Leadville, CO

Leadville perches at 10,152 feet in Colorado's mountains, making it America's highest city. Drive Highway 24 from Denver via I-70 and Copper Mountain (two hours) or take the direct mountain route from Colorado Springs through Buena Vista. Highway 82 connects to Aspen when Independence Pass is open. The former silver boomtown experiences harsh winters with possible snow year-round due to the extreme elevation. The National Mining Hall of Fame displays the world's largest mining artifact collection in a restored 1904 schoolhouse.