Visiting in Sept 2010 (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo: college, cost, dangerous)

[elizamary]

Would like to know what is a must see in the colorado springs area.

Any input on Garden of the Gods, AFA, Cog railway, pioneer museum, Manitou springs and Seven falls.

What tourist traps to avoid and what sights are worth seeing for a once in lifetime visit.

Thanks.........

[otowi]

My own personal opinion are that Seven Falls and The Cliff Dwellings are not worth the money. Hike up Mt. Cutler Trail and look at the falls from afar if you really want to - not sure, but if it is possible to do that at night I think it would be really pretty. Cave of the Winds, maybe, depending on what you do. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, definitely. Going up Pikes Peak one way or the other (personally, I'd drive the highway), definitely. Manitou Springs - sure, go play in the arcade, do some window shopping, and go to Old Colorado City for more of the same kind of thing while you're at it. AFA, maybe for the planetarium or chapel. Garden of the Gods, yes, and its free so why not? Pioneer Museum - let's see if it is even open then, first.

[COflower]

Heck, as a native of C Springs, I don't recall ever going up to Seven Falls. If I did, it was not memorable. I don't think I have been to the Cliff Dwellings either but I have been to Cave of the Winds. It was kinda cool.

As for visiting, I'd spend a day and head down to Cañon City and take the train (if they have it, the lunch train) and then head on over to the Royal Gorge Bridge. I've done the train once and loved it. I can't get enough of the bridge and if it weren't for the cost I would do that more often.

Depending on the time you are here there's also the Chile Frijoles Fest in Pueblo or the apple orchards in Penrose.

Cañon is about a 45 minute drive form South C Springs, Pueblo about 35 minutes and Penrose is between C Springs and Cañon City so it's on the way there or back via 115.

The zoo is really fun, a lot more fun if you go with kids. Like it was mentioned, Manitou is a neat place to hang out as is Old Colorado City.

If you like sports, check into some of the local college sports like Air Force and Colorado College.

I haven't gone yet but Paint Mines Interpretive Park is supposed to be pretty cool.

Hope that helps some and have a fun trip next year! (Oh my, 2010 is almost here?)

EDIT: The Cog is pretty darn cool but I prefer to drive up Pikes Peak so you can take your time and save your $.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by otowi

My own personal opinion are that Seven Falls and The Cliff Dwellings are not worth the money. Hike up Mt. Cutler Trail and look at the falls from afar if you really want to - not sure, but if it is possible to do that at night I think it would be really pretty. Cave of the Winds, maybe, depending on what you do. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, definitely. Going up Pikes Peak one way or the other (personally, I'd drive the highway), definitely. Manitou Springs - sure, go play in the arcade, do some window shopping, and go to Old Colorado City for more of the same kind of thing while you're at it. AFA, maybe for the planetarium or chapel. Garden of the Gods, yes, and its free so why not? Pioneer Museum - let's see if it is even open then, first.

Thanks a bunch otowi for your input........

Hows the drive up to pikes peak....Dangerous, scary???

Originally Posted by COflower

Heck, as a native of C Springs, I don't recall ever going up to Seven Falls. If I did, it was not memorable. I don't think I have been to the Cliff Dwellings either but I have been to Cave of the Winds. It was kinda cool.

As for visiting, I'd spend a day and head down to Cañon City and take the train (if they have it, the lunch train) and then head on over to the Royal Gorge Bridge. I've done the train once and loved it. I can't get enough of the bridge and if it weren't for the cost I would do that more often.

Depending on the time you are here there's also the Chile Frijoles Fest in Pueblo or the apple orchards in Penrose.

Cañon is about a 45 minute drive form South C Springs, Pueblo about 35 minutes and Penrose is between C Springs and Cañon City so it's on the way there or back via 115.

The zoo is really fun, a lot more fun if you go with kids. Like it was mentioned, Manitou is a neat place to hang out as is Old Colorado City.

If you like sports, check into some of the local college sports like Air Force and Colorado College.

I haven't gone yet but Paint Mines Interpretive Park is supposed to be pretty cool.

Hope that helps some and have a fun trip next year! (Oh my, 2010 is almost here?)

EDIT: The Cog is pretty darn cool but I prefer to drive up Pikes Peak so you can take your time and save your $.

You too coflower.

WE are flying out from the East coast to Denver and then will drive south to Santa Fe NM.
About a 5 hour drive.
Will spend time in other cities as well..such as Denver, Colorado springs,
Cannon city, littleton and black forest.
Depending on how far it's to travel from one to the other.
We'll spend 3 or 4 days in maybe Denver, los almos and Santa Fe.
Nothing set in stone......still trying to work out the details and gather as much information as I can.

[otowi]

Personally I enjoy the drive, but maybe it could be a little bit scary depending on what you're used to - nothing like a 4wd jeep trail. I think it is more pleasant and cheaper than the cog railway, personally.

If you're coming up from NM, I would suggest you head over to the Four Corners/Mesa Verde area if you have time. It is worth seeing at least once. My personal favorite stop in that area is Hovenweep, in Utah, but if you've never been to the area before, I'd say go to Mesa Verde and Four Corners.

[COflower]

Originally Posted by elizamary

Thanks a bunch otowi for your input........

Hows the drive up to pikes peak....Dangerous, scary???



You too coflower.

WE are flying out from the East coast to Denver and then will drive south to Santa Fe NM.
About a 5 hour drive.
Will spend time in other cities as well..such as Denver, Colorado springs,
Cannon city, littleton and black forest.
Depending on how far it's to travel from one to the other.
We'll spend 3 or 4 days in maybe Denver, los almos and Santa Fe.
Nothing set in stone......still trying to work out the details and gather as much information as I can.

The drive up the Peak isn't all that bad unless heights scare you. Just take it easy on the brakes coming down.

While in Santa Fe, go check out Red River, NM. It's a neat little town, just check ahead to see what's happening. I like bikers but some people are intimidated by them; there's a bike run there annually but I don't think it's as late as Sept. Pretty little town.

Black Forest and Colorado Springs butt up to each other and there's really not much to see but the drive from Parker (southeast Metro Denver) to the Springs is a nice drive and cuts through parts of Black Forest.

[elizamary]

No heights don't scare me but roads coming down a winding mountain where only one car can get through does. with no guard rails.......