Central City: Opera, Gold Rush and Living History

Central City combines opera culture, mining history and unique insights into Colorado’s past. Those looking for an apartment or vacation home for their stay can choose the location based on which experiences they want to focus on: an evening at the opera, historical exhibitions, a self-guided walking tour or a visit to former mining sites.

Opera and Culture in Central City

The Central City Opera House was built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners. The Central City Opera summer festival attracts visitors from across the country and abroad. Performances take place in an opera house with 550 seats. This gives Central City an unusual cultural focus that clearly sets it apart from simply touring historic buildings. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, the opera is an obvious reason to take a closer look at Central City as a vacation destination.

The museums and historic institutions also tell different chapters of the city’s story. The Gilpin History Museum features exhibitions about life and the people of Gilpin County from the 1860s to the present day. It is housed in Central City’s two-story school building, whose construction began in 1869. The exhibits include a Mountain Submarine. St. James Methodist Church was dedicated in 1872 and is the oldest continuously operating Protestant church in Colorado.

Historic Buildings and a Short Walking Tour

Washington Hall is the state’s oldest continuously used public building. It houses the Gilpin County Arts Association gallery and the tour office of the Gilpin Historical Society. The gallery presents changing exhibitions throughout the year. Tours of the Thomas House are also offered through Washington Hall. This allows visitors to experience Central City’s historic character from various cultural perspectives.

A free, self-guided walking tour through historic Central City covers approximately half a mile and takes about 45 minutes. It begins at the Teller House, 120 Eureka Street. The Teller House is an 80-room building constructed in 1872; much of its furnishings have been preserved in their original condition. The building is also home to the preserved and treasured “Face on the Barroom Floor.” Viewing this work is considered a tradition in Colorado. At approximately half a mile and about 45 minutes, the walk remains manageable in terms of time.

Mining History to See and Experience

Central City also offers insights into the technical and economic history of the Gold Rush. At the Coeur d'Alene Mine Shaft House, visitors can look down into the shaft. The Hidee Gold Mine includes historic mining ruins from the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush. There, educational activities and equipment are part of the offering, along with real gold ore and gemstones that visitors can find. These offerings provide a different focus from museums and opera: instead of exhibitions, the emphasis is on mining sites and hands-on experiences.

Another unusual stop is the print shop in the Masonic Building. It houses historic printing technology, including a Chicago Taylor Press and an extensive collection of type. The range of attractions thus extends from performing arts and regional social history to working life and technology.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

Central City can be reached via Interstate 70 and Central City Parkway, Exit 243. When searching for a vacation rental, you can therefore first determine your planned priorities: Will the summer festival be the occasion for your trip, are museums and historic buildings the main focus, or are you particularly interested in mining history? You can then choose an apartment or vacation home to suit your own daily rhythm, without the accommodation itself having to become the focus of the trip.

Those who would like to compare another place alongside Central City can also find Black Hawk here. This allows you to organize your Colorado trip around your cultural interests and the experiences you want.

For the main travel overview: Gilpin County.