It would be impossible to list all of the attractions available in Central Colorado, but we hope this guide will be of some assistance.
Visitor's guides and brochures are available at Chamber of Commerce offices, Visitors' Centers, and participating restaurants throughout the region. Telephone numbers for local chambers are printed in our calendar, and you may want to check out chamber websites, since they frequently provide links to local businesses.
In alphabetical order by town (or region):
The Alamosa Live Music Association, ALMA, presents live music and events. For information about their performances check www.almaonline.org.
Adams State College, 208 Edgemont Blvd., presents music, theater and gallery events that are open to the public. Check the calendar on their website at www2.adams.edu.
Cole Park has picnic areas and a playground, with pleasant trails along the river, and is host to many Alamosa events, 425 4th St.
The Luther E. Bean Museum is on the second floor of Richardson Hall at Adams State College and features antiques, collectibles, fine art by local artists, Native American and Hispanic art, and the "Woodard Collection of Artifacts from Around the World." It's open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday, closed holidays.
Arkansas Valley Art Center, formerly the Chaffee County Council on the Arts, offers classes, activities, art shows and workshops. To inquire about membership or contact them leave a message at 719-395-8372 or check: www.arkansasvalleyartcenter.org.
Buena Vista Heritage hosts events, mans museums, and supports local preservation and restoration projects; 719-395-8458. For a full schedule of their events see www.buenavistaheritage.org.
The Buena Vista River Park and Barbara Whipple and Midland Trails are located at the end of East Main Street in Buena Vista. The park features picnic areas, playing fields, and river access, with an adjoining trail system featuring views of Buena Vista from on high.
Dinosaur Depot features kid-friendly exhibits and tours, fossils, rocks, dinosaurs, and an amazingly complete Stegosaurus. Adults, $4; children 4 to 12, $2; children 3 and under free. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday through May 25; 330 Royal Gorge Boulevard, Cañon City; www.dinosaurdepot.com; 719-269-7150 or 800-987-6379.
Fremont Center for the Arts, gallery is at 550 Macon Ave., 719-275-2790.
The Fremont Civic Theatre offers live performances at various Cañon City locations. For information on their shows see their website at www.fremontcivictheatre.org.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park features the famed bridge over a deep canyon and a theme park with rides and attractions. Open year round. Off-season until April 27, limited rides are available. For more information call 719-275-7507 or 888-333-5597, or see www.royalgorgebridge.com.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers scenic excursion trains through the Royal Gorge. From February 2 through May 18, trains will run every weekend at 12:30 p.m. with a dinner train on Saturday evenings. For tickets or information call 719-276-4000 or 1-888-724-5748.
Creede Underground Mining Museum shows the history of mining in Creede, and how silver mining was done. It's at Forest Svc. Rd 503 #9, 719-658-0811.
The Silver Thread Scenic Byway, a designated scenic route, links Creede, Lake City, and South Fork via Hwy. 149, going past turn-offs for North Clear Creek Falls, said to be the most photographed waterfall in Colorado, plus breathtaking overlooks, and numerous points of interest.
The town of Crested Butte sits on the edge of Colorado Central territory and has numerous attractions, a music festival, mountain theater, and events too numerous to print in our already lengthy calendar. For a full Crested Butte schedule or information about events and businesses check www.crestedbuttechamber.com or call 970-349-6438 or 800-545-4505.
The Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center, 580 Oak Street, features art and history exhibits, and frequently hosts special presentations and lectures. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission: adults $1, children 50 cents, family $2.50. For information call 719-657-2847 or check www.rgcm.org.
Fairplay Beach offers a place to get out and stretch or picnic, with trails along the river right outside of town. Turn-off is off Hwy. 285 on the south side of Fairplay, look for the sign.
The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week and features a trail through a Petrified Forest, with close-up views of giant petrified redwood stumps. The Hornbek Homestead is also on Monument property. Fees: $3 for 7 days, or $15 annual, no fee for children 15 and under. For more information call 719-748-3253 or check www.nps.gov/flfo.
Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum, has a new 2600 square foot building at 18033 Teller County Road #1, across from the Florissant Post Office. The museum offers an entertaining and educational look at the Pikes Peak region's history and geology, pioneers, native Americans, railroads, miners, and more; with a gift store featuring handmade crafts, including beadwork and crafts from the Northern Ute Indians. Winter hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 719-748-8259.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. The South Rim Visitors Center is open all year. The North Rim Road is closed in the winter; and the South Rim Road is only open to Gunnison Point after mid-November. For more information check their website at www.nps.gov/blca or call 970-641-2337, ext. 205.
Curecanti National Recreation Area includes three reservoirs, Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal. The Elk Creek Visitors Center is open all year, but the Cimarron Center and East Portal Road are closed in the winter. See www.recreation.gov or 877-444-6777. For more information call 970-641-2337, ext. 205 or check www.nps.gov/cure.
The Gunnison Arts Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, at 102 S. Main and offers exhibits, performances, movies and classes. For information contact 970-641-4029 or www.visitgunnison.com/gun nisonartscenter.
