Visit Santa At The North Pole In Colorado Springs

Take your children to visit Santa at the North Pole in Colorado Springs. Right at the base of Pikes Peak is one of the most exciting places for children of all ages--the North Pole! This is a magical place open from the middle of May through Christmas Eve. Your children can sit on Santa Claus's lap in a quaint cabin. You can see and touch the North Pole. Seeing reindeer, magic shows, going on fun rides, toy shopping, and Christmas decoration shopping are all part of the great day you and your kids will have at the North Pole from March through December.

My kids loved it and so did I! There are some snack places to eat with indoor and outdoor facilities, depending on the weather.

Santa Claus is not a mall Santa with a fake beard and a pillow under a cheap suit. Santa is a real man with a real beard and real clothes, not a cheap and flimsy costume. There is not a long line of children so that Santa gives your kids 30 seconds of time. Santa takes his time and actually has a real conversation with your children. He listens to them and they feel like he knows them. My kids had a blast talking with him and seeing him at his home. Santa happily poses with them so you can snap photos. His elf is nearby if you want a professional photo taken for a fee, but it is not required.

Away from Santa, you can ride a variety of rides and there is a train that goes around the park. Shows, including a great magic show, play several times throughout the day.

The first time we went was on a warm October day. Then a rain storm came up. Fortunately we had jackets in the car so we got them and order burgers and fries while the rain fell. After that, we continued our visit.
We also took the kids just a few days before Christmas one year, as you can see in the photo above. It was cold outside, but we rode all of the rides, visited all of the animals and had a blast there. That was so much fun. It was a sunny day, not bitterly cold and we just bundled up and got to see Santa just days before he took off in his sleigh. This visit to see Santa at the North Pole was our final Christmas in Colorado Springs so we wanted to make it special for the kids. (My husband was attending Bible College in Colorado Springs. He graduated the next spring and we entered the ministry, but that is for another hub!)

With the beautiful trees on Pikes Peak as a backdrop, North Pole is a picturesque place. Make sure you bring your camera and some money for souvenir Christmas decorations. We still place the decorations we bought there each year on our Christmas tree and think back to the wonderful times we had when we got to visit Santa at the North Pole in Colorado Springs!

Van Briggle Pottery

The Van Briggle Pottery studio is right next to the Ghost Town Museum, located at 600 South 21st Street. From I-25, take Exit 141 and head west on Highway 24 for 1.5 miles and turn left on 21st street and then take an immediate right.

This is the oldest continually working pottery studio in the United States. It was established in 1899 by Artus and Anne Van Briggle. Artus was a fine painter and potter. He developed a type of art nouveau in clay and his pots and pieces became world-famous and sought after very quickly. They still are today.

We got to go in for free and take a tour. Potters work right out in the open so you can watch them shaping clay into beautiful pieces. They fire and also glaze the pieces as you watch. The kilns are in the back and bake pieces all day long.

Of course, there are many beautiful and expensive pieces for you to buy. I wanted to buy a lot of them. If you enjoy pottery, make sure that you stop in to pick up a few gorgeous pieces for your home.  You will have a hard time making a decision.

The Mason Jar

The Mason Jar is my favorite because I think both of their locations have the best-tasting food for the price and a pleasant family atmosphere.

When we first moved to Colorado Springs to attend Bible College, our new friends at church and school advised us to try The Mason Jar, so we did. We were glad we did and were frequent flyers.

They have two locations, one in Old Town at the corner of 30th Street and Colorado Avenue and the other, which we went to the most because it was closer to where we lived, is at 5905 Corporate Center Drive.

Even if you have a big party, you don't need to worry about reservations. They are big and will try to accommodate you quickly and cheerfully. If you have little ones, they are happy to help you get them comfortable, too. This was a big plus for us since we had two babies and a toddler when we got there.

Now for the most important part--the food. Delicious! Every item that we tried was superb. My personal favorite dish is the boneless pork chop plate and my second favorite is the lemon shrimp. My husband, who is a Texas native, loves the chicken-fried steak and said it was like his mother used to make when he was a boy.

They serve several chicken dishes, a few beef dishes, one pork dish, and several seafood dishes. I have tried them all and they are wonderful. They have burgers and sandwiches as well. The desserts are fabulous, especially the chocolate walnut brownie.

