34 Fun Things to Do in Leadville (for First Timers)
👉 Jump to: Best Things | In Winter | Food & Drink | Museums & Cultural | In Summer
I’m a Colorado local with insights into the absolute best things to do in Leadville — no matter what season you’re visiting!
This guide shares popular activities for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and many other interests. I also share my personal favorites so you can get the authentic experience whether you’re visiting for a day or lodging at one of the best places to stay in Leadville.
Affiliate Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!
Best Things to Do in Leadville
Downtown Leadville
Go antiquing and browse the boutiques.
Harrison is the main street in Leadville, one of Colorado’s best mountain towns. You can spend hours browsing its large antique mall and souvenir shops. Grab a meal or sweet treat, and enjoy fun places like a paint-your-own pottery studio if the weather outside is bad.
Wandering downtown will help you realize why Leadville is one of the best places to visit in Colorado.
Leadville National Fish Hatchery
See hundreds of fish that stock waters all throughout Colorado.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-0189 | Website | Hours: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free
The fish hatchery is one of the most fun things to do in Leadville with kids! Here, fish are raised to stock lakes all over Colorado. You can buy fish food for a quarter, which is worth it! There’s also an easy nature trail for families and hiking trails with access to Mt. Massive and the Colorado Trail.
Mount Elbert
Hike to the summit of Colorado’s tallest mountain.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-0749 | Website
Hiking a 14er is definitely one of those must-do things in Colorado, and Mount Elbert is a great one to tackle. Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
The views and the hike through the San Isabel National Forest are definitely worth it, but this is a serious undertaking. You’ll climb almost 4,500 feet in 5 miles to get to the top.
The Tabor Opera House
See a concert and experience old Leadville glamor.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-8409 | Website | Hours: event times vary
You can take in a concert or enjoy a tour at the Tabor Opera House, which was once considered the finest theater between St. Louis and San Francisco. The theater is undergoing a multi-year renovation that hopes to bring it back to its former glory.
National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum
Learn an important part of Colorado’s history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-1229 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat; 9 am – 4 pm Sun | Entrance: $15, adults, Free for 6 and under
This small-town museum is surprisingly impressive, with replica mining tunnels, a running model train display, dioramas, and other exhibits to teach you about Colorado’s mining history. This self-guided tour is one I highly recommend experiencing.
Leadville, Colorado, and Southern Railroad
Take a scenic train ride through a beautiful forest.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (866) 386-3936 | Website | Tickets: $59, adults, $36 under 12, 3 and under free
On one of the best train rides in Colorado, you’ll get gorgeous views of the San Isabel National Forest and the Arkansas River Valley. The Southern Railroad also has a Holiday Express train in winter, and the fall rides with autumn foliage are one of the most amazing things to do in Leadville!
Things to Do in Leadville In Winter
Skiing and Snowboarding
Take to the slopes and ski through deep powder.
📍 Google Maps: Ski Cooper, Copper Mtn | Phone: Ski Cooper – (719) 486-2277; Copper Mtn – (866) 656-1546 | Ski Cooper Website; Copper Mtn Website | Lift Tickets: Ski Cooper – $45-110, adults, $35 under 14; Copper Mtn – $99-169, adults, $84-119 under 13
Come wintertime, skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular things to do near Leadville! For its affordable and family-friendly atmosphere, Ski Cooper is our favorite spot and ranks as one of the best ski resorts close to Denver.
Copper Mountain has a wider amount of terrain and is better for those seeking a more upscale experience. It, too, is one of the best ski resorts in Colorado.
Tennessee Pass Nordic Center
Snowshoe or cross-country ski on snowy trails.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-1750 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Trail Pass: $25, adults, $18 under 13
Tennessee Pass Nordic Center has rentals plus groomed, well-marked trails. It’s next to Ski Cooper, so if some of your party want to downhill and some want to cross-country ski, everyone’s happy!
Ice Fishing
Try this unique sport by visiting some of Colorado’s largest glacial lakes.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 1-Day Fishing License: $19.97, non-resident adults, free under 16
Nearby Twin Lakes is a popular place for ice fishing, and all the shanties on the lake look like a small town in winter! Turquoise Lake and Crystal Lake are also great ice fishing options nearby.
Dog Sledding
Experience adorable, exciting fun.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-9899 | Website | Hours: Call For Reservations | Group Tours: $175+, adults, $150+ under 9 | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
For a truly out-of-the-box experience, try dog sledding! You’ll get great scenery and, of course, adorably fluffy dogs.
Dutch Henry Hill
Tube or sled downhill and enjoy the thrilling ride!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-8210 | Website | Hours: Dawn to Dusk Daily | Tube Rental Fees: $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents
This local hill is groomed for sledding and tubing, and is one of the fun, cheap things to do in Leadville! Bring your own sled and slide fre, or rent a tube for $10.
