An adventure-packed stay in Colorado Springs

YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR to find a roadtrip-worthy adventure in Colorado. Enough activities to fill every minute of your long weekend await you just a couple hours south of Northern Colorado in the outdoorsy city of Colorado Springs!

Day 2:

Day 1:

Start your trip at the majestic Garden of the Gods, an admission-free, drivable park littered with scenic stops and hiking opportunities along the way. The Visitor and Nature Center at the entrance to the park opens at 9am and airs a short film throughout the day on the history of the geological features in the park. The center is also the place to pick up a trail map and check out interactive exhibits.

Afterwards, we recommend stopping at the first lot as you enter the park and hiking down to the Perkins Central Garden Trail for an up close look at the unusual red rock formations. You may want to pack a picnic and enjoy lunch among the “gods!” On your way out of the park, be sure to stop at Balanced Rock (you can’t miss it) for a photo op. The park is open from 5am-9pm daily. For more information visit www.gardenofgods.com.

but Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one you won’t want to miss. Built into the side of a mountain, the zoo offers unique opportunities for animal interaction, including giraffe and elephant feeding experiences, as well as a plethora of rides and play areas for kids. The zoo is open 9am-5pm daily, but please note that advanced tickets are required. Visit www. cmzoo.org for more information science and hello history as you head to The National Museum of World War II Aviation. Take in the exhibits, tour the restoration facility next door, and try your hand at flying in the simulator. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am-5pm. For details visit www.worldwariiaviation.org.

Day 3:

Cave of the Winds is more than just a cave, it’s an entire amusement park! Enjoy a ropes course climbing, zipline flying, climbing wall scaling, gemstone panning, axe throwing, adventure sliding kind of day (Out of breath yet? Us too!). Be sure to check height requirements for each activity before purchasing tickets. Oh yeah and be sure to save some time to visit the cave while you’re there (yes, there’s a cave). The Discovery Tour takes about 45 minutes and is a great fit for all ages, while the 90-minute Haunted Lantern Tour is appropriate for ages eight and up. To learn more visit www.caveofthewinds.com.