My children loved to eat there. The family dinners we ate there were affordable on our small budget.

More of the best Colorado Springs restaurants will be added soon for you to try.

Seven Falls Colorado Springs

Seven Falls in Colorado Springs is gorgeous during the day and even more spectacular at night.

Seven different waterfalls cascade down the rock wall for 181 feet. At night, the falls are lit up and the water against the mountains is breathtaking.

There is a one mile drive through a narrow canyon. At its narrowest point, it is 42 feet across. The falls are best viewed from a platform called Eagle Nest. An elevator will take you up to the platform.

You will oooh and aaah at the natural beauty during the day. At night, the light adds to the beauty of the water and the mountains.

Take your camera and get as many shots as you can of the water against the mountain. Up at the top is an incredible view of the city.

To get there, take I-25 to Exit 141 and travel west on U.S. 24. Turn south on 21st Street. After about three miles, turn west on Cheyenne Blvd. and turn left again on S. Cheyenne Canyon Road.

Admission during the day is $9 for adults and $5.50 for children from the ages of 6 to 15. Nighttime admission is $10.50 for adults and $6.50 for children. It is free for children 5 and under. Hours vary.

Royal Gorge Bridge

The Royal Gorge Bridge is a one of a kind bridge that is 1053 feet high. There is also a park with 21 rides on it for family fun!

Walking or driving across this very high bridge is nothing short of awesome! The view is spectacular. If you are afraid of heights, you probably won't enjoy it, but it is really cool. This is the highest suspension bridge in the entire world and is one quarter of a mile long.

The bridge was built back in 1929! It is 1260 feet long, 18 feet wide, and it was designed to support over two million pounds. Wow! It cost $350,000 to build back in 1929, the year that the Great Depression began, just to give you some perspective. In today's money that is around $20 million.

Interestingly, the walkway on the bridge is a popular wedding venue. The bride, groom, and minister go on the walkway while the guests watch the wedding from a platform. If you are thinking of a destination wedding, this could be the way to go.
Get additional information on creating the perfect Christian wedding.

There are some great rides in the park for the whole family to enjoy. There are several shows for your enjoyment and a petting zoo that the kids will love.

In addition to the bridge and the park, the world's longest single-span Aerial Tram and the steepest Incline Railway on the planet are also here and are included in the cost of admission.

They are open 365 days a year, even on holidays. Admission for children from ages four through eleven is $19. Ages 12 and up pay $24. Children under four are free. The bridge opens daily at 7am and is open until dusk.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is located in Canon City at 4218 County Road 3A. Their phone numbers are 719-275-7507 or 1-888-333-5597.

To get to Canon City from Colorado Springs, take Highway 115 south to Highway 50 and head west. Then turn left on County Road 3A until you come to the gorge.

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

Do you love dinosaurs? I do. If so, you will love Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center located in Woodland Park.


Woodland Park is a small town about 18 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. The center is loaded with cool dinosaurs. I could spend hours there each time I visit.

Your young children will love the Children's Learning Center. Guess what they get to touch and feel? Give up? Dinosaur number two...yes, dinosaur pooh! Can you believe that? The kids (and probably most of the parents) will think this is the coolest thing, and it is!

The Children's Learning Center also has a dinosaur dig site to keep children interested. This is a hands-on place for kids so you do not have to constantly tell the kids not to touch. They will learn and practice their digging skills. Maybe one of your children is a future paleontologist.

The dinosaur exhibits are so neat and, yes, there is a T-Rex. They have a good collection of not-so-common dinosaurs so you will learn a lot of new dinosaur names when you visit.

There is a theater with 20 seats that shows various types of dinosaur, geology, and paleontology videos throughout the day. You will learn all sorts of fun and interesting facts and see how the dinosaurs looked and moved when they roamed our Earth.

There is a large gift shop with all sorts of cool dinosaur items for you to buy. They have some of the best souvenirs.



The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is located at 201 S. Fairview St. in Woodlawn Park, Colorado. It is easy to get to from Colorado Springs. If you are on I-25, take exit 141, which is Cimarron Street. At the ramp light, turn onto West Cimarron Street which is also known as Route 24 West. Stay on this street for 18 miles. The Dinosaur Center will be on your left at the third traffic light which is South Fairview Street.

