History Colorado's Steve Turner on This State's Coolest Sites and Sights

While exploring what makes Colorado cool, we checked in with Steve Turner, the state preservationist who was named director of History Colorado this summer; he has a vast appreciation of Colorado’s past and present, while also looking to the state organization’s future. Asked for some of his favorite spots, Turner said that he’d recently taken his sister and brother-in-law on a road trip that looped through Glenwood Springs and Aspen, and that they were blown away just by the beauty of the stretch of the interstate that passes through Glenwood Canyon. But there are many, many more places around the state that put the cool in Colorado. Here are some of Turner’s top picks, in alphabetical order.


Air Force Academy Chapel
Colorado Springs
Built in 1962, this iconic building in the Brutalist style is a world-famous example of modern architecture.

Antlers Cafe and Bar
Yampa 
The Antlers Cafe was built between 1904 and 1906. It started as a saloon and became a pool hall during Prohibition, giving the Antlers a rich history worth celebrating.

Atlas Missile Site
Weld County
The Atlas Missile Site, where nuclear warhead Atlas E missiles were constructed during the Cold War, is today a park owned by Weld County and a popular tourist destination.
Beckwith Ranch
Westcliffe
This ranch was built from logs in 1869 but expanded into a “mansion” by 1880. Now restored, its signature red roofs and mountain views make it a popular event center.

Bent’s Fort
La Junta
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site features a reconstructed 1840s fur-trading post on the Santa Fe Trail where traders, trappers and Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes could peacefully gather and trade. Today the fort houses tours, demonstrations and special events.
Brick Streets
Trinidad
Trinidad’s streets are made of red bricks stamped with “TRINIDAD,” manufactured locally in the early part of the twentieth century. They complement the city’s beautiful brick buildings.
Brown Palace Atrium: The stunning Brown Palace Hotel features an incredibly ornate and historic atrium where you can grab a cocktail or enjoy high tea in downtown Denver.

Bucksnort Saloon
Pine
The Bucksnort Saloon is a historic Colorado watering hole not far from Arapahoe National Forest. It’s famous for its authentic Old West style and half-pound Buck burger.
Burlington Carousel, Burlington: Also known as the Kit Carson County Carousel, this is a preserved and still-active carousel built in 1905. Intricately designed steeds, artwork and artifacts make this community treasure a true piece of art.

Cano’s Castle
Antonito
Built out of recycled aluminum, Cano’s Castle features five structures that show off its unique construction materials: wire, hubcaps, grills, doors, bike parks, beer cans and more. The eccentric owner claims that Jesus Christ has been living in the building since 1987 and that he is trying to convince him to go meet the president.

Chautauqua
Boulder
Opened in 1898, Chautauqua Boulder originally served as a cultural and educational retreat for Texas teachers. It’s been in use as a cultural site and event space ever since, and has a rich history of intellectual retreats, education and music performances.
Cherokee Ranch and Castle
Sedalia
This historic building is reminiscent of a 1450s Scottish castle, with walls made out of stone. Cherokee Ranch hosts cultural events every month.

Colorado National Monument
Fruita
Plateaus, canyons, wildlife and more are just some of natural wonders at this national monument.

Coney Island Hot Dog Stand
Bailey
This 1950s-style diner shaped like a giant hot dog with toppings has changed locations and hands, but it remains a landmark on U.S. 285.

Conundrum Creek Trail
Aspen
Conundrum Creek Trail is a challenging hike that starts in Aspen and ends at Conundrum Hot Springs. The trail is known for its incredible views of meadows, forests and abundant wildlife.
Crystal Mill
Marble
A well-known 1892 powerhouse above the Crystal River, the Crystal Mill still stands, one of the most photographed sites in Colorado. It is accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles or ATVs.

Gagliano’s Italian Market
Pueblo
Established in 1921 by Joseph and Carmela Gagliano, Gagliano’s Italian Market is a still-bustling neighborhood Italian grocery store that today attracts visitors from around the world who are shopping for authentic Italian foods and pastries.
Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is a popular vacation spot known for its history, location and natural hot springs. Tourists visit year-round to enjoy many of the natural and historical features of this Old West town.

Georgetown Loop Railroad
Georgetown to Silver Plume
This historic stretch of track still makes runs for tourists interested in incredible mountain and forest views, from Georgetown up to a set of former silver mines. This is an official History Colorado attraction (see more below).

Glen Eyrie
Colorado Springs 
A stunning castle nestled in the mountains, Glen Eyrie was built by General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs. Today it functions as a meeting place, event center and spiritual retreat.
   Gondola Ride
Telluride
This free transport ferries skiers and locals alike between historic Telluride and Mountain Village, offering stunning views.

Hanging Flume
Montrose County
An incredible feat of engineering, the Flume was used to divert water to several mining claims. What remains is still preserved for its historic importance.

