vacationing in COS Nov 12-18th got questions ! (Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy: hotels, home)

[stevegreen]

Hi all Steve from Wichita, Ks. My wife and I are coming, got some questions.

1. Hourly bus trips sponsored by the casinos so we don't have to drive and use our gas to cripple creek?
2. Cave of the winds worth seeing (really after Pikes cog trip and royal gorge)
3. Do they have air force academy tours?
4. Do they have good tailgate parties at AF home games?
5. Best casino to visit in CC, I want to play $2 and $5 blackjack
6. Is the bus system good and utilized by the community, not just the poor.
7. Any specialty pen shops, i collect pens.
8. Best BBQ in COS
9. What is the cost to tour garden of gods.
10. Best cheap hotel that is safe in COS. 35-50 a night is what we want.
11. Best steak in town for 20-30 bucks.

Thank You !

[Arrby]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

Hi all Steve from Wichita, Ks. My wife and I are coming, got some questions.

I can help on a few of them. Although my place is maybe six miles from Cripple Creek I never gamble - just doesn't interest me. And I don't go to Colorado Springs to eat. However...

Originally Posted by stevegreen

1. Hourly bus trips sponsored by the casinos so we don't have to drive and use our gas to cripple creek?

Yes. Do a web search for "Cripple Creek Shuttle" and you will find the locations, schedule, etc.

Originally Posted by stevegreen

2. Cave of the winds worth seeing (really after Pikes cog trip and royal gorge)

If you like caves, yes. Lots of people don't particularly care for caves and you should not feel obligated to go.

Originally Posted by stevegreen

3. Do they have air force academy tours?

Yes. See their website.

Originally Posted by stevegreen

6. Is the bus system good and utilized by the community, not just the poor.

I've never ridden it, but by reputation it is above average.

Originally Posted by stevegreen

9. What is the cost to tour garden of gods.

You must make an appointment with me to let you in. Email me and I will arrange to meet you at the entrance. $200 per person - cash only!

Ok, someone will likely rat me out anyway - Garden of the Gods is a city park, owned by Colorado Springs. It is free. On a sunny day in November it will be spectacular. Of course it usually is anyway. It is well worth planning some time to see the visitor center exhibits, to take some time on foot looking, seeing, experiencing, and watching the colors as the light changes.

[COflower]

1. Hourly bus trips sponsored by the casinos so we don't have to drive and use our gas to cripple creek?
Cripple Creek Casino Shuttle Bus Schedule | 8th Street Depot | Colorado Springs

If it's drinking and driving you are concerned with, take the shuttle. If not, I recommend driving yourself up there. You can make it more than just gambling as there's some fantastic scenery there and if you go and make a full day of it, a trip to Victor is always a treat.

2. Cave of the winds worth seeing (really after Pikes cog trip and royal gorge)
It's okay. Personally, I would skip that and get to know Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City. Great shops, good food.

3. Do they have air force academy tours?
Factsheets : Air Force Academy Visitor Center

4. Do they have good tailgate parties at AF home games?
AIR FORCE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Facilities I don't know about how "good" they are, but if you have tickets to the game, might as well check it out...there's a game on the 14th.

5. Best casino to visit in CC, I want to play $2 and $5 blackjack
They're all about the same but the Double Eagle Hotel and Casino seems to be the biggest and most active. Don't miss the candy shop across Bennett and west of there. Yum on the fudge.

6. Is the bus system good and utilized by the community, not just the poor.
If you are talking about Colorado Springs bus system...it sucks, use your car, get a portable GPS.

7. Any specialty pen shops, i collect pens.
You might find some possibilities in Manitou and in Old Colorado City but not a shop dedicated to pens only. Some of the best and most unique shopping in our area is located in those two locations.

8. Best BBQ in COS
Famous Dave's is supposed to be good but there are several in our area that are good. I'd do a search to see some of our favorites for other restaurant ideas.

9. What is the cost to tour garden of gods.
Free, you, your car and your feet.

10. Best cheap hotel that is safe in COS. 35-50 a night is what we want.
If you want cheap and safe, look at motels on Garden of the Gods Road. Your best bet is to call around and get pricing directly. All chain hotels have local numbers and if you talk to them direct, you can usually find the best rates.

11. Best steak in town for 20-30 bucks.
Check out The Steaksmith. You will pay more but it's worth it. They've been a local favorite in C Springs for as long as I can recall. Steaksmith

[stevegreen]

thanks guys, I am looking forward to seeing the mountains and getting the air.

[Mike from back east]

BBQ: Front Range BBQ, the one at 2330 W. Colorado Ave, great food, LOCAL dudes. Elk and Bison burgers, and I swear I saw Kangaroo listed that day.

[Maynerd]

There's a pretty big organized tailgate fan-fest thingy sitting just East of Falcon Stadium. I don't know what they offer, as I have my own tailgate group. In addition to tailgating, though, there are more than a few things that make Academy games stand out from other college games: the march-on by the Cadet Wing, pre-game fly-bys, the parachute team, flying the falcon at halftime.

As for steaks, I'd consider Peppertree. It's pretty unique, as they'll make your steak at tableside. It also has a terrific view of downtown.

[PokerMunkee]

If you take the Casino Shuttle bus to Cripple Creek, play at the Brass Ass casino. This will allow you to get most of your bus ticket paid for if you play in the pit or on their slots. Their pit is one of the busiest and nicest in town. If you like live poker, the Midnight Rose is where it's at.

The Casino Shuttle and Triple Crown Casinos (Brass Ass, Midnight Rose, and JP McGills) are in a partnership. Also, the Midnight Rose/JP McGills has some very nice updated hotel rooms if you guys want to stay in historic Cripple Creek for the night.

I work in Cripple Creek so if you have more questions, lemme know.

[Smurtagh]

The bus system is fine, not just "the poor". Except for the fact that the busses do not go anywhere that you might want to get.

Howards BBQ is my favorite, but its not what you get in Kanasas City or Texas.

Take a look at DirectoryofColoradoSprings.com.

And have a fun trip.

[stevegreen]

thanks all, great stuff can't wait to get out of Wichita for a while

[stevegreen]

Concerning blackjack, 2 dollar tables? 5? and how many decks or silly continuous shuffler machine. a