and the area in between. Taking the family to CO next week, first night in Colorado Springs, then driving to Breckenridge for three days (have a condo rented downtown). It's been a while since I've been in that part of the state and never with kids. Have two daughters (6 & 3 y/o) and a son (7 mon); obviously not much he can do besides tag along.

Wife wants to hit Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs on the way out of CS; will probably make our way into Breck over Boreas Pass if it's early enough, if not will make the drive another day. Looking for ideas in-between, either for the drive up or back down (last night will be in Santa Fe so we'll head south out of Breckenridge) and while we're there.

Thanks to everyone for suggestions.

There's a Gondola in Vail. I went on a 4x4 Jeep tour around Vail ("Above & Beyond 4x4 Guides" https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ab...s/?ref=page_internal --it was fun. (My photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/.../72157631169303700/.)

You can drive down to Leadville and take a train ride into the mountains: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157631039816880/. There's also a very interesting mining museum in Leadville: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157631070925666/.

US-24 going south is itself a very scenic drive: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157631018571878/.

You already know about what's around Colorado Springs. (Have you thought about the Air Museum in Pueblo? ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157630949052874/ ) A drive through Cripple Creek is also interesting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157631009229676/.

That's about all I can recommend.

flashguy

In no particular order....

1. This out near the COS airport.

The Airplane Restaurant centerpiece is a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker. Built in 1953, this magnificent airplane refueled aircraft throughout the world. Then, in May 2002, it began its second mission~ to be the preeminent aviation restaurant in the United States. Forty-two passengers can actually eat in the plane of the 275-seat restaurant. Rich in aviation history, displaying 100's of pictures, memorabilia and rare artifacts, Solo's offers much more than great food, it offers a flight through aviation history.

Treat yourself to first class and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Flight and fly onto Solo's!

http://www.solosrestaurant.com/

2. https://www.sasquatchoutpost.com/

3. https://www.georgetownlooprr.com/

4. https://www.usafa.edu/academic...lities/cadet-chapel/

5. https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm

6. https://mtprinceton.com/

7. https://www.townoffrisco.com/p...summer/general-info/

Red Rocks park in Morrison is fun. Close to Denver. The trading post loop is a short hike - about 1.5 miles. You can check out the amphitheater too.

Evergreen, CO is scenic. Lots of parks, trails and open space.

Make sure you check out the activities on Peak 8 in Breck - roller coaster, alpine slide, human maze, zip lines, mini golf. .

Cog railroad up Pike's Peak in CO Springs.

CO Springs has a great zoo.

Vail has a nice farmer's market every Sunday. Gondola up is nice, but expensive.

In the Colorado Springs area:

The Cog Railroad up Pike’s Peak is a fun ride, if somewhat expensive. Too bad the Manitou Incline shut down. It took less time and offered a great view from the open cars.

I second the idea for the zoo in Colorado Springs. It’s on a fairly steep hill and there’s a chairlift you can ride that runs to the top (above some of the animal enclosures) that’s good for a thrill. The zoo is not too far from Garden of the Gods-maybe a 15 minute drive.

I’d try to get to Garden of the Gods park as early in the day as possible. Particularly on weekends, it can be somewhat crowded and it can get hot (by Colorado Springs standards) later in the day. There are some paved walking paths (essentially sidewalks) that would be pretty good for young kids to expend some energy on. And unpaved trails for a bit more strenuous hiking.
Heed the signs about not getting off the established hiking trails. Across 30th street from the park there’s a Visitor and Nature Center that might be worth checking out before you go to the park.

https://www.gardenofgods.com/

I wouldn’t waste my time in downtown Manitou Springs. Unless you like the aroma of patchouli, marijuana smoke, and stale wino piss while shopping for overpriced tourist crap in “cute shoppes”. Parking is a bitch, the main drag is under construction, and Garden of the Gods Trading Post in the park has the souvenir junk all conveniently located in one building with no foul smells. They sell buckets of sand/gravel mixed with mineral specimens for the “placer mine” at the Trading Post. My wife’s nephews sure had fun with washing and sorting through one for the “jewels”.

It’s a shame about Manitou Springs. I lived there, on Ruxton, about 35 years ago and I try to avoid Manitou when I go back to Colorado Springs to visit friends.

