10. HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Many of the buildings constructed in the cities’ earlier days have been preserved as Colorado Historic Districts in well-known mountain towns including Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Durango, Telluride, Georgetown, and Manitou Springs, providing tourists with a glimpse into the past. For walking tours of the locations with the most colorful pasts, check with the visitor office in each town.
11. COLORADO GHOST TOWNS
A unique view into the state’s wild past, when fortune seekers, outlaws, and cowboys roamed the West, may be found in abandoned but well-preserved mining communities. Summertime access to several Colorado ghost towns, such as Independence near Aspen, St. Elmo near Buena Vista, and Animas Forks near Silverton, may be made using an off-road vehicle or an ATV.
12. FREE MUSEUMS
Colorado’s free museums are home to a wealth of treasures, including genuine moon rocks and the works of local artists. Learn how greeting cards are manufactured at Leanin’ Tree in Boulder, or visit the Loveland Museum/Gallery to discover how the city came to be known as Sweetheart City USA (primary gallery entry is $5).
