List: Top 10 attractions to see around Colorado Springs
You will never know how much cool stuff there is to do and see in the Pikes Peak region until you’re asked to list just 10 of them. Here’s a list of favorites:
Cave of the Winds – 100 Cave of the Winds Road, Manitou Springs, off U.S. 24; 685-5444. Terror-dactyl aerial dive, zip line, cave tours, Wind Walker Challenge Course.
– Bat-A-Pult takes flight at Cave of the Winds
– VIDEO: TERROR-Dactyl ride opens at Cave of the Winds
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road; 633-9925. More than 950 different animals and about 180 species. See the animals, ride an antique carousel, eat a gourmet lunch at the Grizzly Grill, then ride the Mountaineer Sky Ride to the zoo’s summit.
– Cheyenne Mountain Zoo wins prestigious award for exhibit
– Cheyenne Mountain Zoo gives baby orangutan a new name
Cripple Creek – Take Hwy 24 west to Hwy 67. Old west charm meets the excitement of low-stakes casino gambling.
– Side Streets: Last of Cripple Creek’s legendary Mackin family selling out after nearly 70 years
– Renovated Bennett Avenue expected to give boost to Cripple Creek
Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center – 1805 N. 30th St.; 634-6666, gardenofgods.com. Nature programs, Junior Ranger program for kids, HD movie on history of the park, gift shop, cafe.
– Garden of the Gods ranked best in the US; nearly tops in the world
– Review: Garden of the Gods Gourmet Market and Cafe is bigger and better
Glen Eyrie Castle – 3820 N. 30th St.; 634-0808, gleneyrie.org. Ministry of The Navigators. Tours daily of historic castle, Queen’s Tea and Royal Tea, holiday madrigal.
– Flying W Ranch, Glen Eyrie take different paths after Waldo Canyon fire
Manitou Incline – 515 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, visitcos.com. Cable car track on private property became a challenging, albeit illegal, trail for hikers and runners. It is now public. One mile climbs 2,000 vertical feet. Rated difficult.
– The new Manitou Incline: By the numbers
– New Incline, same crowd on re-opening day
Olympic Complex – One Olympic Plaza, 1750 E. Boulder St.; 866-4618, teamusa.org. Olympic Training Center, gift shop, Hall of Fame, tours $5, children under 10 free, senior, group and military discounts.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway – 515 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs; 685-5401, cograilway.com. The Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway trains travel to the summit of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak multiple times daily, weather permitting.
– First major step taken to build new summit house on Pikes Peak
– ‘Gratitude train’ chugs up Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak Highway – U.S. 24 west to Cascade; 385-7325, coloradosprings.gov. Paved toll road to the 14,115-foot summit. Open year-round, weather permitting.
– High on a mountain: Pikes Peak Highway lures record number of users
– Cycling the Pikes Peak Highway becoming more popular
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, 4218 County Road 3A, Cañon City, $15-$20; royalgorgebridge.com.
– Royal Gorge Bridge & Park officially opens with kick-off celebration
– Gorge on some great BBQ at the Royal Gorge