Admission prices for all that you get to see and do are very reasonable. Adults pay $11.50, senior citizens who are 65 or older pay $10.50. Children from ages 5 through 12 pay $7.50 and children 4 and under get in free.

The Center is open 7 days a week, year round from 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays. They are closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

North Pole Colorado, Santa's Workshop

We discovered a Christmas paradise at the base of Pikes Peak--the North Pole Colorado, Santa's workshop.

This is a wonderful place to visit if you love Christmas, especially if you have young children. But even if you don't have kids and you love Christmas, this is the place for you.

There are animals, rides, shows, Christmas ornament and candy shops, wonderful decorations, Christmas music, Santa's workshop toys, and Santa himself! I cannot tell you how much fun we had here with our children. They loved it and so did I!

Pictured below are Andrew, Matthew, and Tiffany with Santa at the North Pole. They had a blast visiting Santa just a few days before Christmas that year.

Your children can sit down and have a talk with Santa. This Santa has a real beard and acts like he cares about your child. He is not a mall Santa, but a man who will talk to your child and actually listen to what the child wants for Christmas. It is a great experience. You can snap photos or you can have Santa's  Elf take a photo for you that you will have to pay for. This is a great keepsake of a very special visit.

North Pole Colorado is on 26 acres of pure magic. Because it is on the base of Pikes Peak, it can be chilly. Sometimes, rain just comes up all of a sudden. It is a good idea to have a jacket in the car for everyone so if it does rain while you are there, you can run out and get it and continue your visit without being cold and wet. (Been there, done that the first time we visited!)

They have some places to eat burgers, fries, mostly fast food fare, but it is stuff kids enjoy. There is also an ice cream parlor.

The 60 foot Ferris wheel is a lot of fun and so are the other rides. Your kids can ride a replica of a space shuttle, swinging back and forth. Your whole family will have fun touring the park in the train. The animals will delight your children. How often have you seen a real reindeer up close and personal? 

Pictured above, my son, Andrew, assisting the magician at the North Pole magic show. The kids loved it.

The magic shows are very good. There is also musical entertainment.

When we were there, we bought Christmas ornaments for our tree that we still put on the tree each year from Santa's workshop.

Admission is $16 a person for everyone, ages 2 through 59. Children under the age of two get in free. Seniors who are 60 or more get in for $5.95, a real bargain.

North Pole Colorado is open on Christmas Eve, weather permitting. It is closed from Christmas Day until the middle of May when it reopens.

In the photo below, my husband, David and my oldest son, Andrew are by the icy North Pole in the middle of Santa's village.

The Money Museum

Do you like money? Who doesn't, right? Did you know there is a Money Museum in Colorado Springs? While you are here, make sure you stop by.

The study of money is called numismatics and The American Numismatic Association has opened this museum so you can learn more what jingles in your pocket.

This is an interesting learning adventure, particularly for coin collectors and for homeschooling students. What a great way for your kids to learn about money firsthand. They can learn about paper money, experimental coins, and gold coins. They will see rare coins and paper money and learn about the history of money. Learn how coins and dollars are formed and printed. Learn about the types of materials used in making various types of money.

Children will gain a greater understanding of the value of money. Perhaps this museum will start them on a lifelong hobby of coin collecting.

Would you believe they have an 1804 dollar? Would you believe we used to issue $3 bills? How about seeing a 1913 Liberty nickel? How would you like to see some money printed in 1866 without a series number? The museum has all of this and more. Some of their exhibits are permanent and others are visiting so there is always something new going on, even if you have visited this fascinating place before.

Plan to spend at least a couple of hours looking and learning about the subject that is near and dear to us all in these economically hard times. Parents, don't rush your kids; allow them to explore and ask questions. Use your vacation as a learning experience for them. You, also, will learn a lot of things that you did not know about.

The Money Museum is on the campus of Colorado College, right by the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. They are open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30am until 5pm, and admission is $5 per person, and $4 per person for senior citizens, students and military personnel with ID. The address is 818 North Cascade Avenue.

