riddlekitty

Heading to Colorado Springs in May - never been. Interested in whitewater rafting. Just curious, is the water still freezing in May? Can someone recommend a good rafting company. Looking at Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, etc. What kind of restaurants/bars would be good in the evenings. Is the Hilton Garden Inn in convenient local to points of interest? Any info appreciated.

MaureenB

Why Colorado Springs? For a vacation town, I'd choose another place IMHO.
If you want whitewater rafting, you might stay in the mountains, closer to the rivers you can run. And, yes, the water will be cold in May. I once was dumped into the river from a kayak in July near Winter Park, and the water made me numb in minutes. Not a good experience!

ajcolorado

The water will be cold in May. We're at the top of the continental divide so all that water comes from melting snow and that tends to be chilly. You can wear a wet suit. Also, we can still get springs snows in May (even early June) but they generally come and go in a day. Your rafting company may offer wet suits.

Colorado Springs is great - ignore the previous poster, they're clearly confused. The Hilton Garden Inn is a lovely and new facility and is very convenient to restaurants and shops. It's also close to the interstate so you can get to the other points of interest fairly easily. Also, Denver is only about an hour north if you want to see any thing there. It seems like you are interested in outdoor activities so you may be interested in Seven Falls (has an entrance fee) or Helen Hunt Falls (free with a nice hike to the top). Palmer Park has some great views and Castlewood Canyon is a little ways north of Colorado Springs on Hwy. 83 - which is very close to your hotel. Cave of the Winds is nice. You can drive up to the Royal Gorge (Canon City)in about an hour.

Restaurants - you'll want to go downtown if you're wanting "local" flavors. You're right across the street from P.F. Changs, Ted's Montana Grill, Biaggi's, Panera Bread, a sports bar, and some others. There are many others within close proximity.

We have museums, an IMAX theater, and plenty of local bands and performances.

www.gazette.com is the link for the local newspaper - they have a restaurant and entertainment guide.

ellen_griswold

Check out The Airforce Academy. Not sure if they're still giving full tours since 9/11 but if so, take one. Very interesting and inspiring, and the Chapel is stunning. Try to go in the am if possible as it seems to rain every afternoon.

Garden of the Gods is a cool state park (should be nat'l IMO) and a peek at Pikes Peak is fun too If you're into baseball, a drive to Coors field in Denver would be a treat. One of the best ballparks IMO, right up there with Cleveland's, Baltimore's and Arlington's.

ajcolorado

Here's another link for you:

www.experiencecoloradosprings.com

Bonn

We really enjoyed rafting with the Adventure Company in Browns Canyon. I don't think thats too far from Co Springs. The outfit runs out of a shack, but is professional nonetheless. (We got the tip ourselves from a fellow fodorite) And yes they will rent wet suits for a small fee.

rbs360

We have previously done Pikes Peak by bike, & it was great! I would absolutely recommend you check it out.
Also, the area of Old Colorado City, between CS & Manitou Springs, is a funky shopping area. Very fun!

riddlekitty

Appreciate all the response. Some folks in my party now decide they do not want to whitewater raft (wimps) So...have seen on some websites that you can take like jeep tours up into the Pikes Peak area, etc. Sounds interesting. How about the Royal Gorge area? Is it do-able or even worth it from Colorado Springs?
Thanks for any input.

lovetotraveltoo

Hi, how bout the comfort inn suites at the air force academy. Is anyone familiar with this motel? I want a clean, comfortable room. We also plan to see the Olympic Training Center and I read something briefly the other day that said the skating part is an another facility south of town. Is this correct? Thanks!