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Empire Mine State Historic Park – The Empire Mine
was the most productive hard rock gold mine in the U.S. Today you can wander
around the old mine buildings, blacksmith and machine shops, and peer down
the long dark entrance to the mine. Throughout the year on "Living
History Days" volunteers dress in the period clothes of miners, engineers,
tradesmen, etc. and you can watch period demos such as a blacksmith working
his forge. |
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 Take
a tour of Empire Cottage, a lovely English style "manor"
house, built in 1897 or just stroll around the gorgeous rose gardens, past
reflecting pools and beautifully landscaped grounds. |
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Want
to stretch your legs? Hike the Hardrock Trail (starts near the Visitor
Center) through the oak and pine trees, past the crumbled foundations of
the Orleans Mine and the mounds of rock waste from the W.Y.O.D. Mine to
Little Wolf Creek. 2.5 miles round trip. For a shorter stroll, take the Union Hill Trail through the shady pines and ponderosas (half mile
loop). |
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The Visitor Center has mining exhibits and a complex 3-D model of the
Empire Mine, showing hundreds of miles of tunnels. Get hiking maps at the
Visitor Center. Picnic tables under the trees. |
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North Star Mining Museum (Mill St.) has gobs more mining equipment,
including a huge Pelton wheel that generated electricity for the mine.
There's a beautiful picnic area where you can enjoy your lunch
alongside Wolf Creek. It's really quite wonderful by the creek and the
perfect place on a hot day. |
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49er Family Fun Park (off Idaho-Maryland Rd.) –
Kids want to get back into the 21st century? Jump into a single or double
go kart ("stingers" for kids under 48 inches), take a swing in
the batting cages, or play a few rounds of miniature golf (the charming
course has a Gold Rush theme). |
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Parks – Cool off and relax in several Grass Valley
parks. |
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Memorial
Park has a public swimming pool, picnic area and playground (play
structures). At the Grass Valley Video History Museum, see historical
film footage and documentaries of the area (open May to Oct., Thursday –
Sunday afternoons). |
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Condon
Park – Minnie Park, at the entrance to Condon Park, is great
for little kids, with a playground and picnic tables. Throughout Condon
Park there are picnic areas, trails and a fishing pond. |
