![]() ![]() ![]() The highlights are the red sandstone rock formations that may be nearly 300 million years old. Just six miles northwest of Colorado Springs is the Garden of the Gods, a nature park with bizarrely shaped red sandstone formations and ancient cypresses. Explore Garden of the Gods Garden of the Gods | Photo Copyright: Meagan Drillinger Other things to do along the way to the top include a recreation area with three lakes and the opportunity to get ranger-led tours to learn about the area's natural wonders.Ī shuttle takes tourists the last three miles to the summit, where five states can be seen on a clear day, including Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah, and, of course, Colorado. A new café serves the iconic donuts, too.Īs you ascend, keep a sharp eye out to spot local wildlife, like yellow-bellied marmots and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Through gorgeous windows, you'll have panoramic views over the surrounding peaks. It took three years to construct and is considered to be the (literal) crown jewel of the mountain. The new $65 million Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center opened in June 2021. It is the highest cog railway in the world. The city of Colorado Springs sits at the base of the majestic Pikes Peak (14,110 feet), the mountain that has been credited with inspiring the song America the Beautiful.Īnyone with a vehicle can enjoy it via Pikes Peak Highway, a 19-mile mountain road that has multiple scenic viewing areas from which you can enjoy the panoramic views.Īnother option for getting to the top is to take the historic Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, operating on this route since 1891. If you're ready to explore, take a look at our curated list of the best things to do in Colorado Springs.ġ. Not far from the city are small, quaint mountain towns, as well.Īside from stunning natural beauty, Colorado Springs is also known for its Air Force presence – there is plenty of military history in the city, as well as Olympic history. You'll also see the sandstone towers that peek out of the Garden of the Gods. The gorgeous red rocks that rise from the green-and-slate-colored mountains certainly add a pop of majestic and dramatic color.īehind the city looms the towering Pikes Peak, one of the tallest peaks in the Colorado Rockies. Your first look at Colorado Springs will be filled with color – "colorada" means "red," in Spanish, you know. In the 1890s, the gold rush on Cripple Creek near Red Rock Canyon drew large numbers of people to Colorado Springs, and military installations brought more people to the area during the 20th century. ![]() Colorado Springs beats with a small-town heart, but with so much expansion and development in recent years, it is fast becoming one of Colorado's major metropolitan areas. ![]()
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