Cripple Creek (Denver, Boulder, Canon City: theater, school, camping)

[runninfiend]

I have a question about Cripple Creek. Is there enough to do there to warrant staying a night or two with an 8 yo and 2 yo? We're looking to be in the Springs for a couple days but want to get up a little bit into the mountains. Is Cripple Creek a good choice?

I'd rather be in Ouray or Silverton camping, but this trip is for us and the kids.

Are there any other alternatives close to the Springs/Denver but further into the mountains that aren't uber expensive? We've previously stayed in Ouray, Frisco, Grand Lake, Boulder, Estes, but are looking for someplace new.

Any info appreciated.

[Mike from back east]

No. Cripple Creek has one thing, gambling. Okay, there is a tiny train ride and a tour of a gold mine, but doubt that the kids would like the mine tour, might even be a bit scary for the two year old.

COL SPGS has a good zoo and nearby Woodland Park has a dinosaur center.

Then there is the Royal Gorge theme park out in Canon City, as well as a real train ride (with lunch), and more. From there I think's it maybe an hour to the snowplay area of Monarch Mountain.

[lraedesigns]

You can try taking the kids on the cograil up to Pikes Peak and get some high altitude doughnuts. I don't know if it's open year round, but it might be. Just take a coat.

[McGowdog]

I think it's open year round, but you have to get up there before the last run... about 1:00pm or something?

Ditto on Royal Gorge and consider going to Buckskin Joes for about a few hours! They have a little train too. But this is one scenic train ride that goes along the edge of the Gorge (not too close, but close enough to see down it a bit... Royal Gorge Scenic Railway). Gun fights!

I have pics of that somewhere. Evidently not on this computer.

[Mike from back east]

Regarding Pikes Peak, visitors need to know it's ALWAYS 30 degrees colder up there than down here. If it's 35 here, it 0-5 up there, usually with strong winds that have a wind chill of -30, worse some days. Take the train or drive up (conditions permitting). About 10 miles of Pikes Peak Hwy are paved, about 6 miles are not paved. Not too many guardrails either. The train is a neat trip for first timers, you get a narrated trip, often by a local railroad historian.

Regarding the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo here in COLO SPGS, they have a major Giraffe program and your kids can actually feed the Giraffe's at face level, with biscuits the zoo will sell you. Kids love it. Here's a picture.

[McGowdog]

The Giraffe is a bazarre animal, is it not?

Buckskin Joes pics

[SheridanL]

Dog, yes, giraffes are bizarre!!!
My oldest son, when he was a lad, would ask, "what does a pig say....dog..lion, etc. I always said the noise, then, "what does a giraffe say?" What.... I don't know...took me 3 years to find out!
I used to ask this of the students at the beginning of the school year ( I was a school bus driver for Cherry Creek). Nobody ever knows it off hand!
let me know if you figure it out!! Of course, we have th internet now!!

[marmac]

I was on a scenic narrow road ( about 20 years ago ) that led from Cripple Creek to Canon City .

Thought it was well worth the trip til it started drizzling( July) and that road got slippery.
(scared the heck out of me and I wasn't even the one driving )

[Sabrinakelley]

There are not too many things to do in Cripple Creek with children that young. The area is beautiful if you want to see the Heritage Museum and a few other mining attractions. Cripple Creek also has a theater where seasonal melodramas are performed. But, be aware it is a gambling town. You can also take a little train ride. So, all in all a day could be used in the area but if you aren't big gamblers and have two little ones with you I might advise only one day in this beautiful historic mining town.

[McGowdog]

Marmac, what are you saying? You rode down Phantom Canyon when it was raining?

That's pretty impressive.