Do you long for a simpler time when small business was king, shop owners knew you by name, and streets were lined in brick? Think such a places no longer exist? Think again and check out these 11 lovely Colorado old town (and historic) districts perfect for a leisurely weekend stroll:
- Fort Collins Old Town Historic District
Downtown Fort Collins Facebook If Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, Fort Collins comes in at a close second, as the popular Old Town area was - in part - the inspiration for Disney’s iconic Main Street, U.S.A.! (Designer Harper Goff showed Walt Disney pictures of his beloved hometown, which Disney thought perfectly represented an All-American downtown area.)
- Crested Butte National Historic District
Downtown Crested Butte Facebook Not only is the small mountain town of 1,500 home to a number of outdoor recreation opportunities, it is also home to a picturesque downtown area, with some buildings dating back to the town’s incorporation in 1880.
- Downtown Denver Historic District
Jeffrey Beall/Wikimedia Commons Downtown Denver has the perfect mix of buildings both new and old, showing the dramatic contrast between past and modern architecture! (To see as many of these historic places as possible, follow this Historical Downtown Walking Tour.)
- Boggsville National Historic District
ERoss99/Wikimedia Commons Talk about a blast from the past; this southeast Colorado historic district depicts life on the Santa Fe Trail, even allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of such legends as Kit Carson.
- Silverton Historic District
Alex Reinhart/Wikimedia Commons Does the sight of these colorful old buildings make you think you have left 2016 for the late 1800s? That’s the point, as most of the buildings in this old downtown area were built during the days of mining.
- Georgetown-Silver Plume Historic District
Don Graham/flickr
- Historic Downtown Durango
Nick/flickr
- Historic Old Colorado City
ERoss99/Wikimedia Commons Before it was Colorado Springs, it was Colorado City; the once El Paso County seat and territorial capital that served as a resource center for eastern Colorado agriculture. Fast forward to 2016 and the vibrant area now serves locals and visitors alike with a large variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, and more.
- Downtown Sterling
Jeffrey Beall/flickr It may not be a National Historic District per se, but this Eastern Plains downtown area is still worth checking out for its old and historic buildings (and fun downtown area) that still stand today!
- Historic Downtown Salida
Flickr/Michele ONeill Located in western Colorado is the state’s largest historic district, which features not only busy shops, but a memorable walking tour, popular festivals and events, and even museums.
- Cripple Creek Historic District
David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons There is more to do in Cripple Creek than just gamble! On your next trip to the historic town, make plans to ride the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, peruse one of the many museums, or just take a stroll through the nostalgic Cripple Creek Historic District.
For even more of a blast from the past, check out The 12 Oldest Towns In Colorado… And They’re Loaded With History!
Downtown Fort Collins Facebook
If Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, Fort Collins comes in at a close second, as the popular Old Town area was - in part - the inspiration for Disney’s iconic Main Street, U.S.A.! (Designer Harper Goff showed Walt Disney pictures of his beloved hometown, which Disney thought perfectly represented an All-American downtown area.)
Downtown Crested Butte Facebook
Not only is the small mountain town of 1,500 home to a number of outdoor recreation opportunities, it is also home to a picturesque downtown area, with some buildings dating back to the town’s incorporation in 1880.
Jeffrey Beall/Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Denver has the perfect mix of buildings both new and old, showing the dramatic contrast between past and modern architecture! (To see as many of these historic places as possible, follow this Historical Downtown Walking Tour.)
ERoss99/Wikimedia Commons
Talk about a blast from the past; this southeast Colorado historic district depicts life on the Santa Fe Trail, even allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of such legends as Kit Carson.
Alex Reinhart/Wikimedia Commons
Does the sight of these colorful old buildings make you think you have left 2016 for the late 1800s? That’s the point, as most of the buildings in this old downtown area were built during the days of mining.
Don Graham/flickr
Nick/flickr
Before it was Colorado Springs, it was Colorado City; the once El Paso County seat and territorial capital that served as a resource center for eastern Colorado agriculture. Fast forward to 2016 and the vibrant area now serves locals and visitors alike with a large variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, and more.
Jeffrey Beall/flickr
It may not be a National Historic District per se, but this Eastern Plains downtown area is still worth checking out for its old and historic buildings (and fun downtown area) that still stand today!
Flickr/Michele ONeill
Located in western Colorado is the state’s largest historic district, which features not only busy shops, but a memorable walking tour, popular festivals and events, and even museums.
David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons
There is more to do in Cripple Creek than just gamble! On your next trip to the historic town, make plans to ride the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, peruse one of the many museums, or just take a stroll through the nostalgic Cripple Creek Historic District.
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