US Travel Guide - Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Entertainment

Too often, entertainment in Colorado is thought to be limited solely to the category of outdoor recreation. Home to magnificent Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs sits in the shadow of the mountain in more ways than one. But, in fact, the city is home to much more than great scenery and rugged adventure. Become a modern-day frontier explorer and discover all the cultural treasures Colorado Springs has to offer.

Artistic Pursuits
Maybe due to the inspiration provided by beautiful natural landscapes, Colorado Springs has cultivated a variety of artistic venues - establishments that explore the range of human creativity. Lovers of the classics will want to reserve a seat at the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra, the citys professional music group. Timeless productions can be found with the Star Bar Players, a theater troupe which stages live shows throughout the year. For entertainment a bit more local in flavor, the Colorado Springs Dance Theater and Rocky Mountain Cloggers kick up their heels in high-energy performances. If art is more your style, visit the citys two prominent galleries, the Fine Arts Center and the Art Guild Gallery, which showcase works by international and local artists, respectively. Lastly, regardless of when you visit, you are sure to find something scheduled at the Colorado Springs World Arena, a popular venue for sporting events and a stop for many national tours.

Museums and Attractions
Although Colorado Springs is a relatively small, but growing, city, it is bursting with attractions famous the world over. At over 14,000 feet, the imposing and impressive Pikes Peak is the most well-known. Whether you choose to drive up on the highway, travel to the top on the cog railway, or merely marvel at the mountains base in Mueller State Park, this is one sight that cannot be missed. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the 19th century boom town Colorado Springs in two historical neighborhoods, Ghost Town and Old Colorado City. Other notable sites include the Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Olympic Training Center.

For a western city founded just over a century ago in 1871, Colorado Springs is rich with history. This legacy is captured in the citys many notable museums. The preeminent stop for local history is the Pioneers Museum, housed in a turn-of-the-century county courthouse and chock-full of exhibits and information. Local scientist, inventor and hero, Nikola Tesla, also has a museum devoted to his revolutionary works. Another major presence in the community, Peterson Air Force Base, has a historical air and space museum counterpart, a perfect place for the aviation buff to visit. Some institutions cover the world beyond the borders of Colorado, like the May Natural History Museum, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame.

Recreation and Sporting Events
Pikes Peak is not Colorado Springs' only natural wonder. Near the mountain are several other environmental creations, including the Cave of the Winds, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Seven Falls. All are spectacular. If you would like to truly interact with nature, there are opportunities to try any number of physical activities - everything from ballooning, biking, hiking and river rafting, to more reflective pursuits like fishing, horseback riding and hunting. The love of sport is alive in Colorado Springs, evidenced by the abundance of recreation outlets, and also by the support of local teams. Denver may have the Broncos, but here the home team is the Air Force Academy Falcons. Americas favorite pastime also has a place'the Sky Sox wow the crowds through those "dog days" of summer.

Casinos
Several of the states cities are famous for their histories as gold-rush towns, and Colorado Springs is no exception, thanks to its neighboring community of Cripple Creek. Here, you can still strike it rich, and you don't have to go far to prospect for a fortune. The area is home to so many casino hotels and gaming establishments, it has come to be known as a "little Las Vegas." Casinos like Bronco Billys and Wommacks, along with the Imperial Hotel and Casino, Gold Rush and the Palace Hotel and Casino, and many more, let guests take a whirl with Lady Luck.

Colorado Springs is more than just an upscale resort town by the mountain. The city is flourishing, thanks in part to a vibrant artistic presence. Whatever your fancy, you can be assured Colorado Springs holds an attraction or two that will suit you. Go west, and discover it for yourself!

L. Niblock