Ghost Town Museum, Colorado Springs

Established in 1954, the Ghost Town Museum offers a glimpse into the past. It showcases small towns that thrived alongside the railroad industry thanks to the late 1800s discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains. Housed in a historic building with a unique backstory, the museum houses a collection of artifacts from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Initially a maintenance facility for the Colorado Midland Railroad, the building's connection to the Golden Cycle Mill nearby adds to its historical value.

Operated by the same family for three generations, the museum recreates a bygone era, immersing visitors in a town frozen in time, where it appears residents abruptly left their belongings behind. The indoor mock townsite features authentic artifacts and exhibits, preserving the essence of these vanished towns.

Visitors can engage in hands-on activities such as using a butter churn, trying the shooting gallery, playing antique arcade games, and even panning for real gold in the summer. The museum offers affordable admission, including free entry for children under 6 and discounts for larger groups, schools, and daycares, making it an accessible and educational experience.

For interactive exhibits, it's advisable to bring quarters, particularly for the self-playing pianos. The museum's gift shop offers reasonably priced merchandise like T-shirts, signs, and keychains for those seeking souvenirs. Hungry visitors can conveniently dine at the Roundhouse Colorado Mountain Brewery, located in the same parking lot as the museum.