5.5 days in Colorado Springs
 

I and my 2 daughters will be arriving in CS on 6/22, staying at the Broadmoor. So far we've booked a 4 hr. rock climb in Garden of the Gods, horse-back riding at the Stables at Broadmoor and a trip on the Pike's Peak cog railway. My older daughter also wants to spend at least a half day scoping out Denver neighborhoods in anticipation of a possible relocation.

Any suggestions for other must-do/see activities? Are considering the lantern tour at Cave of the Winds, and we will visit the Air Force Academy on our last day prior to heading to the airport. We originally thought of visiting Cripple Creek, but traveler reviews indicate it's primarily a gambling mecca.

We enjoy hiking, and would love to see a true "ghost town".

Any input is greatly appreciated.. (daughters are 16,26)

Spend more time in Denver, particularly if a relocation is in the offing. LOTS of fun things to do with young folk. Go shopping on Pearl Street--particularly Five Green Boxes two stores. Nice eateries also.
Take a day trip to Boulder--more interesting that the Springs by far.
Or take a day trip to the real mountains--Breckenridge, Frisco, even Vail.
What about RMNP? Might be more fun than Pike's Peak?

I like (45 minutes away) Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
http://www.nps.gov/flfo/index.htm (There are places to find your own in the area, if you are so inclined)
Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a great way to get a taste of Mesa Verde-type cliff dwellings. http://www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com/

I'd spend more time in Denver, since your daughter is thinking of moving there.

The best thing about Colorado Springs is the Broadmoor, so that will be nice.

Your girls might want to see Red Rocks, and Boulder, so I think spending one night in Denver is a good idea.

Good on you lorijv for coming to Colorado Springs. Your plan sounds perfect. The Broadmoor is but a speck of what this city has to offer. We are about much more than an expensive hotel.

I fail to understand the suggestion of driving to Denver or Boulder to SHOP when the plan is to visit Colorado Springs to hike. You can shop anywhere.

Pikes Peak (14,114 feet) isn't real?

Get yourself out there - there's loads to do in Colorado Springs for those who take the time to look. Hiking nirvana.

http://www.everytrail.com/best/hikin...rings-colorado

Take a drive/hike along Gold Camp Road - see our area the way the locals do:

http://www.cospringstrails.com/hikes/goldcamproad.html

Cripple Creek isn't just about gambling...the drive there is very pretty and there's plenty to fill a day for those who enjoy the outdoors. You'll drive through the mountain town of Woodland Park enroute. Cripple Creek is a slice of CO history with unique buildings, mule rides, the Molly Kathleen mine tour, the train to Victor, etc. A drive up to CO's own super pit to see mining at work is also an option (some distressing destruction as well as some fabulous views).

http://www.ccvgoldmining.com/

Mueller State Park? Beautiful!

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mueller

Ghost towns:

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/co.

If your girls just have to shop, take them up to Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs for an afternoon or poke around our very manageable, easy to navigate downtown area.

If you really hope to check out Denver neighborhoods though, you will need more than half a day. It's a busy sprawling city with plenty of traffic to slow you down.

Enjoy our beautiful city!

How about driving to Keystone resort, renting a couple of mountain bikes and take to the trails.

For the mountain biking I think my kids would go to Breckenridge for a more fun town experience--or Winter Park. Or probably Boulder. And for the 14,000 foot experience, as suggested in another thread, drive up Mt. Evans. It is a wonderful drive/view.

Manitou Springs--shopping is wall to wall kitsch. Sorry, my experience and opinion!! Shopping in Denver can be very eclectic.

um...I live in Boulder, and think Colorado Springs has more to do. Sometimes a place can be called "touristy" for a reason!
(I also abhor shopping.)

You might consider a tour of the US Olympic Committee HQ in Col Springs. It's relatively quick since there isn't a ton to see but it's interesting, especially if you follow any Olympic Sports

I also enjoyed the zoo in Col Springs. A nice zoo, but even better, a wonderful view from the hills overlooking the region.

The zoo also currently has an exhibit on Australian animals (I've just relocated from Australia, so personally this is hard to resist).

Thanks all, but especially to Melnq8. Exactly the kind of input I was looking for!!

Shopping is definitely not an interest/priority....except maybe to pick up some western boots!

Want hiking, history, charm!

Can't wait to visit this lovely state again! And have been to the high peaks regions...Telluride, Keystone, Snowmass... to both ski and hike.

Won a trip to the Broadmoor...hence a visit to this part of Colorado.

Thank you Melinq8 for the hiking link & info. My husband & I are going to be in Colorado for 2 1/2 wks in September & the last 4 days we are spending in Colorado Springs. We like to hike & I have been looking for some good hiking trails there. Your suggestions were a big help. BTW..our daughter studied abroad in Australia her last semester of college. Loved her time there & had a wonderful time in Oz. She definitely plans on returning someday:)

You're very welcome OSUbuckeye - we loved Australia too, it was hard to leave.

Here's another hiking suggestion, we're headed there tomorrow:

http://www.cospringstrails.com/hikes/crags.html

A spectacular day at Crags and Cripple Creek today! Unusually green thanks to all the rain we've had.