City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (800) 731-3908 or (719) 471-93

Address: 2411 W. Colorado Ave.

Description: Local sculptor Michael Garman has captured the nitty-gritty of the people he sculpts, and captured equally the fancy of collectors and first-timers who see his rough-hewn cowboys, soldiers, and sports heroes. His stuff isn’t pretty—but it’s pretty engaging. He retired a few years ago, but you still can see and buy his sculptures at his Old Colorado City store/museum. That’s free. What’s even more fun is to go into the back and see his fantastic mock-up of an urban landscape circa 1930s—complete with hookers, drunks, bums, pool-shooters, poker players, and more. If you look closely, you’ll spot the artist himself in this miniature cityscape. Using lights and mirrors, and sometimes holograms, the scenes in some rooms change from time to time (you can be a voyeur and nobody cares!) and if you look down the alleys between buildings you’ll see sculpted trash and alley cats. Sort of like visiting the slums without actually having to be there. It’s a kick!