17 Best & Fun Things To Do In Cripple Creek, CO

Are you planning a trip to Cripple Creek, Colorado, and looking for fun activities to make your trip memorable? Look no further! You’re at the right place, as we’ll explore the 17 best and fun things to do in Cripple Creek, CO, making your trip unforgettable.

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Teller County, Cripple Creek, Colorado, is a former gold mine located southwest of Colorado Springs. With its rich heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant community spirit, Cripple Creek offers visitors an array of activities and attractions to explore.

From fascinating museums and historic sites to outdoor adventures and cultural events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this charming mountain town. Visitors can explore Mueller State Park and Cripple Creek Heritage Center, and learn history at the Cripple Creek District Museum.

17 Best & Fun Things To Do In Cripple Creek, CO (2024)

1. Cripple Creek Heritage Center

Begin your Cripple Creek journey by learning about the rich history of the town at the Heritage Center. Located in the heart of downtown, this state-of-the-art museum sits on an 11,600-square-foot site and offers interactive exhibits, artifacts, and engaging displays that tell the rich history of the town’s past.

Other interesting exhibits showcase area geology, flora and fauna, and regional recreation opportunities.

Take a tour of the Cripple Creek Heritage Center and learn about the discovery of gold in the late 19th century, the boom and bust cycles of the mining industry, and the resilient spirit of the people who called Cripple Creek home.

Address: 9283 CO-67, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, United States.

2. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour

One of the best things to do in Cripple Creek, CO, in the spring is to descend 1,000 feet underground and experience life as a miner on the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour.

Discovered in 1891, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour is led by experienced guides. This thrilling adventure takes visitors into the heart of a historic gold mine, where they get to learn about the challenges and triumphs of early mining operations.

Marvel at the sheer size of the caverns, the intricate machinery used to extract gold, and the stories of the brave men and women who toiled underground. About 40,000 people visit the gold mine annually.

Address: 9388 CO-67, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, United States.

3. Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

Another fun thing to do in Cripple Creek is to step aboard the historic Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad and embark on a scenic journey through the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains.

Since its inception in 1967, the 2-foot narrow-gauge heritage railroad has operated every 40 minutes from May to October and offers visitors a ride between Cripple Creek and the city’s outskirts to the south.

As you ride along these historic tracks, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of towering peaks, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls.

You also get to listen to the conductor share tales of the railroad’s storied past and the pioneers who built the tracks that connected Cripple Creek to the world.

Address: 520 E Carr Street, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, United States.

4. Cripple Creek District Museum

Established in 1953, the Cripple Creek District Museum has five historic buildings. At the museum, you will discover a treasure trove of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia from the town’s mining heyday.

The museum houses a vast collection of Cripple Creek District minerals. Everything from hard rock mining equipment to everyday household items can be found either on the grounds or in one of the five buildings.

On your visit, explore exhibits on everything from early prospectors and gold rushes to the rise and fall of the mining industry.

What’s more, ensure to visit the museum’s outdoor exhibits, including historic buildings and mining equipment that provide a glimpse into Cripple Creek’s past.

Address: 510 Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, United States.

5. Mueller State Park

Located in Divide, Colorado, about 20 minutes from Cripple Creek, a visit to Mueller State Park is one of the family-friendly things to do in Cripple Creek.

Sitting on 5,112 acres of pristine wilderness, Mueller State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, camping, hunting, and horseback riding.

The park is also ideal for winter activities as it allows snowshoeing, sledding, and snow tubing.

On your visit, you can hike along scenic trails that wind through dense forests and meadows or cast a line in sparkling mountain streams teeming with trout.

Watch out for glimpses of wildlife, including elk, deer, black bears, and a variety of bird species that inhabit the park’s diverse ecosystems.

Address: 21045 Hwy. 67 South, Divide, CO 80814, United States.

6. Victor Lowell Thomas Museum

Located in Victor, Colorado, about 10 minutes from Cripple Creek, the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum is housed in an original 1899 building with two floors.

Named after the renowned broadcaster and journalist, Lowell Thomas, who once lived in the town, the museum is one of the best places to learn about the fascinating history of Victor, Colorado.

The museum features artifacts, books, exhibits, and photographs showcasing the early life in Victor from its beginning to the heyday of gold mining.

Take guided bus tours of the mining district and shop for books, historic maps and postcards, real stone, and Victorian jewelry at the gift shop.

Address: 298 Victor Avenue, Victor, CO 80860, United States.

7. Cripple Creek Historic District

One of the many free things to do in Cripple Creek today is to take a walk through the charming streets of the Cripple Creek Historic District and admire the beautifully preserved Victorian-era architecture.

The district is made up of structures that survived the gold mining era, including the Midland Terminal Deport, Teller Country Courthouse, the Imperial Hotel, the old Homestead, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, etc.

As part of your Cripple Creek itinerary, walk past historic storefronts, elegant homes, and quaint bed and breakfasts that harken back to the town’s boomtown days.

Stop by local shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in historic buildings and soak up the ambiance of this picturesque mountain town.

Address: Cripple Creek, CO, United States.

8. The Butte Theater

One of the fun things to do in Cripple Creek, CO, at night is to experience the magic of live theater at the Butte Theatre, a historic venue that has been entertaining audiences for over a century.

Located in the heart of downtown Cripple Creek, the Butte Theater hosts a variety of theatrical productions, musicals, and special events throughout the year.

From classic plays to contemporary comedies, there’s always something new and exciting happening on stage at the Butte Theater.

Address: 139 E Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, United States.

Are you exploring other attractions near Cripple Creek? Why not check out some fun things to do in Pueblo, CO, and fun things to do in Silverthorne, CO?