Colorado Springs, Colorado

By Amanda May
Staff Writer
Rockies.com

Nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, Colorado Springs is a nature lover’s paradise as well as a culture-rich city. Just 60 miles due south of Colorado’s capital, Denver, “The Springs” is also a cosmopolitan mile high city at 6,035 feet. With almost 50 area attractions, you’ll never run out of things to do, making this the perfect Rocky Mountain getaway.

The view in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

From skiing to shopping, hiking to dining, this central Colorado destination really has something for everyone.

Make one of the many luxurious Colorado Springs hotels your base camp to hike, drive or ride the cog rail all the way to the top of the famous Pikes Peak at 14,000 feet. The Garden of The Gods City Park at the foot of the magnificent landmark is also a definite must see. After, you’ll truly understand why the area inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.”

Since it’s beginning, numerous Colorado Springs attractions have made it a vacation haven. In fact, after Gen. William J. Palmer founded the city in 1872, it became known as “Little London” because it was so frequented by English tourists. Even back then, the city was ripe with culture; opera houses, fine hotels and restaurants entertained the tourists of the day, all with the breathtaking backdrop of the Rocky Mountains behind.

Today, the tradition of culture and the arts is still thriving. Visit the interesting area museums The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum or The American Numismatic Museum, a heaven for coin collectors, to brush up on history, or connect with the art world at the The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and the Pikes Peak Center, a large regional performing arts complex.

With stunning red rock formations, the area has more to offer nature lovers than just Pikes Peak. Seven Falls and the Cave of the Winds make for perfect Colorado landscape photographs and the expansive 1,300 acre park, Glen Eyrie, will have you snapping away as well, with its stone castle and perfectly landscaped grounds. The park is now privately owned, but its still open for tours of the grounds and makes a perfect place for an afternoon cup of tea.

One of only three United States Olympic Training Centers is located in Colorado Springs, bringing world-class athletes to the area. You might even be able to catch a figure skating championship while you’re there!

Peterson Air and Space Museum and the elite United States Air Force Academy also call Colorado Springs their home. Both offer tours of their high-tech facilities.