Idaho Springs Visitor Information Center

Walked in at 4:53, yes right before closing at 5:00 which we were not aware of and where coldly greeted by a lady with a purse and jacket in hand who let is know she was leaving in 5 minutes so we walked right out. How rude! A visitors center should be welcoming and helpful.

What do you do when the Mount Evans Scenic Byway is closed? Stop into the Idaho Springs Visitor Information Center for help. Very friendly. Very helpful. Minimal conflicts of interest. Warning. They’re so nice you will definitely feel obligated to buy something in the gift shop or donate to the small museum to repay them.

Any place that freely give information regarding their area gets kudos from me.
They have bathrooms, and a cute museum (honor system if you chose to pay)
Lots of hand outs for everything and anything in the area.
There are about 6 – 10 parking spaces and a cute mining exhibit outside.
It is not that close to downtown, so stop on the way into town.

I’ve never stepped into an «Information Center» before today…
I guess I equate it to «stopping & asking for directions…» I don’t need any information to visit! I’m kidding… «Can you tell me where I can find the closest bar?»
However, as my brother, TP & I pulled into this small, historical town, he spotted a building on the right — «Visitor Center.» (Population: 2,000)
Photo —
The parking lot was empty, there wasn’t any real indication of the center being open. TP pulled into the vacant lot anyway… ‘And I’m glad he did!
Enter Don & Carla, the husband and wife team are a wealth of information.
Photo —
According to the dynamic duo, Idaho Springs is where the Colorado Gold Rush began w/​George Andrew Jackson in 1859.
George A. Jackson —
Don & Carla spent a good 10 – 15 minutes with us, sharing the rich history of Idaho Springs, from George Jackson to the Continental Divide. (In which we weren’t too far from.)
The Continental Divide: The line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. Rain or snow that drains on the east side of the Continental Divide flows toward the Atlantic Ocean while precipitation on the west side drains and flows toward the Pacific Ocean.
Wikipedia Excerpt:
— On January 5, 1859, during the Colorado gold rush, prospector George A. Jackson discovered placer gold at the present site of Idaho Springs, where Chicago Creek empties into Clear Creek. It was the first substantial gold discovery in Colorado. Jackson, a Missouri native with experience in the California gold fields, was drawn to the area by clouds of steam rising from some nearby hot springs. Jackson kept his find secret for several months, but after he paid for some supplies with gold dust, others rushed to Jackson’s diggings.[6] The location was originally known as «Jackson’s Diggings.» Once the location became a permanent settlement, it was variously called «Sacramento City,» «Idahoe,» «Idaho City,» and finally «Idaho Springs.“[7]
Full Wikipedia Article —
The Idaho Springs Visitor Information Center is a great place to stop before galavanting around this small, historical town… It was like taking a step into the past. It would’ve been nice to have had more time to visit Idaho Springs but the sun was about to set & I wanted to see a view from the «Rockies!» So, off we went!
‘AND we wanted to visit the local, microbrewery — Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub, just down the street… Rocky Mountains & beer! Well, not necessarily in that order.
Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub —
‘But when we did make it to the Rockies! Beautiful. (Photos taken on Virginia Canyon Rd. aka «Oh My God Rd!»)
The Rockies (Photo 1) —
The Rockies (Photo 2) —
The Rockies (Photo 3) —
‘Need to get back out here for a longer visit!
— Big Aloha!
Food: n/​a (Well, not unless you count Lemon Drops & Habanero Pecan Chocolates!) In that case: 3
Ambiance: 3+
Service: 5+
Value: 5