COME TO LIFE / Pueblo HISTORIC SITES & FAMILY TIME MORNING Kick off your visit in the colorful Union Avenue Historic District (3) , the town’s original city center, which once housed trading posts, gambling saloons and second-story brothels. Today, the area’s beautiful brick and sandstone buildings house a collection of boutiques, art galleries and sidewalk cafes. The neighborhood is one of three that make up Pueblo’s Creative Corridor — hubs of museums, live music, galleries, public sculptures, fountains and more. At Arts Alliance Studios , more than 40 creatives work on their craft. Each month on First Fridays and Second Saturdays, the artists host open houses and events such as raku firings, poetry readings and receptions. COLORADO PIKES PEAK WONDERS Once a rough-and-tumble mining town inhabited by cowboys, gold-seekers and infamous ruffians like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody, modern-day Pueblo is a sunny playground nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River. SIDETRIPS Take a scenic drive west of Pueblo to the towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff , between the Wet and Sangre de Cristo mountains. The quiet area, home to 200 miles of hiking and biking trails and 54 alpine lakes, has an air of the undiscov-ered. You’re likely to spot real cowboys and gals herding cattle on horseback and historic one-room school houses to peek into. Stop for a performance or movie at the historic Jones Theater. For fine dining and spec-tacular views, make a date at Westcliffe’s Alpine Lodge. The communities are also the first in Colo-rado to be recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association, so stop by for summer star parties and visit the Smokey Jack Observatory. South of Pueblo along I-25, Colorado City anchors the southern leg of the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway. The 104-mile road along the splendid Sangre de Cristos travels through the San Isabel National Forest, by Hardscrabble Canyon and 40-acre Lake Isabel, an ideal spot for fishing, hiking and picnicking. Head west for 24 miles along Hwy. 165 to Bishop’s Castle, a quirky fortress Jim Bishop has been building for more than 40 years and billed as “The Largest One-Man Construction Project in the Country.” 1 Check out the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk (2) , a 32-acre water-front plaza with a nature center and outdoor amphitheater, as well as a brand new visitor center to help you plan the rest of your trip. Take a guided river cruise or get your heart pumping on one of the bike trails, many of which connect to nearby Lake Pueblo State Park (1) , one of the state’s most popular. Near the riverwalk is Neon Alley , an outdoor museum of refurbished vintage signs and new creations near the historic Union Depot. AFTERNOON 2 If you’re traveling with children, your next stop should be the award-winning Buell Children’s Museum (4) , adored for its hands-on exhibits focused on the arts, Continued on page 172. QUICK TIP 170 / Colorado’s craft-beer industry is booming statewide and Pueblo is no exception. Try the Pueblo American Pale Ale at Shamrock Brewing Co. , sip the Pueblo Chile Lager at Walter’s Brewing & Taproom or grab a pint of Leadhead IPA at Brues Alehouse Brewing Co. 1-800-COLORADO FROM TOP: LAKE PUEBLO STATE PARK, COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE; HISTORIC ARKANSAS RIVERWALK, MILES/ANNA ZOROMSKI.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 170
