Visiting Denver and Co Spr April 11th-15th (Colorado Springs, Canon City: rental car, coupon)

[Silkdashocker]

Hello, i have been silently reading this forum for a few weeks now, just trying to get a feel for the people and the area.

This will be my first trip to the Rocky Mountains, and i'm really looking forward to it. I will have a rental car and i'm staying in Colorado Springs. Irealize i'm not going to be in Colorado long enough to do everything i want to do, but i plan to get some sightseeing in. The ony event i have to attend is a clinic on Monday April 13th, other than that, i am free to roam the coutnry side.

I've read a lot of good things about the Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak, so those two are definately on the top of my list of things to do. Does anyone else have any suggestions? I do see that the Rockies are playing the Phillies at Coors field on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th. So i may try to catch one of the ball games.

Thanks ahead for any input.

[treedonkey]

As for tourist attractions: If you're a fan of Zoo's, the Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo is top notch and better (though smaller) than the Denver Zoo, IMO. Otherwise, if you're into Art/History Museums and the like, then Denver will serve you better.

That said, as a one-time tourist, my #1 priority would be taking a hike in the local moutnains, weather permitting, or at least driving some of the high country routes (once again, weather permitting).

[Silkdashocker]

Thanks treedonkey.

Would a drive up Pikes Peak be one of those high country routes you'd recommend, or is there a better drive close buy as well?

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by Silkdashocker

Thanks treedonkey.

Would a drive up Pikes Peak be one of those high country routes you'd recommend, or is there a better drive close buy as well?

Well, PP is definately a must-see, and if you're strapped for time it's by far the closest 14er and also the most famous Mtn. in the state if not the country (or at least the lower 48).

But by 'high-country' routes, I'm talking about something like taking Hwy. 24 out of CSO, via Buena Vista and leadvill, then meeting up with I70 to head in toward Denver. Two serious problems with that though:

1) It's easily a 6-8 hour drive, without stops., so it's a lot to cram into one day.
2) Weather may make it really tough going... hard to tell though.

There are some really nice, shorter routes if you want to save some time but it's not quite the same level pf scenery though.

In any case, have a gr8 visit.

[Silkdashocker]

I'll just have to see how much time i have and see if weather will permit me to take that Highway 24. Thanks for the heads up.

[Mike from back east]

If you're a train fan, try the Royal Gorge Train, in Canon City, an hour or so from COL SPGS.

If you're a big eater, set aside Sunday morning, the 12th, for the incredible Sunday Brunch at the Broadmoor. Make reservations, this is Easter Sunday and they'll be busy. All parking by valet. Casual attire, no sweatsuits, not at all snooty, been there many times. There are at least eleven eateries at the Boadmoor, so if you want to try a friendly French place, the Penrose Room is the place. For great steaks, try Dave's The Famous Steakhouse in the downtown, or for a much more casual thing downtown, try Jack Quinn's Irish Pub. Our downtown is safe, small and walkable. If you want exotic meats, go to Manitou Springs (where the cog railway is) and try the somewhat pricey Craftwood Inn (Elk, Wild Boar, Kobe Beef, etc). We pack a lot of variety into a relatively small city.

Royal Gorge is comparable to your New River Gorge, though a lot narrower. There's a theme park at Royal Gorge, with a suspension bridge you can walk over to get to the other side. Also a cable car over the gorge, etc. Over 700 feet straight down, too narrow for base jumpers, IMO, and nothing but rocks all the way down to the Arkansas River. They have a funicular that takes you down to river level, all the way from the top of the gorge, cool ride.

Baseball in Denver is fun, that area is called LoDo, full of bars, eateries and stuff, you could make a day of it. We also have a local AAA team here in COL SPGS, the Skysox. Skysos tix are cheap, park at the door, lots of fun, but baseball weather here is iffy, can be quite cold, even in June or July if a front comes through.

You'll need warm clothes for the mountains in April. The drive suggested by TreeDonkey is a good one, if the weather is clear and the roads are open, you can get a quick once over of the high country. There is a tourist train in Leadville too, and one in Georgetown as you come in I-70 towards Denver.

Too bad you don't have two weeks.

[otowi]

In Denver, the natural history/science museum is nice. There are also Botanical Gardens in the same area. If you're a fan of South Park, you should go to Casa Bonita and get some sopapillas.

In Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak highway is good, as is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, imho.

[springshomeblog]

I don't see other people recommending it a whole lot, so maybe I'm an oddball, but we recently went to the US Olympic Training Center and it was pretty fun, especially for free. It's a couple of hours at most, but it was fun to see where [some of] our Olympians train and look at the hall of fame.

Carrie

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by springshomeblog

I don't see other people recommending it a whole lot, so maybe I'm an oddball, but we recently went to the US Olympic Training Center and it was pretty fun, especially for free. It's a couple of hours at most, but it was fun to see where [some of] our Olympians train and look at the hall of fame.

Carrie

Congratulations on being in the local news lately with your coupon tips for frugal shoppers.

[springshomeblog]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Congratulations on being in the local news lately with your coupon tips for frugal shoppers.

Thanks!