Manitou Springs Colorado

Manitou Springs Colorado is four miles west of Colorado Springs and sits at the base of Pikes Peak. There are nine mineral springs in this quaint community with high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate and other healthy minerals. The water is good for dry skin and for upset stomachs.
The word "manitou" is a Native American term for "spirit" and this town was considered sacred by several groups of Native Americans. They thought this because of the beauty of the wooded box canyon against Pikes Peak, along with the healing springs of water.

The railroad came to this town in 1881 and soon after, it started to grow and thrive.

It really is a gorgeous town with a lot of great places to stay and fine dining as well. There are historic motels, hotels, and some lovely bed and breakfasts for you to stay at. There is so much for your family to see and explore.

The shopping is great for antiques, jewelry, gifts,and souvenirs. You will have an enjoyable time getting acquainted with this town. Try some of the free spring water available to everyone to drink. Right now, studies are going on to see if the springs can be restored for soaking in, but it is not allowed at this time. I know, it is disappointing, but you can taste the waters.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are more than 700 years old and are very cool to see. They were built by the Anasazi people and are not replicas. These are the real deal.


From about 1200 B.C. to around 1300 A.D., native Americans who lived in Colorado and the surrounding area roamed the area and built places to live. That is how these cliff dwellings came to be.

They are at the bottom of beautiful Pikes Peak and are well-preserved. Touch and explore as there are no signs forbidding you to do so. Cool, huh? The kids will love exploring these dwellings and most adults do as well.

Learn about the Anasazi, who they were, how they lived, and where they went. This is truly an educational and fun way to spend the day. If you homeschool your children, this will be a great field trip that will make history come alive for them.

There is also an outdoor oven for you to see, along with a nature preserve with the kinds of plants that the Anasazi used for food and medicine. This is a very interesting place to visit and you will probably spend hours here checking everything out.

In the summer, you can eat at the snack bar that is open from June through August.

Also, from June through August, Native Americans perform traditional dances and ceremonies for you in traditional costumes and they are quite amazing. You will truly enjoy their performance. Next to the dwellings is the Anasazi museum and a Southwestern gift shop so you can buy souvenirs to take home with you. The building was built in the style of the Pueblo Indians who are descendants of the Anasazi people.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings, located in Manitou Springs, Colorado are open everyday of the year except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The hours vary depending on the time of year.  Tickets for ages 12 and over are $9.50, for kids seven through eleven, $7.50 and ages six and under get in free.

Go five miles West of I-25 on Hwy. 24 . The address is 10 Cliff Dwellings Road and you can call them at 719-685-5242 or
800-354-9971.

Idaho Springs Colorado

Idaho Springs Colorado is the birthplace of the famous Rocky Mountain Gold Rush. Back in the mid-1800s, gold was discovered here and a mining town quickly grew up around it to serve everyone coming to find their fortune in gold.

Today, there is an authentic nineteenth century town for you to explore and for your comfort, there are hot springs! If you have never experienced hot springs before, be sure to visit and experience them.

Indian Springs Resort Hot Springs is the place to relax and soak on 302 Soda Creek Road. They have pools, private baths, and outdoor jacuzzies. Prices start from $10 per person per hour up to $20 per person per hour.

There are galleries, art museums, and a ghost town for you to enjoy. The town has a gold mine for you to tour and you can even try panning for gold.

You can make this a day trip from Colorado Springs or you can stay in the town. There are plenty of good restaurants for you to choose from as well.


But the real beauty lies in the Colorado Rocky Mountain backdrop to this town. Be sure to drive on the highest paved road of North America, the 28 mile length of Mount Evans Scenic Byway. It goes up 7,000 feet from Idaho Springs up to the summit of Mount Evans. Mount Evans is 14,264 feet above sea level and offers spectacular views. It takes about one hour to go up this highway and another hour to return so allow plenty of time in your planning for the two hour drive plus time to take in the views and take photos.

Idaho Springs Colorado is about 30 miles west of the Denver area on I-70 and is well worth the drive. Golden Gate State Park is nearby with great views of the Continental Divide so be sure and visit there as well.

Hotels In Colorado Springs

There are many hotels in Colorado Springs, spread out all over the city. Colorado Springs gets a lot of tourists because it is such a beautiful city with so many great things to do.

