Around the Springs
 

Spending a week in CS in September but want to get out of town over a long weekend in Rockies or ? Would appreciate suggestions for a lodge or hotel with character within couple hours of Colorado Springs. <$200/night preferred. Suggestions wanted for must see sights other than the obvious. Already read most posts on restaurants and such. Thanks!

Ya gotta go to Manitou Springs, which is basically attached to Colorado Spgs on the west side (think: mtns). Recently stayed at The Cliff House in Manitou.(thecliffhouse.com) It's old, but very spiffy and nicely redone. Each room is different. If you're here around Sept.20th, aspens will be turning so drive to Woodland Park, Divide or Victor. (Stay in Victor - it's haunted!) Or take Cog Railway up Pikes Peak. Though not too clean, go to downtown C.S.(Nevada St.or Tejon St.) and get some ice cream and candy at Michelle's - it's got original decor of the early sixties! Then a couple doors south is the Coolest antique jewelry store complete with armed guard! Van Briggle Art Pottery is famous and you can tour that. Could stay at Glen Eyrie, a conference center run by the Navigators-it's a beauty. Go see Giant Tropical Insects at the John May Museum for a creepy good time! There are SO many things to do around Colo Sprgs, you'll go nuts trying to decide.

The reason you have only gotten one response is because you title is not very good.

There are probably 100 or more resort areas in the USA with "Springs" in their names.

So you might have better luck with a title something like "need suggestions for hotels and sites near Colorade Springs"

Try this:
http://www.twinlakesnordicinn.com/

We've visited a few times - definitely has character! Beautiful setting just 'this' side of Independence Pass from Aspen. Good food, friendly atmosphere, good place to unwind. Good hiking and mountain biking (tame options available!) right from there - Aspen is just over the pass, which is nice drive, anyway. I wouldn't stay in Aspen, though...

You can visit Leadville from there, and get some Colorado mining history in - maybe even some rafting or tubing if the water is right. Lots of guides around.

-Helen

Thanks to all for the info, especially boondogs. We stayed at the Cliff House for three weeks while we were in Colorado Springs on business. We toured on the weekend up to Denver, over to Boulder, to Estes Park, through the RMNP, down through Leadville and back west to Colorado Springs. The trip took up about 14 hours of driving..but it was truly worth it. We took pictures with Elk in the park and bought cow skin rugs in Leadville. We also went white water rafting on the Arkansas river near Canon City. What a great trip. Not to be missed in the Springs are the Broadmoor, the Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak and dinner at the Cliff House. We managed to get a cheap rate at the House by asking. Christy is very helpful if you need assistance.