Interesting Facts about Colorado Springs, Colorado
Founded in 1871, Colorado Springs, Colorado's second-largest city, has
evolved from a quaint, Victorian spa resort to a sophisticated city,
with a charming "small town" ambiance. With over 50 attractions,
Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region are the gateway to Southern
Colorado's "Outdoor Adventure Play Land." Located 80 miles south of
Denver's International Airport and 1 and 1/2 hours east of world-class
skiing, Colorado Springs is a vacation mecca, drawing over 6 million
visitors annually. At an altitude of 6,035 feet, the climate of Colorado
Springs and the Pikes Peak region is warm in the summer and moderate in
the spring, fall and winter, with over 300 days of sunshine each year.
Classified as an "alpine desert", the dry, clean air was once a
destination to heal tuberculosis patients. Today, visitors enjoy the
climate because it allows for year-round outdoor recreation. Summers are
dry with temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s, with cool nights in the
60s. Spring and fall temperatures range from the mid 50s to the low 70s
and winters here can be white, but normally the snow that does fall
melts quickly and reveals a sunny sky again. Winter temperatures range
from the low 30s to the upper 40s.
High Altitude Tips
Colorado Springs ranks in the United States cities with the highest
altitudes. The lack of humidity, and warm days and cool nights are
positive parts of living at this level, and our residents become
familiar with the special conditions created by the dry air with its
decreased amount of oxygen.
However, visitors to our city often overlook some simple suggestions
that can make their stay here free of any negative effects caused by the
high elevation. To enjoy your visit here in Colorado Springs, here are a
few things to keep in mind to give your body time to adjust to the
altitude and prevent altitude sickness:
Stay below 7,000 feet the first day (the city of Colorado Springs
is 6,035 feet above sea level).
Give your body time to adjust (there's lots to see and do at the
lower altitude level).
Avoid strenuous exercise the first day.
Drink lots of fluids, especially our tasty water, and avoid too
much alcohol and tobacco products.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN COLORADO SPRINGS
ANNUAL SPRINGSPREE: City festival, entertainment, downtown Colorado
Springs. Crafts, exhibits, etc.
AIR FORCE ACADEMY: A fine planetarium, museum and beautiful chapel.
Maps for self-guided tours are available at the gates.
AMERICAN NUMISMATICS MUSEUM: Coin and paper money on display from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 818 N. Cascade Ave.
ARCADE AMUSEMENTS: West's oldest amusement arcade, one city block big.
Open May through September. 900 Block on Manitou Avenue, Manitou
Springs.
BEAR CREEK REGIONAL PARK CENTER AND NATURE TRAIL: Scenic trails,
wildlife, displays and naturalist programs. Open 12:00 noon to 4 p.m.
weekends, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 245 Bear Creek Road.
BROADMOOR HOTEL: Elegant and historic hotel, many shops, greenhouse,
and huge duck pond. Follow Circle Drive south to the hotel.
CHEYENNE CANYONS: The canyons include Helen Hunt Falls and entry to
High Drive above the city. Take Cheyenne Blvd. from South Tejon Street,
proceed south-west until you meet the junction of the two canyons.
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF COLORADO SPRINGS: Hands on science and art museum
for children of all ages. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through
Friday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 1
p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 750 Citadel Drive E. (inside the Citadel
Mall).
CITY OF CRIPPLE CREEK: Visit historic mining district, museums, trail,
mine and casinos. 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, south of Divide.
COLORADO SPRINGS MUSEUM: Building was old court house and the original
house of Helen Hunt. Ceilings have elaborate carvings and paintings, and
contains many antiques. Explore regional history from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 215 S. Tejon.
COLORADO SPRINGS BALLOON CLASSIC: Always first week in September, 125
hot air balloons launch beginning at 6:30 a.m. in Memorial Park
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL: Compassion sponsors and changing the world.
Come and see! 3955 Cragwood Drive.
EDWARD J. PETERSON MUSEUM: Aviation and space history exhibits. Open
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday. Located on Peterson AFB.
EL POMAR CARRIAGE HOUSE MUSEUM: Collection of large carriages. Open 10
a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Located at
the Broadmoor Hotel.
FINE ARTS CENTER: A large variety of arts-metal, fiber, pottery,
paintings, etc. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday. 30 West Dale Street, guided
tours are at 2:15 p.m. each Sunday.
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY: Devoted to preserving the family. Judeo-Christian
based. 8655 Explorer Drive.
FOUNTAIN CREEK NATURE CENTER: Wetlands, trails, walks, wildlife,
exhibits, nature center. Closed on Mondays. 320 Pepper Grass Lane,
Fountain, Colorado.
GARDEN OF THE GODS PARK AND VISITOR CENTER: The 1,364-acre park
features magnificent rock formations, including the famous Balanced
Rock, Steamboat Rock, Kissing Camels and Three Graces. Picnicking and
gift shop. Park open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. 30th street at Gateway
Road.
I.A.F.F. FALLEN FIRE FIGHTER MEMORIAL: Located in Memorial Park, Pikes
Peak Avenue and Hancock. Statue showing firefighters dedication. Open
all year.
MANITOU SPRINGS: Quaint and unique shops, west of either Colorado Ave.
or Highway 24
MICHAEL GARMAN GALLERIES: Sculptured figures and scenes, 2418 W.
Colorado
Avenue.
OLD COLORADO CITY: Restored shops and stone fronts from 1859, go west
on Colorado Avenue.
PALMER PARK: Beautiful Scenery and spectacular overlook of the city.
Picnicking, nature trails, ball park. Take Academy Blvd. to Maizeland
and turn west.
PATSY'S CANDIES: 50+ varieties of chocolates, saltwater taffy, English
toffee... Open all year. 1540 South 21st street.
PIKES PEAK GOURMET POPCORN: Highway 24 at entrance to Pikes Peak. Open
all year. Over 20 flavors. Gifts, free samples, theatre.
PIKES PEAK INVITATIONAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT: June, one of seventeen
premier tournaments. USAFA Athletic Fields.
PIKES PEAK SUMMIT HOUSE/GLEN COVE: On the Pikes Peak Highway. Best
view in Colorado. Shop, dine, take your best photos. Open all year.
MONUMENT VALLEY PARK: Geological column in the north end of the park.
Picnicking, tennis courts, playground, and swimming pool (admission free
for swimming pool). Take Cascade Avenue to Dale Street and turn west.
PROSPECT LAKE AND MEMORIAL PARK: Large lake off Union Blvd. and Pikes
Peak Avenue. Swimming, picnicking, paddle boats, playground, and pets
are allowed.
SPACE MUSEUM: Space artifacts from Apollo 15 Mission. Open 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. 1525 Vapor Trail.
U.S. OLYMPIC COMPLEX: Free one hour tour includes Olympic film and
guided tour of sports center, shooting center, and track and field. Open
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
1750 E. Boulder Street.
VAN BRIGGLE ART POTTERY: Pottery internationally known. Highway 24 and
South 21st Street, in an old railroad house. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 600 South 21st Street
WESTERN HERITAGE DAYS: Cowboy poetry, western entertainment, history
programs. Pikes Peak Library District.
WORLD FIGURE SKATING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM: Antique skates,
costumes, and skating memorabilia. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday, June through August, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday, September through May. 20 First Street
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