Lightning flashes throughout Pikes Peak. Think about being right here, almost 125 years in the past, watching controversial inventor Nikola Tesla attempt to harness the electrical energy within the sky for his experiments with wi-fi vitality.
Tesla is lengthy gone now, however you possibly can nonetheless really feel a cost within the air.
Colorado Springs has a wealthy historical past and a rising future. Ranked because the quantity two place to stay within the nation by U.S. Information and World Report, residents share the town with america Olympic Staff and the US Air Power Academy.
Towards the majestic backdrop of America’s Mountain and the Backyard of the Gods, the town hosts greater than 685 artwork, cultural, and particular occasions yearly, drawing 23.7 million guests to the world final yr. They got here each for the outside magnificence and the indoor recreation.
Though 478,221 individuals stay there, you don’t must be a resident to understand all it has to supply. In 2021, greater than 23.7 million individuals visited the Pikes Peak Area, exploring each its outside magnificence and its indoor recreation.
“Colorado Springs has attracted multi-generational guests for years. Iconic, historic sights like Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Backyard of the Gods Park, and Flying W Ranch instill a particular sense of surprise in these of all ages,” shares Alexea Veneracion of Go to Colorado Springs.
“There are such a lot of unbelievable tales of individuals visiting with their households after they have been youngsters after which coming again a long time later and bringing their youngsters and grandkids to make extra recollections within the Pikes Peak Area.”
Whether or not you’re a resident or a vacationer, you’ll discover loads to maintain you entertained. Listed below are a couple of of the award-winning excursions Colorado Springs has to supply.
Chow Down at The Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner and Present
Flying W Ranch has been considered one of Colorado Springs’ premiere sights for almost 70 years. The chuckwagon dinner venue attracts visitors from throughout the nation who come to expertise a night of enjoyable and leisure.
Beautiful views encompass the ranch, lending to the sensation of stepping away from the town and into the times of previous. Piping scorching, foil-wrapped baked potatoes, smoked brisket, and buttermilk biscuits served on previous tin plates add to the nostalgia.
The customarily sold-old crowd sits at lengthy rows of picnic tables within the eating corridor. It is not simply any previous eating corridor, although. The six-million greenback facility can seat 1200 individuals, and the design consists of rolling glass partitions that showcase the stunning mountain surroundings on all sides.
The leisure begins when the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers take the stage. This five-man band is the world’s second-oldest western singing band and has carried out throughout the globe. Their hour-long live performance is a foot-stomping, clap-along occasion that visitors is not going to quickly neglect.
The Ranch isn’t the one place that may have you ever cheering. Colorado Springs is named “Olympic Metropolis” and has been the proud dwelling of Staff USA since 1978.
Go to The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
If the phrase “museum” has you considering of dusty previous artifacts and boring work, put together to have your athletic socks knocked off. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is a 60,000-square-foot, cutting-edge facility stuffed with interactive shows and hands-on reveals. It is a one-of-a-kind vacation spot that brings the historical past of the video games to life proper earlier than your eyes.
This immersive expertise will entertain and fascinate you as you’re employed your manner by means of the 12 galleries that make up the Museum.
Seize the skis and see firsthand what it is prefer to race down the slopes within the Alpine Snowboarding occasion. Suppose Archery appears simple? Choose up the bow and shoot your shot. You may even “race” towards an Olympic Champion on a 30-meter monitor.
Chances are you’ll by no means compete within the precise video games, however these multi-sensory interactions offer you an opportunity to expertise what it would really feel like in the event you did.
The Museum is taken into account one of the crucial accessible on the planet. Whereas there, you may see a powerful assortment of torches utilized in each opening ceremony since Berlin, Germany in 1936. You may additionally see the nearly-complete assortment of gold, silver, and bronze medals representing every sport for the reason that fashionable Olympics began.
Whereas the museum delivers an emotional excessive, there’s one other tour that may take you even increased — 14,115 ft, to be precise.
Climb Pikes Peak on a Cog Railway
One in all solely two cog railways within the nation, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway can also be the best on the planet.
Why take the Railway as an alternative of driving up Pikes Peak Freeway? For starters, drivers should navigate 156 hairpin curves and switchbacks as they make their manner up the 19-mile freeway, and what goes up should come down. If driving up a winding mountainside highway is not your factor, then say no extra. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is your ticket to the highest!
As you ascend the mountain, hold a watch out for wildlife alongside the best way since it isn’t unusual to see elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and yellow-bellied marmot within the fields.
Admire the breathtaking views, discover the customer heart, and luxuriate in scorching chocolate and donuts earlier than returning to the prepare. This leisurely four-hour tour is a peak expertise for a lot of visiting Colorado Springs.
Backyard of The Gods Buying and selling Submit
Your go to is not full with out taking time to benefit from the nearly six mile scenic drive by means of the Backyard of the Gods. The long-lasting surroundings is all however synonymous with Colorado Springs and charges primary for issues to do there, based on Tripadvisor. You may discover it simply exterior of Outdated Colorado Metropolis correct, nestled on the base of Pikes Peak.
Being the primary attraction comes at a value, although, so despite the fact that exploring the purple rock formations is free, it’s typically inundated with vacationers. Locals typically discover different trails to get pleasure from, similar to Crimson Rock Canyon Open House and North Cheyenne Cañon Park.
It’s widespread to see wild animals within the parks, but when seeing them up shut is necessary to you, Colorado Springs has an excellent higher possibility.
Feed The Giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Suppose all zoos are alike? Voted the third-best zoo within the nation, Colorado Springs does not monkey round in relation to making a top-notch customer expertise. One of many first reveals you may encounter units the bar excessive for the remainder of your go to.
Actually.
You may be eye to eye with the tallest animals on the planet as you discover the 17-member giraffe tower. Many say that is their favourite expertise on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Spend a couple of {dollars} on a handful of lettuce, and also you’ll have the giraffes consuming proper out of your hand.
The zoo covers over 146 acres of hillside and is dwelling to 750 animals. Whether or not you stroll, take the gondola or journey in a cart, make your option to the highest to soak up the scenic overlook earlier than winding your manner again downhill to journey the carousel.
Extra Issues To Do in Colorado Springs
Whether or not you reside or trip in Colorado Springs, there’s loads extra to do in and across the metropolis. A number of price mentioning embrace crossing the Royal Gorge Bridge and exploring Cave of the Winds. Guide a keep on the Broadmoor Resort, stroll to the Seven Falls, and take a tour of america Air Power Academy.
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Karee Blunt is the founding father of OurWovenJourney.com, a journey weblog centered on inspiring others to create memory-making adventures with their family members. Karee is obsessed with encouraging others to step out of their consolation zone and stay the life they dream of. She is the mom of six youngsters, together with 4 by means of adoption, and lives together with her household within the Pacific Northwest. You may be taught extra about Karee on her about me web page.