Otis ColoradoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Otis, Colorado.
1. Overland Trail Museum
HERITAGE THROUGH TIME
The Overland Trail Museum is a highly-rated historical museum in Sterling, Colorado, near Otis. Visitors can explore exhibits that showcase the pioneer history and cultural heritage of northeastern Colorado. The museum features period buildings, artifacts, and interactive displays that bring the region's past to life.
2. Sterling Creatives
LOCAL ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
Sterling Creatives is a popular art gallery showcasing works from local and regional artists near Otis. The gallery offers a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, pottery, and other creative works in various styles and mediums. Visitors can admire and purchase unique art pieces while supporting the local creative community.
3. Dream Redeemer
INSPIRING MONUMENT DISPLAY
Dream Redeemer is a highly-rated monument and statue in the Sterling area near Otis. The artistic creation serves as a cultural landmark that reflects the values and heritage of the local community. Visitors can contemplate the artistic significance and symbolic meaning of this impressive monument.
4. Rainbow Bridge
SCENIC RIVER CROSSING
Rainbow Bridge is a notable landmark in the Sterling area accessible from Otis. The bridge offers visitors spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and waterway. This destination serves as both a functional crossing and a picturesque spot for photography and enjoyment of the natural scenery.
5. Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad
HISTORIC MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
The Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad is a spectacular mountain railroad built in 1880, offering rides between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Passengers experience a 64-mile journey through breathtaking mountain scenery, making it known as America's #1 best scenic railroad. The historic train ride provides a glimpse into 19th-century transportation while showcasing the natural beauty of the Colorado landscape.
6. Carousel of Happiness
HAND-CARVED MAGICAL MENAGERIE
The Carousel of Happiness in Nederland is a unique attraction featuring 56 hand-carved animals created over 26 years by artist Scott Harrison. The carousel inspires joy, laughter, and magic for all visitors and includes accessibility features like a wheelchair ramp. This one-of-a-kind artistic masterpiece provides a whimsical experience for visitors of all ages.
7. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad
MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN EXCURSION
The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad offers a spectacular train journey into the untamed wilderness along the Southern rail line. Passengers can view Colorado's two highest peaks while traversing through stunning natural landscapes featuring summer wildflowers and majestic aspen groves. The scenic excursion provides an unforgettable way to experience the high-altitude beauty of the Colorado Rockies.
8. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
FUR TRADE ERA POST
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site features a reconstruction of an 1840s trading post that was an important point for fur trade on the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can take tours and watch living history demonstrations about fur trade and life at the fort during its heyday. The site offers an immersive historical experience that brings the American frontier era to life.
9. Colorado National Monument
DRAMATIC RED ROCK CANYONS
Colorado National Monument showcases spectacular canyon landscapes with towering sandstone formations and dramatic vistas. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing opportunities within this protected natural area. The monument's rugged terrain and colorful rock formations provide stunning photographic opportunities and insights into Colorado's geological history.
10. Dinosaur National Monument
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL TREASURY
Dinosaur National Monument preserves one of the most abundant dinosaur fossil beds in the world, offering visitors an up-close look at prehistoric remains. The monument features a visitor center built around an exposed rock face containing approximately 1,500 dinosaur fossils. Beyond paleontological wonders, the site also encompasses beautiful river canyons, petroglyphs, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
11. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
ANCIENT PLANT PETRIFICATIONS
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument preserves one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world, featuring detailed impressions of ancient insects and plants. The monument includes a visitor center with fossil displays, interpretive trails, and the opportunity to observe massive petrified redwood stumps. Visitors can learn about the area's prehistoric ecology and the natural processes that created these remarkable 34-million-year-old fossils.
12. Curecanti National Recreation Area
SCENIC RESERVOIR PARADISE
Curecanti National Recreation Area encompasses a series of three reservoirs along the once wild Gunnison River, offering visitors numerous water-based recreational opportunities. The area features dramatic landscapes where sheer canyon walls rise from blue water, creating stunning vistas and photographic opportunities. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing in this scenic mountain setting.
13. Argo Mill and Tunnel
GOLD RUSH HISTORY
The Argo Mill and Tunnel is a National Historic Site offering daily tours that demonstrate how gold ore was processed at the turn of the century. Visitors can try their hand at gold and gem panning while learning about Colorado's rich mining history. The site includes a museum and mercantile where guests can purchase souvenirs related to the state's gold rush era.
14. Winter Park Resort
MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUND YEAR-ROUND
Winter Park Resort is a premier mountain destination located 67 miles west of Denver, offering year-round recreational activities. In winter, visitors enjoy skiing and snowboarding on diverse terrain, while summer brings hiking, mountain biking, and music festivals to the mountain. The resort combines outdoor adventure with downtown shopping opportunities, making it a complete vacation destination.
15. Washington County Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Washington County Museum in Akron showcases the rich agricultural and pioneering history of the region near Otis. Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, and stories documenting the development of farming communities in northeastern Colorado. Visitors can gain insight into the rural lifestyle, technological innovations, and cultural heritage that shaped this agricultural area.