Carrie's Guidebook to Cascade, Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs
Outdoor adventures
Some of our favorite, (and close by!) outdoor spots.
You can explore Garden of the Gods on foot, by bike (checkout the Buffalo Lodge post), on horseback (checkout the Academy Riding Stables post) or by driving though, although we really recommend getting out and walking around. There’s even a dog park for your furry friends! Not sure where to start? Head to the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.
Park summer hours (May 1 - Oct 31): 5am - 10pm, 7 days a week
Park winter hours (Nov 1 - April 30): 5am - 9pm, 7 days a week
Visitor center summer hours: 9am - 6pm, 7 days a week.
Visitor center winter hours: 9am - 5pm, 7 days a week.
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Garden of Gods
Garden of GodsYou can explore Garden of the Gods on foot, by bike (checkout the Buffalo Lodge post), on horseback (checkout the Academy Riding Stables post) or by driving though, although we really recommend getting out and walking around. There’s even a dog park for your furry friends! Not sure where to start? Head to the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.
Park summer hours (May 1 - Oct 31): 5am - 10pm, 7 days a week
Park winter hours (Nov 1 - April 30): 5am - 9pm, 7 days a week
Visitor center summer hours: 9am - 6pm, 7 days a week.
Visitor center winter hours: 9am - 5pm, 7 days a week.
Looking for a challenge? Try tackling the infamous incline. Gaining over 2,000 feet in less than a mile, the incline consists of 2744 steps, many of which are over a foot high. This adventure is not for the week of heart! The physical difficulty combined with extreme elevation make this a real challenge. Once you reach the top, take a break and then a pleasant hike down Barr trail.
Reservations required. Check their website ahead of your visit.
228 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Incline
The InclineLooking for a challenge? Try tackling the infamous incline. Gaining over 2,000 feet in less than a mile, the incline consists of 2744 steps, many of which are over a foot high. This adventure is not for the week of heart! The physical difficulty combined with extreme elevation make this a real challenge. Once you reach the top, take a break and then a pleasant hike down Barr trail.
Reservations required. Check their website ahead of your visit.
Want to enjoy the beauty of Garden of the Gods on horseback? Look no further than Academy Riding Stables in Manitou Springs.
Reservations required, check their website prior to your visit.
36 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Academy Riding Stable
4 El Paso BlvdWant to enjoy the beauty of Garden of the Gods on horseback? Look no further than Academy Riding Stables in Manitou Springs.
Reservations required, check their website prior to your visit.
Built on a butte overlooking Gazebo Lake and bathed by the rustling of pine trees, the Green Mountain Falls Skyspace is a harmonious addition to the charming town at the foothills of Pikes Peak—an extension of the landscape, preserved in its natural setting. Your experience begins with an inspirational mountain journey via two new trailheads that deliver hikers directly to the sheltered Skyspace on the butte above.
Be enveloped in a kinetic light and color encounter—a sensory and contemplative experience unlike anywhere else in the world. The Skyspace stands at 18-feet-tall and is one of the few in the world with a retractable roof, allowing for “closed roof” shows to occur outside of our Sunrise and Sunset experiences.
Green Mountain Falls Skyspace - EAST Trailhead
Built on a butte overlooking Gazebo Lake and bathed by the rustling of pine trees, the Green Mountain Falls Skyspace is a harmonious addition to the charming town at the foothills of Pikes Peak—an extension of the landscape, preserved in its natural setting. Your experience begins with an inspirational mountain journey via two new trailheads that deliver hikers directly to the sheltered Skyspace on the butte above.
Be enveloped in a kinetic light and color encounter—a sensory and contemplative experience unlike anywhere else in the world. The Skyspace stands at 18-feet-tall and is one of the few in the world with a retractable roof, allowing for “closed roof” shows to occur outside of our Sunrise and Sunset experiences.
Sightseeing
Summit Pike’s Peak from the comfort of the historic Cog Rail. Newly renovated, the Cog Rail takes visitors from Manitou Springs all the way to the Summit House, elevation 14,110 ft.
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Pikes Peak Cog Railway
515 Ruxton AvenueSummit Pike’s Peak from the comfort of the historic Cog Rail. Newly renovated, the Cog Rail takes visitors from Manitou Springs all the way to the Summit House, elevation 14,110 ft.
Take a scenic drive up Pike’s Peak to visit The Summit House. Make sure you get a donut at the top, elevation does strange things to fluffy pastries…
681 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Pikes Peak Summit House
Take a scenic drive up Pike’s Peak to visit The Summit House. Make sure you get a donut at the top, elevation does strange things to fluffy pastries…
Take the family out for a day at America's highest zoo, at an elevation of 6,714 feet above sea level. It was also voted the 4th best zoo in the United States (2022). With hands-on experiences like feeding giraffes and mountain goats and immersive experiences, like their new penguin and hippo exhibits, you are guaranteed an experience to remember. For those who aren't afraid of heights, there's also The Sky Ride, a trip even further up the mountain in a gondola. Call ahead or reserve tickets online.