Huck Finn Ice Rink
Skate around the highest ice rink in Colorado.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 839-5476 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 8 pm Mon, Tue, Thu; 4 pm – 9 pm Wed-Fri; 12 pm – 9 pm Sat; 12 pm – 6 pm Sun | Entrance: $5, adults, $4 youths
⚠️ Closure Note: This attraction is temporarily closed.
Skate at the highest man-made rink in Colorado! You can bring food and drinks to eat off the rink, but there’s a snack bar as well as hockey equipment and a fire pit.
Food & Drink in Leadville
The Silver Dollar Saloon
Grab a drink where the famous once did.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 470-2368 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 12 am Wed – Sat, 12 pm – 10 pm Sun – Tues
This historic bar has hosted Doc Holiday, the Unsinkable Molly Brown, Oscar Wilde, and other famous drinkers. It’s worth looking up the history of the saloon before stopping in so you know what you’re seeing!
The original mahogany bar is gorgeous, and the drinks are good (ask me how I know…)!
Before & After
Get coffee to start your day, or a cocktail to end it!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 427-9519 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily
Pop into Before & After in the morning for coffee (spiked or not … your choice!). They also have pastries and breakfast burritos. At night, come back for imaginative cocktails and small bites to wind down. There are also specials on different days of the week (Pad Thai Night is a local favorite!)
Treeline Kitchen
Get dinner indoors or relax with a drink around the firepit.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 293-2200 | Website | Hours: 3:30 pm – 9 pm Wed – Sun
The Treeline Kitchen is a popular dinner spot that has creative cocktails and a delicious dinner menu. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options for diners, and the appetizers and desserts are definitely worth an order!
Zero Day Coffee
Sip unfussy, delicious coffee and browse the gear shop in back!
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 2 pm Mon & Wed – Sat, closed Tue & Sun
It’s probably no surprise that a town that gets as much snow as Leadville has an amazing number of delicious coffee shops! Zero Day serves up great-tasting coffee without too much fuss. They also have breakfast burritos and donuts. Be sure to browse the outdoor gear room in the back and check out the local artwork on the walls.
Quincys Steak & Spirits
Enjoy a straightforward steak dinner.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-9765 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm daily
Quincys is a tasty steakhouse with a somewhat unusual menu. Sunday through Thursday, you get filet mignon. On weekends, it’s prime rib. That’s it for steak choices. But that one cut is darn tasty, and comes with a roll, a baked potato, and a salad. It’s a straight-up, basic steak dinner that’s better tasting and delivered to your table fast because no one’s wasting time with any changes.
There is also a vegetarian lasagna and a mac & cheese option for the non-carnivores.
High Mountain Pies
Tasty pizza for an easy meal.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-5555 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm daily
This is our go-to when we’re headed to the mountains on a Friday and we just need to get everyone fed when we arrive. The pizza is obviously great anytime, but call ahead from I-70 or after a day of skiing. Order a deluxe pizza and some breadsticks to have waiting for you when you get to town. You can thank me later.
Leadville Museums & Cultural Attractions
The Matchless Mine
Tour this site to get a glimpse into Leadville’s history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-1229 | Website | Entrance: $15, guided tour, $10 unguided tour
The tale of Horace and Baby Doe Tabor is a scandalous and fascinating one. The Matchless Mine produced $7.5 million worth of silver, yet in the end, Baby Doe froze to death, penniless and alone. Learn more about the history of the couple, and the history of Leadville on this tour.
Melanzana
Join thru-hikers in shopping for must-have outdoor gear.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-3245 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily, by appointment only
I’ve heard stories of thru-hikers walking off the Colorado Trail and straight to Melanzana to stock up before continuing their hike. The store sells handmade outdoor gear that’s loved for its moisture-wicking, lightweight goodness. You can pop into the store to see a small selection of items, or book an appointment to shop their full line of products.
Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin
Learn about old-time Leadville at one of the town’s best history museums.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-0487 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sat; 10 am – 3:30 pm Sun; closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $10, adults, free under 19
You can tour this mansion, which was once a boarding house and the place to socialize in Leadville. Dexter’s Cabin nearby is an 1879 log cabin built by one of Colorado’s first millionaires.
Hopemore Underground Mine Tour
Experience one of the last underground mine tours in Colorado.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-0301
This is one of the last underground mine tours in the state. Owner Bob Calder leads people 600 feet underground in a mining shaft cage to get a feel for what work was like for a miner. Tours last about an hour and Bob demonstrates old mining equipment and tells tales of Leadville’s history.
