Colorado Springs Visitors Guide
Come check out Colorado Springs on your trip to Colorado and find out why it's
one of the most popular places in the State.
Colorado Springs Attractions & Activities
Colorado Springs was established in 1871 at the base of
Pike’s Peak and is encompassed by areas of incredible rock
formations. It was originally intended as summer playground
and health resort and is now the headquarters of Pike National
Forest.
For family fun in the great outdoors, head toward Pike’s
Peak and the related attractions. You can make a 1 hour
drive to the top or take the 8 hour hike. However, the quickest
way to its summit is on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway. The
train makes trips a day, but you need to make your reservation
early. Another way to appreciate Pike’s Peak is to hire
a guide and take a bike tour. No matter your experience
or ability, there is a perfect trail for you and your family.
View from Pikes Peak
The Pike’s Peak ghost town is a real Old West town. You can explore the antiques furnished general store, livery stable, saloon, and a Victorian home. There are also horseless carriages and buggies, a 1903 Cadillac, old-time nickelodeons, player pianos, arcade “movies” and a shooting gallery.
To see more antique furnishings, head to the El Pomar carriage Museum where
you can see western articles, fine carriages, and vehicles
from the 1890’s. The McAllister House Museum is a 6 room
Gothic styled house which can be toured year round. To see
history come alive, visit the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic
Site which has a living history program that shows daily
life in the 1800’s. There are several buildings and a Braille
nature trail on the premises. Other buildings can be seen
in Old Colorado City, where you will find
unique shops, art galleries and restaurants.
Another well known area in Colorado Springs is the Garden
of the Gods at thebase of Pike’s Peak where you will
find an incredible display of natural wonders. The geological
formations that emerge from the earth include the renowned
Balanced Rock and the Kissing Camels. The Garden of the
Gods is a favorite of hikers as there are 8 miles of maintained
trails which allow you to see the amazing geologic treasures
along with the plants and animals. There is also horseback
riding and rock climbing.
 Colorado
Springs has several museums with a variety of focuses. The
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center displays Native
American and Hispanic Art, Guatemalan textiles, graphics,
and sculptures. There are also paintings and sculpture classes,
films and reparatory theatre performances. For WWI to present
time’s aircraft, air force history, models, satellites and
uniforms, visit the Peterson Air and Space Museum.
The Pike’s Peak Auto Hill Climb Educational Museum displays cars from the annual race and exhibits about America’s second oldest auto race. For the story of the rodeo, hustle over to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy where you can learn about the cowboy’s life, rope a mock steer and visit the animals and rodeo arena.
Other area attractions are the Native American dance interpreters at Seven
Falls, the Olympic Training Center where you can glimpse
the life of Olympic level training, the Van Briggle Art
Pottery Company Tour and the World Figure Skating Hall of
Fame.
Colorado Spring’s most well known architectural landmark
is the US Air Force Academy. The Cadet Chapel’s phenomenal
stained glass and 150 aluminum spires have been around since
1955. You can see Air Force related exhibits and films,
see a T-39 and a B-52 bomber up close, or visit the planetarium.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park
When you visit this mountain zoo, you can choose to walk around and view the animals or you can take the scenic highway which ends at the mountain top attraction-the Shrine of the Sun, a memorial to entertainer Will Rogers who died in a plane crash in 1935. As you tour the zoo, you will see birds of prey, penguins, monkeys, and the big cats. There are daily animal demonstrations. Elephant rides during the summer months, an antique carousel, a conservation center, a nature trail and playground.
The park as an assortment of food options or you can bring along a picnic lunch.
4250 Cheyenne Mt. Zoo Road
Hours: 9-5:30 Memorial Day –Labor Day and 9-4 remainder of year
Colorado Springs Demographics
Colorado Springs Climate - Colorado Springs gets
16 inches of rain per year. Snowfall is 41 inches. The number
of days with any measurable precipitation is 89. On average,
there are 243 sunny days per year. The July high is around
85 degrees. The January low is 16. Our comfort index, which
is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 67 out
of 100, where higher is more comfortable.
Colorado Springs Cost of Living / Economy - Compared
to the rest of the country, Colorado Springs's cost of living
is 8.52% Lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate
in Colorado Springs is 3.60% (U.S. avg. is 4.60%). Recent
job growth is Positive. Colorado Springs jobs have increased
by 0.93%. Colorado Springs sales tax rate is 6.40%. Income
tax is 5.00%. The income per capita is $26,206, which includes
all adults and children. The median household income is
$52,195.
Colorado Springs Education - Colorado Springs public
schools spend $6,487 per student. There are about 18 students
per teacher.
Colorado Springs Population - As of 2007, Colorado
Springs's population is 372,437 people. Since 2000, it has
had a population growth of 3.20 %.
Colorado Springs Real Estate - The median home cost
in Colorado Springs is $258,100. Home appreciation the last
year has been 2.20%. Renters make up 36.16% of the population
and 4.78% of houses and apartments in are unoccupied.
Photo Credits: Colorado Springs in Fall
by pdsphil; View from Pikes Peak by One of Them; Fine Arts
Center by Word Cat; Air Force Academy Photo by Kanzeon zen
center; Colorado Springs pan by Cpt. Spock
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