Hotels near Mighty Argo Cable Car

The Mighty Argo Cable Car is one of Colorado's newest attractions, in Idaho Springs, the old gold-mining town 53 km (33 miles) west of Denver on I-70. Its gondolas lift from the base of the historic Argo Mill and Tunnel at 2,300 m (7,550 ft) to Miners Point at 2,680 m (8,800 ft), where hiking and mountain biking trails begin and views stretch to the Continental Divide.

In October the ride passes over hillsides of aspens and scrub oak, which at this elevation typically turn from late September to mid-October. Back at the base, the Argo Mill, which processed gold ore from 1913, runs guided tours of the mill. Miner Street in Idaho Springs has brewpubs and pizza restaurants for lunch, and the town's hot springs pools make a good end to the day.

Pro Tip: Ride in the morning before the afternoon wind picks up and book online on weekends. Avoid driving back to Denver on Sunday afternoons, when eastbound I-70 traffic backs up for hours.