The first time we went to Colorado Springs, my husband called and made reservations with a hotel and wrote down all of the information. We drove to the Springs from El Paso, Texas and by the time we got there, we were ready to get out of the car. My husband pulled his papers out and could not find the paper with his reservation information on it. He thought he remembered the name so he went to a phone booth, looked up what he thought the name was and got an address.

We arrived but there was no reservation. We never did find out where our reservation was, but we checked into the hotel we were at and it was very nice. I do not remember the name of it but it was moderately priced, right in the heart of town, near Old Colorado City.

The next time we went, a little over a year later, we stayed on the outskirts of the city and it was nice as well. Several months later, we moved up to Colorado Springs so my husband could attend Nazarene Bible College. We lived near the brand new airport and the college. Everything there was convenient and when visitors came to see us, we were able to put them up in nice motels on Academy Blvd., which was very close to us, close to good restaurants, and close to shopping and some attractions.

The hotels in Colorado Springs closest to the major attractions cost a little more than those over by the airport and Academy Blvd., on the Southeast side.

Some of the best and least expensive by the airport that I suggest are:

1. The Best Western Airport Inn at 1780 Aeroplaza Drive. They have an indoor pool and a spa.

2. Comfort Inn/Days Inn Airport at 2115 Aerotech Drive. They offer free airport shuttle service, free breakfast, indoor pool and spa.

3. Econo Lodge Airport at 6715 Panamint Ct. They offer an indoor pool, hot tub, and a microwave and coffee pot in the rooms.

4. Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport at 1645 Newport Road. This is a full-service hotel and is a little pricier than the previous listings.

5. Super 8 Airport at 1790 Aeroplaza Drive. They offer continental breakfast and kids 12 and under stay free.

The nicest hotel in Colorado Springs is the beautiful Broadmoor Hotel.

Stay at The Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs.

Glenwood Springs Colorado Lodging

From April 1 through May 20, Glenwood Springs Colorado lodging offers bargain room rates from $59 to $159 a night. They call it the Springs Thaw. Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s in April and May and spring is the perfect time to visit without a lot of crowds. The altitude is 5,700 feet above sea level so it warms up faster here than in most Colorado towns.

There are 1,500 rooms available in the motels, hotels, lodges, cabins, cottages, and bed and breakfast establishments. There are also some ranches, campgrounds, condominiums, and vacation homes where guests can stay.

This city is 160 miles west of Denver, where the Colorado River meets the Roaring Fork River and is gorgeous year round.

During the spring, you can go river rafting, bike, hike, and play golf. Take your family to have fun at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. You can ride the mechanical bull, take a wild west wagon ride, climb a rock wall, and ride on the Iron Mountain Tramway. Your kids will have a blast at this park.

The world's largest natural hot springs pool is located right here in Glenwood Springs so once you are finished with your outdoor adventure, you can plunge in and relax your muscles in the hot springs.

The pool is at Glenwood Hot Springs, along with a 107 room lodge, water slides, miniature golf, an athletic club, and a spa.

The summer, fall, and winter are great times as well and there is a ski resort during the snowy weather.

Winter Park Colorado

Winter Park Colorado is a snow lover's paradise. As of February 2009, there is a 75" snow base that will last well into spring so the skiiing is great! Come on up!

Located downtown, right next to our visitor's center, is a wonderful place for families to come and enjoy the snow called Hideaway Park. They offer FREE fun events for the whole family in the snow. There is free sledding and many other things to do, including classes to learn how to snowshoe. How fun is that?

Of course, there are plenty of mountains for skiing in Winter Park Colorado. If you do not want to drive up the mountains, how about taking the Ski Train instead? The Ski Train serves breakfast, has  big screen TVs, reclining seats, and will drop you off right by your ski lift. It sure beats driving.

Reservations for the ski train in winter and in summer are recommended. So make reservations to coincide with your ski trip and have a blast all the way. In summer, you can tour the countryside in this incredible train and not worry about the heat.

Yes, even though this town's name is Winter, there are many great summer things to do when the snow melts. Biking, hiking, train rides, the river, and so much beauty awaits you when there is no snow. The whole family will love being out in nature among the wildflowers, trees, and local wildlife.

