favorite attractions in Colorado Springs

We were in Colorado Springs for a week this past June.

Pikes Peak is a must. We drove it in our TV and I would recommend driving - allows much more time at the top and not as crowded. When the train gets there it is so crowded you can't see/do anything inside.

We did the cliff dwellings but I wasn't impressed. However, they had a first class museum next to the gift shop.

Air Force Academy chapel is worth the drive. Garden of the Gods is very nice and well done.

The Mountain Zoo was a spur-of-the-moment choice to finish out an afternoon and it was surprisingly nice - perhaps the nicest zoo we have been to. Hard to get to/find somewhat behind a subdivision. I'm sure there were easier ways to get there than what we pieced together.

As someone else said, if you aren't into big towns I would not budget a lot of days for Colorado Springs, but there are a few MUST SEE's.

Hwy 67 (Phantom Canyon Rd.), Penrose to Victor/Cripple Creek. A RR ROW turned scenic drive that starts at Hwy 50 and 67 near the Fremont Co. Airport. It might still be one way on the Airport end north.

Yup, I also agree. We leave Thur and will include Mancos 8/31 (3 days), Buena Vista (5), Montrose (5) and Ouray (6) before heading to UT. Will be out 2 months at those great places.

On edit - typo correction

x2 on what Busskipper said. Spend a couple of days in CO Spgs and the rest in Salida. Great little town with lots to do in the area. Interesting little art shops featuring locals. Interesting restaurants. Spend a little time in the park down by the river. Head up to St. Elmo for a "real" Colorado ghost town. Hit the mining museum up in Leadville then drive out to see some of the old mine ruins around town. I could spend a month in Salida/Buena Vista (we only get there about 2-3 weeks a year), but would have trouble wanting to spend more than a couple of days in Colorado Springs.

mueller state park - very excellent camping

pikes peak - drove it twice before and took the cog this june

iron springs dinner and melodrama theater - the four of us were laughing for 2 hours straight.

Cheyenne mtn zoo

garden of the gods

ljr wrote:

ljr wrote:
The view from my site at Cheyenne Mountain State Park was amazing, especially at night.

This is not relevant to the OP's original question but for the benefit of other readers I'll mention what I consider a huge negative. Though they have a great trail system their "no dogs on trails" rule kind of killed it for me. That left me enjoying the view for 2 weeks.

Now back to the original topic.

There is a lot of wildlife in Cheyenne Mountain state park that doesnt need to be spooked or chased away by a barking dog. That rule is not a negative.

ljr wrote:
The view from my site at Cheyenne Mountain State Park was amazing, especially at night.

This is not relevant to the OP's original question but for the benefit of other readers I'll mention what I consider a huge negative. Though they have a great trail system their "no dogs on trails" rule kind of killed it for me. That left me enjoying the view for 2 weeks.

Now back to the original topic.

Yup on all the above. Here are my two Do Not Miss.

Pikes Peak - either drive it or take the cog rr up and down. If you can, drive it. We have hiked it (12mi, 8000ft gain) and I have run it twice at half marathon. Stick the drive!

Garden of the Gods. Early morning or later evening for great photos.

Enjoy.

All of the above plus the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Seven Falls at least once in a lifetime. Air Force Academy.

I see looking back some of these have already been mentioned, so I'll just second.

I'll second Cheyenne Mountain SP for camping and then the USAFA and the Garden of the Gods.