If you’re planning a summer trip to Cripple Creek this summer, there are quite a few fun and exciting things you can do. This historic mining town is located at the base of Pikes Peak and is surrounded by mountains and beautiful views. It became popular about a hundred years ago when thousands of gold-seekers made their way to the town. Today, you can still seek your fortune via gaming halls and casinos. However, if you want some other activities to fill your time, you can check out shopping, hiking, and various forms of entertainment.
Summer Shopping and Gifts
Fans of shopping will not be disappointed by what this town has to offer. Here are some examples of places to go shopping during your summer trip to Cripple Creek.
9494/Shops at Silver Mine
This locally-owned store offers high-quality gifts such as accessories, jewelry, and purses. All items are made in Colorado and feature local artists and a few national brands.
Nana’s Nook
Families that are traveling to town should check out Nana’s Nook. It sells fine, fancy, and traditional baby clothes and stuffed bears. This is a great place to find your child a souvenir to help them remember your summer trip to Cripple Creek.
The Little Store
If you are looking for items that are a little more well-known, the Little Store is the place to go. They have several brands, like “Lazy Ones,” “Life is Good,” Calikind Tie-Dye,” and “American Hat Makers.” You can even find steampunk items and masks, souvenirs, and other items.
Summer Hikes
For fans of hiking, there are plenty of trails you can check out while enjoying your summer trip to Cripple Creek.
Horsethief Falls Trail
For the family who likes to hike together, the Horsethief Falls Trail is a great pick. You go through the classic Colorado forest following a creek until you eventually find Horsethief Falls. This is an easy trail all the way through to the end when you can climb the falls.
Pikes Peak From Elk Park Trailhead
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, this path that leads to an approach to Pikes Peak should work for you. This hike will take a while (roughly 23.5 miles and twelve hours) and may even require you to camp overnight and continue the next day. Therefore, you will want to book a spot at a campground before you go to ensure you have a place to stay.
Oil Creek Tunnel Trail
This 4.4-mile route is considered to be moderately challenging and will take a little over two hours on average to complete. It is a fairly popular trail, but you can find some solitude during quieter times of the day. You can even bring your dog along to hike if you want, but they must stay on a leash at all times. Make sure you have a GPS device if you take this trail because it is not always clearly marked.
Summer Games & Entertainment in Cripple Creek
If you would rather stay out of nature, there are plenty of entertainment options to choose from during your summer trip to Cripple Creek.
Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
This 45-minute train ride on a century-old steam locomotive will show you many scenic wonders as you are transported back in time to the gold mining days of Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado. The track will go south of Cripple Creek, pass the Old Midland Terminal Wye, past several historic mines, and end close to Anaconda’s deserted mining camp. Of course, you will then be brought back to Cripple Creek. During your ride, you can expect an educational and interesting narrative about the rich history of these gold towns, along with stops at points of interest and plenty of photo spots.
Cripple Creek Heritage and Information Center
If you want to know more about the interesting history of the town, the Heritage and Information Center is a must-stop. The Center has hands-on exhibits that will immerse you in the glory days of when the town was a gold camp. You can also check out exhibits that show flora and fauna, geology, and regional recreation opportunities.
Cripple Creek District Museum
At the Cripple Creek District Museum, you can go on an adventure back in time. It houses a collection of rare photos, artifacts, mineral displays (even gold), the Pinnacle headframe, western firearms, and mining memorabilia. You can also check out old mining cabins and Victorian living quarters. End your trip to the museum with a visit to the gift shop, where you can find books, rocks, and other items.
Enjoy Summer with the Best Slots and Games in Cripple Creek
A must-do during your summer trip to Cripple Creek is a visit to the Triple Crown Casinos. While there, you can partake in slots games or table games, whichever you would prefer.
Best Slots Games at The Midnight Rose
If you’re interested in hitting the slots, here are some of the best slots games at Triple Crown Casinos.
Lightning Link Slot Machine
This distinctive cabinet has four fun games to choose from. Each game shares certain features to add to the lightning link system. The free spins game is pretty popular, but you should also check out the linked progressive jackpot.
Wheel of Fortune Slot Machine
One of the most popular slot machines is Wheel of Fortune, and it has had thousands of jackpot winners. These slots pay out more than $100k in jackpots every 48 hours.
Wicked Wheel Fire Phoenix Slot Machine
The highly coveted extension of Everi’s Smokin’ Hot Stuff Wicked Wheel game has a brand new Empire Flex cabinet. This player-favorite wheel is combined with random multipliers, progressive pick bonuses, and nudges. This allows you to win more with your bet.
Tabletop Games at Triple Crown Casinos
If you’re more into tabletop games, you should consider checking out:
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Roulette
- Baccarat
Don’t Want to Drive? Use our Shuttle Bus
There are plenty of things to do on your summer trip to Cripple Creek, such as shopping, hiking, and various entertainment options. You can also check out the Triple Crown Casinos to enjoy some gambling. You can drink to your heart’s content and not have to worry because you can use Triple Crown Casino’s shuttle service to get you safely back to where you are staying.
