4-Day Colorado Springs Stay
Garden of the Gods sign in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Day 1 You'll See:
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Cripple Creek Heritage Center
Day 2 You'll See:
- Cave of the Winds Lantern Tour
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- Historic Manitou Springs
Day 3 You'll See:
- Garden of the Gods
- Olympic Training Center
- Downtown Colorado Springs
Day 4 You'll See:
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Day One
Pikes Peak Cog Railway- SET TO REOPEN 2021
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway provides some of the absolute best views in the entire Pikes Peak region, this rustic railway traveling just over 14,ooo feet up the Mountain past waterfalls and through pine and aspen forest. Pikes Peak Cog Railway was first established in 1891, serving happy riders for 126 years now! This system runs on an Abt rack system cog railway, with 4 ft 8.5-inch standard gauge track. The average grade up the mountain is about 12%, though at some points in the 14,000-foot journey it reaches 24%. This railway is the highest in North America and one of the highest in the entire world! The base station is located in Manitou Springs, just outside of Colorado Springs.
Cripple Creek Heritage Center
This free museum sits atop a hill overlooking Cripple Creek and is known as the 'complete source for Cripple Creek information', for both locals and guests. Learn all about the country's last great gold rush, the late 1800s Pikes Peak Gold Rush through several different hands-on exhibits, historic photographs, and various artifacts and materials. You will also learn about historic dinosaur discoveries, gold mining techniques both past and present, and wildlife encounters you will only find here!
Day Two
Cave of the Winds Lantern Tour
This historic cave has been around for millions of years, though it was most recently discovered in 1869, about 147 years ago. Shortly after the discovery a couple of explorers, the Pickett Brothers, stood at the entrance of the cave and watched as their candles repeatedly flickered out, a strong gust coming from inside the limestone cavern. Hence the name 'Cave of the Winds'. While here your group will have several tour options below ground, and several recreation options above ground. Below ground, you can take a tour of the cave system, with 3 distinct tour options: Discovery Tour - 45-60 minutes within the lit portions of the cave, Lantern Tour - 90 minutes of candle-lit exploration, and Caving 101 - 2-2.5 hours of crawling, climbing, and walking around.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings were first opened to the public in 1907 after a meticulous 3-year move and restoration from their original location in southwest colorado. These ancient pueblo-style structures make the perfect historic and educational stop for your group. There are two museums on site, The Pueblo Museum and The Cave Museum, each located underneath the actual dwellings themselves. Inside the museums, your group will be able to explore several different exhibits that explain more about the daily life of the Anasazi people, with artifacts such as tools, weapons, pottery, and pans inside. Outside the museums you will be walking through the ancient buildings, examining the architecture up close and personal.
Historic Manitou Springs
In 1868 Dr. Bell and General Palmer took advantage of this area's 'wellness waters' and put in place a plan for a resort and wellness resort. The rest is history, as several celebrities, tourists, and sick people soon flocked to the area to soak up the healing waters, which are filled with lithium, magnesium, and potassium. Throughout Historic Manitou Springs, your group will be able to explore historic architecture, art galleries, and plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Visit the Manitou Springs Heritage Center for more in-depth information on the area, the Manitou Springs Fire Department Museum for an interesting historical tidbit, the Manitou Incline for a challenging but gorgeous hike, or the nearby Manitou Cliff Dwellings for a hands-on history experience!
Day Three
Garden of the Gods
While here your group can hit the hiking trails, take part in regular events such as Together Tuesday Hikes or classes like Intro to Geology, or visit the 'most visited attraction in the region', the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. Here you can check out educational programs and interactive exhibits that cover the geology, flora and fauna, and people and history of the area. You can even watch a film at the new Geo-Trekker Theater.
Olympic Training Center
This institution is the flagship training center for U.S Olympic and Paralympic Training Center Programs. The campus houses the USA Swimming and USA Shooting Headquarters, 15 member organizations, and 2 international sports federations. There are also housing, dining, training facilities, recreational facilities, and daily services on campus, providing services for over 500 athletes and coaches within the 35 acres.
Downtown Colorado Springs
Downtown Colorado Springs is a designated Creative District for the state of Colorado, with multiple art galleries, festivals, and community events happening here regularly. There are over 75 different dining choices and 100 unique shopping and entertainment options, including the Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Pioneers Museum, Money Museum, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Camp.
Day Four
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Welcome to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s only exciting zoo situated on a mountainside! Located just southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, this amazing zoo was opened in 1926 after a local man wanted a place to house his growing collection of exotic animals. Sitting on 140 acres (only 40 are currently in use) the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will immerse your group into exotic cultures and habitats while inspiring new respect for wildlife preservation. The zoo holds over 750 animals that represent 150 species, 30 of them are currently endangered. Enjoy exploring the many different hands-on education opportunities and memorable experiences.
