Tourism in Colorado Springs

Main article: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Pikes Peak dominates the skyline of the city.

Much tourism in Colorado Springs is attracted to the surrounding area, most famously Pikes Peak. The city has numerous trails and parks due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, making the city a popular destination for its scenery. With the mountains as close as they are, Colorado Springs has also gained fame for its rock formations and other geological features. Tourism is the city's third largest industry.

Early tourism

Early travelers were attracted to the city's high altitude and dry air for recuperation from tuberculosis. Sanatoriums of all shapes and sizes sprung up, though most were not built in the residential city. Many of the buildings survive, though they are no longer used for medical purposes. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' Main Hall is a prime example of a sanatorium in the city retrofitted for another purpose.

The Antlers Hotel, named for the extensive antler collection of General Palmer that adorned its walls, was the premier hotel in the area. That honor now goes to the Broadmoor Hotel, opened by Spencer Penrose.

As the eastern-most mountain in the United States over 14,000 feet (4,300 m), Pikes Peak has attracted visitors since the early days of the city, and has always held a unique place in the identity of the city and its tourism.

Modern tourism

As new medicines for tuberculosis were introduced, and British tourism declined to the United States during the World Wars and depressions, Colorado Springs was faced with declining tourism. The mass ownership of automobiles, the building of the National Highway System and the decline of Passenger Rail (currently not available to the city) brought a new kind of traveler to Colorado Springs and is a driving force behind how the city's tourist attractions operate today.

Tourist-oriented districts

For a complete list of registered historic places, see List of Registered Historic Places in Colorado El Paso County

Downtown Colorado Springs nightlife at nightclub Southside Johnny's

• Colorado Springs Downtown, the oldest part of the original city, planned by founder General William Palmer, has many shops and interesting buildings, including the city's earliest high rises. The Lon Chaney Theater, housed in the Colorado Springs City Auditorium and numerous civic and private buildings in the area are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Pioneers Museum, originally the county courthouse, houses an extensive collection of early city history. Giuseppe's Depot Restaurant is built in and maintaining the downtown 1880s railroad depot. The Pikes Peak Center houses traveling and local musical and theatrical performances. Just South of Downtown is the Bristol Brewing Company, an award-winning microbrewery which offers tours and tastings.

Garden of the Gods.

• Old Colorado City is a National Historic District with many art galleries and boutiques. It is the home to the Michael Garman Museum which has housed Magic Town, a 3,000-square-foot (280 m²) sculptural theater paying homage to America's story-teller sculptor, Michael Garman, since 1975. One of the country's many Carnegie Libraries is located here. Tourist attractions north of Old Colorado City include Flying W Ranch a cowboy ranch [1], Garden of the Gods a park of large red sandstone formations, and Glen Eyrie home to William Jackson Palmer the founder of Colorado Springs now owned by The Navigators.

• The Old North End, home to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the American Numismatic Association, and Colorado College. The district has some of the finest examples of Queen Anne (Victorian) Architecture in the city and was the home to some of the original city's most well-to-do citizens. Dozens of mansions in the area, along with many buildings on the Colorado College campus are National Historic Buildings. The Van Briggle Pottery kiln works, founded in 1899 and specializing in art nouveau vases and decorative tiles, were originally housed in a building now owned by Colorado College.

• Memorial Park and its adjacent areas are home to the Printer's Home, the Firefighter's Museum, the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, the United States Olympic Training Center, and the two oldest hospitals in the city (Beth-el Nursing School was once located here as well). The area consists mainly of houses constructed directly after World War II for young families eager to move to the suburbs.

• The Broadmoor neighborhood, incorporated into the city in the 1980s, is home to the Broadmoor Hotel (a five-star hotel conference center and resort), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (one of only two mountain zoos in the nation), the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun (final resting place of Spencer and Julie Penrose), and nearby Seven Falls, as well as access to Cheyenne Canyon and Helen Hunt Falls. The World Arena, used for large scale performances and hockey games, is East of the Broadmoor.

• The North End, primarily consisting of newer suburbs, is home to the sprawling campus of the United States Air Force Academy[2] famous for its unique architecture, particularly its 17-steepled cadet chapel. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy is just South of the Academy and houses exhibits on Rodeo and the American West. The Focus on the Family visitor center, children's center, and head offices are located on the North End, with tours available of facilities. The Western Museum of Mining & Industry has exhibits on the mining history and industrial technology of the western US.

• Although a separate municipality, Manitou Springs, Colorado is generally included in Tourism of Colorado Springs, and includes the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, and Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, which ascends to the summit of 14,115-foot (4,302 m) tall Pikes Peak as well many historic buildings and tourist-based shopping.

Attractions

These attractions have not been placed in a neighborhood:

• Security Service Field, home Colorado Springs' baseball team, the Sky Sox, AAA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies
• TheatreWorks

Events

Colorado Springs and nearby Manitou Springs host dozens of festivals and competitions each year, including:

• The Western State Games of America
• The Pikes Peak Marathon and Pikes Peak Ascent, an annual run to the top of the mountain; the marathon completes the entire ascent and descent back into Manitou.
• The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, an annual automobile race with multiple car classes over several days. One of the oldest and most dangerous races in the world.
• The Colorado Balloon Classic, the largest hot air balloon event in the area.
• Parades and festivities for most major holidays, including the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, St Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras.

Non-recurring special events

• In 1960, the city was the site of the National Scout Jamboree.
• Host of the 2008 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association National Championship Tournament.
• Host of the 2008 Senior PGA Tour

Famous hotels

• The Antlers Hilton Hotel, one of the first buildings to be erected in the city-the original hotel no longer stands. A complex of modern towers now occupy the block, one still a hotel bearing the name.
• The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort, a luxury resort and conference center rated Five-Star by Mobil and Five-Diamond by AAA, since the beginning of both.[3]
• The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, a luxury hotel located 10 minutes west of downtown in Manitou Springs, on the National Register of Historic Places

Musical organizations

• Colorado Springs Children's Chorale
• Colorado Springs Chorale
• Colorado Springs Philharmonic[4]
• Colorado Springs Youth Symphony
• Pikes Peak Philharmonic
• Chamber Orchestra of the Springs
• Young Concert Artists of Colorado Springs

See also

• Simpich Character Dolls
• Norris-Penrose Event Center
• Colorado Springs Attractions & Lodging Information