Bethune ColoradoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Bethune, Colorado.
1. Kit Carson County Carousel
HISTORIC WOODEN MERRY-GO-ROUND
The Kit Carson County Carousel is a beautifully preserved antique wooden carousel that has delighted visitors for generations. Featuring hand-carved animals and original paint work, this National Historic Landmark offers a nostalgic ride experience for visitors of all ages. The carousel is accompanied by a museum that details its fascinating history and restoration.
2. Old Town Museum
STEP BACK IN TIME
The Old Town Museum recreates frontier life with authentic buildings and artifacts from the early settlement period. Visitors can explore over 20 historic structures including a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and general store that have been preserved to showcase prairie living. The museum offers interactive experiences with period-dressed interpreters during special events throughout the year.
3. Mount Sunflower
COLORADO'S HIGHEST POINT
Mount Sunflower stands as Kansas's highest natural point at 4,039 feet above sea level, located just a short drive from Bethune. The summit features a quirky monument with a sunflower sculpture and a guest register for visitors to sign. Despite its name, Mount Sunflower is actually a gentle rise on the High Plains rather than a traditional mountain peak.
4. Giant Van Gogh Painting
MASSIVE ROADSIDE ART
The Giant Van Gogh Painting features a massive 24-by-32-foot reproduction of the artist's famous "Three Sunflowers in a Vase" standing proudly on an 80-foot easel. This enormous artwork, visible from Interstate 70, pays homage to the region's sunflower heritage and has become an iconic roadside attraction. Visitors can stop for photos and learn about the connection between Van Gogh's art and Kansas's agricultural identity.
5. High Plains Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The High Plains Museum showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of the western Kansas region through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Collections include early farming equipment, homesteader artifacts, and the first patented helicopter in the United States. The museum provides visitors with a comprehensive understanding of how settlers adapted to life on the High Plains.
6. Flagler Lake
SERENE OUTDOOR RECREATION
Flagler Lake offers a peaceful retreat for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation just a short drive from Bethune. The lake provides habitat for numerous bird species and is stocked with several varieties of fish, making it popular with anglers. Visitors can enjoy picnic facilities along the shoreline while taking in views of the expansive Colorado sky.
7. Burlington Carousel Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RECREATION AREA
Burlington Carousel Park provides recreational opportunities for families with playgrounds, picnic areas, and open green spaces. The park complements a visit to the nearby Kit Carson County Carousel with additional outdoor activities for children. Seasonal events and community gatherings are frequently held at this central community space.
8. Old Town Café
AUTHENTIC PRAIRIE DINING
Old Town Café serves hearty, home-style meals in a setting that celebrates the region's western heritage. The restaurant specializes in comfort food classics including chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and homemade pies that reflect traditional prairie cooking. Local memorabilia and historic photographs adorn the walls, adding to the authentic small-town dining experience.
9. UFO Watchtower
EXTRATERRESTRIAL OBSERVATION POINT
The UFO Watchtower is a quirky roadside attraction that has become a gathering place for those interested in unexplained aerial phenomena. The site features an observation platform, a garden of alien-themed art, and a gift shop filled with extraterrestrial memorabilia. Visitors can learn about the numerous UFO sightings reported in the San Luis Valley and potentially spot something unusual in the expansive night sky.
10. Antique Washing Machine Museum
UNIQUE HISTORICAL COLLECTION
The Antique Washing Machine Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of vintage laundry equipment dating from the 1800s to the 1950s. Visitors can witness the evolution of washing technology from hand-cranked wooden machines to early electric models that revolutionized domestic life. The museum provides a fascinating glimpse into how a common household chore transformed through innovation and design.
11. The Sasquatch Outpost
BIGFOOT RESEARCH CENTER
The Sasquatch Outpost combines a retail store with an educational exhibit dedicated to the legendary creature known as Bigfoot. The attached Sasquatch Encounter Discovery Museum presents evidence, footprint casts, and accounts of local sightings in the Colorado mountains. Visitors can purchase Sasquatch-themed merchandise and share their own stories of unexplained encounters in the wilderness.
12. Tiny Town & Railroad
MINIATURE WESTERN VILLAGE
Tiny Town & Railroad features over 100 miniature buildings constructed at 1/16 scale to recreate an authentic Old West settlement. Visitors can ride working steam engines that circle the property, providing delightful views of the detailed miniature structures. This century-old attraction includes picnic areas and playgrounds, making it perfect for family outings near the Denver foothills.
13. Bishop Castle
ONE-MAN MEDIEVAL MARVEL
Bishop Castle is an impressive stone and iron fortress that has been single-handedly constructed by Jim Bishop over more than five decades. The structure includes soaring towers, a grand ballroom, ornate bridges, and even a metal fire-breathing dragon that crowns the castle. Visitors can freely explore this remarkable testament to one man's determination and artistic vision in the Colorado mountains.
14. Herkimer the World's Largest Beetle
COLOSSAL ROADSIDE INSECT
Herkimer the World's Largest Beetle stands as a giant roadside attraction originally built in the 1950s along Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs. This enormous representation of a West Indian Hercules beetle has become a popular photo opportunity for travelers passing through the area. Though fenced off from close access, the massive insect sculpture is easily visible from the road for a quick stopover.
15. Bethune Town Park
LOCAL COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE
Bethune Town Park serves as the central recreational area for this small eastern Colorado community. The park provides basic amenities including picnic tables, playground equipment, and open spaces for community events and gatherings. Visitors passing through Bethune can stop for a rest and experience authentic small-town Colorado atmosphere in this modest but welcoming public space.