10 Top Ideas for a Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

        For the ultimate summer kickoff, spend Memorial Day weekend a little closer to the sun. Leadville, the highest city in North America, fully opens for the season on this special holiday weekend. Revel in these just-opened-for-summer activities.

        1. Camp out.

        Campgrounds open May 25 for your tent camping and RV fun. Come see the stars in the Rockies.

        2. Fish or raft the river.

        Spring runoff along the Arkansas River is picking up. Check the fishing report and enjoy Gold Medal Trout waters. The upper river maintains water clarity, especially in a year like this with less-than-average snowpack. Or ride the waves in one of the nation’s most popular rivers for whitewater rafting!

        3. Move to music.

        The Tabor Opera House kicks off an exciting season lineup on Memorial Day weekend:

        • The SunDog Twins, Will Clipman & Leon Joseph Littlebird, bring their guitar-driven folk-rock, troubadour balladry and contemplative Native American flute to one of Colorado’s finest old opera houses. Friday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m.
        • An Evening With the Steel Wheels lets you toe tap to Americana and bluegrass music, folk and old-time music, and the acoustic poetry of the finest singer-songwriters. Saturday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m.

        4. Explore a museum.

        Leadville’s museums will reopen for the summer by Memorial Day weekend, to fascinate you with historic Leadville treasures, gems and mining artifacts from deep underground, and a glimpse of what life was like in an 1880s silver boomtown. The Leadville Museum Passport will be available again in 2018, offering a package deal to see all area museums, with discounts on a few attractions to boot. Check for final details later this month.

        5. Catch a train.

        Daily trips on the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad fire up on May 26, with Raft and Rail or Zipline and Train packages, Wildflower Specials and other themed rides scheduled throughout the season.

        6. Hike or bike.

        Trails throughout the Leadville and Twin Lakes area will be open, including the ever-popular and family-friendly Mineral Belt Trail, a 12-mile paved loop around Leadville. Climbing a 14er or going to a high elevation? You may encounter some snow, but most lower trails will be dry. Come prepared for adventure!

        7. Hit a hole in one.

        Your golf ball flies farther at altitude, and Mt. Massive Golf Course clocks in at nearly 10,000’ above sea level. Come enjoy nature’s assist and the jaw-dropping views of this course, set at the base of Colorado’s two highest peaks.

        8. Zip around.

        At Top of the Rockies Zipline, jump into summer and the rarified air of 11,200’ for a zippin’ good time. For extra fun, choose the Zipline and Train combo package.

        9. Discover Twin Lakes.

        The historic village of Twin Lakes springs back to life on Memorial Day weekend, when Independence Pass and the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway to Aspen reopen for summer. Stop by the Visitor Center to learn more about this intriguing area and to take a tour of the historic district. Check out paddling rentals and boat tours to Interlaken Resort.

        10. Pay tribute.

        Last and certainly not least, take time out to honor those who have served. Join the annual Memorial Day Services on Sunday, May 27, at 1 p.m. at the Lake County Veterans Memorial at Leadville’s Evergreen Cemetery. Arrive by motorcycle in the 7th Annual Fallen Heroes Run, which leaves the Summit County Elks Lodge in Silverthorne at 11:45 a.m. and journeys to the service along Highway 91, Fallen Heroes Highway. Then meet for lunch at Elks Lodge #236, 123 W. 5th

        A ceremony to honor the 10th Mountain Division ski troopers takes place on Memorial Day at 11 a.m. at the 10th Mountain Division Memorial on Tennessee Pass, at the turnoff to Ski Cooper. A luncheon at Ski Cooper will follow. See more details.

        Have a meaningful, memorable Memorial Day weekend in Leadville and Twin Lakes!

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