Colorado Springs

Lodging

Lots of familiar hotel names near the Airport off Hwy 24.  Adds about 20 minute drive to most attractions

More big chain hotels located along I-25.  Closer to most attractions.

Manitou Springs

• No big chain hotels, but lots of places to stay.  Located off of Hwy 24 at the base of Pike's Peak.  Close to all attractions.

• Cliff House at Pike's Peak - http://www.thecliffhouse.com
  Historical Resort Hotel at the base of Pike's Peak has been open to guests since before Colorado was a state.  There is a long list of famous people who have stayed here.  Great place for a romantic getaway.

Area Attractions  

Check hotel brochure racks and attraction websites for coupons.

Garden of the Gods  - http://www.gardenofgods.com
Free.  Drive through.  Hiking Trails.

Seven Falls - http://www.sevenfalls.com
7 Waterfalls and 2 Hiking Trails above the falls.  Inspiration Point is about an hour hike round-trip and has a scenic overlook with views of Colorado Springs.   Recently reopened after being closed for 2 years due to heavy rains washing out part of the facility. 

North Cheyenne Canyon Park - 3440 N Cheyenne Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
Free.  Drive Through.  Hiking Trails, Waterfalls, Helen Hunt Falls.  Lots of deer, fox, & maybe a bear.  Near Seven Falls

May Natural History Museum "The Bug Museum" http://maynaturalhistorymuseum.blogspot.com

Cave of the Winds - www.caveofthewinds.com

Miramont Castle - http://www.miramontcastle.org

Manitou Cliff Dwellings - www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com 

Pikes Peak Cog Railway - www.cograilway.com
(Book Early - Fills up Fast).  Take a jacket in summertime.
***Closed for repairs in 2018***  May stay closed permanently

Pikes Peak Highway
19 mile drive to the summit of Pikes Peak.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - http://www.cmzoo.org

Will Rogers Shrine to the Sun - Included with your visit to the zoo.  Make sure you take the time to visit for breathtaking views of the city.

Manitou Springs - Shopping & Dining

Old Colorado City - Shopping & Dining

Food & Drink

La Unica  3317 W Colorado Ave - Cheap Mexican.  Friendly Owners.  We have eaten there a couple times

Pizzeria Rustica - http://www.pizzeriarustica.com  2527 W. Colorado Ave.  Locally grown ingredients.  Wine.  Might be too fancy for younger kids.

Saltgrass Steakhouse - North side of Colorado Springs.  Amazing Carrot Cake!!!

Colorado Mountain Brewery -  Located off Hwy 24 near Manitou Springs.  http://www.cmbrew.com

Jose Muldoons -  Mexican Food.  Several locations including downtown.  http://www.josemuldoons.com 

Mackenzie's Chophouse -  Located in downtown Colorado Springs.  Leave the kids behind and dress nice.  

Events

Labor Day Lift Off
Hot Air Balloon festival in Downtown Memorial Park.  The 2015 festival featured 68 balloons launching all 3 mornings of Labor Day Weekend and night time events as well.

New Year's Eve Fireworks
In 1922 five men climbed Pikes Peak on New Year's Eve to set off fireworks at midnight.  A few months later the AdAmAn (Add A Man) club was formed.  Each year they add one new member and climb the Barr Trail on December 30th & 31st to set off fireworks at the start of the new year.  http://www.adaman.org

Woodland Park

Located at an altitude of almost 8500ft just 18 miles west of Colorado Springs on Hwy 24.  Temp is 10-20 degrees cooler than down in the Springs.

Lodging

Country Lodge
Nice Hotel.  It is a former Carlson Country Inn & Suites. 
http://www.woodlandcountrylodge.com

Camping

Colorado Campground

• Paved Road
• 81 Campsites
• Elevation = 7800
• Amphitheater near campsite 72 has an educational program on Saturday nights during the summer
• Path between sites 42 & 43 leads to nearby Manitou Lake for fishing, biking, and hiking
• Centennial Trail passes in front of the campground
• Cell Signal with Verizon and AT&T is weak, but usable.  We could only use cell data while at Manitou Lake.

South Meadows Campground

• Paved Road
• 64 Campsites
• Elevation = 8000
• Centennial Trail passes in front of the campground

Painted Rocks Campground

• Dirt Road with some bumps
• 18 Campsites
• Elevation = 7800
• Centennial Trail is about 1/2 mile down dirt road

Food & Drink

AJ's American Pizzaria - Stone oven pizzas. 
http://enjoyajspizza.com

Attractions

Manitou Lake Picnic Area
From Woodland Park. Take Highway 67 north approximately 7 miles. Manitou Lake is on the right (east) side of the highway one mile north of Colorado Campground.  Walk around the lake on the hiking trail.  Day use fee is $6/car.

Centennial Trail
7 mile paved hiking/biking trail from Woodland Park to Manitou Lake Picnic Area.

Divide

Located 10 minutes past Woodland Park on Hwy 24 at the top of Ute Pass

Attractions

• Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center
  http://wolfeducation.org
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument 
  http://www.nps.gov/flfo/index.htm

Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek, located about 20 miles south of Divide, is about 45 miles from Colorado Springs and is located on the opposite side of Pike's Peak.  The area is known for many gold mines, including several that are still operating today.  Several casinos are located in town and offer regularly scheduled shuttles between Colorado Springs.

• Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
  In the 1960's narrow gauge tracks were laid down along the abandoned route of the old Midland Railroad and the CC&V Railroad was opened for business.  2 steam powered trains operate during the summer months with departures every 45 minutes.  Be prepared for black soot to land on you if you sit in the open air car.  Check out our video for more info.  (Discount Coupon on their website)
  http://cripplecreekrailroad.com

• Museum in the old railroad depot

• Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour - Descend 1000ft underground.  Located 1 mile north of Cripple Creek along Hwy 67.
  http://www.goldminetours.com

Cañon City

Royal Gorge Bridge - http://www.royalgorgebridge.com
Most of the park burned in June 2013 and re-opened for summer 2015. 

Royal Gorge Route - https://www.royalgorgeroute.com
Scenic train ride follows the Arkansas River into the Royal Gorge.  

Museum of Colorado Prisons -
Located in a former prison that is next to an active prison.  The museum is haunted and has been the subject of several paranormal investigations.  http://www.prisonmuseum.org