Victor Lowell Thomas Museum - Experience Gold Rush History

719-689-5509

The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum is an Original 1899 Building -- Artifacts, Exhibits, Photographs Illustrating the Heyday of Gold Mining -- Sunnyside Cemetery Tours

Visit our Website

Experience Gold Rush History Past and Present

The VICTOR LOWELL THOMAS MUSEUM is an original 1899 building it houses two floors of artifacts, books, exhibits, and photographs depicting life in Victor, from its humble beginnings through the heyday of the 1890s gold rush.

SUMMER GOLD PANNING EXPERIENCE: Outside the museum during our sunny summer days, you can pan for real gold and gems. The panning trough is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather allowing. Our staff provides lessons. You keep all the gold you find!

GOLD CAMP ADVENTURE TOURS: Ride along with our guide and learn about the gold rush history that made us famous. Gold mining now and then as well as ghost towns and more are the subject of the guided tours; starting Memorial weekend through September. Please visit our website for details.

MUSEUM: The museum displays memorabilia once owned by famous journalist, author and world traveler, Lowell Thomas. Thomas grew up in Victor and became a national legend and golden voice of radio. There are also photos and artifacts from the gold rush era. We're more than a museum!

GIFT SHOP: Browse our selection of new and used books, historic, Victorian hats, unique gem stones and Victorian jewelry, old-time games and puzzles, gold ore, rocks and minerals.

SUNNYSIDE CEMETERY: On summer Saturdays, walking tours of the historic Sunnyside Cemetery offer a glimpse into the lives of the pioneers who were part of the gold rush era.

Sign up for one of our special events or programs and learn more about the 1890s gold rush that made Victor and neighboring Cripple Creek famous.

LOCATION: In South Central Colorado along the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway, The VLT museum is at the corner of 3rd Street and Victor Avenue in Victor only 5 miles from Cripple Creek. It is housed in an 1899 brick structure that once was a hardware store, hotel and furniture store. One hour from Colorado Springs; 1-1/2 from Cañon City.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Colorado Springs take US Highway 24 West to Divide turn south (left) onto Colorado Highway 67 for 13-1/2 miles to Lazy S Ranch Rd (CR 81) through Goldfield at the "Y" take the right fork to continue on CR 8, continue past Phantom Canyon Road to 3rd Street - turn left on 1st Street the Victor Thomas Museum is on your right. From Canon City you can take the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway with 3 routes: for the Western Route take Colorado Highway 9 to High Park Road into Cripple Creek then follow the signs to Victor; for a truly rugged adventure that the Central Route on Red Canyon and Shelf Road (4-wheel drive recommended) into Cripple Creek then Victor; for the best of bother world take the Eastern Route along CR 67 into Phantom Canyon to Victor (your family car and RV can make this route) these are hard pack dirt roads.

ADDRESS: 298 Victor Avenue, Victor CO 80860

PHONE: 719-689-5509 -- For Special Events and Museum Hours, They Vary Throughout the Year: mention the Colorado Vacation Directory.

Find local Maps & Fun Things To Do for your Colorado Vacation