Colorado Springs is a good place to begin exploring the wineries, restaurants, shopping and attractions of the Rocky Mountains
There are spectacular sights to see, like Pikes Peak with its twelve-mile road (or cog railway) to the top; Garden of the Gods Park, the Broadmoor Resort, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, the Olympics Training Center and Seven Falls. Or you can visit a working gold mine and gamble at nearby Cripple Creek.
There are also many places to test your shopping and wine-tasting skills in and around Colorado Springs. It’s part of Colorado wine country. For example:
Pikes Peak Vineyards and Winery is just south of downtown across from the World Arena. The winery’s owners turned most of the original vineyard into a golf course, so they now get most of the wine grapes from Colorado’s western slope. This unpretentious little winery produces Chardonnay, Reisling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and blended red and white wines. All wines are sold at the winery. The tasting room is open daily from 1 to 4 pm.
Flying W Suppers and Western Shows 719-598-4000, is a working mountain cattle ranch that offers authentic western food, a western stage show and an “old town’ museum and gift shops.
Adventures Out West 719-578-0935, offers hot air balloon flights, Jeep tours, van tours, rafting, riding and hiking adventures.
High Altitude Jeep Adventures 719-473-3030, offers off-road tours to many attractions in the Pikes Peak region, including the mining districts.
Garden of the Gods Visitors Center 719-634-6666, is a museum of natural history and culture that offers theater performances and hands-on exhibits. Garden of the Gods Park is Colorado Spring's most spectacular attraction.
Seven Falls 719-632-0765. Climb stairs beside the waterfalls or ride an elevator to view the falls. There are gift shops and a snack bar at the top. The falls are lighted especially for the Christmas season.
Colorado Springs boast three antique malls, twelve art galleries, eighteen quality gift shops several gourmet food and cooking shops and a famous bookstore. And there are more of each in nearby Manitou Springs. For an easy guide to what and where, see Shopping in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs abounds with great cuisine. For detailed information and recent reviews of dozens of the best establishments in and around town, see Restaurant Showcase
Two towns in the mountains just west of Colorado Springs are worth visiting. There are many interesting places to shop, eat and sleep in Manitou Springs
Cascade has a place to sample many of Colorado’s best wines as well as many charming bed and breakfast inns.