FLORENCE, COLORADO
Boasting small town charm, natural beauty and plenty of history, Florence is located in Fremont County, just west of Pueblo and southeast of Cañon City in southern Colorado. Originally built as a railroad hub for trains hauling coal from nearby Rockvale and Coal Creek, Florence was an agricultural community that made history in 1862 as the first oil center west of the Mississippi. Today the downtown is a National Historic District that’s made a name for itself as the Antique Capital of Colorado.
Downtown Florence has a wonderful collection of art galleries and antique, consignment and boutique shops, as well as a good selection of restaurants, a brewery, Bell Tower Cultural Center, Pioneer Museum, historic Rialto Theatre, and a bowling alley. The downtown area and tree-lined neighborhoods are a showcase of architecture styles that range from craftsman bungalow to Victorian, along with beautiful flower-filled gardens and a myriad of tree sculptures.
Home to the Arkansas River and near the San Isabel National Forest, Florence has some great parks and trails to explore including Pathfinder Park which was named after explorer John C. Fremont, Florence River Park which has become a river surfing destination, and Florence Mountain Park that features spectacular mountain views, pine forests and meadows, and the Newlin Creek trailhead. Brush Hollow Reservoir in Penrose and the Arkansas Riverwalk in Cañon City are just a short drive away. The unique topography of the region makes it a fantastic bird watching destination, as well as a recreational hub for hiking and biking, nature walks and picnics, whitewater rafting, river surfing, fishing, and more. Scenic drives are another way to enjoy the region’s diverse landscape.
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a regional highlight (just a 25 mile drive). Nearby cities with airports include Pueblo (40 miles), Colorado Springs (50 miles), Aspen (115 miles), and Denver (130 miles).
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