The Essence of the Plains: Burlington & Wray; Visitor Directory / COME TO LIFE THE ESSENCE OF THE PLAINS the spring, colorful and peculiar greater prairie chickens strut and dance across local grasslands in search of mates. The ritual is such a spectacle that the Wray Cham-ber of Commerce and Colorado Parks & Wildlife have teamed up to offer special viewing tours. Housing one of the only permanent Smithsonian exhibits outside of Washington, D.C., the 13,500-square-foot Wray Museum features an extensive Paleo-Indian exhibit, displaying one of the largest and oldest Stone Age bison kill sites. COLORADO SIDETRIPS Visit ourjourney.info to learn about 13 museums and attractions, upcoming events, off-the-beaten-path sites to explore and geocaches to discover around the region. Colorado is home to more than 450 different avian species, many of which are found in the diverse ecosystems just east of the Rockies. Lone falcons share the sky with droves of tiny white-throated swifts, owls snooze inside hollowed trees and prairie chickens strut through vast stretches of golden shortgrass. Check out COLORADO. com/TopBirdingTrails to learn more. fountain for a hand-dipped ice cream cone and take the kids around the interactive exhibits on pioneer life. EVENING Grab a quarter and head over to the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds to ride a National Historic Landmark. Out of the nearly 4,000 wooden carousels carved in America between 1885 and the 1930s, the fully restored 1905 Kit Carson County Carousel is one of a handful still spinning. Intricately carved wooden horses, giraffes and lions crafted by the Philadel-phia Toboggan Company whirl to the tunes of a 1909 Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ. For an extra bit of fun on summer weekends, ride to the carousel on the Old Town Express , a horse-drawn wagon ride that travels between the fairgrounds and the Old Town Museum . 1 OLD TOWN MUSEUM IN BURLINGTON, MILES/MATT INDEN. Nudging the state’s eastern bor-der, Burlington and Wray pack a helping of rural living and eastern plains heritage. Just a day trip from Denver, see the farms that bring food to your table. AFTERNOON Mosey down to Burlington and treat yourself to an Old West experience. The Old Town Museum (1) contains 21 refurbished buildings filled with authentic artifacts from the early 1900s. Watch a mock gunfight or can-can dancers in the saloon, visit the old-fashioned soda MORNING Begin your journey in Wray with some one-of-a-kind birding. In STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Burlington (page 198), Wray QUICK TIP The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Museum commemorates the first radio-wave telephone system in the US, which made Cheyenne County the technological center of the telephone world in the 1940s. G Swimming Pool E Exercise/Fitness Facilities H Pets Allowed J High-Speed Internet I Airport Shuttle K Complimentary Breakfast U ADA-Compliant F Restaurant On Site p Free Parking r In-Room Refrigerator m In-Room Microwave Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) Member The dollar symbols indicate how much you can expect to pay for an average hotel room. $ = Less than $100 $$ = $101–200 $$$ = $201–299 $$$$ = $300 and Up TURN TO PAGE 85 TO SEE STATEWIDE EVENT LISTINGS. RECREATION COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE Enjoy some of the STATEWIDE CONDOS/HOME RENTALS ROCKY MOUNTAIN GETAWAYS Your one-stop resource for Colorado ski packages. Our free ski-vacation planning service provides expert local knowledge and the best possible rates to stay and ski Colorado resorts. We look forward to planning an unforgettable ski trip for you! rockymountaingetaways.com/region/colorado, 866-764-3829, PO Box 9561, Breckenridge 80424 G E J I K F r m U state’s best outdoor recreation at Colorado’s 42 State Parks. Hiking, biking, nature programs, boating, fishing and hunting amid spectacular Colorado scenery. Affordable campsites, cabins and yurts — reserve up to 6 months in advance. cpw.state.co.us/discover, parksinfo@state.co.us, 303-866-3203, 800-678-2267, 1313 Sherman St., #618, Denver 80203 H $ Colorado Cross Country Ski Association is the go-to resource for information on cross-country and snowshoe resorts throughout Colorado. The CCCSA offers a Season Punch Pass and organizes the statewide Colorado Nordic Race Series. coloradocrosscountry.com, ski@ coloradocrosscountry.com, 14143 Denver W. Pkwy., Suite 100, Golden 80401 F U $ ALAMOSA ATTRACTIONS SAN LUIS VALLEY MUSEUM The museum features artifacts, books, pictures and papers from various valley locations and families. A new historical mural graces the outside of the building on Fourth St. sanluisvalleymuseum. org, sanluisvalleymuseum@yahoo.com, 719-587-0667, 401 Hunt Ave., Alamosa 81101 U COLORADO CROSS COUNTRY SKI ASSOCIATION The HOTELS/MOTELS COMFORT INN & SUITES Located in the beautiful San Luis GUEST/DUDE RANCHES COLORADO DUDE AND GUEST RANCH ASSOCIATION SIGHTSEEING/TOURS Valley, guests enjoy views of the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges. Conveniently located 1 mile west of Alamosa on US Hwy. 160. comfortinnand suitesalamosa.com, comfortinnalamosa@gmail.com, 719-587-9000, 855-826-3715, 6301 US Hwy. 160, Alamosa 81101 G E H J I K r m U Visit an all-inclusive Colorado dude ranch this next summer. You will find accommodations at our member ranches range from a rustic mountain retreat to a mod-ern-day mountain resort with all the comforts of home. Perfect for family reunions. coloradoranch.com, vacation@coloradoranch.com, 303-859-7932, 866-942-3472, PO Box D, Shawnee 80475 G E I AT YOUR PACE – FREESTYLE CYCLING ADVENTURES Explore Denver and the Rocky Mountains by bicycle! Travel with the regional experts on guided/self-guided biking and multi-sport tours. Bike & Brews, winery and custom tours available. Includes accommodations, planned routes, GPS and full 24/7 support. atyour pacebiking.com, info@atyourpacebiking.com, 970-776-0181, 1792 E. 11th St., Loveland 80537 $–$$ ALMA LODGES/CABINS SECOND HOME SECOND CHANCE Our short-term rental homes and cabins are located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, which makes them central to every outdoor activity imaginable. We are minutes from world-class skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking, snowshoeing and much more. secondhomesecondchance.com, rentals@ secondhomesecondchance.com, 719-836-7039, 29 S. Main St., Alma 80420 J r m $$–$$$$ COLORADO.COM / 195
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 195
