The Penrose Heritage Museum was established in the year 1941 by Julie Penrose. The museum is known for its antique firearms, carriages, Indian artifacts, native artifacts, 1928 Cadillac limousine, three Pikes Peak Auto race cars, a 1906 Renault, other vintage vehicles and a couple of presidential carriages. A must visit place for every one in the vicinity, especially car enthusiasts.
Located in the foothills just west of the The Broadmoor, this park is the perfect locale to visit if time is limited and you want to get a sense of some mountain hiking. It offers hiking trails through mountain canyons, many of which offer great views of the Rockies to the west. The canyons are also popular with climbers. There are plenty of picnic shelters, and for wildlife and fauna information visit the Starsmore Discovery Center inside the park.
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.
Towering 14,110 feet (4,300 meters) above Colorado Springs, this mountain serves as one of the nation's most famous landmarks. Believed to be the sacred home of the Ute people, this summit vaults wondrously above mosaicked landscapes, and can be seen at its majestic best from the Garden of the Gods balcony. The Barr Trail, a 13-mile (20.9-kilometer) path meanders itself along precarious slopes, providing an arduous yet rewarding way to reach the summit. The Pike's Peak Cog Railway, and the Pikes Peak Highway, alternate paths that lead to the summit, wind through stands of pine and aspen before cresting above treeline. A soul-stirring experience for many, Pike's Peak is best known for having inspired Katherine Lee Bates to pen the utterly patriotic America the Beautiful.
This three-block historic district of restored brick buildings once served as Colorado's original capitol back in 1861. Today it is both a shopping and dining magnet. Old brick buildings and thick towering trees hem both sides of Colorado Avenue to create a visually appealing feel. The district is replete with numerous shops, galleries and restaurants. Special events such as Territory Days draw big crowds.
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.
The Penrose Heritage Museum was established in the year 1941 by Julie Penrose. The museum is known for its antique firearms, carriages, Indian artifacts, native artifacts, 1928 Cadillac limousine, three Pikes Peak Auto race cars, a 1906 Renault, other vintage vehicles and a couple of presidential carriages. A must visit place for every one in the vicinity, especially car enthusiasts.
Explore vintage streetcars and trolleys at Pikes Peak Historic Street Railway. On display here are a number of well-preserved and restored trolleys and railcars, along with a collection of trolley equipment and other displays. Also at the museum is an old restoration shop and a roundhouse.
Cripple Creek and its surrounds have long been known as one of the most popular gold mining camps in the history of the United States; a heritage that continues to draw the interest of history buffs from around the world. Delve into the region's illustrious tryst with the Gold Rush at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Established in 1891, this vertical shaft mine extends 1000 feet into the earth. Closed for operations in 1961, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine now offers guided tours to visitors, granting all a rare chance to experience the life of a miner first hand. Descend 100 stories into the this subterranean world where miners toiled for hours on end, seeking to tap into the shimmering veins of gold still visible even today. A well-informed guide will take you through the evolution of mining and take you on a ride on one of the tram lines. You will also get to see a collection of minerals and gold ores sourced from various mines in the region. From June through September, the mine conducts tours every 30 minutes, while from September through mid-October tours leave every hour on the hour. Be sure to plan ahead so that you don't miss out on this intriguing experience when visiting Cripple Creek. If you're claustrophobic, however, you may find the ride down distressing.
Located in the foothills just west of the The Broadmoor, this park is the perfect locale to visit if time is limited and you want to get a sense of some mountain hiking. It offers hiking trails through mountain canyons, many of which offer great views of the Rockies to the west. The canyons are also popular with climbers. There are plenty of picnic shelters, and for wildlife and fauna information visit the Starsmore Discovery Center inside the park.
A visit to the Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum makes for a great daytime outing. Dr. Williams served as the physician to the Colorado Springs Fire Department and collected firefighting artifacts. Here, you'll find historical items like antique firetrucks, photos, and equipment on display along with other memorabilia. You'll have a great opportunity for pictures, and you'll learn a lot about the history of firefighting.