The fact that this popular brewery and restaurant sells its own T-shirts at the front entrance is a strong sign that this place is extremely popular. The menu is mostly American cuisine with global influences, featuring everything from burgers to fish and chips to baked ziti. The interior is dominated by hardwood flooring and a wall of windows. Outdoor seating, though limited, is very popular during the warm months. Above the dining area is a huge billiards room. The crowds tend to be of the 30-something kind.

This 193-acre park offers more recreation and entertainment options than most cruise ships. Besides the usual park offerings of tennis courts, ball fields, jogging paths and picnic shelters, it also offers swimming, fishing and sailing on Prospect Lake, as well as year round ice skating and hockey in the Sertich Ice Center. The park also plays host to the Colorado Balloon Classic and the annual 4th of July Celebration. Picnic shelters can be reserved in advance for family picnics and such.

The grace and beauty of figure skating is matched by the grace and beauty of this museum. Recognized as the only center of its kind in the world, it harbors an amazing collection of trophies, medals, skating outfits and programs. There is even a Skate Gallery that exhibits the first skates used 1200 years ago. As a double bonus, the museum also houses the Skating Hall of Fame, featuring plaques and displays of Sonja Henie, Peggy Fleming and Scott Hamilton.

Broadmoor World Arena is the premier sports and entertainment venue in the Pikes Peak region. Locally owned and managed, the non-profit CSWA and the attached ice hall regularly host sporting events, concerts, family shows, banquets, trade shows, graduations, religious rallies and civic events. With 8000 seats, the CSWA is large enough to host world-class events in an intimate setting.

The Garden of the Gods is a public park and United States National Natural Landmark that was deemed a "fit place for the gods to assemble" by Rufus Cable, one of the two surveyors tasked with identifying a site for Colorado City in 1859. With its towering spires of red sandstone pitted against the incongruous greenery of its surrounds, Cable's inspired choice of name is an apt summary of the wonders that it contains. The jagged pinnacles, mammoth needles, and precariously balanced rocks strewn across the landscape are glorious monuments thrust upward, sideways and slanted by tectonic undercurrents, subsequently whipped by the wind into curious shapes. From the biological perspective, the Garden of the Gods is a remarkable merger of the vegetation typical of both highlands and lowlands creating a kind of chronicle of the evolution of planet earth. The land was bequeathed to the City of Colorado Springs by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins, who originally owned this parcel of land. The only stipulation was that it must remain “free to the entire world.” Riddled with nature trails and hiking paths, the Garden of the Gods is a popular spot for outdoor activities like horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking that is always free, in keeping with Perkins' wishes.

If you lack the time to wander into the mountains for a hike, this city park provides a quick and surprisingly bucolic alternative. Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails fan throughout the park's foliage-thick hills and bluffs. Some portions of the trails yield little hint that downtown is just minutes away. In addition, there are plenty of baseball, softball and soccer fields, as well as volleyball courts. Picnic shelters and restrooms make it conducive for summer gatherings.

Partially encased by a one-mile canyon, the sight of seven separate falls splashing together down 181 vertical feet borders on stunning. Picturesque by day, dancing with color at night, this is not to be missed. Ride the elevator to the Eagles Nest observation platform for a great view or climb up 224 steps to reach the one-mile nature trail offering a panoramic peek of the city below. Parking is limited after 6p. Timings are subject to monthly change.

Spend a day at America's only mountainside zoo. The zoo features endangered species in mountain exhibits that resemble their natural habitat. You can walk the hilly terrain or catch the tram at one of seven stops. Hands-on contact with animals is permitted in front of the Aquatics building - giraffes will eat from your hand, and zoo crackers can be purchased at the entrance. Mountain weather changes rapidly, so bring a light jacket.

After a day at the The Broadmoor, take a scenic 1.4-mile drive up the narrow mountain road for a self-guided tour of this popular shrine. Built in the 1930s in honor of the American actor, writer and humorist Will Rogers, the shrine is full of historic information and colorful artwork painted on the walls, taking you back in time. Climb several winding flights of stairs to the top floor of the shrine, located at an elevation of 8136 feet, for a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding mountains. Admission is included with zoo ticket purchase.

This museum documents rodeo's 19th-century genesis, when it was a cowboy's way of life, to the business and sport it is today. Multimedia presentations and display cases featuring trophies, gear and photos dominate the museum. The Hall of Champions showcases rodeo greats, announcers and clowns. The outside rodeo arena features live rodeo animals. An on-site gift shop shelves all sorts of books, collectibles and music.

Bring a light jacket and hike this 54-degree cavern which offers three tours. Learn about geology and history on the Discovery Tour, or go back in time on the Lantern Tour, listening to tales from the past and using only lanterns for light. The physically challenging Explorers Trip is an adventure through undeveloped passageways and chambers. Tours range from 45 minutes to four hours. Check the website for more details.

Anyone with an interest in mechanical things that leave the ground will enjoy this museum. It is located in the original art deco-styled Colorado Springs Passenger Terminal Building. With its military setting, it looks exactly like one of those buildings used in 1950s sci-fi movies when horrible, giant ants terrorized man. The focus of the museum is on early aviation history, with an emphasis on World War II. Since it is inside Peterson Air Force base, you will need identification to enter and access is restricted. Entry to the museum is free.