"America the Beautiful" = Colorado Springs

America the Beautiful.  Katherine Lee Bates wrote her brilliant lyrics in 1895, after viewing the Colorado Springs area from the top of Pikes Peak.  Colorado Springs is in the shadow of Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains, but at the end of the day, it has clearly become famous in its own right.

Family friendly, the city of Colorado Springs offers activities for all ages and epitomizes
the song "America the Beautiful" written from the top of Pikes Peak (in the background).

Garden of the Gods

Now a city of 400,000 people and higher than the Mile High City (at least in one way) at an elevation of 6,035 feet above sea level, it is an alpine desert with bright blue skies and 300 days/year of sunshine! Tourist spots (most free) include the Olympic Training Center; the Air Force Academy; the five-star Broadmoor Resort; the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; Seven Falls; and the Garden of the Gods, one of the largest city parks in the country.  The latter is great for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, or picnics.  The quaint suburb of Manitou Springs is a village with a European feel; that's where you'll catch the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top of the mountain.  And, within two hours drive you'll find the country's most breathtaking ski resorts.

Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City both offer excellent shopping, but downtown Colorado Springs offers the most variety.  Downtown is very family friendly, where children can run through the Uncle Wilbur Fountain.  (Giggling is mandatory.)  A few blocks from the fountain is the famous Pioneer Museum which has spectacular views of Pikes Peak.

Five-star lodging and dining can be found at
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Various restaurants abound.  Of course the ritziest ones are at the Broadmoor, including a true British Pub named the Golden Bee; everything inside this piano bar came directly from England.  Another restaurant at this five-star hotel is The Tavern, which offers cozy inside dining as well as a large and elegant greenhouse type room.  Colorado is known for its craft beers, and downtown offers several breweries, such as The Phantom Brewery, where you can sample them.  A southwestern restaurant named Sonterra Grill is excellent and guacamole is made table side.  Finally, the award-winning Warehouse restaurant has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Colorado Springs epitomizes America the Beautiful.  So next time you want a vacation with a bit of western flair, decide its "Pikes Peak or Bust."

-Sue, the author of this post, has lived all across the country, but has been lucky enough to call Colorado Springs home for over a decade.