GEORGETOWN

Georgetown was settled after the discovery of gold in 1859 and is one of Colorado’s original mining camps. The town would ultimately become one of the centers of silver mining, making it one of the state’s richest mining areas and the third largest town in the Centennial State.

Today, Georgetown is home to slightly more than 1,100 residents and is a community rich in history and experiences, making it an ideal place for groups to explore and connect. One of the major highlights is riding the Georgetown Loop Railroad to Silver Plume and back. Get a taste of the 1880s and the Wild West on this historic narrow gauge railroad and add on a tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine and try your hand at gold panning while you’re at it.

Located only 45 minutes west of Denver, the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District recalls the days of the silver boom and recognizes the area’s longtime dedication to preserving its heritage. Georgetown offers unique places to stay, dine and shop as well as popular microbreweries and coffee houses where thirsts can be quenched. Groups also can visit the working Capital Prize Gold Mine in Georgetown, where tours take participants underground to see mining underway and workers in action and to try their hand and gold and silver mining by bringing rock outside, breaking it open and seeking treasure.

Take the time to delve into the past at Hotel de Paris Museum and see how the affluent lived at Hamill House Museum. Consider adding Alpine Hose #2 Firefighter Museum and Georgetown Energy Museum to round out the itinerary between meetings if there are history buffs in the group.

Those who love the outdoors also will feel embraced by the area’s magic with the Rocky Mountains providing breathtaking scenery and an abundance of activities like hiking, biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, ATV tours and snowshoeing. In fact three of the four 14,000-foot peaks located in Clear Creek County are located just outside of Georgetown, which serves as an ideal winter base camp for downhill skiing and snowboarding with several ski areas only 20 to 40 minutes away.

Check the local calendar to tap into local happenings like the Big Horn Sheep Festival and Christmas events and consider booking a shuttle to travel the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, which reaches 11,600 feet in elevation. Stop at the Georgetown Wildlife Viewing Area for a glimpse of some of the hundreds of bighorn sheep living in the area.

With a location just off Interstate 70 and all the beautifully restored historic buildings, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time with all the conveniences of today. Check out the wealth of options in Georgetown.