Day Trip Colorado Inspiration
Day trip possibilities are seemingly endless when you decide to EXPLORE the Old West and experience a New Adventure!
Located just 20 miles west of Denver and easily accessible from Interstate 70, here you will find a variety of lodging choices, dining options, breweries, boutique shops, art galleries, thrilling attractions, scenic drives, and recreational adventures.
White Water Rafting Tours
Ride world-class rapids in an alpine setting where old west meets new adventure! Choose from one-hour trips to full-day rafting trips along Clear Creek. From the thrill of the water to historic highlights pointed out by your rafting guide you will discover fun tidbits about Clear Creek at the river level.
Rafting is generally open May through August, water level dependent.
ATV Tours
Explore the Colorado Rocky Mountains with an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tour. Navigate your way on historic mining trails, through the scenic Rocky Mountains enjoying breathtaking vistas of the Continental Divide and Mt Blue Sky. You’ll experience the serenity of untamed Rocky Mountains coupled with the exhilaration of an ATV.
Georgetown Loop Railroad®
Enjoy riding on one of Colorado’s very first tourist attractions, the Historic Georgetown Loop Railroad®. Here you will experience traversing the marveling Devils Gate High Bridge, passing through dramatic rock formations, Winding through groves of pine and aspen trees, optional silver mine guided tours, and break taking views of the Rocky Mountains.
Afterwards, explore the historic mining community of Georgetown and its array of Victorian buildings, specialty shops, galleries and restaurants.
Gold + Silver Mine Tours
Catch Gold Fever!
Experience mining history as seasoned hard rock miners lead you on a personalized tour into a working underground gold mines. During the tour you will see where tons of gold and silver ore were pushed in small rail cars just as it was done 100 years ago!
You may even try your hand at panning for gold and keep what you find. Be sure to explore the first four original mining camps still in place today; Idaho Springs, Empire, Georgetown, and Silver Plume where you can wind down at one of the local restaurants, breweries, or coffee shops.
Museum Tours
Explore the Historic beauty and Victorian era charm with a museum tour.
Start in Idaho Springs at the Heritage Center, where you’ll learn about the area’s mining history. Make your way to the Underhill Museum in Historic Downtown to glimpse early 1900’s life, the Central Hose House from circa 1912, and the Charlie Tayler Waterwheel. In Georgetown, take a step back into the Victorian era with a visit to the Hotel de Paris, Hamill House, Heritage Center or Central Hose House where most artifacts are original transporting you back to the turn of the Century.
Garden Tours
The Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District boasts one of the largest concentrations of Victorian buildings in the Country. Explore Victorian life in an early mining town as private home owners and numerous historic sites open the doors to the public and share their stories and homes with you.
Walking Tours
Explore the architectural and historic beauty of Idaho Springs with a walking tour through the Miner Street Commercial District of Idaho Springs or 6th Street in Georgetown. Designated as National Historic Districts, there are more than forty historical buildings and sites to see.
Guanella Pass Fall Spectacular
Explore the stunning beauty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains fall foliage, rushing streams and panoramic views of mountain wilderness. Travel along two spectacular Byways: Mt Blue Sky and Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byways with vast groves of shimmering aspens blanketing the hillsides. Here, you will find great photo opportunities and panoramic views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop.
Annual Georgetown Christmas Market
Mark your calendars for the first two, full weekends of December!
Turn up the holiday spirit and explore the festivity of an old time Christmas market in historic Georgetown, Colorado. Steeped in the richest of traditions, you’ll be delighted to find booths with hand-crafted items, stands with hot roasted chestnuts, visits by St. Nick, and horse-drawn rides through town. Enjoy performances by singers, folk dancers, carolers in Victorian costume, Scandinavian dancers, and bagpipers who perform here and in the community center each day.
Adorned with lights and Christmas greenery, international and antique shops in town present an array of gifts you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the state. Of course, the restaurants will feature holiday menus to tempt and delight the palate. This mining classic will take you back to another time.
Visit our events calendar for a complete list of upcoming events happening all across Clear Creek County!