Opera House Tours Bring History to Life

For a close-up look at the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit, take a history tour in these elegant buildings. While you marvel at the at the architecture and decorative details, you will hear stories of luminaries who have crossed the famous stages.

Tours also share what the opera houses have meant to locals in these mountain communities for more than a century. Read on, and learn where to sign up.

📷: Amanda Tipton Photography

Central City Opera House & Gilpin Historical Society

The Gilpin Historical Society offers tours throughout the year of several historic buildings with intriguing stories. In the Central City Opera House, peer up at the frescoed ceiling, and check out the perfect acoustics. See who has visited before you by reading the wooden seat backs, carved with names like Buffalo Bill, Beverly Sills, and Lillian Gish.

You won't want to miss the infamous Face on the Barroom Floor, mentioned in a Three Stooges movie, at the Teller House hotel. Check out Thomas House, an 1867 Greek Revival-style frame house reportedly built around the entrance to a mine. Discover the stained-glass windows and 1898 Steere pipe organ at St. James Methodist Church, dedicated in 1872 and the state’s oldest operating Protestant church. View antique printing equipment at The Weekly Register-Call, the oldest continuously printed newspaper in Colorado.

Sheridan Opera House

At the Sheridan Opera House, admire the restored decorative stenciling in the theater where stars like Smokey Robinson, Darlene Love, and Jewel have performed. Hear the stories of the “crown jewel of Telluride.” Take the Telluride Historical Museum walking tour, or contact the Sheridan Opera House for a tour appointment.

📷: Craig Hensel

Tabor Opera House

To go backstage at the Tabor Opera House, take a guided group tour or reserve a private tour (by appointment only) from late spring through early fall. Peek at pieces from the finest collection of historic stage scenery in North America, which date back to 1888 and were discovered in the Tabor’s attic in 2020. Sit in the original red velvet Andrews opera chairs where mining magnates once watched the shows. See the stage where John Philip Sousa and Oscar Wilde appeared and magician Harry Houdini disappeared.

📷: Jordan Curet

Wheeler Opera House

Get an insider’s look at the iconic Wheeler Opera House, the center of Aspen’s arts and cultural scene since it was built in 1889. Aspen Historical Society, in partnership with the City of Aspen, offers free tours seasonally on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Check the Wheeler Opera House calendar (search "tours") for more information.

📷: Faren Wilbur

Wright Opera House

At the Wright Opera House, you can see a famous Mesker iron façade and an original stage curtain. Please email the Wright Opera House or stop in to request a tour and peruse these historical treasures.