Gold mine tours around Cripple Creek & Victor are interesting.
Weather is pleasant there in the summer too as it's around 10,000 feet.

http://www.goldminetours.com/
https://www.pikes-peak.com/att...-kathleen-gold-mine/

In Breckenridge there is a trail that leads to a 15 foot troll. https://www.google.com/amp/s/w...ckenridge-troll/amp/

Plenty of activites at the ski hill even in summer. There is a gravity roller coaster and a alpine slide. Bike rentals to ride the bike path along the river or easy trails. Plenty of hiking or fishing. There used to he horseback rides uo the ski area not sure if they are still there. There also used to be some backcountry tours you could take.

Depending on how you drive up from the Springs to Breckenridge, check out the town of Fairplay. It's a collection of 19th century buildings from all around Colorado. Located in South Park and of course the gift shop picked up on it and has all kinds of Kenny, Kyle, Stan and Cartman merchandise.

Royal Gorge Bridge. Tallest suspension bridge in the U.S. of A. Near Canon , 1 hour drive from The Springs.

Bridge Website

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Royal Gorge Bridge. Tallest suspension bridge in the U.S. of A. Near Canon , 1 hour drive from The Springs.

Bridge Website

There's also Buckskin Joe close to the Royal Gorge. It was he set of a lot of western movies. Np idea what it is like now, bt as a kid it was way cool!

You mentioned driving south to Santa Fe. When you reach Antonito, turn west and go through Chama, NM to reach Santa Fe. Much more scenic, and there’s a historic steam train (Cumbres & Toltec) ex-DRGW narrow gauge still operating.

No trip to Colorado is complete without a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. One of my favorite motorcycle rides, frequently just go up for a day ride out of the Denver area. Not a big fan of Estes Park, especially during the summer so I'd say skip it.

If you're taking hwy 24, about 50 miles from Colorado Springs there's a rest stop at a place called Wilkerson pass. Stop there and you'll get a great overlook of the valley below and an awesome view of several of the 14 thousand ft. peaks.

Just for fun, if you are going to drive up Pikes Peak, before you go, buy a bag of potato chips. Get the bag that seems to be puffed up the most. Somewhere around 11000 feet, the bag will pop! True, I found a bag that had been packaged in New York, so it was really puffed up from being at a higher altitude. It really did pop (no damage to the chips). Your kids will love it!

The Cumbres and Toltec narrow gauge RR is worth the time and money. Fantastic views.

We prefer it to the Durango and Silverton, even though it doesn’t end up in much of a tourist town.

There are lots of cabins for rent in Chama, and a little river to wade in.

Just a note on any trip up to Pikes Peak. It is extremely busy and due to the rebuilding construction of the visitors center at the top, parking is VERY limited. They recommend you taking the shuttle. There is a cost to enter the park, but the shuttle is complimentary with the entrance fee. The Cog Railway is closed down for repairs until 2021.

https://coloradosprings.gov/pi...akshuttle?mlid=41856

Alternatively, if you want to drive up a Fourteener, there is Mt. Evans (Idaho Springs exit). Get there early, as it opens if you can, parking is very limited at the top as well, but a very scenic and breath taking drive up (and down). When you come back down, have lunch at the Echo Lake Lodge, have their fresh trout filet (you can thank me later). There’s plenty of food options for kids too.

https://www.denver.org/things-...olorado/mount-evans/

https://echolakelodgeco.com/

If going to Breckinridge cross Loveland Pass, totally awesome scenery and one of the best Passes near Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is awesome but also checkout Cave of the Winds, Rainbow Falls and Seven Falls. I didnt get a chance to visit but the Air Force Academy is supposed to have a good visitors tour. Monarch Pass is also scenic but you need to take the Gondola ride to the summit to get the best views. Take I25S to 115 to US 50 to get to Monarch Pass, once you hit 50 theres about 40 miles of driving through a canyon with awesome scenery and they also have white water rafting. If you have time and don't mind a day drive checkout Peak to Peak Hwy to Estes Park and then take the Trail Ridge Scenic Byway to Grand Lake. MT Evans is a better trip than Pikes Peak with much less traffic and Evan's is slightly higher in elevation at 14130 feet.