Visiting Georgetown, Colorado, located an hour west of Denver on I-70, is like stepping back in time. Founded in 1859 during the Gold Rush, the Victorian homes and historic buildings remain, for the most part, as they were at the turn of the century. This quaint village nestled in the Rocky Mountains is well worth a visit.
Favorite Activities in Georgetown
From the annual Georgetown Christmas Market to ice driving on Georgetown Lake, there are many activities unique to this town. Here are a few of my favorites.
Historic Downtown Area
The downtown historic area sits on Sixth Street, which is lined with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. However, do not limit your dining choices to this area, there are wonderful restaurants throughout the town. If you want to try something out of the ordinary, try the Dusty Rose Tea Room, a Victorian-era type restaurant. The tea room has an amazingly soothing feeling, which will leave you feeling completely relaxed. The food is all made from scratch, and lunch consists of scones, soups, cucumber sandwiches and the like.
Favorite Activities in Georgetown
From the annual Georgetown Christmas Market to ice driving on Georgetown Lake, there are many activities unique to this town. Here are a few of my favorites.
Historic Downtown Area
The downtown historic area sits on Sixth Street, which is lined with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. However, do not limit your dining choices to this area, there are wonderful restaurants throughout the town. If you want to try something out of the ordinary, try the Dusty Rose Tea Room, a Victorian-era type restaurant. The tea room has an amazingly soothing feeling, which will leave you feeling completely relaxed. The food is all made from scratch, and lunch consists of scones, soups, cucumber sandwiches and the like.
Shops and restaurants on Sixth Street
Ice Cream at the Park
A fun treat for kids during the summer is to stop by the Georgetown Valley Candy Company on Sixth Street for an ice cream cone and then go to the town park at 10th and Taos Streets. The park has an award-winning playground, called Foster's Place, as well as a Victorian-era gazebo. Bring along a picnic, and the kids will play for hours.
A fun treat for kids during the summer is to stop by the Georgetown Valley Candy Company on Sixth Street for an ice cream cone and then go to the town park at 10th and Taos Streets. The park has an award-winning playground, called Foster's Place, as well as a Victorian-era gazebo. Bring along a picnic, and the kids will play for hours.
Getting an ice cream cone at the Georgetown Valley Candy Company is one of the pleasures of summer
Foster's Place at the town park located at 10th and Taos Streets
The historic gazebo at the Georgetown park offers shade for picnics
Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway
This is a must see. Just at the edge of Georgetown is the entrance to Guanella Pass. Signs mark the route, but if you get lost, head west from the historic downtown district and you’ll run into it.
Guanella Pass is a beautiful, scenic drive with many places to stop to play in the streams and lakes or to go on short, easy hikes. There are many areas to picnic, camp, and fish. It is a fairly quick ride, about twelve miles, to the summit on a smooth, paved road. After your drive, turn around and return to Georgetown, while you enjoy the views on the way back. (The road does continue on to Grant, but it is unpaved in areas and a bit rough.)
Traffic is minimal, except during fall when the aspens turn to gold. During this season, the road's popularity increases, especially on weekends. At all other times there is very little traffic.
Wildlife abounds in this area. Bighorn sheep often lick at salt on the edge of the road here and on I-70. Deer are plentiful, and you might even spot a moose.
Remember the elevation at the summit (11,670’) can be drastically different from that in Georgetown, so be prepared by bringing a jacket, as well as plenty of water. There are no facilities along the pass from Georgetown until the summit, where there are primitive restrooms.
The vista from the summit is spectacular with sweeping panoramic views of four peaks and Georgetown. There is plenty of parking to get out and hike. On one side of the road, there is a short, scenic walk, and the trailhead for Mt. Bierstadt (14,056’) is on the other. The immediate trails are generally flat, so families with children may enjoy them. The first mile of the Mt. Bierstadt trail is fairly level, but beyond that is a strenuous hike, which requires prior preparation.
The fall is the most popular time of year on Guanella Pass when the aspens change colors around the end of September. The display of color is stunning and worth seeing. The road closes in the winter.
This is a must see. Just at the edge of Georgetown is the entrance to Guanella Pass. Signs mark the route, but if you get lost, head west from the historic downtown district and you’ll run into it.
Guanella Pass is a beautiful, scenic drive with many places to stop to play in the streams and lakes or to go on short, easy hikes. There are many areas to picnic, camp, and fish. It is a fairly quick ride, about twelve miles, to the summit on a smooth, paved road. After your drive, turn around and return to Georgetown, while you enjoy the views on the way back. (The road does continue on to Grant, but it is unpaved in areas and a bit rough.)
Traffic is minimal, except during fall when the aspens turn to gold. During this season, the road's popularity increases, especially on weekends. At all other times there is very little traffic.
Wildlife abounds in this area. Bighorn sheep often lick at salt on the edge of the road here and on I-70. Deer are plentiful, and you might even spot a moose.
Remember the elevation at the summit (11,670’) can be drastically different from that in Georgetown, so be prepared by bringing a jacket, as well as plenty of water. There are no facilities along the pass from Georgetown until the summit, where there are primitive restrooms.
The vista from the summit is spectacular with sweeping panoramic views of four peaks and Georgetown. There is plenty of parking to get out and hike. On one side of the road, there is a short, scenic walk, and the trailhead for Mt. Bierstadt (14,056’) is on the other. The immediate trails are generally flat, so families with children may enjoy them. The first mile of the Mt. Bierstadt trail is fairly level, but beyond that is a strenuous hike, which requires prior preparation.
The fall is the most popular time of year on Guanella Pass when the aspens change colors around the end of September. The display of color is stunning and worth seeing. The road closes in the winter.
Looking down on Georgetown from the Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway
Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad rides along the narrow gauge railroad that connected Georgetown, Silver Plume and the mines during the mining era. There are two types of tickets: a 75-minute train ride in open and closed cars or a two hour, thirty minute ride that includes the mine tour. Take the mine tour, especially if children are with you. It is the best part of the experience.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad rides along the narrow gauge railroad that connected Georgetown, Silver Plume and the mines during the mining era. There are two types of tickets: a 75-minute train ride in open and closed cars or a two hour, thirty minute ride that includes the mine tour. Take the mine tour, especially if children are with you. It is the best part of the experience.
RSS Feed