Howelsen Hill
Steamboat Springs
Howelsen Hill is the oldest continually operating ski area in Colorado, open since 1915. It’s known around the world for its natural ski-jumping complex, which has been the training ground of more than 79 Olympians.

La Vega Commons
San Luis Valley
La Vega is a stretch of communal grazing ground, used as such since 1863 by farmers across seven villages. The grounds remain undeveloped and uncultivated.

Manitou Incline
Manitou Springs
Located just outside Colorado Springs, the Manitou Incline was originally built as a cable car to carry materials to build pipelines on Pikes Peak. Today the Manitou Incline is a popular and challenging hike that climbs 2,000 vertical feet.

Million Dollar Highway
Silverton to Ouray
U.S. Highway 550, the “Million Dollar Highway,” runs from Silverton to Ouray for 25 miles. The ride can be thrilling — if not outright dangerous for those not paying attention — with sharp curves, steep cliffs, no guardrails and incredible views.

Mr. Brown’s Attic
State Capitol
Located on the third floor of the State Capitol, Mr. Brown’s Attic features an exhibit on Colorado’s early history, the Capitol’s construction and the legislature, with an interactive space for children.

Petrified Wood Filling Station
Lamar
This former filling station is made out of petrified wood that has turned to stone. The amazing building is currently home to a tire shop and car dealership.
Red Cliff Bridge
Red Cliff
U.S. Highway 24 crosses over Eagle River at this point. The steel bridge — also known as the Eagle River Bridge and the Silver Bridge — was built in 1940 in often below-freezing temperatures, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Red Rocks
Morrison
A world-famous concert venue sits at the heart of a series of hiking trails and scenic views of both the Front Range mountains and the Denver metro area.
Redstone Castle
Redstone
This castle was built of hand-cut stone blocks in the style of an English Tudor and used as a wealthy man’s hunting retreat — built in a town that was once a utopian workers’ retreat.

Skyline Drive
Cañon City
This scenic road runs up a razorback ridge and overlooks Cañon City, just off U.S. Highway 50 on the west side of the town. At the top are dinosaur tracks embedded in the cliff face, complete with interpretive signage. The arch features stones from all fifty states.

Trujillo Homesteads
Hooper
The Trujillo Homesteads were often at the center of racial and cultural clashes between Anglo-Americans and the Hispano-American owners. They’re located inside the Nature Conservancy’s Zapata Ranch in Hooper, close to the Great Sand Dunes.

Wright Opera House
Ouray
A preserved 1888 opera house that remains a center for the arts for the Ouray area.

Keep reading to find out where you can learn more about Colorado's coolest sites.

And the rest is history:  Although Steve Turner modestly avoided listing History Colorado’s sites, they’re all can’t-miss spots for anyone exploring Colorado. These are the state-owned community museums; you can find more information on all of them at historycolorado.org.

History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway
303-HISTORY
This stunning, David Tryba-designed building opened in 2012, and the inlaid map of Colorado in the atrium continues to wow visitors with its trip-back-in-time design. The facility hosts permanent and visiting exhibits and a regular roster of events, and serves as home base for all History Colorado programs.

Byers-Evans House Museum
1310 Bannock Street
303-620-4933
The Byers-Evans House was home to two prominent Denver families and is one of the city’s most historic landmarks. Built in 1883, it has been restored to the period between 1912 and 1924. 

El Pueblo History Museum
301 North Union, Pueblo
719-583-0453
El Pueblo History Museum showcases the city’s history and the region’s many cultural and ethnic groups. The property includes a re-created 1840s adobe trading post and plaza and the archeological excavation site of the original 1842 El Pueblo trading post. The museum also hosts many groundbreaking temporary exhibits and programs.

Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
29477 Highway 159, Fort Garland
719-379-3512
Fort Garland was once commanded by legendary frontiersman Kit Carson, and the garrison protected the earliest settlers in the San Luis Valley. From the fort, you can visit Pike’s Stockade, where Zebulon Pike and his men camped in the early 1800s as they explored the area.

Fort Vasquez Museum
13412 U.S. Highway 85, Platteville
970-785-2832
The site of an 1835 fur-trading fort founded by Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette on the South Platte River: history right by the highway.

Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park
646 Loop Road, Georgetown
1-888-456-6777
The Georgetown Loop was built in 1884 and is now owned by History Colorado, which contracts with a company to run the train between Georgetown and Silver Plume. There are parks, information booths and shopping opportunities at both ends.

Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin
912 Harrison Street, Leadville
719-486-0487
Fortunes were made and lost in Leadville, the country’s highest town. The Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin both hold a wealth of historic and scenic treasures of this storied mining town.

Trinidad History Museum
312 East Main Street, Trinidad
719-846-7217
The museum features several attractions in one block of the acclaimed historic district of this old mining town.

Ute Indian Museum
17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose
Closed for renovation
This museum has one of the most complete collections of Ute Indian artifacts in the nation. It’s currently closed while undergoing a major upgrade.