Colorado Springs offers many scenic, cultural and recreation opportunities for their visitors. Colorado Springs offers the best of not only the Old West, but the new west as well.

Colorado Springs is a rapidly growing city just 60 miles south of Denver. The city sits more than a mile above sea level at an elevation of 6,035 feet (1839 m.) with some areas lower and higher because of the mountainous terrain. Colorado Springs experiences moderate temperatures year round and avoids harsh weather due to its protection from two natural barriers: the Monument Divide to the north and The Rocky Mountains to the west.

The city is the home of the Air Force Academy and the world famous Broadmoor Hotel and resort. The entire cities landscape is overlooked by one of Colorado's most famous mountains the 14,110 foot Pikes Peak, named for the explorer Zebulon Pike.

 There are many ways to get to the top of this mountain which inspired the song "America the Beautiful". You can walk to the top along the much travelled Barr trail. This should only be attempted by those who are experienced walkers or hikers. The trail is long and difficult. The easier way is to drive your car to the top on the same nineteen mile winding road where professional race car drivers speed to the top every year in the "Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Or you can try the cog. For the past 100 years, the world's highest cog railway has been transporting passengers to the summit of Pike's Peak in comfort and style. The train begins the trip from historic Manitou Springs depot and climbs 7,539 feet to the visitors center and view point at the top.

The U.S. Air Force Academy is located just south of the city against the foot of the mountains. This is one of the most visited sites in Colorado. The visitors center is a 31,600 square foot building that has exhibits, gift shop and a movie showing the what it is like to experience the life of a cadet. Do not miss the cadet chapel which is one of the highlights to any visit. Colorado Springs Colorado is also the home to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo which is the only mountain zoo in the United States. It is located west of the Broadmoor hotel on the side of Pikes Peak and is home to more than 750 animals including 32 endangered species. There is plenty to do at this zoo. A refurbished antique Zoo Carousel is open daily during the summer months and on weekends, and during the remaining months when weather permits. A tram that has eight stops around the zoo is also open on the same schedule. "My Big Backyard" is an area where guests can pet and hold a variety of animals, and in “the African Rift Valley” visitors can feed giraffes.

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