Enjoy a mini-vacation, long weekend or girls’ getaway in Fremont County. You’ll find one-of-a-kind antiquing and wine tasting along with a variety of ways to experience the Royal Gorge. Set aside some time to ride the train and visit the highest suspension bridge in the world, but most importantly relax, absorb the spectacular scenery and see where the day takes you.

Browse Colorado’s Antique Capital

Take a leisurely stroll down Main Street Florence and step into one of the 20 antique stores. “No two stores are alike,” said Peg Piltingsrud, owner of Fox Den of Antiquities, “and no two have the same merchandise.” With 20 stores in three blocks, Florence has become known as the antique capital of Colorado. You’ll find interesting and valuable treasures around every turn!

Gallery Hop

If art is more your passion, stop in to one of Florence’s five art galleries or one of numerous specialty shops. Shoppers can view and purchase artwork in a variety of media including oil paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery and sculpture.

Ride the Rails

Make your way to Cañon City to ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Colorado’s first and most scenic full-service streamliner. This is a grand train on an epic adventure along the tumbling waters of the legendary Arkansas River deep within the granite cliffs of the Royal Gorge. Classes of service hark back to a time when travel was an elegant and leisurely affair, which has earned the Royal Gorge Route Railroad its reputation as the premier excursion railroad in the country. Suit your budget or appetite for adventure with multi-course, chef-prepared meals in meticulously restored dining or observation dome rail cars. Consider classic, coachstyle seating with access to well-outfitted concession and lounge cars or awaken the child within for a very special ride in the locomotive with a real-life engineer. For a stirring combination of fine dining, fine wines and the best scenic ride around, treat yourself to a Wine Dinner aboard the train. It’s a fiveflight feast paired with perfectly matched local and international wines. Whatever seat you choose, be sure to take advantage of the open air car for a 360 degree view.

Meal and a Mystery

Enjoy a chef-prepared, four-course feast while figuring out “Who Dunnit” on Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s Murder Mystery Train featuring the talented actors of Red Herring Productions. A Wine or Gourmet Dinner Train is also available. On the Wine Train, enjoy five creative food and wine pairings.

More Railroad Fun

Don’t miss the railroad adventures at Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway and the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Called “the Little Train with the Big View of the Royal Gorge,” the three-mile Buckskin Joe Railway runs on oldfashioned wooden trestles. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park’s Silver Rock Railway is a scale-model of “Old 424,” an original 1893 locomotive. Both are favorites among families with young children.

Sample Award-Winning Wines

Spend an afternoon at the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey for some worldclass wine tasting. Since 2002, the winery has been winning awards for its wine and showroom and has become one of Colorado’s largest and most successful wineries. In 2009, the winery brought home more than 40 medals in international competitions. The tasting room is open yearround for those who would like to sample the award-winning wines and peruse the gift shop. Tours of the production facility can be arranged.

Harvest Fest – Save the Date!

The local favorite, Wild Cañon Harvest is made from grapes grown by local growers and picked by local non-profit groups who use the money they earn to support community charities. Local growers who contribute grapes and workers who helped with the harvest have their names on the label as part of “The Wild Bunch.” To celebrate this wine, the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey hosts an annual threeday event. Harvest Fest, held in late September, features live music, Southwest artists and delectable food from some of Colorado’s best chefs.

Parks & Rec

Don’t miss Arkansas Headwaters State Park for some of the best camping, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing and hiking in the area. Fly fishing is another great way to spend the day by the river. Local angler shops will supply you with the necessary gear and license and also offer guided trips for those who want to experience the best fishing spots around.

Follow Your Cravings

In the mood for a romantic Italian meal or a French feast? How about authentic Mexican or Irish fare? Or maybe you just want to stay in and order pizza or grab some to-go burgers. Whatever you’re craving, Cañon City restaurants have you covered. For your evening slumber, select from a variety of lodging. A long list of hotels, bed and breakfasts and clean campgrounds let you select the perfect spot for a good night’s sleep. See pages 58 and 59 for lodging and dining options in the region.

Float the River

Get up early and head to the Arkansas River for a date with nature. Book a raft trip with one of the many outfitters in the area. Experienced guides will ensure your safety and pleasure no matter what your skill level may be. Novices as well as experienced rafters will find a trip that will fulfill every wish!

For a mellow float, take a half-day rafting trip through Bighorn Sheep Canyon late in the season (raft season runs from May to September). This is a great trip for families with young children and those who prefer taking in the scenery over taking on rushing whitewater. The later in the season you raft, the calmer the rapids are. However, remember that later in the season you may be faced with some additional physical exertion.

Explore the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Take an afternoon to roam the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and walk across the world’s highest suspension bridge. Look down and see the area you may have rafted earlier. The park is family-friendly, featuring an old time carousel, incline railway ride to the floor of the Royal Gorge, the Mountain Man Encampment and the Wapititi Western Wildlife Park. Get a 360-degree view of the Royal Gorge and the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the world’s longest single-span Aerial Tram.

Peek into the Past

For a fun and educational afternoon, explore the four area museums. The Dinosaur Depot Museum, located at 330 Royal Gorge Blvd., is home to the most complete Stegosaurus ever found and reveals the site where seven new dinosaur species were discovered. The Museum of Colorado Prisons, at 210 N. First St., is the actual site of the state’s first women’s prison. The Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center is housed in the City’s original 1920’s municipal building at 612 Royal Gorge Blvd. The rich history of the Royal Gorge Region can be explored here and the History Center is a genealogy destination with information on over 4,000 region families. The Fremont Center for the Arts at 505 Macon Ave. is operated by the oldest arts council in the United States and features monthly shows and events such as the Brew Ha Ha Microbrew and Comedy Festival. Purchase a Community Heritage Pass for admission to all four facilities for one low price.

No matter how you decide to spend your time in Fremont County, you’ll find endless opportunities for fun, relaxation and entertainment!