Colorado Springs on a Budget

A guide to Colorado Springs travel

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ATTRACTIONS WITH FREE ADMISSION
America the Beautiful Park
American Classics Marketplace
Cripple Creek and Victor
Cripple Creek Heritage Center
Garden of the Gods
Glen Eyrie Castle
Manitou Springs
North Cheyenne Canyon
Old Colorado City
Patsy's Candies
Pioneers Museum
Uncle Wilber Fountain
The United States Air Force Academy
The United States Olympic Training Center
Van Briggle Pottery
Waldo Canyon
Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum
ATTRACTIONS THAT CHARGE ADMISSION
American Numismatic Museum
Buckskin Joe
Cave of the Winds
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Fishing
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Flying W Ranch
Historic Manitou Walking Tours
Iron Springs Chateau
Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Museum
Mueller State Park
North Pole
Pikes Peak Center
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Pikes Peak Highway
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Seven Falls
Ski Areas (Chart of Colorado Ski Areas Info)
The Simpich Showcase
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
World Arena
World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame

Buckskin Joe

    Buckskin Joe permanently closed on September 12, 2010 and is being disassembled and moved to a new owner at an undisclosed location.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

     Located about an hours drive from Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the world. It is over 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River in the canyon below. You can walk or drive across the bridge (oversized vehicles are not allowed on the bridge) or take a trolley. You can take the world's steepest Incline Railway 1,500 feet down a 45º incline to the bottom of the canyon. Royal Gorge Park also has an Aerial Tram that goes across the canyon. For adrenalin junkies the Royal Rush Skycoaster has a free fall tower that momentary suspends you over the 1,200 foot valley. In Wapiti Western Wildlife Park, visitors can see Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, elk, and American Bison. All of these attractions including the rides and shows in the park, with the exception of the Royal Rush Skycoaster, are included in the price of admission. The peak season admission price is $26.00 for adults and $20.00 for children 4-11 and $22.00 for seniors ages 60 and over. The Royal Rush Skycoaster cost $25.00 for one person, $45.00 for two, and $60.00 for three people. They also have the Soaring Eagle Zip Lines. Check their website for prices on the Zip Lines or for prices for a Skycoaster/Zip Line Combo rate. The park is open year round, weather-permitting. The summer hours (middle of June - middle of August) are 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. weekends and holidays. Call 888.333.5597 or visit www.royalgorgebridge.com for more information. During the off-season some of the rides may not be open, check with the park for information on what rides will be open during your off-season visit. The park's address is 4218 County Road 3A, Canon City, CO 81212. If you just want to see the bridge, you can go at 7:00 a.m to 8:00 a.m. and 30 minutes before the park closing time at dusk. You need to check with the front gate to see just the bridge.

Mueller State Park

     Mueller State Park is located between Divide, Colorado and Cripple Creek, Colorado. Mueller State Park is known for its wildlife. Black bears, elk, deer, and mountain lions inhabit the area. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails in the park. Mountain biking is allowed on 19 miles of trails. If you own a horse, you can bring it and ride in on some of the trails. In winter, snow levels permitting, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed and you can sled and tube on the sledding hill. To see pictures of Mueller State Park click here. Dragonfly Trail is a handicap accessible trail to teach kids about nature. Activities on the trail include a pit for kids to jump to see if they can jump further than certain animals. There is a display to teach kids what animals have been in the area according to their scat and their tracks. There is a pond with dragonflies and exhibits and activities. There is a hollow log for kids to crawl through and a log with a window to look inside and see the insects in them. To see pictures of the Dragonfly Childrens' Nature Trail click here. The park has fir, pine, and aspen trees, as well as beautiful wildflowers. It is open for day use from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It is also open for overnight visits with a campground and 3 cabins. If you want to stay overnight you should make reservations at http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mueller/Camping/. For more information on this park go to http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mueller/. Daily vehicle passes are $7.00, walk-in tent only campsites (summer only) are $18 and electric hook-up sites ar $22.00. Cabins are available starting at $140.00 per night. Check the website for RV camping information.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

     Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located about 2 miles south of the town or Florissant or about 16 northwest of Cripple Creek. Go to the Visitors' Center to see tiny fossils of insects and plants. The closest petrified redwood tree stump is just outside of the Visitors' Center. To see more petrified tree stumps, walk the Petrified Forest Loop. It is about a mile long and has a couple of benches to rest on along the way. The cost is $3.00 a person for anyone 16 and older and credit cards and debit cards are not accepted. Summer hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily and winter hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Its website is http://www.nps.gov/flfo/index.htm. To see pictures of the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument click here.

Cave of the Winds

     The Cave of the Winds is located above Manitou Springs just off of Highway 24. The Discovery tour is the most popular and easier of the two types of tours given and lasts about 45 minutes. The lantern tour is more strenous and lasts about 90 minutes. Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for cooler temperatures as the cave is 54 degrees. See the Cave of the Winds website for information on the tour if you health conditions that might be affected by either tour, such as strenous activity or physical concerns. In the summer, Discovery tours leave every 15 to 30 minutes and cost $18.00 for adults, $9.00 for children 6-11, and 5 and under are free. During peak times, be prepared to wait 30 minutes or more to get into a tour. Lantern tours usually leave on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer, but you should visit the Cave of the Winds website or contact them directly for time verification on the lantern tours. The Lantern tour costs $24.00 for adults and 14.00 for ages 6-11...children 5 and under are not permitted on the Lantern tour. The Cave of the Winds website for tour information is http://www.caveofthewinds.com/Tours.aspx. The phone number is (719) 685-5444.

American Numismatic Museum (The Money Museum)

     The American Numismatic Museum is dedicated to the history of money. This museum has a numismatic lending library so people can read and learn more about money. The Money Museum has exhibits of rare and unusual coins as well as a gift shop. Its hours are 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. The museum is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for students, seniors and military. It is located at 818 North Cascade Avenue in Colorado Springs. Its website is http://www.money.org.

The Simpich Showcase

     If you love puppetry and marionettes, you should visit the David Simpich Showcase located in Old Colorado City. It has 3 parts. The first part is the Simpich Museum containing dolls from doll artists Jan and Bob Simpich. The second part is the theatre. Check their website to see what is currently playing. The third part of the showcase is the Simpich Art Museum featuring oil paintings of Bob Simpich as well as other artists. For times and prices for the museum or theatre shows, go to http://www.simpich.com/. The Simpich Showcase is located at 2413 West Colorado Avenue in the part of Colorado Springs called Old Colorado City.

Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama

     If you enjoy melodrama go to the Iron Springs Chateau for a evening of music and comedy. Boo the villains and cheer the heroes as you watch the entertainment. The cost is $29.50 per adult for dinner and a show or $15.50 for just the show (prices do not include tax or tips). Call for child, senior, and group rates. The theatre is located at 444 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs across the street from the Pikes Peak Cog Railway Depot. For reservations call (719)685-5104 or (719)685-5572. To get coupons and more information go to http://www.pikes-peak.com/Attraction/15.aspx.

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