Cripple Creek Casinos & Historic Mining Town

Cripple Creek offers a unique blend of Wild West history and modern entertainment, making it a popular day trip from Canon City. This historic gold mining town at 9,494 feet elevation once produced more gold than any other district in the world, and today its Victorian buildings house casinos, museums, and shops. The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is a must-do attraction, taking visitors 1,000 feet underground in an authentic hard-rock gold mine. Tours run year-round and provide fascinating insight into the life of gold miners in the 1890s. You'll ride a mining cage down the shaft and see original equipment and mining techniques. For gaming enthusiasts, Cripple Creek is one of Colorado's three casino towns, featuring more than a dozen casinos with slots, blackjack, poker, and other games. The casinos range from small local operations to larger resorts, many housed in beautifully restored historic buildings. The Cripple Creek District Museum offers excellent exhibits on the gold rush era, including artifacts, photographs, and recreated storefronts. Walking the main street reveals stunning Victorian architecture and provides great photo opportunities. The scenic drive from Canon City via Phantom Canyon Road is an adventure in itself, following an old railroad grade through spectacular mountain scenery. The one-way drive takes about 90 minutes but offers stunning views and historical sites.