Three Days in Colorado Springs
- G. Rhodes
- May 17
- 6 min read
Boy, what a difference a day makes. Much to my surprise, Saturday morning in Colorado Springs found me enjoying the breakfast service in the Marriott Executive Lounge. It was much improved over the negative experience I encountered during the previous evening. There were a variety of Fresh Juices in carafes on ice, along with Yogurts, Sliced Fruit and several different Pastries. Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes and Sausages were arranged on the buffet in chafing dishes and all manner of Coffees and Teas were also available. The lounge was sparsely populated when I arrived, so I was easily able to find a table near the window at which to enjoy the morning service.
After catching up with the family mid-morning, we all headed downtown for lunch, stopping at Dos Santos Restaurant on East Moreno Avenue, which featured a rustic-looking interior with a bit of an industrial vibe. Known for its modern take on Mexican cuisine, Dos Santos offered a unique taco experience with creative flavor combinations and a lively atmosphere. We shared several tacos, burritos, and a few other Mexican-inspired dishes, and noticed they also served a selection of craft cocktails, including several different Margaritas. Our next stop was the Garden of the Gods, which is special for its unique and massive red sandstone rock formations. It's a very popular destination, attracting over four million visitors annually. The park is renowned for its towering red sandstone spires, formed over millions of years by geological processes like erosion and up lifting. The Garden of the Gods has a storied history, including that of the Ute people, who considered it a sacred space and have tales of their own creation within the Garden. The Visitor and Nature Center offered educational exhibits about the park's geology, ecology, history, and the Native American Ute peoples who inhabited the area. We took advantage of the movie shown at the Geo-Trekker Theatre, traveling through one billion years in less than 15 minutes to learn more about the formation of the sedimentary rock formations and concluded our visit with a drive through the park.
The evening’s dinner reservations were made at Paravicini’s Italian Bistro - or so we thought. It turned out our reservations were for Sunday night, but we lucked out. The hostess told us they had a last-minute cancellation next door at Ristorante Di Sopra, which shared the same chef. That upscale Italian restaurant in Old Colorado City was the sister restaurant to Paravicini's Italian Bistro and featured creative Italian dishes with a focus on fresh, homemade pasta and seasonal ingredients. Chef Franco Pisani, the owner and chef, blended traditional family recipes with contemporary Italian culinary concepts that offered a fresh and innovative take on classic Italian dishes. Besides the great food, we appreciated the stunning views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains. Although we didn’t indulge, Sopra also featured a cigar lounge where guests could enjoy their cigars on the covered patio after 8:00 PM.
We planned to visit the US Air Force Academy on Sunday. We checked the Website and even called the Visitor Center to ensure everything was A-OK. But, we were in for a surprise when security personnel at the North Gate denied us entry and instructed we drive six miles down to the South Gate and try our luck there. After doing so, we discovered the academy had temporarily adjusted the process to access the grounds. Beginning on January 4 of this year, it’s been closed to the public. It would have been nice if their Website had been updated and I’m not sure why no-one at the Visitor Center knew about the new rules which had been in effect for nearly three months by the time of our visit. And why does the academy have a Visitors Center when visitors aren’t welcome? That's hard to fathom. While being turned away was a big disappointment, we managed to salvage the day and I had a little Av Geek fun at the same time.
The National Museum of World War II Aviation then beckoned. This museum is unique because it’s the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the role of aviation in the Second World War. It featured a diverse collection of about 70 restored, vintage aircraft on display, including fighter planes, bombers, and even a wartime mail carrier. Amazingly, every single one of the aircraft on display is in working order and is flown at least once each year. The museum also includes interactive exhibits, simulations, and a state-of-the-art restoration facility creating precision-machined parts, all of which made it a standout attraction for our family visit that afternoon. We particularly liked the guided tour of the West Pac Facility that enabled us to witness ongoing aircraft restoration projects, providing an educational and engaging experience. Knowledgeable volunteers, often veterans or aviation enthusiasts, were also on hand to offer in-depth historical context and sometimes even their personal stories about certain aircraft on display. Somehow, that made it all come alive. Colorado Craft Social on South Tejon Street is where we stopped afterwards for lunch, where we shared appetizers like Tortilla Chips with Chili Con Queso Dip,Truffle Fries and Burritos with Green Chili.
Late Sunday afternoon we traveled to the historic Broadmoor Hotel, noted for its blend of luxurious amenities and historical significance. Opened in 1918, the hotel boasts impeccable service, extensive grounds spanning over 5,000 acres and diverse activities, including two championship golf courses. This premier resort destination is the world’s longest-running consecutive winner of both the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond Awards and features no less than 20 restaurants, cafés and lounges. And this is where I was pleasantly surprised as the hotel even has a bowling alley! “Play at The Broadmoor” is special indeed as it combined upscale luxury with a fun, family-friendly bowling experience. It offered a high-end ambiance with amenities like chandeliers and plush seating. Right next door to the alley was a cocktail lounge and a restaurant called the Golden Bee Gastropub. That’s where we had dinner, enjoying several of their classic American drinks and entrées.
Monday morning found us heading for the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade. It offered hundreds of old arcade games, including more than 20 different pinball machines that entertained the adults as well as the grandchildren. We then hopped aboard Shuttle Bus #33 which took us directly to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a truly memorable ride. It’s the world’s highest cog railway, reaching the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet above sea level in about an hour and 20 minutes. The railway has been climbing the mountain since 1891, making it a historic landmark. The nine-mile journey to the summit on that clear day afforded us breathtaking 360-degree views of the region, from the plains to the Rocky Mountains. Once at the Visitors Center up top, my son and I braved the weather and stepped outside. Trust me when I tell you we didn’t stay too long admiring the view! After our return to the station, we walked back into Manitou Springs and ate dinner at the Border Burger Bar, a casual eatery known for its internationally-themed burgers, and an extensive beer and wine menu. I said goodbye to the family after dinner and packed up for the journey home early the next morning.
The Marriott front desk clerk kindly booked me on a Southwest crew shuttle to the airport which departed on Tuesday at 4:45 AM. Before my United flight departed for Denver, I had an opportunity to visit The Lounge using my Priority Pass membership. Conveniently located between Gates 4 and 6, the 985-square foot lounge featured a good breakfast spread, including French Toast. My flights home were on time and we landed at the Raleigh Durham Airport at 2:30 that afternoon. Pulling into Gate D17, I happily reflected on the meaningful and fun family time we all enjoyed together over that long weekend in Colorado Springs.
Until next time…safe travels.
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