Fun things to do in Colorado Springs

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Nowadays, we take it for granted that we can hop on the interstate and get to a city hundreds of miles away in a few hours. This small but impressive museum reminds us of how travel used to be. It has an outstanding collection of carriages and early automobiles. This collection once belonged to Spencer and Julie Penrose, the wealthy couple who founded the famous Broadmoor Resort nearby. Most visitors to the resort don't seem to know about this, but it's worth the trip to see it. Guided tours are available (they're usually not very busy, even on weekends). And it's free.

Founded in 1857, Colorado City became the first capital of the state of Colorado. It is now incorporated into the city of Colorado Springs, but has become a unique and colorful attraction in itself. It's a great place to stroll during the day, but we found that the shops close down in the early evening. We enjoyed some of the art and gift stores; those who are into southwestern jewelry will like that aspect of the district. Features a wide variety of restaurants.

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The website for the USAFA as of Oct 2001 says: "In response to heightened national security conditions, access to the Air Force Academy is now limited to official business.

"Personnel holding a valid Department of Defense identification card, including military and dependent ID cards, civilian employee ID cards and USAF Academy contractor ID cards will be allowed access."

I have not been there recently.

In the chapel, the tetrahedrons form the walls and the 99-foot-high pinnacled ceiling of the Protestant Chapel. Stained glass windows with eight basic colors graduate from cool to warm, moving from liturgical colors of Advent to Easter, from the narthex (entrance) to the chancel (altar area).

There is a castle that was built by General Palmer who founded Colorado Springs. It is located just off the entrance to Garden of the Gods,near the headquarters. If you are lucky it will be a day where they will let you drive in to view the castle. Somedays they are having conferences and do not want to be disturbed. Once in the castle area, you can park and go into the shop.
The Castle is now owned by the Navigators. They have these conferences and have guests stay overnight in the castle.
Yes, there are secret passages, and even a bowling alley. You can see from the castle some caves where the Indians used to build fires and watch the activities.
When you come to the little "check in" house, make sure they understand you just want to look, sometimes this works to gain entrance.
You will enjoy this place, I am sure, so give it a shot and try to get in.

The Broadmoor Resort

Even though we did not stay here as guests, we did spend a leisurely time exploring the beautiful grounds of this exclusive spa and golf resort, which center around a lake and include a training facility for U.S. Olympic figure skaters.

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Colorado's newest State Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park took over the lands of the old JL Ranch that is nestled in the foothills of Cheyenne Mountain right in front of NORAD. It is roughly 1,680 acres large. It was acquired in June of 2000 by the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado State parks, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Colorado Lottery, El Paso County, and other local private organizations. It represents protection of one of the last significant open spaces along the southern section of the Colorado Front Range. The environments consist of open space of the eastern flank of Cheyenne Mountain and the borders of Colorado's plains covering the wide variety of landscape, wildlife, botany, and geology the transitional panorama offers. Wildlife consists of deer, elk, mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, foxes, wild turkeys, prairie dogs, red-tailed hawks, and golden eagles. The park first opened in October of 2006 and is currently El Paso county's only State Park. The Park hosts over 20 miles of trails open to hikers and bikers. Dogs and horses are not permitted since many ground-nesting birds are in the area. The Park has a large information center, gift shop, educational displays, interpretive programs, campgrounds, picnic are

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The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is not just a collection of static displays, but one of working machines. The guide demonstrates how these contraptions were used to extract the earth's mineral wealth. It was and still is difficult, dangerous work--especially when done underground. The miners in the 19th century didn't have modern safety gear or workman's compensation. There were no disability payments. Many could no longer work after years of exposure to the fumes in the mines; they were just out of luck.

Other than becoming a miner yourself, this is the best way to learn about the lives of these people. You can even try your hand at panning for gold, as prospectors did in the early Gold Rush era. On the way out, you can visit the two pet goats that live near the gate--a favorite attraction for the kids.

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The Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum offers a look at the live and legacy of the state's pioneers. These hardy explorers, fur trappers, ranchers, and others built the city. It's a must-see for any history buff in this city.

This museum is inside the former El Paso County Courthouse, built in 1903. Its collections contain over 60,000 objects from Colorado's history. These include Indian artifacts, marketing posters, carriages, weapons, clothes, and historical dioramas. Donations are gladly accepted.