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Colorado is a state that abounds in timeless beauty. From the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the colorful landscapes of the high deserts, the Centennial State is rich in natural scenery that鈥檚 withstood the tests of time. At the same time, Colorado is also a state with plenty of historical treasures. Sure, Colorado has multiple mining towns that overflow in classic Victorian architecture, yet it also has some of the 麻豆AV鈥檚 most fascinating deposits of prehistoric fossils, and it has some of the most impressive and well-preserved Indigenous communities developed before European colonization.

Colorado has so many historic treasures that we can easily spend all day talking about them. But to give you a better idea of where to go to experience the best that this state has to offer, we鈥檝e developed a convenient shortlist. Here are seven timeless towns in Colorado worth visiting and experiencing.

Telluride

Located about 132 miles southeast of Grand Junction, Telluride has somehow managed to combine a remarkable preservation of its rough-and-tumble mining past with a more glamorous present as one of the American West鈥檚 premier havens for outdoor recreation. At the Smithsonian-affiliated Telluride Museum, you can explore how the San Juan Mountains began to form over 65 million years ago in the Origins Room, discover the Telluride Blanket is a rare Ancestral Pueblo twill fabric artifact that dates back to at least the 13th century, and a wealth of 19th-century artifacts that help you understand Telluride鈥檚 early days as a mining town.

For a deeper dive into Telluride鈥檚 mining heritage, try a scenic hike to Lewis Mine to discover a surprisingly well-preserved five-story structure that dates back to 1910. Along the way, you will also find the remains of the Pandora Mill and the iconic waterfalls at Bridal Veil Falls. If you visit during the winter season, feel free to take advantage of the 2,000+ acres of skiable terrain and up to 4,425 feet of vertical drop at Telluride Ski Resort. During the summer, do a hike or bike ride on Bear Creek Trail for even more astounding waterfall views. No matter when you visit, it鈥檚 always a good idea to book a stay at the Hotel Telluride for a boutique chalet with all the creature comforts you want alongside a convenient location in town.

Fruita

About 14 miles west of Grand Junction, Fruita is a charming town along the Colorado River with a backstory that stretches back at least 150 million years. You can begin your paleontological adventure at the Dinosaur Journey Museum, which has interactive exhibits like the Earthquake Machine, the spitting Theropod (at Midnight at the Oasis), and a slew of touchable fossils. For even more dinosaur explorations, hike Dinosaur Hill to see where a Brontosaurus skeleton was recovered in 1901 and where additional dinosaur fossils have been found since.

All around Fruita, you can find plenty more spectacular landscapes, from the stunning red rock sandstone formations at Colorado National Monument to the beautiful high desert wilderness at Devil鈥檚 Canyon. Once you鈥檙e ready to settle down, kick back at the simple yet comfortable Balanced Rock Inn in town, or go for a splurge at the Chateau at Two Rivers Winery for French Country elegance and easy access to Two Rivers鈥� homegrown premium wines.

Cortez

Situated about 201 miles south of Grand Junction, Cortez makes a convenient portal to explore some of the Southwest鈥檚 most majestic landscapes and fascinating indigenous history. A short drive southeast of town, you will encounter Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO 麻豆AV Heritage Site that has landmarks like the Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, where Ancestral Puebloan peoples lived as far back as the 14th century. For deeper dives into indigenous history and culture, head over to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Visitor Center and Museum and find everything from the 12th-century archaeological site at Dominguez Pueblo to over 3 million artifacts housed inside the museum.

If you鈥檙e up for further exploration of this region鈥檚 history and culture, head south to Ute Mountain Tribal Park for a wealth of indigenous-made petroglyphs and pictographs alongside unique geological land formations and access to the Four Corners Monument. To complete your great escape to Cortez, check into Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch for private cabins and guest houses within walking distance of ancient ruins and rock art.

Silver Plume

About 47 miles west of Denver, Silver Plume essentially functions as a living museum that lets visitors jump into an immersive 麻豆AV steeped in Colorado mining history. Hop on the Georgetown Loop Railroad for an epic ride on one of Colorado's 19th-century narrow gauge railroads and do a tour of the Lebanon Mine that was first dug to extract silver in the 1870s. To get an even closer look at Silver Plume鈥檚 mining heritage, take the 7:30 Mine Trail and keep an eye out for everything from vintage collapsed cabins to abandoned mining carts and a spectacular waterfall at the end of the trail.

