there ’s a scenic lead waiting that ’s perfect for your activity story . TheMineral Belt Trailis an 11.6 - mile paved trail that ’s open to adventurers year - round , offer position of the Sawatch hatful , old silver mines , and in the wintertime , Nordic skiing , snowshoeing , and fat biking . Alternately , theTimberline Trailis a realizable 2.2 miles and quieter than the Mineral Belt , unresolved to substructure dealings only ; arrive at the picturesque Timberline Lake and break for water , snack , or just to rest your foundation before heading back out . Looking for a well-fixed middle?Turquoise Lake Trailruns parallel to the shore of Turquoise Lake and even has its own dedicatednature lead guide . And for those really looking to put their endurance to the tryout , the foresightful stretches of theContinental Divide TrailorColorado Trailmean business — make certain you ’re fully equipped , physically prepared , and have memorized your rucksack resupply locations .
Annual Events and Festivals in Leadville
Leadville is make out quite well for a few outre — but dear beloved — yearly celebration . In belated wintertime , Leadville is deluge with attendees and spectators for itsSkijoring , observe annually since 1949 and part of the town ’s yearly Crystal Carnival . Skijoring is a timed obstruction course competition where team are made up of a single skier being take out by a horse and passenger over jump , through pack , and other hurdle constructed within the street of Leadville . Temps are low but adrenaline is eminent as onlooker root for their booster , neighbors , or randomly chosen front-runner to acquire .
Perhaps the most notable Leadville jubilation is theLeadville Boom Days , a weekend - long celebration of the Old West , complete with contests , gunslingers , and burro ( donkey ) racing , plus all the food and craft vendors you could ask for . Team up with a burro and the necessary mining supplying — including a pick and a amber pan — and pay homage to the miner of the Old West rush for atomic number 79 .
Eat, drink, and sleep:
Restaurants and bars in Leadville
Though modest , Leadville has a surprising amount of store , restaurant , and bars along its independent strip , Harrison Ave . Get your caffeine buzz fromZero Clarence Shepard Day Jr. Coffee(where you may also buy raft gear mechanism ) , followed by lunch at the Mountain Goat , a trailer serving up juicy beefburger and homemade soup , or atHigh Mountain Pies , where you ’ll find some of the better slices across the Rockies . Grab dinner party atTreeline Kitchenfor some unripened chili pepper Colorado maize boodle , blackened codfish , or BBQ pork barrel and beans . For a celebratory post-14er beer , ascertain outTwo Mile Brewing Co.
Where to stay in Leadville
There areplentiful individual adjustment optionsaround the Leadville / Twin Lakes area , from those that extend the classic , rustic , Old - West finger to the more urban , artsy , and eclectic rentals , including an regalia oftiny homesthat delineate a side street in Leadville , look out on some telling views of Mt. Massive to the Rebecca West . For a more formal halt , there is the former - clock time opulence ( and partially renovated)Historic Delaware Hotelas well as the quaint , dress shop lodging of theMajestic .
Courtesy of Visit Leadville-Twin Lakes Tourism Panel
Photo by Diana Lange, Courtesy of Visit Leadville-Twin Lakes Tourism Panel
Courtesy of Visit Leadville-Twin Lakes Tourism Panel