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Sở thú Cheyenne Mountain
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdTake the family out for a day at America's highest zoo, at an elevation of 6,714 feet above sea level. It was also voted the 4th best zoo in the United States (2022). With hands-on experiences like feeding giraffes and mountain goats and immersive experiences, like their new penguin and hippo exhibits, you are guaranteed an experience to remember. For those who aren't afraid of heights, there's also The Sky Ride, a trip even further up the mountain in a gondola. Call ahead or reserve tickets online.
Colorado Spring's is home to the U.S. Olympic Training Center and is known as Olympic City, USA. So it's only fitting that it also has the most extensive and interactive Olympic and Paralympic museum. The museum is housed in a truly stunning 60,000 ft space, which boasts 12 galleries and lots of great artifacts and interactive exhibits. It has been named the country’s Best New Attraction in 2020 by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
150 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Bảo tàng Olympic và Paralympic của Hoa Kỳ
200 S Sierra Madre StColorado Spring's is home to the U.S. Olympic Training Center and is known as Olympic City, USA. So it's only fitting that it also has the most extensive and interactive Olympic and Paralympic museum. The museum is housed in a truly stunning 60,000 ft space, which boasts 12 galleries and lots of great artifacts and interactive exhibits. It has been named the country’s Best New Attraction in 2020 by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Libations and Entertainment
Okay ant to grab a drink in a funky spot or take in some local entertainment? We got you, fam.
Are you a bike person? Then you need to swing by the Buffalo Lodge Watering Hole for a post ride libation in this quirky hidden gem and chat with other cycling enthusiasts.
Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
2 El Paso BlvdAre you a bike person? Then you need to swing by the Buffalo Lodge Watering Hole for a post ride libation in this quirky hidden gem and chat with other cycling enthusiasts.
Step back in time at Lulu's and enjoy the funky retro vibe that this Manitou landmark exudes. Lulu's is a local favorite, (shh don't tell anyone I told you!) for live music, open mic nights, and the occasional burlesque show! They offer a fantastic selection of adult beverages to sip while you relax in a red leather booth, enjoying the vibe and taking in some local color.
6 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Lulu's Downstairs
32 South Tejon StreetStep back in time at Lulu's and enjoy the funky retro vibe that this Manitou landmark exudes. Lulu's is a local favorite, (shh don't tell anyone I told you!) for live music, open mic nights, and the occasional burlesque show! They offer a fantastic selection of adult beverages to sip while you relax in a red leather booth, enjoying the vibe and taking in some local color.
La Burla Bee is Colorado Springs's first and only burlesque club, located in downtown Colorado Springs, just off the Tejon strip. Offering nightly entertainment, a full bar, and some really yummy homestyle Italian food, La Burla Bee is a can't miss for those looking for something to spice up their night. 21+ only
La Burla Bee
110 North Nevada AvenueLa Burla Bee is Colorado Springs's first and only burlesque club, located in downtown Colorado Springs, just off the Tejon strip. Offering nightly entertainment, a full bar, and some really yummy homestyle Italian food, La Burla Bee is a can't miss for those looking for something to spice up their night. 21+ only
Food scene
A literal walk down the street, you'll find Wines of Colorado. Dine creekside and enjoy some local wines and gourmet food.
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The Wines of Colorado
8045 US-24A literal walk down the street, you'll find Wines of Colorado. Dine creekside and enjoy some local wines and gourmet food.
Walk down the street and you'll find Fern's, a funky little diner offering Vegan food and some truly creative and tasty drinks.
Fern's Diner & Drinkery
4645 Fountain AvenueWalk down the street and you'll find Fern's, a funky little diner offering Vegan food and some truly creative and tasty drinks.
Located a short walk down the street, The Pickle Shack, as the name would suggest is a roadside shop offering pickles, jams, jerky, and other tasty treats. Stop in and pick up some snacks and take your picture with a giant pickle. What's not to like?
Pikes Peak Pickles
4675 Fountain AveLocated a short walk down the street, The Pickle Shack, as the name would suggest is a roadside shop offering pickles, jams, jerky, and other tasty treats. Stop in and pick up some snacks and take your picture with a giant pickle. What's not to like?
City/town information
Manitou Springs is a funky little town just down the hill from Cascade. Spend an afternoon walking Main Street, checking the local shops, and touring the famous mineral water fountains. Here's a list of other attractions you should definitely check out while in Manitou.
The Penny Arcade is full of vintage games, amusements, and a boardwalk-style snack shack complete with cotton candy and popcorn.
Miramont Castle is the home of the Manitou Springs Historic Society and offers tours, high tea ceremonies, and several themed dinners throughout the year.
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Manitou Springs Colorado
606 Manitou AvenueManitou Springs is a funky little town just down the hill from Cascade. Spend an afternoon walking Main Street, checking the local shops, and touring the famous mineral water fountains. Here's a list of other attractions you should definitely check out while in Manitou.
The Penny Arcade is full of vintage games, amusements, and a boardwalk-style snack shack complete with cotton candy and popcorn.
Miramont Castle is the home of the Manitou Springs Historic Society and offers tours, high tea ceremonies, and several themed dinners throughout the year.