Twin Lakes and surrounding areas!
Sightseeing
By car and/or short walk!
Pretty place to paddle board, swim, canoe, kayak, or just watch the day! Please don't drive off designated areas, as sagebrush is threatened. We have a lot here but it's been reducing from visitors driving on it. Pack up everything you bring in!
8 locals recommend
Twin Lakes Reservoir
Pretty place to paddle board, swim, canoe, kayak, or just watch the day! Please don't drive off designated areas, as sagebrush is threatened. We have a lot here but it's been reducing from visitors driving on it. Pack up everything you bring in!
Cool deserted town from days of yore, beautiful views and fun little walk from the car! Be careful parking! Please remember to donate a little cash before you leave so we can keep it open to the public and tended to :D
Independence Ghost Town
36221 Colorado 82Cool deserted town from days of yore, beautiful views and fun little walk from the car! Be careful parking! Please remember to donate a little cash before you leave so we can keep it open to the public and tended to :D
Gorgeous drive but can be a bit dangerous if you aren't careful with all the curves and swerves. Large trucks and commercial vehicles not allowed. Don't forget that the car going down hill has the right of way! Honk lightly if you need to let people know you're coming around the band.
53 locals recommend
Independence Pass
Gorgeous drive but can be a bit dangerous if you aren't careful with all the curves and swerves. Large trucks and commercial vehicles not allowed. Don't forget that the car going down hill has the right of way! Honk lightly if you need to let people know you're coming around the band.
Ride the railroad for panoramic views of the gorgeous mountains!!
28 locals recommend
Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad Co
326 E 7th StRide the railroad for panoramic views of the gorgeous mountains!!
An awesome resource with enthusiastic volunteers (locals!) to help you on your way :) huge part of our town!
Twin Lakes Visitor Center
An awesome resource with enthusiastic volunteers (locals!) to help you on your way :) huge part of our town!
You've seen the sign! This place is loaded with paraphernalia and neat things to see. Mainly simple bar food. A fun place to see!
32 locals recommend
The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon
315 Harrison AveYou've seen the sign! This place is loaded with paraphernalia and neat things to see. Mainly simple bar food. A fun place to see!
Dedicated to commemorating the work of miners and people who work with natural resources. The museum also participates in efforts to inform the public about the mining industry.
46 locals recommend
National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum
120 W 9th StDedicated to commemorating the work of miners and people who work with natural resources. The museum also participates in efforts to inform the public about the mining industry.
Seasonal concerts & community events in a restored 1879 stone & brick building with guided tours! It's on the main drag so it's easy to pop in before or after lunch. Sometimes not available for tours because of construction.
22 locals recommend
Tabor Opera House
308 Harrison AveSeasonal concerts & community events in a restored 1879 stone & brick building with guided tours! It's on the main drag so it's easy to pop in before or after lunch. Sometimes not available for tours because of construction.
Neat place to see what moves are being made to help our eco-system and lakes in the area!
15 locals recommend
Leadville National Fish Hatchery
2846 CO-300Neat place to see what moves are being made to help our eco-system and lakes in the area!
Food scene
Delicious restaurants
Delicious pizza, fresh salads. We love to order a pizza and sit out back to have it brought out to us, and if you order a pizza right as you leave your cabin it will be ready to go when you arrive.
56 locals recommend
High Mountain Pies
115 W 4th StDelicious pizza, fresh salads. We love to order a pizza and sit out back to have it brought out to us, and if you order a pizza right as you leave your cabin it will be ready to go when you arrive.
Super cute place with places to sit on the roof! Delicious cocktails, great views and they also have live music most Saturdays!
44 locals recommend
Treeline Kitchen
615 a Harrison AveSuper cute place with places to sit on the roof! Delicious cocktails, great views and they also have live music most Saturdays!
Delicious casual burgers and beers! Outdoor area with picnic tables. Can be a bit of a wait.
22 locals recommend
The Buena Viking
418 East Main StreetDelicious casual burgers and beers! Outdoor area with picnic tables. Can be a bit of a wait.
The Midland Stop
801-1B Front LoopGelato! Baked treats! Espresso!
A lively patio at this modern, health-conscious stop for burgers, sandwiches & bowls. Great draft beers, value, and service!
