Spring Time in the Rockies! Time to Play!!

Can you believe it’s already spring time in the Rockies?!?! With summer just around the corner it might be a good time to start thinking about the adventures and activities you should participate in this year. Don’t let the summer pass you by! Colorado Springs and surrounding areas have so many attractions and events that it would be a shame to not participate in at least some of them. since I am a native of Colorado I know all the good places to visit and partake in, so in the spirit of warm weather and baseball season I have decide to share with you some of my favorite warm weather attractions and activities…


Colorado Springs Attractions:

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Anyone who knows me knows that I am fanatical about the Zoo! Nothing is better then feeding the giraffes or watching the hippopotamuses. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only zoo in America that is located on a mountain. This is the perfect adventure because you get to see over 500 animals but you also get a great workout from walking up and down the mountain! Not to mention the views up there are AMAZING…you can see all of Colorado Springs from up there!
Hours: Open every day, year around, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.The last admission is one hour prior to closing.From Memorial Day to Labor Day the Zoo closes at 6 pm., with the last admission at 4 pm.
Rates: Children: $6 (3-11)Adults: $12Seniors: $10 www.cmzoo.org

Garden of the Gods: If you happen to find yourself in a walking/hiking/picknicking/rock climbing/horseback riding/mountain biking/picture taking kind of mood you might be interested in visiting the Garden of the Gods. The site is a National Natural Landmark, having been recognized by the Department of the Interior as "a nationally-significant natural area."
A bit of history: It was August of 1859, when two surveyors started out from Denver City to start formal action in locating a townsite, soon to be called Colorado City. While exploring nearby locations, they came upon a beautiful area of sandstone formations. M. S. Beach, who related this incident, suggested that it would be a "capital place for a beer garden" when the country grew up. His companion, Rufus Cable, a "young and poetic man" exclaimed, "Beer Garden? Why this is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods." It has been so called ever since.
Open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the summer and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the winter.

Pikes Peak: if you truly want the best view in town then you must go to the top of Pikes Peak. There are several ways to get to the top but the two most popular are to take the Cog Train which takes you strait up the mountain and then goes back down after a stop on top. The second and my personal favorite is to drive. Make sure you have good breaks though. If you choose the driving rout pack yourself a picnic lunch and take advantage of all the little stop offs on the way. Either way you get up keep in mind two very important things: Dink plenty of water because the altitude can hurt you a bit if you don’t, and dress in layers. It might be 80 degrees in Colorado Springs but it will not be so warm on the top of the Peak! OH and bring plenty of film because your photo opportuinities are endless!
By Car: Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.After Labor Day through the last day of September, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.October 1 to the day prior to Memorial Day 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Admission: Toll road $10.00 per adult (16 and over), $5.00 per child (6-15)or total $35.00 per car
Cog Railway: Hours: Open year-round. Hours vary with season.
Admission: Please call for rates. Reservations are required! Phone: 719-685-5401

Cave of the Winds: When the temperatures in Colorado Springs get a little too hot and the pool just isn’t cutting it then you should head to the Cave of the Winds because the temperature is a welcoming 54 degrees year round. Make sure to wear some comfortable shoes since you will be taking a tour of the taverns beneath the earth. For further information about tours, spelunking opportunities and what to wear visit their website at: www.caveofthewinds.com
Hours Summer 9 a.m. — 9 p.m. Winter 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.

Helen Hunt Falls in North Cheyenne Mountain Canyon: if you are into hiking but want something a little easier that you can do with the in-laws and the kids PLUS you want to view some beautiful natural waterfalls FOR FREE then you must head up to Helen Hunt Falls. This is kind of a locals secret because most people from out of town might visit Seven Falls and spend $7+ bucks a person but the locals know that Helen Hunt Falls is great start to an easy hike and some beautiful waterfalls. If you happen to take the 45 minute hike up past Helen Hunt Falls you will reach the top of the trail and get to see a magnificent rock face with cascading falls. Its diffidently worth the hike!

Sky Soxs baseball: my friend Mindi would be furious with me if I didn’t mention our local baseball team the Sky Sox. The Sky Sox are the minor lauge team for the Rockies. My favorite time to go is Tuesdays because every Tuesday is $2 Tuesday and everyone gets in for only $2. The Sky Sox are an affordable and fun way to spend a warm summer evening so check them out at www.skysox.com.

Other Attractions:
Eliches (Denver): those of you who know, know that Eliches is also known as 6 Flags Elich Gardens. But I was raise here and before there was “6 Flags Elich Gardens” there was Eliches. This is Colorado’s resident amusement park, full of fun and rides for the whole family. If you happen to make it up to Denver and venture over to Eliches you MUST go on the Twister II which is a fantastic wooden rollercoaster. For all you thrill seekers do not worry there are plenty of Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides for you here. Ticket prices vary but usually they have some deal with Pepsi where you bring in a can and get a “buy one get one” admission. Check out their website for more information: www.elitchgardens.com

Water World (Denver): Lets face it even Colorado gets HOT so why not make it a day of fun in the sun with water and waves and head up to Water World! Our water world was featured on the Travel Channels Best Water Parks in America ranking in as #3!!! That’s right this park rocks! It has it all! From splash parks for the kiddies, to wave pools and waterslides galore. This is diffidently one of my favorite places to go when the temperature gets up there! Visit their website for more info: www.waterworldcolorado.com



I will be posting events in a separate blog post so check in a little bit for more news on where to have fun in Colorado Springs!