The Wild West Experience
Highlights: Scenic Drive, Panoramic Views, Water, Train Ride, Mountain Towns, Ghost Town, Gold Mine, Wildlife
Destinations: Guanella Pass <> Georgetown <> Central City <> Golden <> Evergreen or Morrison
Drive Time: 3.5 hours
Time of Year: Best in Summer and Fall, but doable all year with the exception of Guanella Pass, which closes around late November and doesn't reopen until Memorial Day. If Guanella is closed, you can reverse the trip and reach these destinations via Evergreen or Golden.
Destinations: Guanella Pass <> Georgetown <> Central City <> Golden <> Evergreen or Morrison
Drive Time: 3.5 hours
Time of Year: Best in Summer and Fall, but doable all year with the exception of Guanella Pass, which closes around late November and doesn't reopen until Memorial Day. If Guanella is closed, you can reverse the trip and reach these destinations via Evergreen or Golden.
Take Guanella Pass for a gorgeous mountain drive that follows Duck Creek to an 11,670 pass where the terrain almost appears otherworldly. Pass by amazing views, a small waterfall, and historical sites. You to may even spot a few Big Horn Sheep. This road brings you into Georgetown, a charming mountain town with plenty of great spots for lunch. Here, you can also catch the historic Georgetown Railroad Loop, which follows the original track bed of the miners. Tickets go fast, so be sure to book a day ahead. Skip the gold mine option on the train ride and instead head toward Central City. Here you can actually mine for real gold at the Hidee Mine. The last tour is at 4, so plan accordingly. It's a good time, trust me! At Hidee, they won't often tell you because of safety issues, but you can walk past the check-in area and shortly down the road there are really cool mine ruins from the
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1800s. Just be safe and don't go inside any of the buildings. From the mine, you can then make a quick stop at the Nevadaville Ghost Town. Central City is also a nice stop to see an old wild west town, though today the main attraction is the casinos. But there is still an original saloon that's a great place for a beer or snack. If you still have time, there are a few options for your return home... 1: Take Highway 6 through a spectacular canyon into Golden, CO where you can take a tour of the Coors Factory or see it from a distance downtown. The downtown area also has a lot of little shops and restaurants and this town really embodies the West. 2: Go through Morrison, where you can walk the steps or stand on the stage of the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheater (so long as an event isn't happening). There are also a lot of great trails around the amphitheater and you can easily hear music from the trails if there is a concert. Or plan ahead and get tickets to a concert! Just know that they do sell out fast! 3: Go through Evergreen, another cute little mountain town with a lake, shops, and elk wandering the roads. While this is a lot to pack into 1 day, it is very doable if you leave early and plan accordingly!