COLORADO
COLORADO SPRINGS
Destination Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS
Destination Colorado Springs
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Hot Air Ballooning in
Colorado Springs, Colorado
TravelingJules enjoys the Labor Day Lift Off Hot Air Balloon event at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Things to do in Manitou Springs
Things to Do in Manitou Springs, CO
Manitou Springs is a charming small town in the Pikes Peak Region is located between the Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. It’s just 6 miles West of downtown Colorado Springs, with a wide range of fun things to do, including:
The Manitou Springs Penny Arcade (Arcade Amusements) is a time capsule for some 400 vintage arcade games, including coin-operated games, some requiring only a penny to $3 to play. Look for pinball, skeeball, kiddie rides and more, spread across multiple rooms! Some machines date back to the 1930s. Also grab a funnel cake from Patsy’s!
Take a self-guided tasting tour to sample the naturally carbonated mineral water from eight springs sprinkled around town, it’s a unique kind of scavenger hunt to locate them all. Pickup a map and souvenir cup at the Visitors Center for $2, which offers details on the minerals you’re tasting. Some springs have a metallic taste, others are sweet, all are effervescent, but some are more bubbly than others.
Broadmoor Manitou + Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes you on a 9 mile route to the Summit of Pikes Peak. There are assigned seats (best views from the left hand side). Enjoy the views of Pike National Forest, and along the 1 hour and 10 minute journey. You have 40 minutes to explore at the summit. Take in spectacular views, this is a place that inspired Kathy Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.” Stop in the Summit Visitors Center and try their world-famous doughnut baked at high altitude.
The Manitou Incline, also known as “The Incline,” is quite a Colorado workout, known for its rapid elevation gain of 2000 ft in less than a mile of climbing. There are 2,768 steps to be exact. This trail was formerly a tourist cable car and now a heart-pounding workout. The Include brings in 70,000+ visitors annually, but not recommended for little kids. Free online registration for your preferred time slot available.
Of course, you can’t miss the Garden of the Gods, an awe-inspiring natural landmark. What I love about it is that you can enjoy the part in so many ways—you can self-drive or take a trolley or jeep tour, you can split off onto numerous trails or take a Segway tour, explore by bike or e-bike, go rock-climbing or horseback riding—your choice!! Stop by the Visitors Center to brush up on millions of years of geology.
Read more on 9NEWS Family day trips from Denver: Things to do in Manitou Springs
ROYAL GORGE + CANYON CITY
Things to Do in Cañon City, Colorado
Go white water rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions
Visit the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park to experience and walk across America’s Highest Suspension Bridge over the Arkansas River. Bonus—enjoy a gondola ride across the canyon and zipline back! Or try the via ferrata course.
Visit the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience to tour the museum and loop the Dinosaur Wild Walk to see larger than life dinosaurs!
Stop in for a burger and shake at the Owl Cigar Store for some cheap and tasty eats!
Take a drive down the infamous Skyline Drive, which feels like you’re driving down the narrow spine of a stegosaurus!
Ride and dine on the Royal Gorge Route, a special train ride to enjoy the scenery
Sleep in style and stay at the Royal Gorge Cabins or glamping tent.