Travel Itineraries

Two Days in Florence, Cañon City, and Cripple Creek

Heritage Tour

Two Day Itinerary

Embark on a captivating two-day journey through the heart of Colorado's mining heritage, exploring the historic communities of Florence, Cañon City, and Cripple Creek. This carefully curated tour takes you through authentic museums, historic downtown districts, and the legendary mining camps that defined America's greatest gold rush.

From the preserved brothels and jails of the 1890s to world-class dinosaur exhibits and oil field history, this itinerary offers an immersive experience into the diverse cultural tapestry of the Gold Belt Byway region. Discover the stories of miners, pioneers, and outlaws who shaped this remarkable corner of Colorado.

Day One - Florence to Cañon City Heritage Trail

7:00 am - 8:00 am	Breakfast in Florence Start your day in historic downtown Florence at one of the local cafes
8:00 am - 11:00 am	Explore Florence's Historic Main Street Pioneer Museum - Experience the region's coal and oil heritage Oldest Working Oil Site - See Colorado's petroleum history in action Antique Alley - Browse unique treasures along Historic Main Street
12:00 pm	Lunch in Cañon City Enjoy lunch at one of Cañon City's downtown restaurants
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Cañon City Museum Trail Royal Gorge Regional Museum And History Center - Featuring dinosaur exhibits and local history Museum Of Colorado Prisons - Tour the state's first women's prison Fremont Center for the Arts - Experience local artistic expression Historic Downtown Stroll - Walk among 81 National Historic Landmark buildings
6:00 pm	Dinner & Evening in Cañon City Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Cañon City. On Tuesdays (7-9pm), catch live entertainment in Veterans Park

Day Two - Cripple Creek Mining District Experience

7:00 am - 8:00 am	Breakfast in Cañon City Fuel up for your mountain adventure
8:00 am - 9:30 am	Scenic Drive to Cripple Creek Travel via Highway 9, High Park Road, and Teller One to the historic mining district
9:30 am - 12:00 pm	Cripple Creek Museums Cripple Creek District Museum - Five historic buildings showcasing district history (719) 689-9540 Old Homestead House Museum - Tour a preserved 1896 brothel (719) 689-9090 Outlaw & Lawmen Jail Museum - Explore the Old Teller County Jail (1901-1992) (719) 689-6556
12:00 pm	Lunch in Cripple Creek Dine in America's Greatest Gold Camp
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm	Victor Exploration Travel 7 miles to Victor, Colorado to explore: Lowell Thomas Museum - (719) 689-5509 Ag and Mining History Museum - Discover agricultural and mining heritage Historic Victor Walking Tour - Stroll through this authentic mining town
3:30 pm	Cripple Creek/Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad Return to Cripple Creek for a scenic train ride, then choose to overnight in Cripple Creek or return to Cañon City

Pro Tips

Many museums offer combination tickets for multiple attractions
Call ahead to verify seasonal hours and availability
Bring layers - mountain weather can change quickly at elevation
Download the audio tour CD for enhanced historical context (719) 689-2461

Map & Directions

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Gold in the Hotel Foundation

In March 1894, the Woods brothers were digging a foundation for the Victor Hotel when they struck a 20-inch-wide vein of gold ore. They abandoned their hotel plans and built the Gold Coin Mine instead, which eventually produced over $6 million in gold with tunnels running beneath Victor's streets.

The Shelf Road Toll

When Shelf Road opened in 1892, travelers paid tolls ranging from 30 cents for a horse and rider to $1.75 for a six-horse stagecoach. The dramatic five-mile stretch called "The Shelf" was carved into a canyon wall 200 feet above the stream bed. A trip along Shelf Road took six hours to travel upgrade and four hours to descend.