C_C_MOM

My husband and I are taking our 3 & 5 year old to Colorado Springs this October. We are staying at the Broadmoor hotel. We are looking for family fun?

beckers2482

Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy are all interesting. Great Sand Dunes is also good with kids, but it might be more of a drive than you would like. Give us some ideas about the things you like to do, how far you're willing to drive, and if you are the outdoorsy type, and you'll probably have better luck getting responses that will be appropriate to your interests.

lenleigh

Since you are going to be a the Broadmoor you absolutly should go to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo which is very close to the Broadmoor. I believe the zoo has the largest giraffe breading program in the country and it is probably one of the best giraffe exhibits out there. They have a great outdoor level that is elevated to their height, they can walk right up to you and pet them or feed them special crackers. Since your kids are young, they may be a little scared at first but my nephews are in the age group and they loved it regardless. The zoo is pretty hilly in parts so be prepared to walk a little but they also have a tram. They also have a great outdoor kids play area and petting zoo, carousel and kiddie train. My other favorite besides the giraffe's are the primates.

Another idea just for kids is the North Pole which isn't too far of a drive into the mountains. It's sort of an amusement park, with Santa as the theme and I imagine it's geared more towards younger kids. It also happens to be on the same road that heads up to Pikes Peak. Garden of the Gods is pretty, there's also cave of the winds (not been there myself) and both of these are nearby.

I have some photos of the zoo and Colo Springs that I have been meaning to upload to my albums on webshots. When I get them done I'll post a link on here so you can see what the zoo looks like.

lenleigh

Here's a link to my photos from the zoo (I really like to take pics of animals so I have lots). Look for the album titled: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- Colorado Springs, CO

http://community.webshots.com/user/lenleigh

hstergius

For a neat city diversion: Go downtown to Acacia Park - there is a VERY NEAT fountain there that spins, plays music, shoots water, and puts on a little show - Uncle Wilber's Fountain -

http://www.unclewilber.com/index.html

Can't wait to get back there with my now 2.5 year old. Then while you are downtown you can get ice-cream or go to the chocolate shop. They shut it off when it starts to get too cold - October may be pushing it so check it out before you sell it to the kids.

Also 'in-town' is Palmer Park - a pretty cool urban park that has trails, etc - great mountian biking or hiking - definitely kid friendly hiking as you are never far from the car or a dirt road, and there is no big elevation change. Have the kids between you and your husband so mtn bikers don't surprise you - it isn't their fault, just tight curves. There is a big playground there, too.

Hmmm - the Helen Hunt Falls and the nature center there would also be fun -the nature center has a couple of kids programs sometimes, and there is a nice area by the creek that kids seem to love to explore.

Zoo and North Pole were good suggestions. Pikes Peak railway probably good idea - might be sort of a long train trip up for the 3 year old but it's pretty cool. If you are from sea level do this near the end of your trip.

Centennial Park, which runs along Centennial Creek - has a very long, flat, wide path far away from cars. You can let the kids run and run, or rent bikes and not have to worry about hills and technical trails. Great place to run, too.

Have fun!