Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs | COME TO LIFE Day 2 Start your day at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, where the new Dixon Trail takes you to the top of Cheyenne Mountain (work those calves!). Or explore Garden of the Gods on foot, on horse, by Segway or via vintage scooter. A new seasonal shuttle whisks visitors to the main part of the park. Dominating the skyline is Pikes Peak. Reach the summit by car, foot, bike or newly restored Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Stop into the new Summit House for inspiring overlooks, an outdoor dining terrace and one of their famous doughnuts. Explore in the peak’s shadow at the South Slope Recreation Area, with hiking and biking trails, fishing and bighorn-sheep viewing. Before dinner, check out historic Manitou Springs’ galleries and restaurants. The town is a Certified Colorado Creative District and named one of the 10 Coolest Small Towns in the country by Budget Travel magazine. North of town, Rainbow Falls Historic Site — a series of small waterfalls along Fountain Creek — is a favored stop for hikers and picnickers. Two shuttles run around town during the summer. Check at the visitor center for details, as well as other tips for exploring this area. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park Day 3 Start this day with a visit to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Feed giraffes and parakeets, walk among the wallabies and check out the Encounter Africa exhibit. Or head to Cave of the Winds Mountain Park for a new via ferrata climbing adventure, and The Broadmoor Seven Falls, where a 181-foot waterfall cascades down granite steps. Celebrate early at The North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop, where it’s Christmas all year and a zipline whirls around the park. There’s also the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy, where you’ll see exhibits on famous cowboys, and the National Museum of World War II Aviation, the only U.S. museum of its kind. Get sidetracked in Woodland Park to investigate the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center or take a guided UTV tour of Pike National Forest with Great Outdoors Adventures. Head farther on to Divide to visit Mueller State Park, which happens to have amazing Pikes Peak views. Old Colorado City is another spot for strolling visitors looking for shops, patio dining, art galleries, events and more. In the evening, consider some Wild West fun at Flying W Ranch. Saddle up for a chuckwagon dinner accompanied by the Flying W Wranglers’ cowboy songs. Or, for a delicious extravagance, consider a true farm-to-table experience with A Grazing Life, featuring menus by top chefs from the region. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak COLORADO . COM 99
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2023: Page 99
