Leadville
America’s highest incorporated city at 10,152 feet.
Table of Contents
- What It Is
- Getting There
- The Town
- Attractions
- The Baby Doe Tabor Story
- Eating & Drinking
- Altitude Warning
- Sample Itinerary
- Side Trip: Twin Lakes
- Shopping
- Practical Information
- Leadville vs. Other Day Trips
What It Is
Leadville sits at 10,152 feet elevation, making it the highest incorporated city in the United States. Once a silver mining boomtown with a population rivaling Denver’s, Leadville retains its Victorian character and Wild West history while offering a unique high-altitude experience.
Why Visit
- Elevation bragging rights – Highest city in America
- History – One of Colorado’s most storied mining towns
- Architecture – Victorian buildings, authentic frontier character
- Mountain views – Surrounded by Colorado’s highest peaks
- Quirky Americana – Museums, shops, local character
- Different perspective – Higher than Eleven Mile, different landscape
Getting There
From Eleven Mile: ~60 miles, ~1.5 hours
- Head north toward Hartsel on County Road 59
- Connect to US-24 West
- Continue through Buena Vista
- Follow US-24 to Leadville
Alternative route via Fairplay:
- West to Fairplay on US-285
- North on CO-9
- West on US-24 to Leadville
Route Highlights
Both routes offer spectacular scenery:
- South Park basin grasslands
- Arkansas River valley
- Mountain passes
- Views of 14ers (14,000+ foot peaks)
The Town
Harrison Avenue (Main Street)
The historic main drag features:
- Victorian storefronts
- Saloons with original bars
- Antique shops
- Local restaurants
- Mining memorabilia
- Art galleries
Walk the avenue to absorb the atmosphere. Many buildings date to the 1880s.
Notable Buildings
| Building | Note |
|---|---|
| Tabor Opera House | 1879, once hosted Oscar Wilde |
| Delaware Hotel | 1886, still operating |
| Tabor Grand Hotel | Historic luxury |
| Annunciation Church | Beautiful high-altitude church |
| Various Victorian homes | Residential architecture tour |
Attractions
National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum
What: Comprehensive mining history museum Time needed: 1–2 hours Best for: History buffs, curious kids Features: Mining equipment, mineral displays, local history
Healy House Museum
What: Restored Victorian home Time needed: 30–60 minutes Best for: Architecture and history fans Features: Period furnishings, guided tours
Tabor Opera House
What: Historic 1879 opera house Time needed: 30–60 minutes (tours available) Best for: Theater and history enthusiasts Features: Beautiful interior, fascinating stories
Matchless Mine
What: Historic silver mine Location: Just outside town Time needed: 1 hour Best for: Mining history, the Baby Doe story Note: Tours available seasonally
Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad
What: Historic narrow-gauge railroad Duration: 2.5-hour scenic ride Best for: Train enthusiasts, families, scenic views Route: Follows historic mining route through mountains
The Baby Doe Tabor Story
Leadville’s most famous tale: Horace Tabor struck it rich, divorced his wife for the beautiful Baby Doe, lost everything in the silver crash, and died broken. Baby Doe famously froze to death in a shack at the Matchless Mine decades later, never leaving despite poverty.
It’s tragedy, romance, and American dreaming all wrapped up in one Colorado story. The Matchless Mine tour tells it in detail.
Eating & Drinking
Recommended Spots
| Place | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Pass Café | Breakfast/Lunch | Local favorite, great breakfast |
| Quincy’s | Bar & Grill | Casual, good food |
| Silver Dollar Saloon | Historic bar | Old West atmosphere |
| Casa Blanca | Mexican | Solid, reasonable |
| Treeline Kitchen | American | Elevated comfort food |
Historic Bars
Leadville has saloons that haven’t changed much since the 1880s. The Silver Dollar Saloon features an actual silver dollar bar. Even if you don’t drink, stepping into these spaces is a time warp.
Altitude Warning
10,152 Feet
Leadville is 1,500 feet higher than Eleven Mile. If anyone in your party struggled with altitude at camp, they’ll feel it more in Leadville.
What to expect:
- Increased breathlessness
- Faster heart rate
- Potential headache
- Fatigue from walking
Mitigation:
- Don’t rush around town
- Stay hydrated
- Keep visit moderate in length
- Have vehicle ready for rest breaks
Sample Itinerary
Half-Day Leadville (4–5 hours including drive)
8:00 AM: Depart Eleven Mile 9:30 AM: Arrive Leadville, park on Harrison Avenue 9:45 AM: Walk main street, browse shops 10:30 AM: Visit National Mining Hall of Fame (1 hour) 11:30 AM: Coffee/snack break 12:00 PM: Lunch at Tennessee Pass Café 1:00 PM: Drive by Matchless Mine or additional wandering 1:30 PM: Depart for Eleven Mile 3:00 PM: Return to camp
Full-Day Leadville
Add:
- Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad trip (2.5 hours)
- Tabor Opera House tour
- Extended museum time
- Side trip to Twin Lakes (beautiful mountain lake nearby)
Side Trip: Twin Lakes
Location: 20 miles south of Leadville What: Beautiful mountain lake beneath Mt. Elbert (Colorado’s highest peak) Activities: Scenic viewing, short walks, photography Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Twin Lakes provides a spectacular photo opportunity and a different landscape from Eleven Mile—high alpine scenery with 14ers as backdrop.
Shopping
What to Buy
- Mining memorabilia – Authentic pieces from local history
- Minerals and gems – Colorado specimens
- Western antiques – Furniture, tools, decorations
- Local art – Mountain and mining themes
- Souvenirs – “Highest city in America” gear
Notable Shops
- Various antique stores on Harrison Avenue
- Mining-themed gift shops
- Local artisan galleries
Practical Information
Timing
- Depart by 8–9 AM for comfortable morning arrival
- Return by mid-afternoon to avoid evening mountain storms
- Full day possible but not necessary
What to Bring
- Water (altitude increases needs)
- Layers (cooler at 10,000 feet)
- Cash (some small shops prefer it)
- Camera
- Walking shoes
- Sunscreen (even stronger UV at this altitude)
Services
- Full services in Leadville (gas, groceries, medical)
- ATMs available
- Cell service reliable in town
Leadville vs. Other Day Trips
Choose Leadville if you want:
- History and culture over nature
- Unique high-altitude experience
- Shopping and restaurants
- Western Americana atmosphere
- Train ride option
Choose other trips if you want:
- Pure outdoor adventure (Manitou Incline)
- Spectacular scenery with minimal driving (Garden of the Gods)
- Science and education focus (Florissant)
- Local fishing (Eleven Mile Canyon)
The Altitude Flex: Arriving from sea level? By Day 5–6 at Eleven Mile, you’re somewhat acclimatized to 8,600 feet. Driving to 10,152 feet and walking around comfortably is a legitimate achievement. That said, don’t push it—Leadville is the kind of place where a leisurely stroll beats a rushed march.