nanecam

Yippee, we get to leave for our S.W. Colorado vacation this Thursday - a day earlier than we thought. We're driving, and the new departure puts us in the Colorado Springs area Friday morning. We're seeking suggestions for an affordable - but not too icky - night's stay Friday somewhere between Colorado Springs and Buena Vista/Salida and things to do with the 9 and 6 year-olds during the day on Friday. We visited Garden of the Gods last year - certainly worth revisiting, but I'm sure there are other things we can consider...

tovarich

Try Manitou springs.A visit to the two ghost towns up in the mountains :Victor and Cripple creek is great also for kids.Paul

nanecam

Thanks Paul. Will look them up! - Nancy

historytraveler

The Cheyenne zoo is a favorite with kids too.

ManitouEd

The zoo is a winner. The kids will love the giraffes - you can feed and pet them. My teen still loves to visit. Cave of the Winds is a consideration, if they haven't done that sort of trip. Red Rock Canyon Open Space is across Highway 24 from Garden of the Gods and is a great hiking spot for kids that age. If you're not opposed, Manitou has one of the best old-time game arcades in the country - there's still penny and nickel games, some of them from '40s and '50s. You'll probably enjoy it as much as they will!

nanecam

We booked a night in Manitou! And the arcade is a definite possibility. The kids are interested in a ghost town - that might be something for Saturday morning before we cross over to Crested Butte. Doubt will do the zoo, though it sounds great. St. Louis has a doozy and we spend a lot of time there. Restaurant recs, anyone?

Gretchen

Go to Woodland Park about 25 miles from CO springs and do the excellent dinosaur museum there.