Fairplay, Colorado, was founded in 1859 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush as a placer‑mining camp. Prospectors chose the name “Fairplay” to represent a more equitable claims system compared to nearby Tarryall, pledging “fair play” for all. Today, visitors can still explore its preserved Main & Front Street buildings—including the historic Fairplay Hotel, built in 1922.

Surrounded by breathtaking high‑country landscapes, Fairplay offers a wealth of outdoor activities. Anglers flock to the Middle Fork South Platte River and nearby Gold Medal streams, while Fairplay Beach provides gold‑panning, picnicking, and strolls along a serene mountain pond. For history buffs, the South Park City open‑air museum displays 35 original 19th‑century buildings and 60,000+ artifacts from the Gold Rush era. Hiking and camping options abound—trails such as Rich Creek, Beaver Creek, and Wheeler Lake lead into the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, while scenic drives through Boreas, Hoosier, and Kenosha Passes provide spectacular alpine vistas. Other local gems include the Rocky Mountain Land Library and a visit to the nearby Pike National Forest.

Fairplay’s cozy size offers a surprisingly diverse dining scene. One of our favorite restaurants in Mr. Burro Cafe. The egg salad croissant sandwich is mouthwatering and homemade desserts await, even gluten free options!  For something different, try Otto’s, a popular fast‑casual spot known for fresh, made‑to‑order fried chicken. It's especially hard to please kids, especially ours, so a family favorite is The Soup Pot. With roughly 7 soups offered every day, everyone can find one that they like. All ingredients are non-GMO and sourced locally when possible. Silver Scoop Creamery is a fantastic stop for a road trip break, offering a variety of coffee, pastries, and Liks ice cream. They have delicious cookies and a honey steamer, as well as ice cream sodas that the kids (or you!) are sure to love.