Pikes Peak Country: Colorado Springs & Manitou Springs / COME TO LIFE DAY 2 Start your day exploring Garden of the Gods on foot, horse or by Segway. This free National Natural Landmark features unusual sandstone rock formations up to 300 feet high. While in the area, stop into the Northrop Grumman Science Center to see Science on a Sphere for views of the Earth, sun, moons and planets in space. Dominating the skyline is the famed Pikes Peak . Reach the summit by car, foot, bike or train — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest cog railroad in the world. Explore in the peak’s shadow at the newly opened South Slope Recreation Area , with hiking and singletrack trails, fishing and bighorn-sheep viewing. Or traverse 2,000 feet in elevation in 1 mile on the Manitou Incline , one of the most challenging trails in the country. Before dinner, stop by the new Winery at Pikes Peak in Cascade for a few sips at the base of Pikes Peak and then check out Manitou Springs’ new SunWater Spa ’s hot soaking springs for further relaxation. Grab dinner in historic Manitou Springs, named one of the 10 Coolest Small Towns in the country by Budget Travel magazine. The town is home to historic restaurants, neighborhood eateries, boutiques and galleries. DAY 3 Start your morning with a visit to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 3 . Ride the tram around the park, feed giraes and parakeets, walk among the wallabies and check out the Encounter Africa exhibit. Head out to the Cave of the Winds and The Broadmoor Seven Falls 4 , where a 181-foot waterfall cascades down seven granite steps. A new Soaring Adventure zipline just outside the falls delights visitors with multiple courses and scenic features. At the Cave of the Winds, explore caverns and soar on the TERROR-dactyl aerial dive ride. Or celebrate early at North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop , where it’s Christmas all year and a new zipline whisks you around the park in Santa’s sleigh. Or, hit up the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Muse-um of the American Cowboy to see exhibits on famous cowboys such as Chris LeDoux, Lane Frost and Gene Autry. There’s also the National Museum of World War II Aviation , the only U.S. museum that exclusively promotes the importance of aviation in World War II. If you’ve got time to get sidetracked, peek into Woodland Park to explore the Dinosaur Resource Center and farther on to Divide to visit Mueller State Park , which happens to have amazing Pikes Peak views. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Cañon City (page 198), Cascade (page 199), Colorado Springs (page 199), Divide (page 202), Falcon (page 203), Green Mountain Falls , Lake George (page 207), Manitou Springs (page 208), Monument , Palmer Lake , Woodland Park THE BROADMOOR.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 115
