Twenty-Five Things To Do In and Around Colorado Springs…

View all IARRT 2005 Conference Information.

The 2005 Annual International Conference will take place August 18 through the 21st in scenic Colorado Springs, Colorado. Here are twenty-five things to do in and around the area.

• Best Attractions:

Pikes Peak Highway Toll Road. Nineteen-mile scenic drive ascends to the summit of 14,110’ Pikes Peak. Due to the slope we suggest you use a rental car. Open 9 am – 3 pm daily (weather permitting). Highly recommended by conference coordinator.

-Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway. Highest cog railway in the world ascends to summit of 14,110’ Pikes Peak. Reservations 685-5401.

-Garden of the Gods: 1,368 acre park with red sandstone formations, some as high as 300’. Visitors center and gift shops.

-Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: America’s only mountain zoo. Will Rogers’ Memorial on site. 9 am – 5 pm daily year around.

-U.S. Air Force Academy 18,500 acre Cadet training center. Visitor Center 9 am – 5 pm daily. Cadet Chapel 9 am – 5 pm (Mon - Sat) 1 pm – 5 pm (Sun) Free

• Best Attractions within Walking Distance of hotel:

-Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. History of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region. 10 am – 5 pm (Tues-Sat) 1 pm – 5 pm (Sun)

-Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Native American and Hispanic art and cultural objects, Charles M. Russell Gallery 450 seat theater, summer restaurant. 9 am – 5 pm (Tues-Fri) 10 am – 5 pm (Sat), 1 pm – 5 pm (Sun). 15 min walk.

• Best Sports Attraction:

-U.S. Olympic Complex. Olympic Training center and sport facility. Unique Olympic gift shop, tours of facilities, which hosts as many as 17,000 athletes a year. Video show 9 am – 5 pm (Mon – Sat) 10 am – 4 pm (Sun) Free. Hotline (recording) 578-4644

• Best Unusual Attraction:

-Home of Mr. and Mrs. Starr Kempf. Local sculptor has huge iron sculptures in his front yard. Only one block out of the way to Cheyenne Canon or Seven Falls. Free

• Best One-Hour Drive:

-North Cheyenne Canon Loop. Helen Hunt Falls, Lower Gold Camp Road

• Best Hike:

-Mount Cutler Trail in North Cheyenne Canon. Wonderful view of the Broadmoor hotel, the city and eastern Colorado Plains.

• Best Ersatz Attraction:

-Royal Gorge Bridge: This site is awesome – highly recommended by conference coordinator.

• Best Dinner Theatres:

-Flying W Ranch “Chuckwagon Supper at the Ranch” along with a western stage show. Go back to the 1800’s. Reservations required 1-800-232-FLYW – highly recommended.

Iron Springs Chateau:
-Enjoy fun-filled exciting evening of vaudeville-style comedy, dance and music. Reservations required. 685-5104

• Best Outdoor Activities:

-Academy Riding Stables. Experience year ’round horseback riding in the spectacular Garden of the Gods. One to Three hour guided tours. Reservations required. 633-5667

-Pikes Peak By Bike. Challenge unlimited offers you an adventurous experience and the thrill of riding down this 14,110’ mountain. Contact Challenge Unlimited. 1-800-798-5954.

• Best Shopping:

-Tejon Street. One block east of the Antlers Hilton Hotel Great shopping from Colorado Avenue to the south of Boulder Avenue on the north.

-Castle Rock Factory Shops. One and a half-hour drive north of Colorado Springs in Castle Rock. 130 outlet stores.

-Old Colorado City. West Colorado Avenue between 34th and 28th streets Approx 3 miles west of downtown

-Citadel Mall 170 stores with JCPenney, Foley’s Mervyn’s and Dillards as anchors. Food court.

• Sky Sox Stadium:

-The first and only AAA Farm Team in Colorado Springs. Many players have gone onto the major leagues.

• Best Half-Day Getaway:

-Cripple Creek. Gambling in an old mining town. Slots and card games. One hour drive. Check with hotel for bus information.

-Patty Jewett Golf Course. Oldest golf course west of the Mississippi River. Eighteen hole championship course and nine hole ‘walk on’ course. Nicely restored club house. For tee times – 578-6827

• Best Live Music:

-Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse & Pub Gaelic and Traditional American music. This is a fun place. Ask last year’s conference attendees.

-Rum Bay. DJ live bands, karoke music and entertainment. Reasonably priced ful service menu. Within walking distance from the Antlers. Reservations: 634-3522

View all IARRT 2005 Conference Information.