Idaho Springs Colorado: A Guide to the Fun Things to Do in This Mountain Town
Idaho Springs Colorado is just a short trip to Denver to the East and Great Skiing to the West. Downtown Idaho Springs has great restaurants and shopping. Idaho Springs has tons of hiking and public land.
Why Visit Idaho Springs
Denver, Colorado Dozens of breweries Various hiking and outdoor activities A little quirky There are so many reasons to consider a vacation in a place you might not have thought about before. But Idaho Springs might just surprise you. Sure, it’s a quick jaunt to Denver, but there’s so much more to see in this magical city. The small mountain town is famous for its pottery and for being a local mountain town. In fact, even the town name comes from pottery. The “Eskimo” word means “pottery” because of all the artists that call this place home. In fact, there are thousands of potters who make their living in Idaho Springs, and tourists flock to the town to see them and pick up some of their handmade masterpieces.
Where to Stay in Idaho Springs
Temple Hotel : This place is near the 5th Street District. The hotel has underground parking and it is centrally located. The hotel has seven different rooms, so if you have a big group or someone with family visiting you can easily combine rooms or buy a two bedroom apartment. The hotel is pet friendly. : This place is near the 5th Street District. The hotel has underground parking and it is centrally located. The hotel has seven different rooms, so if you have a big group or someone with family visiting you can easily combine rooms or buy a two bedroom apartment. The hotel is pet friendly. The Temple Hotel Website. Ruehl River Resort : A more fancy place to stay in Idaho Springs. It has apartments and hotel rooms. It is very nice and clean. The restaurants are awesome.
What to Eat in Idaho Springs
You can always grab a bite in downtown Idaho Springs. You will also see a few local businesses offering fun and delicious food at their cafes. Something unique to Idaho Springs is the Ice Cream Shop with Ice Cream in the Pudding. It is a family owned ice cream business that only uses natural ingredients, has a green interior, and serves organic ice cream. If you are craving something on the lighter side, you can stop in the Shilling Bakery and grab a meal. They have great coffee, salads, and sandwiches for the lunch rush. If you are looking for something delicious to drink, check out either the Olde Order Bakery and Roastery. They make a wide variety of good coffee drinks and sandwiches. Or check out Rooster Coffee House for an even wider range of options.
Outdoor Activities in Idaho Springs
Hiking Off Highway 40 has a great network of trail. Trails begin and end in Idaho Springs. The Vermillion Lakes trail is short and scenic. Overall, the property in Idaho Springs is great for hiking. You can also get up close to Rocky Mountain National Park at Dry Canyon. Dry Canyon Road is a short drive. Archery in Colorado Idaho Springs Archery is located in the middle of nowhere! You drive up a road for maybe 30 minutes and you’re in the middle of an archery range. You can rent your own bows and arrows, but they do have lessons as well. Mountaineering in Colorado Idaho Springs has some awesome mountaineering trails. There are two super technical climbs. The Rockies Trail is a short hike that will give you a unique experience climbing one of the local mountains.
What to See and Do in Idaho Springs
Mount Evans, 5,957 feet I’m not sure there is anything that sounds more appealing than snowshoeing up to the summit of Mount Evans. It’s the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains. There are only four road-accessible summit routes, one of which goes straight up the spine of the mountain. Bring plenty of water and warm clothes. Lots of people summit the mountain by bicycle, snowmobile or foot. The Summit Locks, 17th and 19th Streets This is the only place in Colorado where two national forests come together. You can hike along the Chestnut Gulch Trail or the Lake Catherine Trail to the Summit Locks, which were built in 1912 to allow boats to traverse the Tenmile Creek and Tenmile Creek Canyon. Take a tour of the Historic Locks and take a ride on the towboat to cross the Colorado.
Traveling from Denver to Idaho Springs
Go north of Denver and take Highway 115. You will be on your way to Idaho Springs in no time. Don’t forget to stop in Silverthorne or Beaver Creek for a short visit or a hike. Downtown Idaho Springs The iconic Idaho Springs Brewery, more commonly known as the Rodeo Barrel, is the place to check out for craft beer. The barrels date back to 1864. They are hung on the roof and after each beer, the hops are pulled out. The Beer Barrel does not brew their own beers, rather brews on order. They have something for everyone. There are more than 100 beers on tap and your can enjoy ciders as well. The Idaho Springs Brewery is open late at night and has live music most nights. The Idaho Springs Brewery 1412 Riverfront Avenue Idaho Springs, CO 80352 (303) 863-3136 Weekday Prices: $3.
Conclusion
Because we have really only scratched the surface of what is out there, the internet is absolutely overwhelming with places to explore. The truth is there are so many amazing places in Colorado that it is really impossible to do them all! I hope you found a few places that may have slipped your mind on this list. If you have any questions about any of these places feel free to post them below or leave a comment. Check out the videos below for a little deeper look at each of these towns.
