76. The Pikes Peak Highway
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 2 miles west of Colorado Springs on US 2
Description: This scenic drive is generally open May through November. It’s a long, slow way up, with many hairpin turns to the peak of Pikes, one of Colorado’s highest mountains. At 11,578 feet, trees shrink to ground-huggers that might take 100 years to grow an inch. Here, you might spy yellow-bellied marmots. The 14,110-foot Pikes Peak is a boulder-strewn, windswept summit. Take a jacket, even if the temperature in Colorado Springs is more than 90 degrees. And stop at the Summit House, which has been selling delicious doughnuts and hot chocolate since the turn of the last century.
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
78. The Victor Hotel
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (719) 689-3553, (800) 748-4595
Description: If you want to stay near Cripple Creek, consider The Victor Hotel. This award-winning Victorian hotel was built in 1899 and underwent a complete renovation in 1992. It currently has more than 20 rooms, which generally cost around $80 a night for two people. Take US 24 southwest of Colorado Springs to Highway 67 and proceed about 18 miles.
79. Colorado Central Station
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: The game of Hold’em 88 was invented here. Now being offered in at least a half-dozen casinos, Hold’em 88 is a simpler version of Texas Hold’em, the most popular form of poker played at casinos. In Colorado, where $5 is the maximum amount allowable for any single bet, the Hold’em 88 player can lose no more than $10 on a single game. In Texas Hold’em, which has four betting rounds and up to five raises per round, a single game can cost a player more than $100. Set in an authentic railroad depot, this casino boasts at least 10 tables of blackjack and 7 poker tables, along with 600 slot machines.
80. Cemeteries
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Ten cemeteries let you glimpse more mining-era history. Was the idea that Woodcutters, Masons, and Catholics would go to separate heavens? Judging from the separated plots, it looks that way. Actually, in those days, not everyone could afford a burial. So people were buried in plots bought by their fraternity, charity, or lodge. Children’s tombstones bear witness to the worldwide flu epidemic of 1919, plus smallpox and other diseases that wiped out entire families.
81. Nevadaville Ghost Town
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1 mile north of Central City
Description: A mile above Central City is a real live—well, maybe not live—ghost town. In the 1800s, 4,000 people lived here, operating 20 quartz mills and several stores and hotels. Few historic structures still stand. But nothing’s left of many other Gilpin County boomtowns. Lost cities include Deadwood Diggings, Dogtown, Eureka, Gambell Gulch, Gold Dirt, Glory Hole, Hoosier City, Quincy, Springfield, Trail’s End, and Wide Awake.
82. The Gold Dust Village
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 582-5415
Description: On the main highway in Black Hawk, this lodge offers 25 nicely decorated, comfortable rooms in a convenient location.
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 677 Winter Park Drive
85. Dogsled Rides Of Winter Park
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 726-8326
Description: Dogsled teams take riders through 1,000 acres of pristine backcountry. Sleds pulled by 8- to 10-dog teams—all purebred Siberian huskies—can attain 30 miles per hour on downhill stretches. The cost for a 45-minute ride varies at different times of winter, but figure on about $87 per person; reservations are required.
86. Grand Adventure Balloon Tours
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 887-1340
Description: This is a wonderful opportunity to see the majestic Colorado Rockies from above. Flights depart at sunrise and are approximately one hour, depending on wind direction and fuel consumption. There is no flying if winds exceed 6 mph. The entire trip takes three hours. Rates are $225 per person. Child care is provided for $20 for children younger than age four.
87. Snowcat Tours
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 729-7907
Description: Nonskiers can enjoy the ambience of the slopes by taking a two-hour mountain tour. They have frequent departures.
88. Sombrero Ranch
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 979-0332
Description: Sombrero Ranches offer the only sleigh rides in Winter Park. Let the team of Belgians or Percherons guide you through the meadows along the Fraser River. The entire trip, including 15 minutes by the campfire, lasts for one hour. Private sleigh rides are also available. Rides depart at 1:30, 3:30, and 5:30 p.m. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled ride.
89. Winter Park Ice-Skating Rink
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 726-4118
Description: Bring the whole family and enjoy free ice skating here; skate rentals are available nearby at the Ski Broker and SportsStalker. Call the Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce (303-422-0666 or 970-726-4118) for information on snowmobile tours and rentals and other winter diversions.
90. Alpine Slide, Zephyr Express, And Other Winter Park Attractions
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 726-4221
Description: The Alpine Slide is Colorado’s longest, and a big summer attraction for young and old.With special bike mounts, Winter Park’s Zephyr Express chairlift takes mountain bikers to the top, where they can ride 45 miles of steep, exciting single-track trails and gentler jeep roads. Rental bikes are available.Also at the resort you’ll find miniature golf, a human maze, a climbing wall, a zip line, mountain scooters, and chairlift rides to the top of the mountain. In recent years, full-day park passes for all activities were $49, and morning or afternoon half-day passes were $44. Passes for anyone younger than age 5 or older than age 70 are free. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. in September, weather permitting).