The Colorado Springs Vacation Vision
Was Spawned Over 135 Years Ago.

Today, the Colorado Springs vacation experience is revered by over 6 million people that travel to the Colorado Springs area every year. The sheer natural beauty, adventurous thrills and an endless stream of sights and amazing attractions is what entices a worldwide audience to vacation in Colorado Springs.

In the 1890s, the riches of gold and silver was the lure. Pikes Peak was the majestic icon for those heading west in search of fortunes. Today it is the iconic symbol of some of the most picturesque landscape in the country that makes Colorado Springs and its Pikes Peak neighbors a most sought after vacation and travel destination.

Colorado Springs' Early History.

The first inhabitants of the Colorado Springs area were the ancient ancestors of the native Ute, Cheyenne, Kiowa and Arapahoe Indians. These lands are considered sacred grounds and the tribes gathered during the summers at a place that is now called Garden of the Gods Park which is the most visited attraction in the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak area.

In 1806 Army Lt. Zebulon Pike led his company of soldiers to the base of a mountain he called "Grand Peak". Pike's mission was to determine the southwestern borders of the Louisiana Purchase. Unable to climb to the Peak summit because of severe blizzards, Lt. Pike declared the 14,110 foot mountain that bears his name unconquerable and moved on.

During following decades, heavy traffic flooded through the area on the way to California seeking fortunes in gold, but few stopped to settle in the Colorado Springs area. By 1859, a small town called Colorado City had formed to serve as a midway point where supplies and mining equipment could be housed. It was a rowdy time in Old Colorado City with gunfights, bawdy houses, saloons and gambling halls.

The Founding Vision of A Resort Vacation Experience.

In 1870, General William Jackson Palmer, a Civil War veteran came to the area scouting land for a railroad. William Palmer was well educated, a railroad magnate and a philanthropist. Inspired by the climate and breathtaking views he began planning a city of his dreams with a detailed ambiance of a resort vacation spot that would rival those in the east.

In 1871 he not only founded the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad but what would become the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado as well. From the slopes of Pikes Peak Mountain he envisioned the plans for the city, its streets and donated land for churches and schools. The city flourished as affluent vacationers traveled to Colorado Springs as a western retreat.

During this period William Palmer constructed what was the first incarnation of a Colorado Springs institution, the Antlers Hotel. The upscale accommodations attracted visitors from the uppermost echelons of society. Colorado Springs not only attracted Americans but many British tourists frequented during the summer months which led to its first nickname of "Little London."

William Palmer's home at the time was a 67-room castle called Glen Eyrie, which still stands today as a memorial to Palmer's brilliant vision. The gold rush of the 1890s led to the settlement of Cripple Creek a mining town just west of Colorado Springs that was instrumental in Colorado Springs becoming the leading mining exchange center in the world at that time.

Mining for gold and silver earned some citizens astounding wealth. By 1904, Colorado Springs layed claim to 35 of America's 100 millionaires and was once called "the city of millionaires". In 1904, a million dollars was an incredible sum of money so one can only imagine the staggering wealth attained by some of its early residents. Credit is given to Palmer for not only founding Colorado Springs, but for his vision that led to the creation of this world renown vacation destination.

Pushing Palmer's Vision Forward.

Spencer Penrose who arrived in Colorado Springs in 1892 was among those that cashed in on the gold boom. Penrose furthered General Palmer's dream when he recognized that the automobile would revolutionize life and expand the ability of people to travel, migrate and enjoy vacations in parts of the west never before reachable by ordinary citizens.

Penrose invested $250,000 to build the initial Pikes Peak Highway. During World War I, he invested over $2 million to build the Broadmoor Resort Hotel at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. The Broadmoor has become one of the world's most famous resorts.

More than 135 years ago Colorado Springs was only a dream. Today the Greater Colorado Springs area is a thriving city of over a half-million residents. The city still retains its old west charm of days gone by when gold was the attraction and it's the golden beauty of magnificent natural landscape and its aura that entices millions from around the globe to the vacation wonderland that Colorado Springs has become. Thanks to pioneers, settlers, General William Palmer and Spencer Penrose, what began as a concept became a resounding success.

Colorado Most Popular Vacation Attractions.

According to the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitor's Bureau the most visited attractions in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak area are listed below in tiered order of popularity.

Garden of the Gods Park
Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
USAFA Visitor Center (Air Force Academy)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Focus on the Family
Pikes Peak-America's Mountain
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Seven Falls
Flying W Ranch
Olympic Training Center
Pioneers Museum
Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame

Colorado Springs Hotels, Resorts, Vacation
Rentals and Bed and Breakfast Inns.

There are more than 15,000 quest rooms in Colorado Springs and the extended Pikes Peak area. For your vacation planning convenience to Colorado Springs, choose from Colorado Springs Hotels, Manitou CO Hotels and Canon City CO Hotels and make hotel reservations online. Or if you prefer, select among our participating Vacation Rentals, Bed and Breakfasts, RV Parks and area campgrounds or even guest dude ranches. Here you will find accommodations for every vacation style and budget from economy motels to luxury resorts.

Colorado Springs' Vacation Thrills,
Adventure and Outdoor Recreation.

The stunning natural beauty is the main attraction. Colorado Springs features four colorful seasons which to enjoy thrilling whitewater rafting, scenic mountain railroads, horseback riding, fishing, camping, snow-skiing, tram rides, hiking trails, biking, golfing, hot air balloon rides, and sightseeing tours. See our Colorado Springs Day Trips for even more vacation excitement nearby Colorado Springs.
Climate In Colorado Springs.

Planning your vacation to Colorado Springs CO around your climate comfort is an important consideration. Be assured of four seasons of unique vacation adventure. At an altitude of 6,035 feet, the climate of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is warm in the summer and moderate in the spring, fall and winter, with over 300 days of sunshine each year.

Classified as an "alpine desert," visitors enjoy the climate because it allows for year-round outdoor recreation. Summers are dry with temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s, with cool nights in the 60s. Spring and fall temperatures range from the mid 50s to the low 70s and winters here can be white, but normally the snow that does fall melts quickly and reveals a sunny sky again. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to upper 40s.

See our weather charts of average temperatures, rainfall, sunrise and sunset times.

Convenient Travel & Transportation To Colorado Springs.

See our map of Colorado Springs. Downtown Colorado Springs is only about a 20 minute drive from the Colorado Springs Airport. See our Airport and Airline section for a list of airlines that serve Colorado Springs with many non-stop flights to major US cities with connections to other destinations around the world. There are shuttle services to and from the airport or consider limousine service for transportation and sightseeing tours in lush comfort. Denver Colorado is only about 65 miles from Colorado Springs.

If You Decide To Move To Colorado Springs.

People that get to vacation in Colorado Springs are lucky. People that live here are even luckier. If you become interested in moving to the Colorado Springs area, contact one of our participating Colorado Springs real estate agents.

Visitors often use misspellings and abbreviations including CO Springs, Colo Sp,
Colarado, Calorado and Colorada. We've used those terms for user convenience.