Colorado SpringsColorado’s second-largest city is a great place to take the familyBy Janna GraberHere’s a pop quiz from the Centennial State. What Colorado city has a cosmopolitan culture, a picturesque setting at the foot of the Rockies, over 50 top attractions and a smaller-town feel? Nope, it’s not Denver. Just an hour south of the Mile-High City is Colorado Springs, the state's second-largest city and a great place for a family vacation. Colorado Springs, or “The Springs” as it is called by locals, has a young population (average age is 33) of 465,000 residents. The town values its sporty lifestyle, and many popular activities make good use of the city’s stunning Rocky Mountain setting. Several attractions are free or at little cost, making it an affordable destination for families.
Resort guests have access to the upscale Country Club of Colorado, which includes several swimming pools, a spa (which I made good use of), a fitness center and tennis courts. The championship 18-hole Cheyenne Mountain Golf course is a major draw for guests. Under the direction of General Manager Fredo Killing, who first came to Colorado Springs to pursue his passion for glide planes, the resort is molding itself into a family-friendly destination. There is a children’s program, and onsite restaurants have all the usual kid favorites. If the resort doesn’t keep you busy on your weekend getaway, then the city of Colorado Springs will. The town has become synonymous with Pikes Peak and the picturesque mountain view that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful” in 1893. You can hike or drive Pikes Peak, but the most historic way to climb the mountain is via the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which was built in 1891. The ascent climbs from the Manitou Springs depot to the 14,110’ peak in just an hour, and the ride offers amazing views.
No trip to The Springs would be complete without a stop to the Air Force Academy. If you’ve never been there, it’s worth taking an hour to look around the base and the free museum and visitor center. The cadets and the base are an impressive display of America’s strength.
The North Pole is another favorite stop for younger visitors to Colorado Springs. The Christmas-themed family amusement park has been around since 1956, and provides rides and activities that are best suited for those under 10. There is an ice-covered pole that never melts in the center of the park, and Christmas music plays in the background. At $12.95 a person (coupons can be found on their website), it provides a fun and affordable afternoon. The park is open from May through the end of December.
Garden of the Gods is a must-see for those who like to get out and enjoy nature. Besides hiking through the towering sandstone rock formations, you can also visit the free museum and nature center, which is the gateway to Garden of the Gods City Park. The kids enjoyed the hands-on exhibits and the multi-media presentation on how the rocks were formed. (Admission is $2 for adults; $1 for kids. Coupons can be found on their website.) Just ten miles from downtown Colorado Springs via Cheyenne Boulevard is Seven Falls, a 180 foot waterfall in South Cheyenne Canon. You can hike, bike, take an elevator to a viewing platform, or even enjoy lunch at the picnic facilities along the way. There is a $7 admission charge (children and seniors discounted). For a look into the region’s varied past, stop by the Pioneers Museum. The area’s first residents were native Ute, Cheyenne and Kiowa Indians. Then in 1871, William Jackson Palmer founded the town of Colorado Springs and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The rest, as they say, is history. Today the town claims it is “as Colorado as it gets”, and perhaps that assertion is true. The city’s gorgeous location, clean mountain air and outdoor lifestyle represent some of the top assets that the Centennial State has to offer. If You Go:Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau Cheyenne Mountain Resort Pikes Peak Cog Railway Ballooning over the Springs Stables at the Broadmoor Garden of the Gods Visitor Center & Natural History Museum Cave of the Winds Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Seven Falls Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum |
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While vacationing in The Springs recently, my family and I made our base at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, which offered enough diversions all on its own. The resort, which is near the base of Cheyenne Mountain, has its own private lake for boating, swimming and windsailing. We rented several types of craft and spent the day on the water and the lake’s sandy beach, which sat against the dramatic backdrop of the Rockies. For those with an urge to fish, daily fishing passes and roads are available for rental at the lake. 
Ballooning is another great way to check out the city panoramas. My husband and I took an early morning flight with Adventures Out West – a trip that showed just how mighty the massive Rocky Mountain Range really is. Due to the close proximity to the peaks, ballooning in Colorado Springs requires special attention. Still, the town is host to major ballooning events, such as the Balloon Classic from August 31st to September 3, 2002. Over 125 colorful hot air balloons will lift off from Memorial Park during the event. 
Since Colorado Springs is, after all, part of the Old West, it’s only natural that a visit includes an afternoon of horseback riding. We rode our trusty steeds through the Pike National Forest under the guidance of the Stables at Broadmoor, who have a special permit with the Forest Service. The path wound through thick Aspen groves and piney forests, even stopping for a rest in a grassy meadow. Since our littlest one is only four years old and too little to ride a big horse, he stayed behind for a tour of the ranch by pony, even stopping to look at the bison onsite.
Our older children found that the Cave of the Winds offered a more adventurous thrill. They took a lantern-lit tour of the geological wonder, crawling at times on their hands and knees through the cavern. “It was creepy,” one of the kids said, “when they turned out all the lights and it was totally pitch black.” No wonder the caverns are one of the area’s top attractions.