Unquestionably, Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region are a perfect family vacation destination. As the second largest city in Colorado, this historic treasure offers both urbane sophistication and scenic natural beauty. Pikes Peak, the massive, magnificent mountain that inspires residents every day, is the apex of the region. With 26 distinctive attractions, Pikes Peak Country demands a full week's stay in order to experience it fully. The region features an extraordinary mix of geological wonders, developed attractions, historical marvels, one-of-a-kind adventures and entertaining performances, all taking place on and around the celebrated peak. Your week-long itinerary will take you to attractions in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, Canon City and Cripple Creek, all a short drivable distance from one another. Welcome. Settle in. And get ready for your unforgettable vacation, with seven robust days of adventure, exploration and inspiration in Pikes Peak Country.

ITINERARY 1 

DAY 2 (Option 2): Pikes Peak by Car, Cog, or Bike
Enjoy the beauty of Pikes Peak from various vantage points.  From the the 19 spectacular miles of Pikes Peak Highway (3HRS) in the comfort of your own vehicle, travel the world’s highest toll road to the summit of Pikes Peak.  At the summit of this 14,115-foot mountain, enjoy the Pikes Peak Summit House (1HR).  Or let everyone be a passenger and take the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway (4 HRS) (reservations required), the highest railroad in the U.S.  “The Cog,” has safely and comfortably transported passengers to the summit for more than 100 years.  Once on top, you can enjoy lunch, or at least a world famous high-altitude donut!  Another option is to start your day early with a comfortable van ride to the summit of Pikes Peak, and then take “Pikes Peak by Bike” down the mountain, all coordinated by the professional biking company Challenge Unlimited (1-6 HRS).   After your trip to the top of Pikes Peak, visit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy (2 HRS).  Here you’ll enjoy tributes to cowboys participating in the professional sport of rodeo, including live rodeo animals and special exhibits in the new rodeo arena.  You’ll notice that we’ve built some rest time into this ten-hour day.  Upon completion of activities at altitudes of this magnitude, we encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite beverage.  NUMBER OF ATTRACTIONS: 4

DAY 4: (Option 2): Hit the Water!
All-day or half-day, thrilling whitewater raft trips await you with reservations made with Echo Canyon River Expeditions.  Special arrangements are easily made to extend your rafting or float trip to up to three days.  Echo Canyon also offers unique packages and specialty trips.  Whichever option you choose, a genuine Colorado whitewater adventure is one you don’t want to miss and won’t soon forget.  NUMBER OF ATTRACTIONS: 1 

DAY 6: Garden of the Gods and More
A short drive to the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center (1-3 HRS) offers a spectacular view of the famous, frequently photographed red rock formations of the region (bring your camera!).  Don’t miss the excellent and exciting 12-minute movie.  A drive through the Garden of the Gods Park (1-4 HRS) will lead you to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post (1-3 HRS), Colorado’s largest trading post, where you can shop for unique and beautiful souvenirs of the region, as well as have a light or hearty lunch. Afterwards, be sure to visit the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, where you'll be able to explore Colorado's rich and colorful mining past and future!  This is a must see for historians and those interested in inventions from the past. NUMBER OF ATTRACTIONS: 3

For a different mode of travel, enjoy a relaxing horseback ride through the stunning red rock cliffs of the Garden of the Gods arranged through Academy Riding Stables (1-3 HRS).  If you prefer to bike some more, get on the New Santa Fe Trail (2-3 HRS). Next, you’re off to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings (1-2 HRS) where you will learn of the history of the Ancestral Puebloan Indians dating from 1100 to 1300 A.D., and might even catch authentic Native American dancing.  End your day the cowboy way at the Flying W Ranch (2-5 HRS), a working, mountain cattle ranch specializing in western food and entertainment since 1953.  NUMBER OF ATTRACTIONS: 4  

ITINERARY 2

Day 1: Pikes Peak 

The absolute best way to get the lay of the land is to get to the top of Pikes Peak. Plan to do this on Day 1. Pikes Peak is the backdrop for the historic city of Colorado Springs, commands a full altitude of 14,115 feet above sea level, and is the 31st-highest peak out of 54 Colorado “14ers” (peaks with a summit higher than 14,000 feet). From the summit, panoramic views of the Continental Divide, Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek help new visitors understand the topography and locale of all points of interest for the week ahead.

There are three ways to get to the Pikes Peak summit: on foot, by car, or on the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Remarkably, the mountain is accessible year-round on all but the heaviest snow days by both the cog railway and the Pikes Peak Highway.

The Pikes Peak Highway is a 19-mile toll road that initiates in Cascade, just 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs. The highway climbs 6,715 vertical feet from base to summit, and is rife with picnic grounds, educational programs, visitor facilities and interpretive trails. It also has three gift shops with an abundance of themed merchandise commemorating the peak. The first of the three shops, the Crystal Reservoir Gift Shop at mile six, offers sluice mining, signed trails and trout fishing in the well-stocked lake. The Glen Cove Inn, at 13 miles, offers snacks and impressive views of some cirques on Pikes Peak, which often remain snow-filled even in mid summer. And at the tip-top of the highway, the Summit Gift Shop serves grilled food items and mouthwatering donuts, which are fried up, glazed and sprinkled with sugar right before your eyes. If the high-altitude 360-degree views rouse you to song or poetry, you won't be the first person inspired this way: Katharine Lee Bates penned “America the Beautiful” while gazing at scenery from the summit. Thanks to Bates and her beautiful and enduring lyrics, Pikes Peak is now widely known as America's Mountain.

The 9-mile cog railroad train delivers hundreds of visitors to the summit, then back to Pikes Peak's Manitou Springs base each day. This unique train, capable of ascending steep grades of 25 percent, was constructed more than a century ago. It travels through four distinct life zones, from the foothills to the tundra. Clever conductors regale train guests with stories and facts about the history, flora and fauna of the mountain during the three-hour-and-ten-minute round-trip journey.

The best way to get back down the mountain? It's arguably by mountain bike, on a guided descent down the Pikes Peak Highway with Challenge Unlimited. The proprietress of this adventure company is named Teeny — a diminutive woman, as her name implies — with big ideas. Inspired by the mountain bike tours on Hawaii's Haleakala Crater some two decades ago, she persuaded a skeptical Colorado Springs city council to permit her to try something similar on Pikes Peak. Now, nearly 20 years later, thousands of guests have enjoyed the descent from Pikes Peak by mountain bike. Since safety is paramount, Challenge Unlimited provides new Jamis mountain bikes equipped with disc brakes, and each is individually fitted to its rider. In addition, bikers are provided all-weather gear, snacks, a souvenir water bottle, a support van if a rest is needed, and expert instruction and guidance. The most recent offering from Challenge Unlimited is the Cog Up/Bike Down package, which includes lunch at the charming Wines of Colorado creekside restaurant on Ute Pass at the conclusion of the ride.

After a sustaining lunch, head to nearby Santa's Workshop/North Pole. If you biked down Pikes Peak, you will have passed this classic theme park on your way to the bottom. The Santa's Workshop/North Pole originated in 1956, and is open daily from mid-May to Christmas Eve, embracing holiday spirit throughout the year. There are more than two dozen rides, including the Peppermint Slide, Candy Cane Coaster, Ferris wheel, skyride, Enterprise Space Shuttle, antique carousel and a miniature train. Santa’s house and post office are on site, and Santa himself is available to confer with visitors on Christmas wishes. Magic shows are scheduled daily, and elves regularly stroll by. Guests can feed the goats and llamas, and may catch a glimpse of the family of foxes that live nearby. Invite grandparents and extended family to come along; at Santa's Workshop/North Pole, seniors are admitted for free.

A refreshing dip in the hotel pool may be timely before dinner at the venerable Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater in downtown Manitou Springs. The dinner fare is fried chicken and barbecued beef brisket served family style, with hearty accompaniments. But the real main course at the Iron Springs Chateau is the hilarious, historically themed live entertainment of the Victorian era. The waiters and waitresses at Iron Springs Chateau double as performers, and engage the audience in their interactive performances. Heroes, heroines and villains amuse dinner guests with exaggerated and sensational plots, keeping the entertainment appropriate for people ages two to 92.

Day 2: Cripple Creek 

Pack a jacket today, for your trip to Cripple Creek. This famous and prolific gold camp is cooler by ten to fifteen degrees than Colorado Springs, even on the hottest summer days, due to its elevation of 9,494 feet above sea level. In Cripple Creek, people are still intent on finding their fortunes; the town has gaming and casinos. While winnings can't be guaranteed, a full day of fun at three distinctive attractions is a sure thing in Cripple Creek.

From Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs, scoot up Ute Pass on Highway 24, past Woodland Park to Divide, and follow the signs to Cripple Creek. Make your first stop at the deluxe visitor information center at the north entrance to town. The Cripple Creek Heritage Center is more than just a place to get maps and have a restroom break, however, so plan to spend one to two hours here. Staffed by friendly, knowledgeable historians, this opportunity to learn about Cripple Creek's founders, colorful rabble-rousers, rich mining legacy, progressive railroads, geography, Native Americans, plants and animals is unequaled. The Cripple Creek Heritage Center is big, at 11,600 square feet, with unrivaled views of the entire town. It boasts 21st-century technology with its interactive exhibits, featuring tactile, audio and video presentations, and displays. Don't miss the movie — it's about a half-hour long — that chronicles the town's development from its first gold discovery in 1890. The Cripple Creek Heritage Center is open year- round, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. It gets even better: admission is absolutely free.

Your next stop is the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. This 15-ton, flawlessly restored steam locomotive takes passengers on a four-mile round trip, and departs every 45 minutes each day from Memorial weekend to early October. The journey emulates the experience that mineworkers had riding the Midland Terminal Roadbed to and from the excavation sites each day. There are two dozen points of interest and accompanying stories of prosperity and scarcity, wealth and desolation that illustrate the life and times of hard rock miners, businessmen, fortune-seekers and ladies of the night during the gold rush heyday of Cripple Creek at the turn of the 20th century.

Spend the afternoon in the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. It's a one-of-a-kind, get-outside-your-comfort-zone kind of tour of a vertical mine shaft and hard rock mine. There are two extraordinary things about the Mollie Kathleen Mine. First, it was started, owned and operated by a woman, Mollie Kathleen Gortner. Second, it is still operational (and complies with federal safety standards) and takes visitors on a subterranean tour to a depth of 1,000 feet below the surface of the earth. This hard rock mine produced $5 million in gold from 1891 to 1961. (By today's standards, and as a point of reference, that figure would be multiplied by a factor of about 55.) Tours are guided and narrated by miners. Guests ride an air-powered mining train, witness an 1890s steam hoist in full operation, and learn how drilling and blasting explosives were set. At the conclusion of this one-hour expedition, visitors leave with an invaluable, personal perception of what life as a hard rock miner was like, as well as an ore specimen containing real gold.

Tomorrow, it's on to the Canon City area. Especially adventurous travelers may choose to lodge in Cripple Creek, and head out in the morning to Canon City via the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway. This network of scenic drives connects Cripple Creek to Florissant, Florence and Canon City. The Phantom Canyon Road route is a gravel thoroughfare that follows the track of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894, with historic tunnels and bridges intact, and significant elevation changes ranging from 5,500 to 9,500 feet. The Shelf Road is a bona fide four-wheel drive route — rough and rugged — that was once a stagecoach route delivering people, goods and ore to and from Cripple Creek and Canon City.

Day 3: Rafting and the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park 

The Arkansas River, over the millennia, is responsible for carving the canyon near Canon City that is now known as the Royal Gorge. It seems only natural to start an exploration of the Royal Gorge — a legendary natural wonder — with a morning adventure on this renowned river. Despite its moniker, the Arkansas originates high in the Colorado Rockies, and is one of the most popular whitewater boating destinations in the United States.

Echo Canyon River Expeditions, the longstanding river outfitter in the Canon City and Royal Gorge region, knows every detail of this waterway and how to expertly navigate its ever-changing flows and rapids. It's clear that Echo Canyon is something special when the raft guides themselves talk about owner/operator Andy Neinas with guileless affection and admiration. Echo Canyon has been in existence since 1978, with Andy at the helm since 1987, ensuring that safety and professionalism are the hallmarks of this top-notch operation. Trips with Echo Canyon on the Arkansas River range in difficulty from a splashy, fun Class III trip to the adrenaline-charged wave rides of “The Numbers” descent, which engages visitors in a thrilling and memorable Class V whitewater adventure. After rafting, hungry river enthusiasts love to fuel up at the 8 Mile Bar and Grill, Echo Canyon's inviting new indoor/outdoor restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Now that you've experienced the gorge from the river view, plan to spend the afternoon at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park for an entirely different perspective. There aren't enough superlatives to describe this attraction: it has one of the world's highest suspension bridges, one of the world's steepest incline railways, one of the world's longest single-span aerial trams, and what many describe as the world's scariest Skycoaster! The suspension bridge, at 956 feet high, is a historic engineering marvel, constructed in 1929. The incline railway travels a 1,550-foot descent on a 100-percent grade, at a 45-degree angle. The aerial tram crosses the gorge via cable, at an elevation of 1,178 feet. The Royal Rush Skycoaster® must simply be seen to be believed: riders in groups of one to three are winched to the top of a launch tower, then dropped towards the ground, swinging from a cable tether back and forth until brought to a rest. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Skycoaster attains speeds of 50 mph, and swings riders 1,200 feet above the canyon floor.

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park has a more sedate side, too. Young visitors love the petting zoo, trading post, antique reproduction carousel, trail and burro rides, and the memorable Wapiti Wildlife Park with its Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep and American Bison available to view at close range. The Bridge and Park offers an inclusive Daily Passport, with one price for admission and activities. (The Royal Rush Skycoaster and mule trail rides are the only exceptions; these two activities require an additional fee.) The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park also extends senior and military discounts, and offers frequent coupons and promotions.

Another appealing way to see and experience the gorge is in the seated comfort of an open-air train car on the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway. Since 1958, this “Little Train with a Big View” has enabled three million visitors to enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of the Royal Gorge and Bridge during its 30-minute, three-mile round-trip journey. The trip is ideal for guests of all ages; well-mannered dogs are even welcome to come aboard. Tickets for this activity are $12 for adults, and $11 for children ages four to 11.

A day at the Royal Gorge is embellished by one final attraction: the John May Museum Center. As you travel back to Colorado Springs via Highway 115, you won't miss the sign and giant beetle replica that point out this attraction. It features 7,000 of the world's most beautiful and unusual invertebrates at the John May Natural History Museum of the Tropics. As unlikely as a comprehensive tropical collection of global animals and artifacts may seem in Colorado, John May amassed one of the largest collections of its kind over 80 years — a testament and legacy to one man’s interest and enthusiasm on this topic. Another quirky point of interest is the Museum of Space Exploration and Science, also on site at the center. It has a wealth of information and photos of the history of man in space. The John May Museum Center is open from May 1 to September 30, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Day 4: Garden of the Gods and Northern Colorado Springs

A hike, scenic drive or exploration of Garden of the Gods will be enriched with a visit to the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center first. This is the place to pick up a free park map and take in a nature talk before you head out. The center, with more than 30 free exhibits, is committed to education and to sharing the geology, cultural history and ecology of this extraordinary 1,350-acre park and its 300-million-year-old rock formations. The world’s only known Theiophytalia kerri dinosaur fossil, a skull found 118 years ago in the Garden of the Gods, is on display here. And the new HD Blu-ray movie, a nominally priced 14-minute multimedia adventure, is highly recommended. In summer, the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center offers guided bus tours for a small fee. The center is open year-round, and has a restaurant and gift shop, with an extensive collection of Colorado books on site.

Rodeo, the only professional sport that evolved from a working lifestyle, is given proper tribute at your next attraction, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy located in the foothills of northern Colorado Springs. You'll learn all the finer points of major rodeo events, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, bulldogging and calf roping. The stories of the legendary cowboys, cowgirls, horses and livestock who have made rodeo famous are all here, along with a substantial collection of memorabilia, artwork, historical facts, photos and interactive displays. The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy is open year-round, except on major holidays; admission fee is nominal, with senior, military and children's discounts available.

If you ever wondered how the West was settled with relative haste, wonder no more. Step into the Western Museum of Mining and Industry to see tools and implements that sped the commerce and infrastructure of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. The 1895 Corliss Steam Engine, with its 37-ton, still-operational flywheel, is on display. In fact, many of the exhibited artifacts, tools and equipment from the gold mining boom of the 1800s still work. With guided tours, hands-on lessons on panning for gold, guest lecturers and 27 acres of wetlands, open space and picnic grounds, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry is an excellent place to learn about the gold rush and the subsequent taming of the frontier. The museum is open year-round every day but Sunday, and it offers guided tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission fees are reasonable, and discounts are offered to seniors, military and children.

Day 5: Cheyenne Mountain 

First stop is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America's only mountain zoo, at an altitude of 6,800 feet and with a footprint of 40 acres. Arrive right at opening time at 9 a.m., when the animals are most active and in order to maximize your morning to visit as many animals as possible; there are 800 creatures exhibited here and 150 individual species, with 30 endangered species represented. The Grizzly Bear, Bald Eagle, moose, wolf, lynx and mountain lion exhibits are particularly realistic, with their roomy habitats in this sub-alpine setting.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is dedicated to conservation, preservation and education with its hands-on experiences. In fact, an unforgettable encounter for all Cheyenne Mountain Zoo visitors is the opportunity to feed the friendly resident giraffes, the largest reticulated giraffe herd in any zoo in the world. Zookeepers schedule daily Keeper Talks, Beastly Bite feeding demonstrations and Wonders of Wildlife shows, which delve into details on survival adaptations in various ecosystems around the world. A tram runs daily in the summer, and most days in the spring and fall. A chairlift-style ride called the Mountaineer Sky Ride is another unique way to take in the zoo, with an aerial view on a seven-minute ascent to the top. The Will Rogers Shrine, a historic monument just a mile and a half up Cheyenne Mountain from the zoo, is accessible and included with a paid admission.

Plan a lunchtime visit to nearby Seven Falls, a beautiful 181-foot waterfall in Cheyenne Canyon. After lunch at the snack bar, it's a toss-up whether to hike up the 224-step walkway to view the falls at closer range, ride the in-mountain elevator to the Eagles Nest lookout, take a self-guided audio tour or feed the Rainbow Trout. Native American dance performances are scheduled regularly in June, July and August. This attraction is open year-round, and the magnificent cascading water looks different depending upon seasonal water flows and weather, so a visit to Seven Falls is never the same experience twice. In summer, the falls beckon a visit after the sun goes down for a view of this natural phenomenon enhanced by colored lights.

Next stop: the Wild West Ghost Town Museum, at 21st Street and Highway 24. This museum was created in 1954 to preserve a piece of Colorado’s frontier heritage. During the gold rush of the 1860s and ‘70s, small encampments became small towns. Small cities along the Rocky Mountain Front Range provided a central location for supplies and services. The search for gold drove prospectors to every remote mountain valley and peak in the state. If gold or silver were not located, or if the mines played out, the towns were often abandoned to become ghost towns. The Wild West Ghost Town Museum evolved from a desire to preserve a piece of this era. This replicated town will send you to a different place and time the moment you enter: through portrayalists representing characters of the Old West, hands-on experiences like panning for gold, a visit with a family in a Victorian-era home, and individual exploration along the boardwalk of the general store, blacksmith and saloon.

