Cripple creek/Pikes Peak

I lived in Woodland Park for 30 years, and worked in Cripple Creek for most of the time. Just left in April for our full time adventure.

Couple thoughts:
If you're concerned about altitude (Cripple Creek is 9,500), consider Woodland Park (8,500) or Colorado Springs (6,000).
Royal Gorge in Canon City is spectacular. Lunch/Dinner train or just visit.
New Olympic museum in Colorado Springs is spectacular.
Air Force Academy is something to see.
Under the radar: Paint Mines (google it), about 30 min west of Colorado Springs.
Victor Gold Mining tour, right next to Cripple Creek.
Florissant Fossil beds.

Have fun. It's beautiful!

For a lesser known experience, take the Phantom Canyon Road (CR 67) south to Florence. This section of road is the original route of one of the railroads that serviced the mines of the Cripple Creek area. From Florence, continue south on CO 67 to Wetmore and catch CO 96 west. About 10 miles from Wetmore, head south on CO 165 for 12 miles or so to Bishops Castle. Free, the best price. An amazing castle hand built by one man over the course of around 50 years. Your kids will love this place. Search Bishops Castle to see images.

You can return via the same route or extend your day by heading to Royal Gorge. There's a theme park and the bridge on top. Or there's an interesting railroad trip along the river into the gorge below the bridge that starts in Canon City.

Another route back to Cripple Creek is the Shelf Road (CR 9).

Note that both of the county roads are graded gravel roads but I've easily done both in small sedans.

Another mountain in the area to drive to the top is mount Evans.
This use to be the tallest paved road in the U. S. until they paved the upper half of pikes peak.

Fordlover, your kids would certainly love a visit to the Air Force Academy. Call ahead to determine if you can get on a tour. Of course, the majority of the cadets don't return until fall and the cadet parades on the grounds would have been enjoyable.

Cog has re-opened since closing in 2017.

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway has finally opened to the public after closing in 2017 for improvements. The railway invested $100 million in new tracks and cars, shipped in from Switzerland, to carry folks up to the summit of Pikes Peak.

May 20, 2021

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

We stayed a week at Lone Duck on 6/20. They are completely rebuilding the top of Pikes Peak. New visitor center, catwalks/overlooks. You were stopped at mile 16 and sent to a makeshift parking area. From there, you had to ride a shuttle bus to the top. One exception was if you had a handicap tag, you could continue on to the top. We have one, so we were able to drive to the top. Pick the day you want to go carefully. You want a clear day, otherwise, it could be cloudy and/or snowing and you won't be able to see much.

Heisenberg wrote:
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Ditto, the kids will love it. Make sure they get to feed the giraffes.

I'm loving all the hints and suggestions. Thank you all and hope there is more to come.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Cave of the Winds
Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
Seven Falls (does involve hiking/climbing stairs)
Will Rogers Shrine
Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad