When visiting Central City, Colorado, you’ll find plenty of things to do and see. The historic Old West town is full of beautiful architecture and historic gold mines. The town is also home to a historic opera house. You can take a tour to learn about the city’s past.
CENTRAL CITY COLORADO
If you want to experience the old west, Central City Colorado is the perfect place to visit. It has a unique history, including the gold rush. In 1859, Central City was still a pine-forested town, but soon became one of the West’s wealthiest cities. It was also home to the largest hotel in the West and a magnificent opera house. Today, the town is a fantastic destination with a charming downtown area, art galleries, hiking trails, casinos, and more.
Central City is also home to the oldest hotel in Colorado, the Historic Gilpin Hotel Museum, which traces the history of the hotel. Visitors can also explore the historic district of the town, which includes Victorian-era buildings. These attractions are perfect for people who appreciate history and architecture. You can also check out the Thomas House Museum, which contains the treasures of one family from the nineteenth century.
The city is also located in the foothills of the Front Range, a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts. There are a variety of outdoor activities available in the surrounding area, including hiking and rafting on Clear Creek. You can also enjoy fly-fishing in the nearby Chase Gulch Reservoir.
Central City, Colorado is about 45 minutes from Denver’s Union Station. It is home to the Teller House, Opera House, and Central City Parkway, as well as several historic sites. Central City is also served by the Gilpin County School District, which includes a public elementary school and high school. Although crime rates in Central City are higher than the national average, they have been decreasing in recent years.
You can take a break from sightseeing and experience the city’s history. While Central City is known for its gambling, the city is also a popular gaming destination. With six casinos within walking distance, you can find a casino that’s right for you. The Century Casino & Hotel and the Grand Z Casino & Hotel are two examples of these casinos, which offer endless gaming fun.
CENTRAL CITY BEERFEST
Beer lovers will be delighted to know that the CENTRAL CITY BEERFEST, a once-a-year event, is back this year. The event is a chance to sample hundreds of different brews from as many as 18 Colorado breweries. The event also includes live music, food vendors, and more.
While beer is not the only thing to do in Central City, you will also be able to sample handcrafted spirits at the Stills in the Hills festival. This event, which takes place on Main Street, is free and open to the public. You can sample local craft brews and enjoy live music and entertainment.
Another popular event is the WhiskyX Denver. This festival showcases the city’s ever-changing architecture and attracts architecture enthusiasts. The festival will feature live music and entertainment, a food truck village, and free beard trims. There will also be a concert featuring the Central City Opera singers.
The Central City Opera House opened in 1878. The town grew to a population of ten thousand people in just two months after the discovery of the “Gregory Lode” in 1859. Between 1861 and 1863, Central City recorded two hundred and twenty-seven fist fights and 97 revolver fights, eleven Bowie knife fights, and one dog fight. This city has a rich history and is known as the “Richest Square Mile” in Colorado.
CENTRAL CITY OPERA HOUSE
If you are visiting Central City Colorado and looking for things to do, a visit to the Central City Opera House is an ideal option. This theater is housed in a National Historic Landmark District, and its history dates back to 1878. In that year, Central City’s community of Cornish and Welsh miners organized fundraisers to build a new opera house. The community enlisted the help of Denver architect Robert S. Roeschlaub, and San Francisco painter John C. Massman to help them design the structure.
Built in 1878, the Central City Opera House is one of the oldest professional opera companies in the country. The 550-seat opera house offers an intimate theater experience. Tickets can be purchased through the Central City Opera’s website. The company also performs at other venues in Central City.
During the summer months, you can take in a musical production at the Central City Opera House. The venue is a beautiful space, and every seat has an excellent view of the production. In fact, this theater is one of the 21 most beautiful theaters in the U.S.
One of the things to do in Central City is to visit the city’s art galleries. The town is home to the Gilpin County Arts Association, which operates an art gallery in the historic Washington Hall, which is located across from the Central City Opera House. The galleries feature paintings, pottery, ceramics, and photographs. Additionally, the gallery has wood crafts and jewelry for sale.
When visiting Central City Colorado, don’t miss the opportunity to see one of the most spectacular shows in the state. The Central City Opera House is an absolute show stopper. The performances are world-class, and the staff is committed to artistic excellence.
CENTRAL CITY’S HISTORY
Throughout its history, Central City has been home to a variety of cultural institutions. It was once the richest square mile on earth and boasted a thriving theater scene. As the gold mining industry declined, Central City’s theaters fell on hard times. By 1882, its opera house was in serious financial trouble, but survived by hosting boxing matches and minstrel shows. Today, Central City hosts an annual summer festival with top performers.
In 1857, Central City was a bustling trading center and was competing with Garnett for the county seat. At the time, the Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston Railroad was considering crossing the Central City Flats to serve the region. However, the railroad changed its plans and instead ran over the bluffs north of Garnett. This was unfortunate for Central City, but it had the potential to become a thriving town.
Central City had two major floods in 1893 and 1895. Both floods killed many miners. In 1893, the Americus Mine and Sleepy Hollow Mine flooded. In 1895, the city lost fourteen miners. A year later, the town became a popular tourist destination.
In the 1860s, mining for gold was extremely difficult. The depth of the ore impacted the efficiency of extraction. As a result, only about a third of the gold was recovered. Additionally, the Civil War and numerous Indian attacks on wagon trains affected the economy. Fortunately, the Central City Opera House Association began holding summer festivals and brought new life to Central City.
The town’s first public building was the Central City Hotel, a two-story building. It was built on Humboldt Road and operated for several years. It was a popular business for the area. A Methodist church also held services in the building for a few years. Today, the building is owned by the Central City Grange.
CENTRAL CITY’S RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
If you are looking for a fun family outing, you should consider the recreation opportunities available in Central City. These venues provide many benefits to the local community. Recreation activities in Central City are not limited to sports, but include everything from cultural events to learn to ski and snowboard programs.