Travel Itineraries

Mines, Museums, and The Butte Theater

Cripple Creek - Victor Mining

One Day Itinerary

Step into "America's Greatest Gold Camp" for an unforgettable day exploring the legendary Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District. This itinerary takes you from modern heap-leach mining operations to preserved 1890s brothels, historic museums, and the spectacular Butte Theater for an evening of Victorian melodrama.

Experience the complete story of the mining district that produced over 21 million ounces of gold - more than the California and Alaska gold rushes combined. From underground mine tours to narrow-gauge railroad rides, this is the definitive one-day mining heritage experience in Colorado.

Mining District Adventure

8:00 am - 9:00 am	Breakfast in Cripple Creek Start your day in the heart of the historic mining district
9:00 am - 10:00 am	Cripple Creek Heritage Center Begin your exploration at the Heritage Center to understand the district's complete story. Learn More
10:00 am - 11:30 am	Flexible Morning Activities Options: Explore downtown Cripple Creek, visit additional museums, or take a walking tour of the historic district's Victorian architecture
11:30 am - 12:30 pm	Lunch in Cripple Creek Enjoy lunch at one of the district's restaurants, then travel to Victor
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Cripple Creek & Victor Mine Tour Experience a self-guided virtual tour of the modern working mine that continues the district's gold mining legacy. See heap-leach mining operations and learn about contemporary gold extraction methods. Virtual Tour Information
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Cripple Creek Museum Trail District Museum Five historic buildings packed with mining district artifacts and stories (719) 689-9540 Old Homestead House Tour a preserved 1896 brothel filled with authentic period furnishings (719) 689-9090 Outlaws & Lawmen Explore the Old Teller County Jail that operated from 1901-1992 (719) 689-6556
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Dinner in Cripple Creek Enjoy dinner before your evening entertainment
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm	The Butte Theater End your day with Victorian melodrama and comedy at this historic theater, featuring audience participation and period entertainment. buttetheater.com (719) 689-6402

Mining District Facts

Elevation: 9,494 feet (Cripple Creek)
Gold discovered: 1890 by Bob Womack
Total production: 21+ million ounces
Peak population: Over 50,000 in 1900
Active mining continues today

Visitor Tips

Dress in layers - mountain weather changes quickly
Many museums offer combination ticket discounts
Book Butte Theater tickets in advance during peak season
Allow extra time for high-altitude adjustment

Map & Directions

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Tunnels Beneath Victor's Streets

More than two miles of Gold Coin Mine tunnels still run beneath Victor's streets today. The Woods brothers built these tunnels to transport ore from their mine to the Economic Mill some 4,000 feet away in Arequa Gulch.

Cripple Creek's Name Origin

The town of Cripple Creek likely got its name from cattle injuring their legs while crossing the rocky stream. Early cowboys called such treacherous waterways "cripple creeks," and the name stuck when prospectors flooded the area during the gold rush.