Colorado Springs: Recreation
Sightseeing
Colorado Springs is one of the premier vacation spots in the United States, the majestic natural beauty of Pikes Peak being a principal attraction. Visitors can venture up High Drive, a one-way road without guardrails, to see the spectacular vistas. North Cheyenne Canyon contains unusual rock formations and waterfalls that cascade down the mountains. In the Garden of the Gods, northwest of the city, visitors can hike or horseback ride through huge red sandstone rock formations; the Garden of the Gods is particularly lovely to visit at sunrise or sunset, when the sun's rays set off the natural splendor of the rocks. At High Point a camera obscura is provided for viewing the landscape that surrounds the point.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo displays more than 600 wild animals from around the world in the U.S.'s only mountain zoo. The African Rift Valley area opened in 2003 and features Colobus monkeys, giraffes, other African animals and birds, and an interactive African Play Village for kids. The price of
The U.S. Air Force Academy is one of Colorado Springs's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can tour the unusual multi-spired chapel, Honor Court and visitor's center. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes visitors on a 3-hour round trip tour to the summit of the mountain, at 12,110 feet above sea level. At the U.S. ProRodeo Hall of Fame, rodeo memorabilia is on display.
Arts and Culture
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents classical, pops and jazz performances October through May at the Pikes Peak Center. The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs performs five programs a year of pieces meant for small orchestras. The DaVinci Quartet plays concerts in various venues in Colorado Springs and Denver and offers community out-reach to local schools. The Colorado Springs Choral Society has been performing classical and modern pieces since 1956. Students from Colorado College perform during the school year and during the Summer Music Festival, Vocal Arts and New Music Symposia, and during Extraordinary Dance Festival. The famous Broadmoor Hotel resort complex features international performers and hosts concerts.
The Star Bar Players presents four plays per season in the Lon Chaney Theater at the Civic Auditorium. Theatreworks at the University of Colorado presents Shakespeare and contemporary and classic plays. The REP presents musicals at the Fine Arts Center of Colorado Springs. Drama and dance students at Colorado College perform regular seasons at the college. Colorado Springs Dance Theatre sponsors national and international companies to perform at the Pikes Peak Center.
Colorado Springs is home to 20 major museums and galleries, including the Museum of the American Numismatic Association, which houses one of the largest collections of coins and medals in the world. The Fine Arts Center of Colorado Springs is a regional center for all the arts, containing the Taylor Museum of Art, the Bemis School of Art, and a performing arts department, presenting plays, dance, music, and films. Also located in Colorado Springs are the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and Museum and the Pioneer's Museum, which exhibits displays pertaining to the history of the region. Featuring demonstrations of gold-panning techniques, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry showcases machinery used in early gold and silver mining operations. The Peterson Air and Space Museum displays historic aircraft and a moon rock. The Taylor Collection of Native American and Hispanic Art is maintained at the Fine Arts Center. The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site celebrates the history of Colorado Springs by recreating the settlements of Native Americans and the lives of the settlers of the frontier in the 1800s, with costumed interpreters and special programs.
Festivals and Holidays
Among the annual events in Colorado Springs is the impressive Easter Sunrise Service, celebrated at Gateway Rocks in the Garden of the Gods. Territory Days on Memorial Day weekend brings 100,000 visitors to Colorado Avenue for free entertainment, food, and crafts. On Independence Day is the International Chili Cook-Off in Memorial Park. One hundred cooks engage in an original recipe competition, sharing the day with a fireworks celebration and a performance by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. At the end of July the Annual Broadmoor Ice Revue at the Broadmoor World Arena features Olympic skaters. The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Penrose Stadium, one of the top 10 outdoor rodeos in the country, takes place at the end of August. The celebration includes a parade through downtown Colorado Springs and a street breakfast. August also brings the national Little Britches Rodeo in which children from ages 8 to 18 compete for titles at the Penrose Stadium. Labor Day weekend features the Hot Air Balloon Classic, with the ascension of scores of colorful hot air balloons. The Southwestern Figure Skating Championship comes to the World Arena in October. December brings the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade and Gallery of Trees at the Fine Arts Center.
Sports for the Spectator
A number of sports events are available for viewing in Colorado Springs. The Sky Sox play professional Triple A baseball at Sky Sox Stadium as an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies in the Pacific Coast League. Football fans enjoy watching the U.S. Air Force Academy team compete against top college teams. Basketball, hockey and other college sports are played at University of Colorado and Colorado College. The Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb, the Broadmoor Invitational Men's and Women's Golf Tournaments, and rodeo events also interest spectators in the Colorado Springs area. Greyhounds race at Rocky Mountain Greyhound Park from late August to late November. The U.S. Olympic Complex periodically hosts Olympic Sports Festivals. Pikes Peak International Raceway hosts NASCAR and Indy car races
Sports for the Participant
Outdoor activities abound in Colorado Springs, including climbing, white-water rafting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, cave exploring, and gliding. The city maintains over 12,000 acres with 15 community and regional parks (including Garden of Gods and North Cheyenne Canon Parks) biking and hiking trails, 6 sports complexes, and 123 neighborhood parks. The El Pomar Youth Sports Complex includes 12 baseball fields of various sizes, 8 soccer/lacrosse fields, 6 volleyball courts, and a playground. The Broad-moor Hotel resort complex offers skeet and trap shooting as well as skiing and ice skating in the winter and golfing on three challenging courses during the warmer months. Echo Canyon River Adventures offers half- and multi-day rafting adventures on the Arkansas River. Pikes Peak Alpine School offers instruction for all levels in rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, and back country skiing.
Shopping and Dining
Colorado Springs is served by four major malls, including The Citadel and The Outlets at Castle Rock. Stores specializing in Western gear and Native American art can be found in many areas. In addition, the Old Colorado City Historic District contains many small shops, and the Garden of the Gods Trading Post stocks fine Indian jewelry and Colorado giftware.
Because Colorado Springs is at the center of a popular resort area, it enjoys cuisine from around the world, as well as local Western-style establishments offering barbecue and chuck-wagon fare and Mexican foods. Rocky Mountain trout is a local delicacy. The Broadmoor Hotel maintains nine dining rooms with a range of prices and cuisines. Gourmet food is served at the historic Briarhurst Manor Inn. The Flying W Chuckwagon Supper and Western Show combines fine dining for the family with cowboy music.
Visitor Information: Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, 515 South Cascade, Suite, Colorado Springs, CO 80903; telephone (719)635-7506; toll-free (877)745-3773; fax (719)635-4968