Central Colorado Sight Seeing, Festivals, Window Shopping

Autumn in the Rocky Mountains is something everyone has to see at least once in their lifetime. 14,000 foot staggering peaks blanketed with gold and amber, wrapped warmly with deep greens and dusted with snow alarmingly early in the season. The perfect time of year to take a leisurely drive through the mountains on one of the many Scenic Byways. See old mines and sparkling reservoirs, peaceful roads lined with history and beauty to take your breath away.

If driving through the mountain passes isn’t for you, there’s still plenty to see. Historic districts and ghost towns dot the landscape by the fistful. Museums, ruins, Dinosaur parks and ancient Hopi holy land are all in the arms of Colorado, just waiting for you to come discover them all over again.

Below you’ll find information and listings to help you find the perfect sight-seeing trip into the mountains. Found what you’re looking for? Save all your vacation plans in our free Vacation Planner.

---

Buena Vista


Arkansas Valley Astronomical Society -
See Our Website Email Us
AVAS is a club of amateur astronomers, night sky enthusiasts, and telescope lovers based in Colorado's beautiful Upper Arkansas River Valley.

Art Galleries -
See Our Website Email Us
enjoy the works of regional artists

Balloon-A-Vista Hot Air Balloon Festival - 343 Hwy 24 South, PO Box 2021; Buena Vista, CO 81211
phone: 719-395-6612
See Our Website Email Us
Annual hot air balloon festival weekend in the Rocky Mtns in Buena Vista, Colorado. Events and fun for the whole family! Held first weekend in June.

Buena Vista ATV Historical Color Tour - PO Box 2021; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-6612
See Our Website Email Us
Annual September ATV rally & festival. Visit area ghost towns, cross the continental divide, take in the fall colors. Collect drools gold, win prizes.

Buena Vista Gold Rush Days - 343 Hwy 24 South; P.O. Box 2021; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-6612
See Our Website Email Us
Annual August festival with burro races, gold panning, vendors, western singers & dancers, gunfighters, bed & outhouse races, food, fun & much more.

Calendar of Activities & Events -
See Our Website Email Us
for specific dates and times to numerous Fourteener Country area activities & events, don't miss our Event Calendar.

Colorado Ghost Towns & Mining Camps -
See Our Website Email Us
Take an online tour fifteen of Colorado's ghost towns and mine sites. Each sample sight-seeing tour comes with photos, a brief history, and a map with directions for outdoor enthusiasts who want to drive, four-wheel or hike in the footsteps of history.

Hi-Rocky Gifts & Sports Store - 111 Cottonwood Ave.; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-2258; fax: 719-395-8007
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
We are your one-stop shop for fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and cross-country supplies.


Rebecca Faire - 106 Isabel Ct.; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-966-2391
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
Shop online for all your Bath & Body, Jewelry, Home Decor, Kitchenware, Fragrances, Personal Dainties, and Tea & Coffee needs. Visit daily for specials and new items! Or shop in person at our store in Buena Vista. Great gifts, or pamper yourself. Items to fit any budget.

Stores & Gift Shops -
See Our Website Email Us
visit and shop just some of the area's excellent shops in the FourteenerNet Onlilne Mall.


The Trailhead, Inc. - P.O. Box 2023; 707 Hwy 24 North; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-8001; fax: 719-395-8002
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
THE TRAILHEAD is your one-stop shop for everything you need for backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, ski touring, and travel. Our full-service rental shop offers camping gear, mountain bikes, climbing gear, snowshoes, backcountry skis and boots, and a variety of accessories.

The View Art & Media - PO Box 1172; 105 N. Railroad; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-2248; fax: 719-395-2248
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
The View Gallery (est. 1993) features the dramatic oil landscapes and dreamworks of Stuart Codington Andrews, as well as other noted regional artists.

Arkansas River Double Haul - PO Box 5260; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-207-0993; fax: 719-395-4715
See Our Website Email Us
Arkansas River Double-Haul Celebrity Fly Fishing Charity Event Salida, Colorado September 12, and 13, Friday and Saturday, 2008. The Rotary Clubs of Chaffee County are proud to announce the 2008 Celebrity Fly-fishing Weekend, on the Arkansas River at Salida, Colorado. The event will be a benefit for the Rotary Club of Salida, and Rotary Club of Buena Vista.

---

Fairplay

South Park City Museum - P.O. Box 634; Fairplay, CO; 80440
phone: 719-836-2387
See Our Website Map this Location
South Park City is a remarkable restoration of Colorado's early mining boomtowns, preserving history while it educates & entertains.

---

Leadville

Leadville Ski Country - 116 E. 9th Street; Leadville, CO; 80461
phone: 719-486-3836; tollfree: 800-500-5323; fax: 719-486-2485
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
Downhill & Cross Country Ski, Snowmobile, and Snowshoe rentals.


Leadville Train - PO Box 916; Leadville, CO; 81211
phone: 719-486-3936; fax: 719-486.0671
See Our Website Email Us

Check Availability - Leadville Train	x Close

Winding through this colorful tapestry is the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. Originating in "the highest incorporated city in North America," the LC&S takes passengers along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern lines to the Continental Divide. This journey is full of breath-taking panoramas and humorous narratives about Leadville's colorful past.

Leadville, Colorado Historic Walking Tour -
See Our Website Email Us
Leadville contains one of Colorado's largest National Historic Landmark District, consisting of over 70 square blocks, which was designated by Congress in 1966. It’s a beautiful and interesting area for a short walk anytime of year. This virtual tour is a brief peek into the history of some of the district’s more interesting buildings.


National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum - P.O. Box 981; Leadville, CO; 80461
phone: 719-486-1229; fax: 719-486-3927
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location

Check Availability - National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum	x Close

A monument to the men and women who pioneered the discovery, development and processing of our nation's natural resources. Mining's colorful history is showcased throughout the facility, which is the only federally-chartered non-profit national mining museum. Called the ‘Smithsonian of the Rockies’, the exhibits are numerous and fascinating.

The Rock Hut - 706 Harrison St.; Leadville, CO; 80461
phone: 719-486-2313; fax: 719-486-7277
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
The Rock Hut displays minerals from all over the world w/emphasis on CO minerals. Over 6,000 specimens on display in the turn of the century building.

---

Sargents


Tomichi Creek Trading Post - PO Box 160; 71420 Hwy 50; Sargents, CO; 81248
phone: 970-641-0674; fax: 970-641-0947
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
Our remodeled store is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm during the regular summer season. Fall hours may be different. Stop in for quality products, competitive prices, and browse our unique gifts section. Welcome to the Rocky Mountains, Home of Tomichi Creek Trading Post, Your Off-Roading Headquarters

---

Taylor Park

Taylor Park Trading Post - 23044 CR 742; Almont, CO; 81210
phone: 970-641-2555; fax: 970-641-2012
See Our Website Email Us Map this Location
Top of the Rockies RV Park, cabins, and general store provides groceries, ice, camping & hunting supplies, fishing tackle, and a variety of gift items