6 Places Where You Can Still Experience Old Colorado

What better way to begin this list than with a nostalgic Colorado attraction that actually has the word "old" in its title?! Once its own designated town, Old Colorado City is now a Colorado Springs neighborhood that is home to its original 1800s architecture, unique shopping, delicious dining options, and a number of must-see art galleries.

For a real Old West experience, there is no beating Old Town, Burlington; an early 1900s replica complete with 21 fully-restored buildings (including a working soda fountain, jail, and manor house), can-can dancers, and even places to shop! As if this wasn't reason enough to visit, located just down the road from Old Town is the historic Kit Carson County Carousel, which was originally manufactured in 1905 for Elitch Gardens and is still in operation.

Located just outside of La Junta is the Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site; Colorado's first ever National Historic Landmark, which was built in 1833 and was once the only major white American settlement on the Santa Fe Trail between Missouri and Mexico.

Talk about a blast from the past! Incorporated in 1892 as a mining town, Cripple Creek still pays homage to its rich mining history, thanks to its namesake Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, original 1880s architecture, and such attractions as the old Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum. In addition to its historic attractions, Cripple Creek is also a Colorado go-to for gambling, so if you visit, be sure to set aside a little time to test your luck!

Is all of this history-making you hungry? Me too, so what better place to dine than at Colorado's original steakhouse, the Buckhorn Exchange?! Established in 1893 by Buffalo Bill scout band member Henry H. "Shorty Scout" Zietz, the Buckhorn Exchange was at one time the go-to for miners, ranchers, and Indian Chiefs, and still serves some of the best home-cooked meals in the Centennial State.

Back in the 1800s and early 1900s, trading posts were one of the few places that Coloradans were able to shop (can you imagine not having Amazon or Target?!), which can still be somewhat experienced at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Established in 1900, the old trading post was the region's go-to for Native American-made goods and is now billed as being "Colorado's largest gift shop and southwest art gallery."