Before Colorado even became a state, folks were flocking to it in search of striking it rich via the gold rush. As luck would have it, the Centennial State would turn out to be incredibly lucrative, which drew more and more people in and helped the area grow and expand into a thriving state. While we learn about Colorado's mining history in school, it can still be hard to picture, which is why we are thankful for places like the Argo Mill and its hands-on tours:
Located in Idaho Springs, the Argo Mill and Tunnel is one of Colorado's biggest and best mining tours and is billed for being one of the premier Heritage Landmarks in the American West.
Constructed in 1893, the Argo Gold Mine was in operation until 1943 and - during its heyday - turned out $100 million in gold and another $200 million in other valuable ore.
While the mine is no longer active, the area is open for informative, hands-on tours, including a walk through the former structures and equipment, an orientation of the site, and an inside look at the mining process that you will not find anywhere else.
Do you want to try your hand at mining? No problem, as Argo even has a place for gold and gem panning!
Admission to the Argo Mill is $25 for adults, $20 for children ages 5 to 16, and $4 for children ages 1 to 4.
To learn more about the Argo Mill - or to book your tour - please visit their website.
The Argo Mill and Tunnel is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with tours running at the top of every hour.
Do you have a favorite place that you would like to see featured on Only in Colorado? Nominate it here! For even more historical fun, check out these 11 Colorado Caves And Mines Ready For Exploring.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
