Canon City tends to attract two classes of people: Day-trippers who breeze through on their way to the Royal Gorge or a rafting excursion on the Arkansas River, or folks who find themselves staying much longer than they had planned, say, 20 years to life. Few stop to see the vintage buildings and funky museums in this southern Colorado city that’s as famous for its prisons as its scenery. Start in the original downtown, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, then wander into the tranquil residential neighborhoods north of Main Street, to the 900 block of Greenwood Avenue for some serious mansion gawking.
Getting around: Canon City is about 110 miles southwest of Denver. Take Interstate 25 south to Colorado Springs and merge onto Highway 115, which takes you to U.S. 50. Head west on U.S. 50 directly into downtown Canon City.
