After a fun day working your way through our heart-pumping Cliffside Zipline course, you may wonder “What’s next?”. After basking in the sun on our creekside deck once you finish soaring among the treetops, make your way just a quarter mile north to Miner Street. The quaint town of Idaho Springs is actually full of things to do highlighting the old mining history of the area and beauty of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Check out the Argo Mill and Tunnel
As you drive down I-70 passing Idaho Springs, the large building displaying the word “Argo” in big, bold letters is sure to catch your eyes. It’s on the north side of the interstate and is a difficult one to miss. This building is home to tours of both the tunnel and the mill. This gold mine over the time it was it was in use processed in today’s currency and value of gold around 3 trillion dollars worth of gold ore.
Tour the Mine
Tours at the mill include starting out with a video about the origin of the mine, having the tour guides demonstrate how the mining equipment was used, working your way through the 5 stories of the mill and ending on the bottom floor with a museum displaying the mill’s artifacts. Afterwards, you can go out into the panning yard and try your hand at gold panning. You can even keep what you find if you happen to have luck finding gold. This tour definitely shows off the rich history of Idaho Springs.
Shopping
The downtown area of the Idaho Springs is full of unique shops. One of these fun shops is The Soap Shop right on the main drag. This shop includes all kinds of colorful, handcrafted soaps and other products making for great gifts. Another great place to grab something unique to take home with you is the Spice & Tea Shop. This shop is full of blends of rubs and seasonings, spices, teas, sugars and salts. If you are just looking for some Colorado souvenirs, Margie’s Place is a favorite in the area. In addition to these shops, Miner Street is lined with fun shops to check out while you’re in the area.
Mt. Evans Roadway
If after your ziplining trip you’re in the mood to get in the car and go for a cruise, The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a great option. This route goes from Idaho Springs to the peak of Mount Evans on the highest paved roadway in the United States. From this route, you might catch a glimpse of wildlife in the area such as goats or sheep. There are also trees, lakes and forests along the drive to check out, making this drive a great opportunity to pull out the camera and get some beautiful scenic shots to remember your day.
Grab a Drink at Tommyknocker Brewery
After a day out in the sun, nothing is more refreshing than a cold beverage. Tommyknocker has a wide selection of fresh brewed craft beers as well as house made root beer and crème sodas for the kids. The menu is full of bar food classics including items like nachos, chicken fingers, burgers and sandwiches. The brewery has been open since 1994 and is a can’t-miss stop when visiting Idaho Springs.
Call AVA today to set up your mountaintop zipline and fantastic day in Idaho Springs, Colorado!
