Ever wonder what it would be like to visit a place that was created solely as a resort getaway? Take a trip to Colorado Springs and wonder no more. This serene mountain escape offers endless blue skies, ridiculous eye candy by way of natural landscape and more activities than any one person or family could experience in a single trip. Founded in 1871, Colorado Springs is the original dream vacation spot. People came from all over the world to ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, gaze upon the red rock spires shooting from the earth in Garden of the Gods Park and taste the mineral waters scattered throughout the nearby town of Manitou Springs.

Those same must-see attractions reside in the area today, along with more than 50 others that shouldn’t be missed. Some new adventures include a Geo|Venture flashlight tour through Cave of the Winds, a chance to be an ice cream maker for a day at Pikes Peak Ice Cream & Gelato or a mule trail ride to take in the amazing views of the Royal Gorge. Those looking to generate some adrenaline can battle the rapids of the Arkansas River, bike down 14,115ft. Pikes Peak or take a plunge 1,000 feet below the earth’s surface with a tour of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine.

History and heritage is always nearby with numerous museums, multiple heritage centers and many ways to learn about the area’s past. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, located in the heart of downtown, provides a glimpse into the people and events that shaped Colorado Springs. The new Manitou Springs Heritage Center offers a speaker series and panning for gold is a must at the Ghost Town Museum.

No matter what the season, with 300 days of annual sunshine, travelers to the area will thrive on our outdoor recreation. Home to an array of parks, trails and open spaces, explore places like Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Red Rocks Open Space, Palmer Park, Paint Mines Interpretive Park and the New Sante Fe Regional Trail.

Home to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Ride for the Brand Championship Ranch Rodeo, be sure to saddle up for Pikes Peak Western Heritage Days, a summer-long celebration of cowboy, mining and Native American History. Stop by www.VisitCOS.com to order an Official Visitors Guide or to find out more information on this great escape nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.