Accurately bringing the 1800s to life, this interactive museum gives history a fresh and meaningful spin for visitors of all ages. A shooting gallery, antique arcade games and the Stagecoach Trading Post round out a lively day of learning and living in the Old West. An impressive collection of everyday artifacts is displayed in each of the town’s buildings, which are themselves a collection of restored structures that were initially left to decay around the Pikes Peak region. The buildings and artifacts are housed inside a historic stone structure, which was originally built in 1899 for the Colorado Midland Railroad as its maintenance building for the steam locomotives that hauled gold ore from the mining districts to the nearby Golden Cycle Mill. The railroad roundhouse is next door to the Ghost Town Museum. The Wild West Ghost Town Museum is open year-round, with variable hours by season.

Plan to stroll, shop and dine this evening in Old Colorado City, the oldest authenticated city in the Pikes Peak region. Its tree-lined streets, welcoming shops and beautifully restored buildings belie its former reputation as a haven for miscreants and outlaws. With its rough-and-tumble beginning in 1859, Old Colorado City attracted a colorful population who enjoyed the rugged comforts of its 21 saloons and houses of ill repute. Enjoy free live music in Bancroft Park, taking place on Thursday evenings in the summer months. The first Friday of every month, from April through December, Old Colorado City hosts Art Walks, and on Saturdays, from June through October, there is a Farmer's Market.

Day 6: Cowboy Up in Manitou

Although Garden of the Gods is visible from most of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, there may be no better way to see and experience the red rock splendor of the park than from the back of a horse. Dress in your boots and jeans today, slather on the sunscreen and grab your hat. Plan to enjoy the two-hour, six-and-a-half-mile horseback ride through the Garden of the Gods Park with Academy Riding Stables this morning. Open year-round, the stables are located on the northern edge of Manitou Springs, on the perimeter of the 1,350-acre Garden of the Gods Park and trail system.

Affable, professional cowgirls and cowboys will greet and guide you quickly through the check-in process. Academy Riding Stables has a unique method to ascertain each rider's ability, with indicators including never, occasional and frequent riding; this helps the staff match each of your party with the perfect horse. Horses are thoughtfully selected for both size and temperament by these experienced wranglers, and they have mounts for everyone, including children ages eight and up. As a safety precaution, Academy Riding Stables provides fitted helmets to children; these are optional for adults.

Two wranglers will accompany the ride, one leader and one tailer, and as you and your horse wend your way along these legendary trails, they will point out famous Garden of the Gods rock formations, including Kissing Camels, Sleeping Giant, Snakehead Rock and more. The trail is a loop, and is scenic in its entirety. Tip your hat, and by all means tip your wrangler, at the conclusion of this memorable venture.

You'll be just the right amount of saddle-sore, thirsty and hungry to head to your next stop, the Garden of the Gods Trading Post located just a block away from the stables. This shaded adobe enclave has been welcoming visitors for more than 100 years, and has the distinction of being Colorado's largest gift shop and gallery. But save the shopping and browsing until after lunch at the Balanced Rock Cafe, which serves delicious and affordably priced salads, grill items, wraps and specialties like Buffalo Chili to be enjoyed on the shady deck and patio. The gift shop features unique trip mementoes and homemade fudge, and the gallery has an extensive collection of fine art in many mediums, in addition to traditional Native American jewelry, blankets and pottery.

Stay dressed in your Western duds for an evening of entertainment and food at Flying W Ranch, located two miles north of Garden of the Gods. It's well worth arriving early to explore the Western Town when it opens at 4:30 p.m. The beautiful, tranquil grounds, at the edge of a red rock formation known as Christmas Rock, are the site of the replicated Western Town with its blacksmith, schoolhouse, jail, post office, barbershop and even an undertaker's office. Native American dance performances celebrate the indigenous Plains Indian residents of the area, with a local family troupe performing the Hoop Dance, Friendship Dance and more as pre-dinner entertainment.

The Chuckwagon Supper, a simple, impeccable menu that hasn't changed significantly since the Flying W began serving it to guests in 1953, is next. Dinner is beef or chicken, beans, baked potato, applesauce, flaky biscuits, with spice cake for dessert. Iced tea or lemonade accompany this tasty meal, and a cup of the Flying W's signature cowboy coffee should not be declined. After dinner, the Flying W Wranglers, a wildly talented band of five musicians and singers, will entertain with hilarious G-rated banter and flawlessly rendered traditional cowboy music. Plan to hear favorites in the tradition of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers, with numbers like “Cool Clear Water,” “Orange Blossom Special” and “Rocky Top” on their extensive playlist.