Hartman Rocks Trails, a BLM recreation area, offers easy to moderate walks, with places to bike and motorcycle, bring water. To get there take Hwy. 50 west from Gunnison, turn off on Gold Basin Road (Cty. Rd. 138), drive around the west end of the airport runway, 2.8 miles, to the Hartman Rocks entrance.
The Mineral Belt Trail, 12 miles of trail through Leadville's old mining district, features great scenery and historic sites. Closed to motorized vehicles. Access is available in numerous places, including the Dutch Henry trailhead off Hwy. 24, Ice Palace Park, CR2 at California Gulch, and the East 5th St. Bridge.
The National Mining Hall of Fame and Miners Museum offers several floors of mining displays and exhibits, with extraordinary mineral, ore, and gemstone collections featuring samples from around the world. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It's at 120 W. 9; 719-486-1229.
Ski Cooper offers less crowded slopes, classes, and affordable fun for both alpine skiers and snowboarders. Hurry and get that last run in; it closes March 30. 1-800-707-6114.
Monarch Mountain Ski and Snowboarding Area, all natural snow, all natural setting, short lift lines, with an additional 130 acres of "backcountry (extreme)" skiing in Mirkwood Basin; closes April 13. 888-996-7669.
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort has a pool, hotel, restaurant, stables, and conference facilities. It's open all year, at 15870 CR 162 (on the road to St. Elmo); 719-395-2447, or see www.mtprinceton.com.
Bishop's Castle is along Highway 165 south of Westcliffe, near Rye. Jim Bishop's homemade stone castle with towering turrets, beautiful arches, and frightening walkways many stories high, is as impressive as the real thing, or maybe more so. Bishop lets guests tour his incredible construction project, but be careful because this is not the typical tourist attraction with safety fencing and guard rails.
The Arkansas Headwaters River Recreation Area stretches more than a hundred miles along the Arkansas, with two dozen recreation sites. Offices are at 307 W. Sackett, Salida. For information on trails, camping, fees, and annual passes call 719-539-7289 or check www.parks.state.co.us.
Bongo Billy's Salida Café offers live performances and art exhibits, including poetry performances and open mic nights. For a schedule of events call 719-539-4261 or check www.salidacafe.com
The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, facilities include swimming pool, six private hot baths, and a 25 meter lap pool. Suit, towel, and locker rentals are available, also private and group swimming lessons. The pool is also available for private rentals. 410 W. Rainbow Blvd., 719-539-6738, or check www.salidapool.com.
The Salida Steam Plant Theater and Cultural Center offers live performances. The theater is on the Arkansas at Sackett and G Streets. For more information check www.steamplant.org
The Victoria Tavern has live music on weekends. For information call 719-539-9003.
The Stations of the Cross Trail and Chapel are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, all year.
The Colorado Gator Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through the winter; $12.50 adults; $6.25 children 6 - 15 and seniors 65 to 80; under 5 and over 80 free. It's 17 miles north of Alamosa off Highway 17. Call 719-378-2612 or check www.gatorfarm.com for more information.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, west of Hooper and Mosca, is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, but the visitors center is sometimes closed. It's $3 per person (16 years and older) per day or $15 for an annual pass, with camping for $14 per day. Attractions include dunes, nature walks, wildlife, bird-watching and there's an informative display at the visitor's center. To find out more check www.nps.gov/grsa or call 719-378-6399.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa with lodging and conference center is near Moffat, at 28640 CR 58 EE, off of Hwy. 17; 719-256-4328.
The Orient Land Trust and Valley View Hot Springs are open to the public 7 days a week. For information on their mission, facilities, or reservations check their website at www.olt.org or call 719-256-4315.
The historic Jones Theater offers live theater events and movies, 719-783-3004, 119 Main Street. For more information or their complete schedule check www.jonestheater.com.
For Arkansas River recreation information check www.headwatersofadventure.com. Their "activities guide" includes information about hiking, fishing, golfing, hot springs and other attractions, and the site also includes local business listings and lodging and dining information.
The Colorado Historical Society hosts special events and lectures at various locations, and their website includes information on museums throughout the state; it's at www.coloradohistory.org.
The Ark-Valley Humane Society is at 701 Gregg Drive, which is off of Airport Road south of Buena Vista. Their website, www.ark-valley.org, has plenty of information for those who are contemplating adoption or who have lost a pet in Chaffee County, and also facts about how to donate time or money, 719-395-2737.
Local Chambers: Alamosa, 1-800-BLU-SKYS. Buena Vista 719-395-6612. Cañon City, 719-275-2331 or 1-800-876-7922. Creede, 1-800-327-2102 or 719-658-2374. Crested Butte, 1-800-545-4505. Del Norte, 719-657-2845. Florence, 719-784-3544. Gunnison, 1-800-274-7580. Leadville, 719-486-3900 or 1-800-933-3901. Monte Vista, 719-852-2731 or 1-800-562-7085. Salida, 1-719-539-2068 or 877-772-5432. South Fork, 719-873-5512 or 1-800-571-0881. Westcliffe, 719-783-9163 or 877-793-3170.