88 locals recommend
House Rock Kitchen
421 E Main StA lively patio at this modern, health-conscious stop for burgers, sandwiches & bowls. Great draft beers, value, and service!
Have not been but want to! :) Let us know what you think. Customizable fro-yo & health-conscious New American meals in an outdoor gear & apparel store.
82 locals recommend
Simple Eatery & Spoon It Up
402 E Main StHave not been but want to! :) Let us know what you think. Customizable fro-yo & health-conscious New American meals in an outdoor gear & apparel store.
Excellent pizza (we loved the Mediterranean) and excellent variety of Colorado beers. Nice servers, decent prices and airy, modern space.
24 locals recommend
Crave
300 East Main StreetExcellent pizza (we loved the Mediterranean) and excellent variety of Colorado beers. Nice servers, decent prices and airy, modern space.
It's a little more upscale, but relaxed. Smallish but excellent Colorado beer selection, delicious variety of fresh and local ingredients, homemade bread, and a nice, sunny space and patio.
48 locals recommend
Wesley & Rose Lobby Bar
1012 Front LoopIt's a little more upscale, but relaxed. Smallish but excellent Colorado beer selection, delicious variety of fresh and local ingredients, homemade bread, and a nice, sunny space and patio.
City/town information
Just the closest towns to our cabins!
Old school Colorado town with fun signage, cute small businesses on a nice walkable shopping strip. Also hot springs that are supposedly some of the nicest in Colorado (I have not been but friends rave about them). It's one of the biggest city/towns in the area and has an area for the larger box stores like Walmart.
102 locals recommend
Salida
Old school Colorado town with fun signage, cute small businesses on a nice walkable shopping strip. Also hot springs that are supposedly some of the nicest in Colorado (I have not been but friends rave about them). It's one of the biggest city/towns in the area and has an area for the larger box stores like Walmart.
Our closest city/town, and our county seat! Cute shopping strip with family-run stores, antique shops, galleries and mining museum, and visitors center! Historic and proud of it. Plus places to rent gear, if you need it!
61 locals recommend
Leadville
Our closest city/town, and our county seat! Cute shopping strip with family-run stores, antique shops, galleries and mining museum, and visitors center! Historic and proud of it. Plus places to rent gear, if you need it!
This is info about the town of BUENA VISTA, not the Colorado trail! Small city with a few grocery stores and nice restaurants that we've recommended. Gorgeous drive and beautiful views, also a drive-in movie theater and hot springs! It's a more "modern" town than Leadville in terms of houses. Arkansas River goes through the town which is nice to walk alone (and a fairly flat). Plus disc golf, Whitewater park (Riverside park with 5 main whitewater structures for kayaking/rafting, plus climbing walls & trails), and more!
Colorado Trail, Colorado, USA
This is info about the town of BUENA VISTA, not the Colorado trail! Small city with a few grocery stores and nice restaurants that we've recommended. Gorgeous drive and beautiful views, also a drive-in movie theater and hot springs! It's a more "modern" town than Leadville in terms of houses. Arkansas River goes through the town which is nice to walk alone (and a fairly flat). Plus disc golf, Whitewater park (Riverside park with 5 main whitewater structures for kayaking/rafting, plus climbing walls & trails), and more!
Aspen has a walkable downtown area with a farmer's market and people playing music on the street (Saturdays). Many high-end stores and restaurants!
CO-82, Aspen, CO, USA
Aspen has a walkable downtown area with a farmer's market and people playing music on the street (Saturdays). Many high-end stores and restaurants!
Breweries
Fun places to experience local beers you may not find anywhere else!
Great beer and great food! Fun atmosphere and they brew their own kombucha if you don't drink alcohol
39 locals recommend
Soulcraft Brewing
248 W Rainbow BlvdGreat beer and great food! Fun atmosphere and they brew their own kombucha if you don't drink alcohol
Elevation Beer Company
115 Pahlone PkwySo delicious!
Cannabis Dispensaries and Liquor/Wine stores
If you partake!
One of the closer recreational dispensaries in the area, they specialize in CBD for athletes as well as my fellow mortals. If you are curious about what they have in stock check out their site, leafly.com, or give them a call!
Floyd's of Leadville HQ
1101 Poplar StOne of the closer recreational dispensaries in the area, they specialize in CBD for athletes as well as my fellow mortals. If you are curious about what they have in stock check out their site, leafly.com, or give them a call!
