Great Weekend Getaways - The lure of the Plains

Burlington

By Christine Loomis

Situated 13 miles from the Colorado/Kansas border on Interstate 70, this small farming community was incorporated back in 1888 and was soon voted the county seat of the newly formed Kit Carson County. Today, it's home to about 3,200 folks, and to a National Historic Landmark that you can ride and a piece of Colorado plains history that you can walk right into.

The Kit Carson County Carousel is the only antique carousel in America with its original paint still on the scenery and animals. The exotic menagerie of 46 animals, including a photogenic giraffe, was hand carved in 1905 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Some horses have real horse tails and the deer have real antlers. At the center of the carousel is a fully restored 1912 Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ and 45 Victorian oil paintings. Talk about a bargain-25 cents will get you a ride and a tour.

Designated a National Historic Landmark, the carousel is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 1-8 p.m. Ever wonder what life was like on the plains back in frontier days? Mosey around Burlington's Old Town and you'll know. Old Town, open year-round, has 21 authentic buildings from the 1800s to the mid-1900s where settlers actually lived, worked, gathered, played and prayed. Many were moved from eastern Colorado towns. A real "soddy" (buffalo grass hut built by early pioneers), leather shop, drug store, wood shop, school house, native rock jail (the first used in Burlington) and other structures give an up-close look at day-to-day pioneer life on the plains.

Complementing the visual history are voice modules throughout the complex providing an engaging audio history. Ask about occasional "gun fights," and check out the high-kicking can-can girls at the Saloon through Labor Day.

After exploring Old Town, take a tip from locals and have lunch or dinner at The Route (Lincoln Street, off I-70), or stop into its coffee shop for a fine morning latte or plain old-fashioned cup o' joe. Pick up free maps and vacation guides at the Colorado Visitor Center-one of seven in the state. Just don't wait for a rainy day to visit. According to the city's official website, Burlington has an average of only seven totally cloudy days a year.

Information: www.burlingtoncolo.com; Old Town, 800-288-1334.

Please note: This article is from our archives and some facts may have changed. Please contact your nearest AAA office and ask to speak to a travel counselor to update you on the latest travel information.

Christine Loomis is a freelance writer and editor in Lafayette, and a frequent contributor to EnCompass.