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.

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Buena Vista


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

Art Galleries -
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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
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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 & Salida Art Lodging Tour - phone: 719-395-6612
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Various lodging properties including bed & breakfasts & cabins host this FREE annual December event featuring a variety of fine artists & crafters.

Buena Vista ATV Historical Color Tour - PO Box 2021; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-6612
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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
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Annual August festival with burro races, gold panning, vendors, western singers & dancers, gunfighters, bed & outhouse races, food, fun & much more.

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

Colorado Ghost Towns & Mining Camps -
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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.


Courtyard Gallery - PO Box 1168; Buena Vista, CO; 81211
phone: 719-395-3299
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13 artists sat down on the floor around a huge rock in ‘02 w/the goal of local artists exhibiting & selling their work. We have paintings in many mediums, stained glass, hand painted & digital photography cards, hand crafted jewelry, pottery, fiber art, inlaid wood pieces, photography, gift items & much more. We have quality art supplies at reasonable prices & offer a variety of classes year-round

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

Independence Film Festival - phone: 818-988-2200
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Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences members and Award-winning filmmakers Lawrence David Foldes and Victoria Paige Meyerink sponsor this event. See films featured in venues throughout Buena Vista,Twin Lakes and Leadville Sept. 6-9, 2007. Get High on Film

Stores & Gift Shops -
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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
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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
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The View Gallery (est. 1993) features the dramatic oil landscapes and dreamworks of Stuart Codington Andrews, as well as other noted regional artists.

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Creede


Rio Grande Angler - 13 South Main; PO Box 544; Creede, CO 81130
phone: 877-656-3474
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The Rio Grande Angler offers everything for your fly-fishing needs. Stop by and talk to our friendly staff. Guided float or wade trips.

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Fairplay


South Park City Museum - P.O. Box 634; Fairplay, CO; 80440
phone: 719-836-2387
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The year was 1859. Gold was discovered in South Park and the rush was on! South Park City is a remarkable restoration of Colorado's early mining boomtowns, preserving the history of Colorado's ghost towns and our nation's frontier while it educates and entertains the present.

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Leadville

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


Leadville Train - PO Box 916; Leadville, CO; 81211
phone: 719-486-3936; fax: 719-486.0671
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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 -
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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
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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.

Steve Sunday Photography - 624 W. 2nd St.; Leadville, CO; 80461
phone: 719-486-9075
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Husband & wife team specializing in Colorado nature photos. They provide prints, note cards & posters with photos of the area's mountains and 14ers.

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Moffat


Mirage Trading Company - 17555 Hwy 17; Moffat, CO; 81143
phone: 719-256-4357
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The Mirage Trading Company is a cute little coffee shop and art gallery located in Moffat, Colorado, in the heart of the San Luis Valley. Moffat is on the main route between Aspen, Colorado and Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico. Our shop has earned a reputation from travelers for having art as fine as the art found in Aspen or Santa Fe but at a fraction of the cost!

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Salida

Salida Stove and Spa - 7330 HWY 50 ; Salida, CO; 81201
phone: 719-539-2125; fax: 719-539-2442
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We offer top of the line Fireplaces, spas/hot tubs, sauna and steam rooms, outdoor cooking, gutters and fences.

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Sargents


Tomichi Creek Trading Post - PO Box 160; 71420 Hwy 50; Sargents, CO; 81248
phone: 970-641-0674; fax: 970-641-0947
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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

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Taylor Park

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