Central City combines a destination for the performing arts with tangible traces of mining and local history. You can plan your visit around a range of interests: the summer festival, a self-guided city walk, museums, art and insights into gold mining. This lets you tailor your stay to whether you’re most interested in performances, historic buildings or exhibitions. A visitor traveling for a performance will plan differently from someone whose main interest is exploring the town’s history.
Opera and Festival
The Central City Opera House was built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners. The Central City Opera Summer Festival takes place in this 550-seat opera house and attracts visitors from across the country and abroad. The building’s construction date and the festival bring architectural and cultural history together: the historic building is also the venue for the recurring program. If a performance is the main reason for your trip, check the festival dates for your intended year of travel.
City Walk and Exhibitions
The free, self-guided walking tour of historic Central City is about half a mile long and takes around 45 minutes. It begins at Teller House, 120 Eureka Street. Built in 1872, the building has 80 rooms, and much of its original furnishings remain. This brings together a clearly defined route and a historic starting point. The “Face on the Barroom Floor” has been preserved and is cherished; viewing it is considered a Colorado tradition.
The Gilpin History Museum brings together regional history and individual exhibits. Its exhibitions explore life and people in Gilpin County from the 1860s to the present day. The museum is housed in Central City’s two-story school building, which began construction in 1869. A Mountain Submarine is also on display there.
Historic Buildings and Art
St. James Methodist Church was dedicated in 1872 and is the oldest continuously operating Protestant church in Colorado. Washington Hall, meanwhile, is the state’s oldest continuously used public building. These claims reflect different measures: the long history of a church that is still operating, and the continued use of a public building.
Washington Hall is home to the Gilpin County Arts Association gallery and the Gilpin Historical Society’s tour office. The Arts Association presents changing exhibitions there throughout the year. Tours of Thomas House are also offered through Washington Hall. Since exhibitions and visitor arrangements can change, check the current program and tour options before your visit.
Another perspective on cultural history can be found at the print shop in the Masonic Building. Its historic printing equipment includes a Chicago Taylor Press, and it also has an extensive collection of typefaces. Together, the printing equipment and type collection add a printing-history theme to the exhibitions and historic buildings.
Mining History and Getting There
Hidee Gold Mine includes historic mining ruins associated with the Colorado Gold Rush of 1859. Its offerings include instruction and equipment, as well as real gold ore and gemstones for visitors to find. Availability may change; check the current offerings before making plans.
For road travel, Central City is accessible via Interstate 70 and the Central City Parkway, Exit 243. Together with the approximate duration of the city walk, this provides a concrete starting point for planning your journey and itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Black Hawk.
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