FAVORITE THINGS

(DISCLAIMER: The views here are NOT those of the M&PP Ry. They are solely those of the webdude.) These tips are an opinion, and are not meant as an endorsement. By scrolling down or clicking on "I accept", you agree that you will not hold either the M&PP Ry. OR the webdude responsible for ruining your vacation or anything else!

 

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(Keyhole at Spring Canyon-Garden of the Gods)

Here are some insider's travel tips, local knowledge, or whatever you want to call it. Keep in mind that I work for the tourism industry and may be a bit biased. Nevertheless, I love it here and I hope that comes through more than anything. PLEASE, stay on the trails, pack your trash out and respect wildlife and wildflowers.

Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and all of the Pikes Peak region offer numerous things to do. As a father of two kids (9 year old girl, 12 year old boy), I think it has the most to offer of any place in Colorado for families. What can you do in (fill in the blank_____Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge)? Hike, bike, fish or ride the gondola..well, all those PLUS MORE (well, you can't ride a tram, gondola or chairlift...but the Cog Railway goes higher than those-and many people confuse the Cog Train for a tram!) here in the Pikes Peak region. I mean, go to the mountain resorts, it's beautiful up there (and I know you gotta tell the folks back in Shreveport that you went to...Steamboat, or wherever), but they don't have as much to do for the family..IMHO! (Now, there ARE some great mountain biking trails in the mountain resorts-but the Pikes Peak Region can match them OR better them...see below for suggestions on mountain biking-I like getting up to the mountain resorts for some variety in my riding, tho) .....and when you head up there, also go to the off-the-beaten-path places...Ouray...Lake City...Salida...once again, just my opinion...

First off, check out www.pikes-peak.com for all the attraction listings in the area. Some people "dis" this area for an abundence of so-called "cheesy" attractions, but these can be very enjoyable for young children and adults as well. (And I like cheese!...)

I'M MENTIONING A FEW, NOT ALL, OF THE THINGS TO DO HERE.  PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS AS A NON-ENDORSEMENT OF THE REST OF THE MANY GREAT ATTRACTIONS HERE!

The Cliff Dwellings Museum, for example, is looked down upon (I confess to doing it as well before I had children!), because they were actually moved from southwestern Colorado around the early 20th century to their present location by a Colorado College class (they were in an area that was flooded for a dam). In actuality, they offer something Mesa Verde, for example, can't.....the opportunity to walk around in and touch the dwellings themselves. They also do a great job of presenting important history about the Anasazis and their culture.

Cave of the Winds is a great place to introduce someone to caves. It can't compare with Carlsbad Caverns, but it is an enjoyable cave to tour through. The Lantern tour and Explorer's are great intro's to spelunking. And they have some GREAT hard-core adventure tours (for the very fit person ONLY).

Another place that is frequently overlooked is the Museum of Mining and Industry. Museums are not in favor these days, but I find it very interesting and a great overview of mining in the state. I LOVE their old mining tools and steam engines. Good for all ages.

River rafting is also a whole lot of fun for the kids...They all offer trips suitable for children, and the Royal Gorge trip is a GREAT trip for adults.

Santa's Workshop is a whole lotta fun and a great deal for young kids (11 is about the max...my son is getting bored with it but maybe because he has gone since he was 5 or so...it might be OK up to 13ish)

Mollie Kathleen Mine in Cripple Creek is a great thing to do for everyone, as long as they are not claustrophobic!

For links to these activities, go to www.pikes-peak.com .

 

Free things: Hey, we all want free things to do, eh? Sometimes, they can be more enjoyable than things you pay for. Here are some of the best (in my book)....

1. Hike through Garden of the Gods. There is a great place near the Trading Post called Spring Canyon. Hike to a place my kids call "Gigantic Rocks" where there is a hole you can get a great view of Pikes Peak through (see picture above). This is something a toddler can do (the hike). Just be careful on the rocks...AND STAY ON THE TRAILS AND DON'T LITTER!!!. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LEARN PROPER TRAIL ETIQUETTE AND TEACH IT TO YOUR CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRST TWO CAPITALIZED RULES, I'LL ADD > DON'T PICK THE WILDFLOWERS! Excuse my "shouting", but I'm not giving out these tips to have you (or someone else) ruin my home state and my favorite trails...These rules apply everywhere, but are especially important here in the Garden of the Gods which gets plenty of use.
     The trail through the main rocks is also stroller friendly and a lot of fun and very beautiful.....

2. Drive up Gold Camp Road and stop along the way for hikes. Gold Camp Road is the old railroad bed for one of the three trains that served Cripple Creek. It's about 8 miles to where it is now closed. From that point, you drive down past Helen Hunt Falls through North Cheyenne Canyon to the entrance of Seven Falls. You should also do the one-way High Drive Loop at the place where you turn down to North Cheyenne Canyon. This will put you back on Gold Camp Road and you will repeat that section to get to N. Cheyenne Canyon. From Highway 24 or Colorado Avenue, go South on 26th Street (west is towards the mountains)to the four-way stop. Straight takes you past Bear Creek Park to the bottom of High Drive. Bear Creek Park is good to learn about nature, etc. for everyone. Right at the four way is the actual start of the RR grade and takes you to the same spot (bottom of High Drive). Many great hikes and great mountain biking here. I could spend HOURS telling you about the mountain biking here...It kicks tail, but is mostly for intermediate or better riders. Check out MTBR's trail section for info on Capn. Jack's, etc. Beginning Mtn. bikers and younger riders can ride up Gold Camp Road itself ( or Rampart Reservoir or the Santa Fe trail) on the section that is closed to cars.

3. Take the Cog Railway up one-way, hike over and spend the night at Barr Camp. Hike down the next day....FIRST, SEE THE COG RAILWAY DISCLAIMER ON ONE-WAY TICKETS. YOU CAN DO THIS WHEN THEY HAVE ROOM! NOT ON WEEKENDS OR ANY DAY FROM (about) JUNE 20th THROUGH AUGUST 21st! Also, you can go to Mountain View, hike over to Barr Camp (it's 1.5 miles) and hike back..(hey, you might have guessed by now that I'm big on outdoor activities..this IS Colorado!)

4. Drive up Old Stage Road to the old mining town of Victor ...very cool place...near Cripple Creek (which was once also very cool but run-down, but now it has gambling -like the lottery, virtually a tax on poor people, IMHO again -and it's turned pseudo-glitzy)...the Cripple Creek RR is fun, and you can get a good meal in Cripple Creek, see the Mollie Kathleen Mine (it ain't free, tho it's a great tour as well)...drive down the Phantom Canyon Road to Royal Gorge/Canon City region...(this can be quite bumpy and rutted out-beware- and ask in Cripple Creek for road conditions...if they are bad take Highway 9-it's paved)...this is a good day trip...stop at St. Peters Dome along the way up to rock-hound a bit...you can ride the Royal Gorge RY. see the Royal Gorge bridge....that might be too long a day....OK...do it in 2 days...or come back on the paved road through Woodland Park..

For more about outdoors activities see:

Hiking and Biking in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region

 

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