For those who are looking for more than gambling in their trip to a casino town, Cripple Creek is the place for you. As a historic mining town, known as “The Greatest Gold Camp on Earth,” visitors can step back in time to experience the excitement of the Gold Rush or enjoy the beautiful outdoors and wildlife of the Pikes Peak region.

Get Outdoors: Located in the Pikes Peak region, an area of Colorado with an elevation that spans from 6,000 to 14,00o feet, there’s no shortage of wildlife to observe. A drive or hike through the area can expose deer, bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and the possible mountain lion. Plus, the area is known for some of the best bird watching in the Rocky Mountains. With backcountry camping in the Pike National Forest or campground camping in Mueller State Park, there’s something for everyone.

Arts & Culture: Settled in the late 1800s, you can still explore the Old West history of the town today. Visitors can descend 1,000 feet into a historic gold mine, ride a steam locomotive, and visit the jail museum to immerse themselves in the exciting history of Cripple Creek. Or, they can stroll down the town’s main street, Bennett Avenue, with its restored historic brick buildings to travel back in time.

If You Do One Thing: Visit the Christmas Casino & Inn, the only Christmas-themed casino in the Western U.S., where it really is Christmas 365 days a year! The casino is complete with life-size nutcrackers, more than 4,000 ornaments, a 17-foot German Christmas Pyramid, and a 15-foot dazzling rotating Christmas tree, along with 150 of the most popular slot machines.

If you’re looking to visit this summer, stop by in June for the Top of the World Rodeo, named in 2013 the “Best New Rodeo in Colorado,” or the 88th Annual Donkey Derby Days, a donkey festival dating back to the 1930s, with games, live entertainment, heritage competitions and new baby donkeys!