Five Must-See Landmarks In Colorado

Colorado is one of the most picturesque locations that anyone looking to travel to could ever hope to visit.  From the rugged Rocky Mountains to the old west feel of the state's leftover mining towns, and everything in between, Colorado offers something that everyone should be able to enjoy.  As famous as the state is though for outdoor recreation and natural beauty, it also has a rich and colorful past that it shows off well through the many historical sites that visitors and locals alike enjoy visiting each year.  Here is a look at five must-see landmarks in the state of Colorado.

Bent's Old Fort

In the early to mid-1800s, there was only one permanent major white settlement on the entire Santa Fe Trail, Bent's Old Fort located in Otero County, Colorado.  Anyone traveling the trail from Missouri to the Mexican settlements of the Southwest passed right by this popular and  necessary stop where travelers could get repairs done, purchase supplies and enjoy some time off the trail.  The fort was destroyed in 1849, but was later rebuilt and is now open to the public.  Bent's Old Fort provides to its visitors a great first hand look at what life was like on the Santa Fe Trail during the mid 19th century.

Central City and Black Hawk

The neighboring former gold mining camps of Central City and Black Hawk offer visitors a wonderful chance to see and experience what gold miners in mid-1800s Colorado saw and experienced.  At one time, the area was known around the nation as the "Richest Square Mile on Earth".  When the Territory of Colorado was formed in 1861, Central City was the most populous city in the whole territory and was almost named the capital before it was awarded to Denver.  The area is a popular tourist attraction as it offers not only the chance to observe a real life gold rush town, but with the recent addition of approved casinos, a great gaming and gambling opportunity as well.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

One of the highlights of traveling to Colorado is visiting the many sites that relate back to the area's earlier time as a frontier region.  One of those great sites is the Durango and Silverton Gauge Railroad.  Built in the early 1880s, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was put in place to for the purpose of carrying gold and silver that had been mined out of the San Juan Mountains.  The railroad is still in use now, but more for historical and tourism purposes.  Visitors to the railroad today get to enjoy perusing through artifacts that are more than a century old in one of two museums operated by this historical gem in Colorado.  After viewing the displays, visitors are encouraged to take a ride in these historical railroad cars, it will be one of the highlights of their visit.

Kit Carson County Carousel

Located in Burlington, Colorado, the Kit Carson County Carousel was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987.  Sometimes referred to as the Elitch Gardens Carousel, this is a great example of early American amusement attractions as it was built in 1905 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.  Visiting the carousel is a great way to get a look at days gone by in the history of tourist attractions, and also spend a fun day enjoying something really special that can not be experienced any where else.

Pikes Peak

Possibly one of the absolute most famous landmarks in the state of Colorado is Pikes Peak.  Located just ten miles west of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak stands more than 14,000 feet tall and is a popular mountain in the front range of the Rocky Mountains.  Since its discovery in the early 1800s by Zebulon Pike, many visitors to the area have been attracted to the beautiful scenery and views that can be seen from the slopes and peak of the mountain.  The mountain first came into national prominence due to the discovery of gold in the area during the 1850s, and soon thousands of adventurers came to make their fortune under the banner of "Pikes Peak or Bust".  The words to America the Beautiful were written by Katharine Lee Bates after her visit to the top of Pikes Peak in 1893.  The mountain is also famous due to the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, known by many as The Race to the Clouds, race which sees automobiles as well as motorcycles racing up the winding roads all the way to the summit.  Today people are welcome to both drive and hike their way to the top of Pikes Peak.  The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway operates year-round and allows visitors to be taken to the summit in the comfort of a rail car.  A visit to Pikes Peak will be a true unforgettable experience.

From the urban attractions available in Denver, to the outdoor recreational possibilities of the Rocky Mountains, and also the historical attractions found throughout the area, Colorado truly does offer something for everyone.  The historical aspect of Colorado though is particularly interesting with much of it pertaining to the gold rush and old west eras of the area.  A visit to Colorado is a great choice that anyone planning a trip could make.