Experience the Wild West Near Fort Carson at the Ghost Town Museum

The Ghost Town Museum is a fun, exciting experience for families to learn about the rich history of Colorado’s Wild West heritage. Families can explore artifacts, participate in gold panning, play in old-fashioned arcades, or watch flicks at the nickelodeon. Located in Colorado Springs, next to Fort Carson, the Ghost Town Museum is an ideal spot for military families to enjoy family time.

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Overview of Colorado Springs Ghost Town Museum

The Ghost Town Museum was established in 1954 and currently serves as a preservation of Colorado’s Wild West heritage. See, back in the olden days of the 1800s, 1858 to be exact, the Colorado area had a rallying cry, “Pikes Peak or Bust.” The significance of this phrase stemmed from the Colorado Gold Rush, when thousands of miners rushed the western frontier in search of gold. From the 1860s through the 1870s, individuals filled the West, turning it into their own functioning community. That was until the gold eventually ran out, and miners quickly abandoned the area, turning them into “ghost towns.”

Don’t worry! There’s nothing to be afraid of because the museum isn’t haunted or scary, but the area resembles a bygone era. The museum brings the site back to life by preserving a lost generation, and the “town” is an indoor collection of the same structures left behind from the 1870s.

Where Is the Ghost Town Museum in Colorado?

The museum is centrally located in Colorado Springs at 400 S 21st St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904. For military members stationed at Fort Carson, the museum in Colorado is 21 minutes away, approximately 11.2 miles out. Just take the I-25 N to S 21st St., and you’ll be there in no time.

Ghost Town Museum Hours

Are you already planning a visit? Great, because it’s open year-round! From the months of June-August, they’re open Monday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and from September-May, they’re open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Ghost Town Museum Cost

Admission is affordable; for adults, it costs $7.50 per ticket, for children 6-16 years old, tickets cost $5.50, and children below age 6 get in for free. If you plan on going with a group of ten or more, you can get $1 off each ticket. Schools and daycares on field trips only need to pay $3 per person, and gold panning is also included in the ticket prices.

There’s Something for Everyone at the Ghost Town Museum

There are plenty of ways to get involved and participate at one of the coolest museums in Colorado springs. Check out the preserved towns, which feature authentic buildings and artifacts from the Pikes Peak region that have been preserved for generations. Or, get hands-on by cracking a butter churn, testing your marksman skills at the shooting gallery, playing arcade games, and panning for real gold.

Don’t forget to check out the gift shop because you can purchase trinkets, treasures, and T-shirts for all ages. No matter what you decide to do at the Ghost Town Museum, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Suggested read: Explore the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum