Colorado Springs Things to Do

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We have hiked through this area with 300 foot tall sandstone rock formations on several occasions, always bringing someone new along that we can share the beauty of the red stones set against evergreens and Pikes Peak. We typically start at the Visitors Center where there are displays about the wildlife and geology of the area. There is a great relief map of the park where one can get a good feel for the trails and the rock formations. Be sure to stop for group photos on the deck with views of Pikes Peak behind the park!

There is a movie at the Visitors Center entitled “How did those red rocks get there?” The movie runs every 20 minutes. The cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (5-12 years old). There is also a café and gift shop at the Visitors Center.

Be sure to stop by the information desk for a trail map that will show you where the interesting rock formations are located. There are more than 15 miles of trails with many trails paved making them handicapped accessible and easy for strollers. If you are into rock climbing, you can sign up to do this or just watch others as they climb the rocks (you must register before climbing). The information desk can also help you with guided tours and free nature trail walks if you are interested.

The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Sept-May) and 8:00 am – 8:00 pm in the summer months.

If you only have a couple hours, you can see the highlights on the paved trails; but if you have all day, pick up one of the longer trails that take you away from the more heavily trafficked areas. Either way, you will enjoy the Garden of the Gods.

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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.

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I had the privilege of touring the Air force academy with a USAF academy graduate friend. As we walked through the campus and visited the beautiful Cadet Chapel, the interesting Goldwater Visitor and falcon Stadium he started walking and talking slower. Finally he advised he could not take anymore. It was a very interesting experience having live through the hazing of the late 1960 early 70 and achieving-- as an Air Force Physician the rank of Lt General -- he could not face the personal trauma of what he went through as a cadet. I understand it has chanced a lot in 30 years.

It is a very interesting and beautiful campus well worth the visit.

The Visitors' Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The Academy is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Garden of the Gods is a gorgeous free public park. You can drive through...but I advise stopping and taking a walk through the park. There's a very nice spacious and paved walkway that will lead you through some amazing towering sandstone rock formations. There are restrooms at the park. And there are free Naturalist-led walks daily. They also have a very nice visitors' center.

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Garden of the Gods is the best park in Colorado Springs for site seeing, picnicking, jogging, and biking. Miles of paved roads, dirt roads, and dirt trails provide excellent routes for all kinds of activities. When I'm in town, I love to run the central loop twice for a beautiful 4-mile run. With over 1.7 million visitors per year, Garden of the Gods is America's 29th most visited city park.

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.

Close to the Cheyenne Mountain zoo and included in the admission price to the zoo.
The shrine is dedicated to the cowboy and homourist who died in a plane crash in 1935.
It is located in a beautiful area and affords great views of Colorado Springs.

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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).