Day 7: More Manitou   

You may have come to think of historic Manitou Springs as your home base during your tour of Pikes Peak Country. Plan to spend your final day touring the attractions in this inviting town: the Cave of the Winds, Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Miramont Castle are all located here.

The Cave of the Winds is your first stop today, for a tour of its 500-million-year-old world of underground geology. The limestone in which Cave of the Winds was formed dates back almost 500 million years, and the cave's system of rooms and passages began to form four to seven million years ago. Stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone were created within the rooms and passageways due to the effects of dripping calcium carbonate-rich water over thousands of years. Now, the Cave of the Winds shares the geology and ecology of this subterranean Rocky Mountain natural wonder with visitors through three distinctive tours: the Discovery Tour, Lantern Tour and Flashlight Tour.

The Cave of the Winds also has a new attraction, the Wind Walker Challenge Course. It's a cross between a zipline, a jungle gym, a maze and a ropes course, and is suitable for people of all ages and varying skill levels. It lets visitors experience the thrill and adrenaline rush of ascending into the structure — and then stepping out into what feels like thin air! Wearing a special safety harness, visitors cross swinging bridges, cargo nets, tightropes and more. Just two minutes from downtown Manitou Springs, the Cave of the Winds is open 364 days a year, with seasonally variable hours.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings, which were built more than 700 years ago by a somewhat mysterious Native American culture that lived in the Four Corners area (consisting of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona) from 1200 B.C. to 1300 A.D. The word Anasazi literally means “ancient ones,” and Anasazi are now sometimes termed Ancestral Puebloans. The intricately constructed cliff dwellings tell of an ancient civilization and lifestyle, which you are free to explore, touch and climb through. The gift shop on site offers replicas of Anasazi artifacts, Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, crafts, books and videos. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are open year-round, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bring your appetite for your next stop at the Miramont Castle Museum and the Queen's Parlour Tea Room. This 14,000-square-foot, 42-room Victorian-era castle was constructed in 1895. It was commissioned by Fr. Francolon, a French emigrant and Catholic priest who moved to Manitou Springs in 1892 to serve as a missionary priest. Francolon only lived in the Castle until 1900, when he unexpectedly returned to France. The fascinating and uncharacteristic history of this extraordinary building continues to reveal itself as historians and preservationists discover more. Authentic Victorian furnishings and various temporary collections are on display, like the Manitou Springs Fire Department exhibit with artifacts from the 1800s. After your self-guided exploration of the castle, enjoy lunch at the Tea Room. Or, with an advance reservation, you can take High Tea or Light Victorian Tea at the castle. The elegant five-course tea menu features delicious homemade scones served with Devonshire cream, infused butters and preserves, Victorian-style sandwiches and more. The Miramont Castle Museum is open year-round, with hours that vary seasonally, and is closed on major holidays.

A relaxed exploration of Manitou's historic district, shops, parks and restaurants will take the balance of the day. This artist's enclave features award-winning creekside restaurants, time-honored galleries and shops, and frequent festivals and events. Time your visit to coincide with a free concert at the town's central Soda Springs Park, or take the kids fishing at Schryver Park, a shady oasis with an indoor pool, picnic area and stocked pond.

It seems only fitting to conclude your visit to Pikes Peak Country with a walking tour of the hallowed natural mineral springs that dot Manitou Springs. The effervescence in the spring water was considered to be the breath of the Great Spirit “Manitou” by the Cheyenne, Mountain Ute and Arapaho Native American tribes who spent peaceful winters here many years ago. Eleven springs have been maintained or restored to their original splendor, thanks to local preservation efforts. A brochure with a map to each spring is free, and so is the refreshing water at each. We hope you will drink it to your abundant good health, and come see us again soon in Pikes Peak Country.