The Leadville Heritage Museum
Learn about Leadville’s famed Ice Palace and the 10th Mountain Division’s amazing feats.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-1878 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 2 pm Mon-Tues, Fri-Sat
The Leadville Heritage Museum is housed in the former Carnegie Library, near the entrance to downtown Leadville. It features a scale replica of the Leadville Ice Palace. This legendary structure was the largest ice structure ever built at the time! You’ll also find an assay office, Victorian-era furnishings, and 10th Mountain Division memorabilia.
Temple Israel Museum
See a historic frontier synagogue.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 709-7050 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free
Temple Israel was built in 1884. It is open to the public and has about 300 artifacts teaching about Leadville’s Jewish history.
Lake County Public Library
Browse new releases or learn about old history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-0569 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Mon – Wed, 10 am – 5 pm Thurs & Fri, 12 pm – 4 pm Sat, Closed Sun
You can browse the latest bestsellers at the library, but they also have storytimes both in the building and sometimes at spots around Leadville. If you’re interested in local history, make an appointment to see the non-circulating collection in the gorgeous Leadville Room.
Things to Do In Summer
Independence Pass
Take a scenic drive featuring amazing views and interesting stops.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Best from sunrise to sunset
Independence Pass runs from Twin Lakes to Aspen. This scenic drive is one of the best things to do in Colorado. The Grottos Trail is definitely worth a visit, and Maroon Bells in Aspen is an awesome destination!
Mayflower Gulch Trail
Hike an old mining route and see the structures that remain.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 458-8386 | Website | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Mayflower Gulch Trail leads to one of Colorado’s best ghost towns. It rises from 10,990 to 12,000 feet and follows a Boston Mining Company route.
Mining cabins are located along the scenic path. There are also wildflowers in summer, and lovely fall foliage beginning in early September, along with beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains.
Interlaken Historic Resort
Hike to the remains of a historic hotel.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 553-1400 | Website
Interlaken Resort was a popular mountain hotel in the late 1800s. Now, you can see some of the buildings on the site. You also get beautiful views of Twin Lakes and the mountains. The hike is easy – 4.6 miles out and back with a few hills.
Hagerman Tunnel Trail
Trek along an old railroad bed in the San Isabel National Forest.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 553-1400 | Website
Follow a railroad bed on this 7-mile hike, which ends at what was once the highest railroad tunnel in the world. You’ll hike through the San Isabel National Forest and pass several lakes along with seeing beautiful mountain views.
Mineral Belt Trail
Peddle or walk your way through Leadville.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Mineral Belt Trail runs 11.6 miles through Leadville, and you can pick it up anywhere in town including at the Dutch Henry Trailhead.
About six miles of the trail pass through the historic mining district and you can see remnants of mining equipment and mines. Bike, run, or walk the trail in summer, and snowshoe or cross-country ski in winter.
Begin the trail near the library to find panels displaying children’s stories that you can read as you walk
Fishing
Hook a big one!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 739-7000 | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset | Entrance: free
There are tons of places to fish, and it’s one of the great things to do in Leadville! Hayden Meadows Recreation Area is a great spot for kids, and we’ve never not caught a fish there. You can also fish at Turquoise or Twin Lakes, or try fly fishing the Arkansas River.
Paddle Sports
Rent a paddleboard or kayak and get out on the water!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 420-0200 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Fri – Mon, 10 am – 5 pm Tue, 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Thu | Rentals: Starting at $35
Getting out on the water is unquestionably one of the best things to do in Leadville. There are several lakes where you can paddleboard and kayak near Leadville.
If you need a board or kayak, check out Twin Lakes SUP & Cycle. They supply boards and bikes to Turquoise Lake, along with Twin Lakes. They also have a variety of other rental accessories, including bikes and fishing gear.
Tenderfoot Farm
Snag some farm-fresh eggs and visit the fainting goats.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 406 0205 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm every day
Tenderfoot Farm has two locations of interest. One is a farm store in the town of Twin Lakes. It sells fresh eggs, pasture-raised meat, salsas, gifts, coffee, and other farm goods. It’s an easy stop if you’re headed to Independence Pass or plan on spending a day on the lake.
The original Tenderfoot Farm is in Balltown, about 10 minutes from Twin Lakes. You can see the farm area and hang out with the fainting goats (our favorite). But watch out — they may try to eat your shoes! Call ahead if you’d like to arrange a farm tour.
Top of the Rockies Ziplines
Zip through gorgeous scenery.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 486-7354 | Website | Hours: Call to make reservations | Zipline Tickets: $150, adults; $125, children under 13, other adventure packages available
You can zipline year-round at the Top of the Rockies! In spring and summer, you can zipline or combine that with a train trip. In winter, you can zipline and take a snowmobile tour.
****
Thanks for reading this guide on the best places to visit in Leadville! For more travel inspiration, see our guide to the best hot springs in Colorado (including some just a short drive from here!)
