Pikes Peak Country / COME TO LIFE waterfall cascades down seven granite steps. A new Soaring Adventure zipline just outside the falls delights visitors with multiple courses and scenic features. At Cave of the Winds, explore caverns, soar on the Terror-dactyl aerial dive ride or tackle the Wind Walker Challenge Course. 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 & Museum of the American Cowboy (4) 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 exclu-sively 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. Old Colorado City is another favorite spot for strolling visitors looking for shops, patio dining, art galleries, events and more. 5 DAY 2 Start your day exploring Garden of the Gods on foot, on 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 Pikes Peak (7) . Reach the summit by car, foot, bike or train — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest cog railroad in the world. Stop into the new Summit House for info on the peak’s importance to the area’s history, amazing overlooks and to pick up one of the famous doughnuts. 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 head over to the Red Rock Canyon Open Space , with picnic areas, hiking trails, a free-ride bike park, technical climbing routes and off-leash dog loops. If your pooch is along, finish his day at the new Pub Dog , the state’s only restaurant where dogs can eat indoors with their owners and plenty of Fido-friendly amenities make it worth their while. There’s also the brand-new Overdrive Raceway , the nation’s first two-story indoor electric go-kart race track, featuring two quarter-mile Formula One race tracks and other amusements. Before dinner, stop by the Winery at Pikes Peak in Cascade for a few sips at the base of Pikes Peak and then check out Manitou Springs’ 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 — and was also recently named a Certified Colorado Creative District. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CANOPY HALL, CAVE OF THE WINDS; PIKES PEAK SUMMIT FROM GARDEN OF THE GODS, ISTOCKPHOTO; THE BROADMOOR. 6 7 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Cañon City (page 190), Cascade (page 191), Colorado Springs (page 192), Divide (page 194), Falcon (page 196), Franktown (page 196), Green Mountain Falls , Lake George (page 199), Manitou Springs (page 201), Monument , Palmer Lake , Woodland Park DAY 3 Start your morning with a visit to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (3) . Ride the tram around the park, feed giraffes and parakeets, walk among the wallabies and check out the Encounter Africa exhibit. Head out to Cave of the Winds (5) and The Broadmoor Seven Falls (1) , where a 181-foot COLORADO.COM / 103
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