Once a small mining town that rapidly grew after the railroad came to take the silver riches to nearby Denver, the Georgetown of today is proud of its past. The historic downtown has a number of renovated old buildings such as the legendary Hotel de Paris (today a museum), an old fire station with a bell that still rings on the hour and half hour, and a number of nice restaurants, including a popular Mexican one. There is even a local brewery, offering what they call “a real mountain beer.” You can take a carriage ride through downtown or take a narrow-track train tour through the mountains.
Georgetown Firefighting Museum at the Alpine Hose Number 2
The Alpine Hose building is one of the first buildings you notice when you arrive in Georgetown, and it is the city’s icon. Built between 1875 and 1880, the building was home to the Alpine Hose Company No. 2, one of the town’s four firefighting stations and the reason this small mining town did not suffer the fate of many other small towns that burnt down. The tower that dominates the fire station and its 1,200-pound bell were donated by one of the city’s notables, William Hamill. The bell can still be heard in town ringing every hour and half hour. The Alpine Hose #2 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has been converted to a fire-fighting museum after careful renovation. The museum has its original carpet, uniforms, trophy case, fixtures, furnishings, and many photos. The original hook-and-ladder truck that belonged to the Star Hook and Ladder Company is also part of the museum exhibit.
Georgetown Firefighting Museum at the Alpine Hose Number 2 , 507 5th Street, Georgetown, Colorado 80444,
Georgetown Heritage Center
The Georgetown Heritage Center is a great place to learn about the history of Georgetown and see a number of fascinating exhibits and traditional art. The Center is a popular gathering place that hosts many public meetings, live performances, conferences, folk art workshops, art exhibits, and various activities. The center is located in the historic 1874 schoolhouse that has been meticulously renovated and restored, and it opened to the public in 2015. The focal point of the Heritage Center is a Local History Archive, owned and run by the Clear Creek County Library District. The archive collects the historic records, maps, photographs, and other objects documenting the city past. The library sponsors popular film and diverse children's programs. The Cultural Arts Program teaches traditional folk arts and Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener program runs a demonstration garden and holds gardening classes.
809 Taos St, Georgetown, CO 80444, Phone: 303-569-0285
Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a three-foot wide narrow gauge heritage railroad and one of the oldest tourist attractions in Colorado. This spectacularly beautiful stretch of railroad was finished in 1884 and at the time was considered as one of the engineering masterpieces. The steam-powered locomotive pulls a tourist train today between Georgetown and Silver Plume and is about 4.5 miles long, climbing to an elevation of 640 feet. It winds through the beautiful, rugged Rocky Mountains trough Clear Creek canyon, trestles, fills, cuts, and a grand loop, passing by remains of silver and gold mines, offering spectacular views all along. The trip is a great family outing and the kids love it.
646, Loop Dr, Georgetown, CO 80444, Phone: 303-569-2030
Guanella Pass Scenic & Historic Byway
Starting in historic charming Georgetown, Guanella Pass Scenic & Historic Byway runs for about 22 miles to the town of Grant. While not long, this pass can at times take hours depending on the weather. It has been recently paved, but it still might be closed in winter if the weather is bad.
The byway runs along South Platte River and South Clear Creek and offers fantastic views of Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans. The byway is a slight detour from Highway 285 and offers a perfect example of Rocky Mountain ecosystem – don’t be surprised if you come across beavers and bighorn sheep. You can stop and take a break at many scenic picnic areas along the way or you might want to wait until you reach the famous Coney Island Hotdog Stand on Highway 285.
Hamill House Museum
Completed in 1879 for the Georgetown’s most famous silver baron William Hamill, Hamill House was built for his family to his exacting specifications, using only the finest materials available. Most of the furnishings and décor were brought from as far away as England. The lovely Gothic Revival building is today a house museum, and visitors can see its original details such as the marble fireplace, walnut woodwork, and hand-painted wallpaper. The house is a great example of the lifestyle of rich families in thriving Colorado mining towns at the end of the 19th century. It is part of the National Historic Landmark District.
Hamill House Museum, 305 Argentine Street, Georgetown, CO 80444, Phone: 303-569-2840
Hotel De Paris Museum
When it opened its doors in 1875, Hotel de Paris was one of the major hotels and restaurants in Colorado. Frenchman Louis Dupuy, who came to Georgetown in 1870 to try his fortune in mining, built the establishment. After an explosion in the mine, Dupuy's mining career was finished, but he stayed in Georgetown, bought a Delmonico bakery, and quickly transformed it into a large, popular luxurious hotel with gourmet French restaurant. The inns of Normandy from his native France served as his inspiration. In 1954 the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Colorado bought the hotel and made it into a museum. The museum has a number of period objects on display in the hotel’s former rooms. The objects, part of the larger collection, rotate on display. The museum is open to the public by appointment.
Hotel De Paris Museum, 409 6th Ave, Georgetown, CO 80444, Phone: 303-569-2311
Capital Prize Gold Mine Tours
See another side of Georgetown when you book a visit at Capital Prize Gold Mine Tours. Tours with Capital Prize will take visitors 1,000 feet down one of the most massive mines in Colorado to experience what the life of a hard rock miner would have been like over a hundred years ago. Not only will guests see the tools used by miners, like single-jack and double-jack drills, but they’ll also be able to see and follow up to seven gold and silver veins that were discovered in the mines. Other activities to enjoy at Capital Prize include rock-breaking activities that geologists do and chats with real miners actively hunting for gold.
1016 Biddle Street, Georgetown, Colorado 80444, Phone: 303-569-2468
Guanella Pass Brewing Company
If you believe that where you drink your beer is as important as what beer you drink, you will really enjoy visiting Guanella Pass Brewing Company. Located in the heart of the Rockies in the small former mining town of Georgetown, Guanella Pass is a true mountain brewery with a range of excellent craft beers you can explore at their rustic, fun, and always busy tap room. The brewery and the adjoining tap room are located in the small yellow house in the town center. You cannot miss it – there are plenty of tables and chairs outdoors when the weather permits where people enjoy their brews, listen to some local live music, and taste the food from one of the food trucks parked nearby. Dogs are welcome. Take some of their beer with you – not only does it taste great but the bottles also have fun labels that are true art.
501 Rose Street, Box 952, Georgetown, CO 80444, Phone: 303-569-5167
Argentine Pass
There is no shortage of bucket list activities to enjoy when in Georgetown, Colorado. One of them can be found within the Rocky Mountain high country area of the Argentine Mining District – the Argentine Pass. Avid explorers to the Argentine Pass will find themselves taking an adrenaline-pumping ride to one of Colorado’s highest off-roading destinations. Originally built in the 1860’s to help people cross the Continental Divide, the Argentine Pass, formerly known as the Snake River Pass, is a hugely popular 4x4 and ATV route. Rocky and narrow, it’s an excited road to take for those who are brave enough to traverse its difficult trails. The Argentine Pass is accessible to visitors from July to October and, at its highest, hits an elevation of 13,207 feet.
Off Road Trail, Leavenworth Creek Road, Georgetown, Colorado 80444