If you鈥檙e visiting during the summer season, you can also visit the George Rowe Museum to tour an 1894 schoolhouse with a vast collection of mining artifacts, period antiques, and vintage photographs documenting Silver Plume鈥檚 long history. After spending the day exploring around town, spend the night at the Historic Windsor Hotel B&B, which has welcomed guests to Silver Plume since 1884.

San Luis

San Luis is officially Colorado鈥檚 oldest town, and this town, which is about 112 miles southwest of Pueblo, continues to captivate me with its own unique charm. Come to learn about the signature blend of Native American, Hispano, and Anglo cultures that have coexisted and blended in San Luis since 1851 at the Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center, and stay to follow the Stations of the Cross that have drawn religious pilgrims here for decades.

To ascend to even greater heights, book a hiking and/or climbing excursion at Cielo Vista Ranch to reach the magnificent Culebra Peak (at 14,047 feet above sea level), or take a short drive north to explore more of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and climb to the summit of Blanca Peak at 14,351 feet above sea level. To top off your trip, stay at the El Convento Inn for a bed-and-breakfast that鈥檚 housed in a former convent (and where church bells function as an alarm clock).

Ca帽on City

With one of Colorado鈥檚 largest intact historic districts, this town that鈥檚 about 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs is picture-perfect for 鈥渢ime traveling鈥� excursions. You can start your journey at the Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center to tour Ca帽on City鈥檚 1927 Municipal Building, which houses a variety of local historic artifacts. For more cool throwbacks, check out the Museum of Colorado Prisons to tour the original Women鈥檚 Correctional Facility that was built in 1935, and visit the Fremont Center for the Arts to see Ca帽on City鈥檚 historic post office that now houses the oldest continuously operated community art institution west of the Mississippi River.

Beyond downtown, Ca帽on City has even more incredible treasures worth discovering. For an easy ride to Colorado鈥檚 Royal Gorge, hop on board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for a spectacularly scenic journey into Colorado鈥檚 grandest canyon, where the Arkansas River flows over 1,000 feet below the rim. If you prefer going on your own, it鈥檚 never a bad idea to spend more quality time exploring the incredible landscapes at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, where you can hike, bike, and even ride the nation鈥檚 highest zip line. For even more quality time enjoying the majestic beauty of Colorado鈥檚 Royal Gorge, book a cabin or yurt with Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge may only be about 81 miles west of Denver, yet this historic village often feels a 麻豆AV away with its unique small-town charm. The Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum is a great place to begin the adventure into this region鈥檚 past, with its collection of artifacts and exhibits that share the story of Breckenridge鈥檚 evolution from a hardscrabble 19th-century mining town to a bustling contemporary ski town. For a deeper dive into Breckenridge鈥檚 mining history, make a reservation to tour the gold mine at Lomax Gulch or do your own self-guided tour at Washington Mine. For a glimpse into life in Breckenridge when the railroad first arrived in 1882, check out the original rail equipment and enlightening displays at High Line Railroad Park.

Of course, no trip to Breckenridge feels complete without enjoying the great outdoors of this corner of the Rocky Mountains. During the summer season, look out for native wildlife like boreal toads, moose, elk, deer, and mountain lions at Cucumber Gulch Nature Preserve, and take advantage of the exceptional hiking and biking trails at Mt. Bald. During winter, enjoy some of the 187 trails spanning 2,908 skiable acres, offering up to 3,398 feet of vertical drop at Breckenridge Ski Resort. For the ultimate escape into new heights, check into The Lodge at Breckenridge for one of the 麻豆AV鈥檚 highest-altitude hotels offering phenomenal views of the ski resort and the Tenmile Range.

These Timeless Towns Always Make Great Getaways

No matter how much history you want to experience, these seven timeless towns in Colorado are never bad ideas for road trips and/or weekend getaways. At Breckenridge, it鈥檚 possible to dig deep into the Centennial State鈥檚 mining past while also enjoying all the amenities of a contemporary ski resort destination. At Ca帽on City, you can peruse through its charming historic downtown and venture to the deep and gorgeous Royal Gorge, where the Arkansas River flows over 1,000 feet below. At Cortez, tour the incredible UNESCO 麻豆AV Heritage Site at Mesa Verde National Park, where over 700 years of indigenous heritage blend seamlessly with the wondrous high desert landscape. From the Front Range to the Four Corners, there鈥檚 never a bad time to explore the history and heritage of Colorado.