leadville

Location: 100 miles southwest of Denver on Colorado 91/U.S. 24
Elevation: 10152, Population: 2821

Not everyone came to Colorado seeking gold. Other minerals played an important part in the state's history, as you'll discover in Leadville - at 10,000 feet, North America's highest incorporated city.

Leadville was home to H.A.W. Tabor, who became almost as famous for leaving his wife and marrying a younger woman as for discovering one of the richest silver strikes in the state. His second wife, Baby Doe Tabor, became the stuff of legends - there's even an opera about her.

Leadville was such an influential boom town, it narrowly missed being named Colorado's capital city at its peak. Well preserved Leadville has 70 square city blocks of Victorian buildings, all part of a designated National Historic Landmark District, along with 20 square miles of preserved mining district. More than 50 buildings date back to the 1870s, including the Tabor Opera House.

The town's top historic hotel, the Delaware, offers a quirky but comfortable stay; it's also a good place to dine, though there are a dozen good restaurants in the area.

In winter, head out to Ski Cooper, a great affordable family ski area; in summer, catch a ride on the Colorado, Leadville & Southern Railroad excursion. And don't miss the National Mining Museum, a truly fascinating look at the powerful industry - and all the metals - that helped build the state.

Source: Colorado.com

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