We will be in Colorado springs for 4 full days. Any suggestions on what to do or see in such short time? we will be traveling with 9,14,16 yrs old.

Yeah, get an AAA or any other guidebook and do some research on the net before you come here asking everyone to do your research and plan your trip for you.

Ignore "" - he (or she) is obviously an idiot. Spend a day visiting the Royal Gorge located outside of Canon City. It is a very tourist oriented activity but I am reasonably certain the children will enjoy the visit. Also be sure to drive up or take the tram up to Pikes Peak. Visit the Garden of the Gods - no entrance fee and it is a short visit but very worthwhile. You might also consider a visit to the Cave if the Winds. There is also the Air Force Academy. Four full Days is more than enough to see all there is to see in the Springs.

To "getoff",
You must be on the wrong board. This is a T-R-A-V-E-L message board where people ask T-R-A-V-E-L questions. Go back to the cranks anonymous board, or wherever you came from.

If you email me, I will get back to you with more information than I can put in this little message area. I retired here from the Air Force in 1994 and know the area well... ik

3 Angels,

All of xx's suggestions are good. The cog railway up Pike's Peak is not to be missed. Also, I think you and your kids would especially enjoy Cave of the Winds. As xx stated, Garden of the Gods is free and the red-rock formations there are truly spectacular! If you go, you can get a box lunch to take from The Broadmoor Hotel (worth a visit to explore anyway) and have a picnic in GOTG.

Some other things worth doing/seeing:

1. Seven Falls--beautiful, plus a great place to hike and let the kids burn off some energy

2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo--set up on the side of a mountain offering great views of the area.

3. The Golden Bee--adjacent to The Broadmoor (and owned by the same), this authentic pub offers good pub fare, yards of ale and nightly sing-alongs. Lots of fun for the whole family.

4. Manitou Springs Melodrama--Just like it sounds: a fun show next to Colorado Springs.

Have a great trip!

Davidcs

Thanks for your helpful suggestions!
get off....I did consult AAA and other travel books, but personal reccomendations are always good!
You may need a vacation yourself ?

Spend a day (or part of it) at The Garden of The Gods, take a horse-back ride through the park also, go to the top of Pikes Peak, explore Manitou Springs and its charming shops and restaurants. Most of all....relax and enjoy time togteher!

If you do a Colorado Springs search, you should be able to bring up some info on Phantom Creek Canyon Rd., one heck of a drive around 'the back' of Colorado Springs. It's single lane, gravel, with great scenery - the kids would probably get a kick out of it, tho it's a couple hour drive.

It's actually called the Phantom Canyon Road, Fremont County Road 67, runs from just east of Canon City to Cripple Creek, which is now a gambling town. Road used to be the roadbed for the old CripppleCreek and Florence railroad, used to haul gold ore from Cripple Creek and Victor to Florence for smelting. Road is very narrow, gravel, incredibly scenic, but definetely not for "flat-landers", the faint of heart, or over-sized vehicles. E-mail me with additional questions, I live only about 5 minutes from this road.

Aw, Jim! This flatlander has done that road...twice. Of course, my even-more-of-a-flatlander sister left nail marks on the passenger side (fear? clawing to get out? who knows...I'm used to her). But for any competent driver interested in some worthwhile scenery and driving, in this day of boring interstates, I'd still recommend it highly!

I'd second all of those opinions.
Phantom Canyon Road is a little scary but very neat, if you're up for a little bit of a drive. Florissant fossil beds natl monument is a little west of there as I recall--calcified trees and some insect fossils. The scenery in that area is great I love the valleys surrounded by mountains.
The Royal Gorge, Seven Springs, Gardon of the Gods, and Cheyenne Zoo are all great, must sees too.

I'm pissed. About 15 years ago, I visited Royal Gorge. I did so again for the next two years, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself with the scenery and the general beauty of the place. At that time, entrance to the gorge was seventy five cents. With that admission, you could loiter around the great bridge, and leisurely spend a few hours there with absolute pleasure. I had occasion to visit there again this past May 10. I was extremely distressed with what they have done with this treasure. The admission is now SIXTEEN DOLLARS! Neddless to say, I didn't pay this extortion. They made a playland out of it. That's progress, I guess.

Hi Al! Just how old are u anyway? The Royal Gorge hasn't been 75 cents per person for more than 40 years. I am 50 and remember it being $6 or 7, or so at least 10 years ago. To be honest the price is a little bit of a rip off, but you got to admit the incline railroad, the tram hanging some 1400 feet over the Arkansas River, let alone the bridge itself are breathtaking. I live in Canon City, and to be honest, my family only goes to the Gorge when they have free day for local residents.

Hi Al! Just how old are u anyway? The Royal Gorge hasn't been 75 cents per person for more than 40 years. I am 50 and remember it being $6 or 7, or so at least 10 years ago. To be honest the price is a little bit of a rip off, but you got to admit the incline railroad, the tram hanging some 1400 feet over the Arkansas River, let alone the bridge itself are breathtaking. I live in Canon City, and to be honest, my family only goes to the Gorge when they have free day for local residents. Is Disney really worth $50 per day?