This is a great little dispensary right on a main area and adjacent to a little sandwich shop. It looks more like an apple store (or fine jewelry store)
Silverpeak
520 E Cooper AveThis is a great little dispensary right on a main area and adjacent to a little sandwich shop. It looks more like an apple store (or fine jewelry store)
If you're in Buena Vista and looking for beer, this is a great place! They stock lots of local brews as well as liquor and wine.
High Peaks Liquor
12950 US-24If you're in Buena Vista and looking for beer, this is a great place! They stock lots of local brews as well as liquor and wine.
Mt. Massive Liquors
1017 Poplar StSmall place with a big selection of Colorado beers, plus liquor and wine!
Nearby hikes! And walks :)
Just a few hikes (and walks) we like near our house. Please do a little research before you go to be sure you have everything you need and are starting at a good point. PLEASE PACK IT UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE and don't leave garbage, and stay on the trail to help preserve the threatened SAGEBRUSH and the GROUSE that need it! :D
Closest trailhead to Mt Elbert the village!! This is a neat little hike if you'd like views but want something a little shorter than the whole 14'er. Lots of aspen! Parking is limited.
South Mount Elbert Trailhead, Colorado
South Mount Elbert TrailClosest trailhead to Mt Elbert the village!! This is a neat little hike if you'd like views but want something a little shorter than the whole 14'er. Lots of aspen! Parking is limited.
RATED HARD. Gorgeous and popular hike! Advise that you start early (like any of the longer and more strenuous hikes!)
Hope Pass
Waterton ValleyRATED HARD. Gorgeous and popular hike! Advise that you start early (like any of the longer and more strenuous hikes!)
RATED EASY. This walk is alongside the water, refreshing and gorgeous! Mostly flat but a few miles long and totally worth the visit if you can swing it. Really awesome old "resort" that Twin Lakes locals have been rehabbing. Check out the neat details in the buildings. Please don't go off the trail so we can preserve the artifacts as well as the wild sage!! :) And pack up what you bring in. Thanks!
7 locals recommend
Interlaken Historic Resort
RATED EASY. This walk is alongside the water, refreshing and gorgeous! Mostly flat but a few miles long and totally worth the visit if you can swing it. Really awesome old "resort" that Twin Lakes locals have been rehabbing. Check out the neat details in the buildings. Please don't go off the trail so we can preserve the artifacts as well as the wild sage!! :) And pack up what you bring in. Thanks!
RATED MODERATE TO HARD. Super pretty! Usually has a couple lakes at the top, but there has been a drought. Still worth it, IMO!
Bartlett Gulch
RATED MODERATE TO HARD. Super pretty! Usually has a couple lakes at the top, but there has been a drought. Still worth it, IMO!
Turquoise Lake
RATED EASY. Pretty trail and dogs allowed (on a leash)
Riverpark Dog Park
715 Cedar StEASY TO MODERATE. Fun hike with or without a pup!
Rentals for Adventures
Boats, cycles, paddleboards close by!
Awesome little local business run by great people - they will give you information on where to paddle and ride! Please remember to stay on the trails and pack everything out with you!
11 locals recommend
Twin Lakes General Store
6451 CO-82Awesome little local business run by great people - they will give you information on where to paddle and ride! Please remember to stay on the trails and pack everything out with you!
In case you're looking for extra adventure! (I have not used this place so please double-check recommendations as I cannot vouch for them- just have not tried it myself!)
Aspen Whitewater Rafting (Twin Lakes)
759 CO-82In case you're looking for extra adventure! (I have not used this place so please double-check recommendations as I cannot vouch for them- just have not tried it myself!)
I have not used this place but it has wonderful reviews! They have lots of fun things to rent and guides to help!!!
6 locals recommend
Blazing Adventures Aspen
555 E Durant AveI have not used this place but it has wonderful reviews! They have lots of fun things to rent and guides to help!!!
Awesome place with knowledgeable, kind owners. You can reserve a paddle board or bike online, or just pop in to chat with the owners. They are our good friends and run a great place!
Twin Lakes SUP & Cycle
Awesome place with knowledgeable, kind owners. You can reserve a paddle board or bike online, or just pop in to chat with the owners. They are our good friends and run a great place!