kaudrey

Hi,

I am going to a conference in Colorado Springs in September. I can stay 1 extra day where I'd have the entire day to sightsee.

I think I would like to go to Manitou Springs and do the following:

Cog Railway
Cave of the Winds
Garden of the Gods

My questions:

1) Can I do this in one day? It seems like it based on open hours and length of tours/hikes. For example: I could go on the 9:20am Cog railway, then go to the Caves (around 1:30?), then the Garden around 3 or 4 or so for a few hours.

2) Can I do this without a car? I am open to taxis, buses, trolleys, or even walking a few miles. What would be my best options here?

3) With these 3 spots in mind, and assuming I don't have a car, where should I stay? Near the Garden or in town near the Railway station? Any thoughts on budget motels?

I'd appreciate any thoughts! Thanks.

Karen

Strive

Karen,

These are three great choices and, yes, you could easily do them all in one day. And while I am sure there are buses that would take you to all three of these attractions, I'm not as sure that you'd be able to do them all by bus in one day (anyone?).

I think COTW and The Cog Railway would be fairly simple without a car but getting around GOTG is trickier. One of the great things about the Garden is being able to stop and explore whenever you like--obviously a rental car would be better for that. I would suggest contact the CO Springs Chamber of Commerce and having them send you info on sightseeing tours and budget accommodations. The places we ususally stay would require you to have a car.

Good luck,

Strive

kaudrey

Thanks, Strive! I'll look into that. I did email the Chamber of Commerce for a brochure, so I'll start from there.

If I have to, I can rent a car for a day - pick up Sunday, tour around, and return it Monday when I fly out.

Any one else have thoughts on places to stay?

Thanks again,
Karen

rbs360

We've just come back from there: be sure NOT to stay at the El Colorado Lodge in Manitou Springs. The little town in great, and the Castaway Hotel looked very nice. Also, Old Colorado City is a wonderful shopping area between COS and Manitou Springs.

jimcolorado

Hi. Where or in what part of Colorado Springs will your conference be held. If you can tell us, we might be better able to advise on hotels. Colorado Springs is a fairly large city, and there are grouping of hotels in specific areas, south and west mostly.

kaudrey

Hi,

Jim - we are staying at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort for the conference. This 1 day/night will be for AFTER the conference, so I need a cheaper place to stay.

rbs360 - thanks for the tips!

Karen

Strive

Karen,

If you get a car (which I would strongly suggest) then your lodging options are going to be greatly increased. I don't know what your room budget is but we often stay at the Doubletree Hotel on Cheyenne Mountain Road.

The Doubletree is centrally located, right off the highway (I-25) and a hop, skip and a jump to many local attractions. It is also quite close to the Broadmoor Hotel (which is worth a trip in itself). One nice feature of the Broadmoor is that they will make box lunches for you to take with you. We have often purchased these and taken them to Garden of The Gods (or even the Cog Railway) and enjoyed picnics at these sites. Just a suggestion.

Since I don't know what your budget is, I have included a a web address which lists many budget accommodations in the Colorado Springs area. Again, assuming you have a car, you will find everything from motel 6s on up in that region.

Hope this helps,

Strive

Kat6688

I'm a Denverite so have just a few suggestions: Remember to take a jacket on the Cog Railway, chilly and if you're coming from sea level take a dramamine. Denver's a mile high so some people have a tough time at this level. Going up the cog rail, you'll be in what we call the "timerline". Lack of oxygen at that height, even trees can't grow at that level. It's fun though, so don't miss it. If you get a chance have a meal at the Broadmoor Hotel - rates will be pricey so you probably don't want to stay there. Look at the photos of celebs that have stayed there in the past. Your itinerary sounds great and either taxi it or rent a car. Check out the motels in the area for cheaper prices. Have fun!

Strive

Karen,

Forgot to paste the web link for the motels:

www.motels-hotels-etc.com/Colorado/ Colorado-Springs.html

Strive

kaudrey

That's perfect! Thanks everyone. I think I will definitely look into getting a car for the day - then I don't have to worry quite so much about exact location of where I am staying.

I'm not on a super-tight budget, I just don't want to spend over $100 for a night, which shouldn't be a problem.

I'll definitely check out the hotel website, and thanks for all the suggestions!

Karen

marge20

On the westside and close to the attractions you have mentioned, and with character and just about the right price, is the Cliff House - see this website http://www.slh.com/usa/manitou_sprin...es_mancli.html.

The Cliff House is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and it looks like a single room goes for $129 with breakfast included.

jimcolorado

Also highly rec the Doubletree at that location, great yummy chocolate chip cookies on check-in. Also in immediate vicinity is a La Quinta, two different Marriott types, Fairfield and a Residence Inn. All are nice, Residence Inn has expanded breakfast in morning, nice "suite type rooms." La Quinta is typical, but nice. Slightly lower, older, but still well maintained is a Sheraton, a little further east just past I-25. Can't honestly rec the Broadmoor. IMHO the Broadmoor is highly overrated for lodging, and I can't believe what they charge for a very pedestrian room. Food however is outstanding, esp the Sunday morning brunch. As for restaurants in area, there's a Chiles, Outback, Carrabas VI, Red Robin, etc.,and a very good bagel place the name of which escapes me right now. Suggestion of a rental car is a very good one. A car will get you around quicker than waiting for taxi, and city buses take too much planning for my taste. E-mail me if you want additional info on anything. Happy to help.

Al_LaCarte

Jim,

Other than The Broadmoor, are there any good independent restaurants in Colorado Springs or are there only mediocre chains like you listed?

ALC

jimcolorado

There are a large number of independent restaurants in and around the Springs that I like and think serve good food. Tell me what you are interested in and I will think about it. Right off the top of my head, I can think of several very good Mexican restaurants, a good number of Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean and at least one Indian), Italian, a couple of good steak places, breakfast houses, a couple of great brew pubs, etc. COS even has one of the first "chuckwagon dinner" places in the US. COS is bleassed with a large ethnic populace, and with that a good number of ethnic restaurants. Let me know what you are interested in.

Al_LaCarte

Jim,

Thanks for responding. We, too, love many ethnic cuisines and would be especially interested in information on the Indian and Korean restaurants. Also, do you know of any good Greek or French restaurants in that area?

Thanks for your help.

ALC

jimcolorado

Will get back to you soon.
Watch for answer.
Jim

daph

If you are at all interested in figure skating you might visit the United States Figure
Skating Association museum.http://www.usfsa.org/about/worldskatingmuseum/index.htm

Al_LaCarte

Jim,

Still waiting. How soon is "soon"?

a_bientot

Yes there are French restaurants in C.S. such as La Petite Maison,westside, and the Creperie,downtown. Unique and good, El Tesoro,southwest and small, Dale Street Cafe in an old Victorian, Adams Cafe,just to the west in Manitou, and pubs - Quinns and the Wayfarer.
Try a B&B - such as the Hearthstone Inn. Enjoy lots of entertainment:www. SceneintheSprings.com. Hiking trails abound - in town, Garden of the Gods is a must.

IOPCarol

For a 1 yr. period I was going out to the Cheyenne Mtn. Resort to do training for a co.

I can't imagine doing all you want to do WITHOUT a rental car! One of my fave places (it's been awhile though) was the Crepe place in the downtown area. The staff at Cheyenne was always so wonderful and accommodating. Have fun!

Also, brace yourself, as one poster noted, for the lack of oxygen when you walk up the steps, climb through GOTG, etc. Never, ever got used to it!