Leadville Named A “Best Historic Small Town” By Usa Today

July 14, 2020

[Updated Oct. 16, 2020]

Leadville is honored to be a winner in the 2020 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award Contest for “Best Historic Small Town”! Leadville was the only city in Colorado to win in this specific category.

HOW WINNERS WERE CHOSEN

Twenty nominees were chosen by a panel of relevant experts, which included a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from 10Best.com; relevant expert contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. Over the month of June, the public was allowed to vote online at 10best.com for one nominee, per day. See all the top 10 winners.

DISCOVER OUR HISTORY FOR YOURSELF

Come experience this history for yourself! Below are some of the many attractions Leadville offers for history buffs.

YEAR ‘ROUND

HEALY HOUSE MUSEUM AND DEXTER CABIN

Open Friday-Saturday: Discover two of Leadville’s earliest houses for a glimpse of life in a booming silver-mining town. The H ealy House Museum and Dexter Cabin feature lavish Victorian furniture, including objects belonging to Horace and Augusta Tabor, and a beautiful Victorian garden.

NATIONAL MINING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

Open Tuesday-Saturday: Tour replicas of caves and mines at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Check out the masks past miners wore to breathe and the carbide lamps that lit their way, and see photos of the people who’ve run American mines for decades.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Open year ’round by appointment: Built in 1884, Temple Israel is the oldest of the area’s frontier synagogues. After a fire in 2006, the building was historically restored to near original condition. It now serves as a museum and research institution that documents the lives of Jewish pioneers during Leadville’s mining boom era.

SUMMER SEASON

LEADVILLE TRAIN

Open late May through October: Hear about the fascinating history of the railroads, ghost stories, and tales of the wild as you ride the scenic Leadville train throughout the unnamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest.

COME SEE US, SAFELY

Leadville and Twin Lakes businesses are following public health guidelines, for everyone’s safety. Face coverings are required in all public, indoor spaces in Colorado. All area businesses are following social distancing protocol, as well. To learn more, please visit our 2020 Travel Guide. And come see us, safely!

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