All of Colorado has spectacular scenery so be sure and bring a camera. Remember good walking shoes or very warm socks and boots, depending on the time of year you visit, and lots of sunscreen.

Giuseppes Old Depot Restaurant

Giuseppes Old Depot Restaurant is in the old train depot built back in 1887. Eating here is a delicious lesson in history. The last passenger train going through Colorado Springs stopped in 1971. The train depot has been restored and turned into a fun place to eat that kids will love. Freight trains whiz by throughout the day.

Spaghetti, stone-baked pizza, vegetarian spinach lasagne, and spicy sausage and ground beef lasagne are their specialties. Your children will love the spaghetti and pizza. They are wonderful. I love Italian food so I am prejudiced. You can also get grilled ribs, grilled salmon, prime rib, and down home fried chicken. They are all really good. Giuseppe's makes a secret barbecue sauce that is out of this world.

The desserts are delectable. They are a little on the pricey side, but quite good. You may not have room if you eat a big plate of spaghetti so you should consider going there for a snack and having the dessert then or order it to go. May I suggest one of their delicious cheesecakes or the tiramisu? You can't go wrong with either of these choices. For the chocolate lover in your family, try the Chocolate Challenge--a triple chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling. This dessert is big enough to serve two to three people. Delicioso!

Giuseppes Old Depot Restaurant has a big variety of dining rooms, each with a different train station atmosphere.

They are open Fridays and Saturdays from 11am until 10pm and Sundays through Thursdays from 11am until 9pm. Their address is 10 S. Sierra Madre Street and you can call them at (719)635-3111 to make reservations or to order take-out.

Pizzas cost between $10 and $20. The other meals cost between $7 and $30 per person.

Garden Of The Gods

Chances are, you have never seen anything like Garden Of The Gods in Colorado Springs! This is an incredible place with unbelievable sandstone formations.

Below, my husband and son under The Balancing Rock, a natural and totally amazing formation at Garden of the Gods. Can you believe this?

Make sure you bring your camera. Your friends will never believe you as you try to explain what you saw here.

from instacam.com






A little background information: In 1879, a man named Charles Elliott Perkins, who happened to be the head of the Burlington Railroad, bought this property and did not do any type of development to the land. He died in 1907 and left the property to his heirs. They decided to give the property to the city of Colorado Springs if it was preserved as a park and opened to the public.
Fortunately for all of us, this is what the city agreed to and it is now registered as a national landmark.

Garden of the Gods is a 1,300 acre rock garden. When I say "rock," I don't mean rocks the size of your hand or your head. I mean giant sculptures made by God using wind and rain over millions of years.

They identified a new dinosaur here in May of 2008, Theiophytalia kerri. How exciting is that!

Below, a photo of one of the huge formations at Garden of the Gods with my husband and son on the road to give you some perspective of how large and awesome these rocks are!

There are no words to adequately describe this rock wonderland. When my in-laws came up to Colorado Springs for my husband's graduation, they could not believe how beautiful this place is. All through school, some of my husband's fellow students would spend hours in this park studying. If we had not had three small children, we may have done the same thing...

Admission to the park is free. Can you believe it? But, there is an optional 20 minute bus tour of the park for $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids up through the age of 12.

There is also an optional 12 minute movie that costs $2 for adults and $1 for children, ages 5 to 12. It is called "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?" By taking the tour and/or watching the movie, you are supporting the upkeep of the park.

There is a visitor information center where park officials will answer your questions. Here you will find restrooms and a cafeteria.

In the summer, park officials give free 45 minute walks, talking about the sandstone formations and the wildlife here. There are walking trails so you can get your exercise for the day. You can also drive through the park as the rock formations are spread out.

You can bring your dog on a leash as long as you clean up after him/her. The walking trails are mostly easy, some moderate. There are also some mountain biking trails and some horseback riding trails.

Technical rock climbers have to register at the Visitor Center.

To get there, take exit 146 from I-25. Take Garden of the Gods Road west and then go south on 30th Street.

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The Flying W Ranch

The Flying W Ranch is a real working cattle ranch in Colorado Springs, near Garden of the Gods. From Memorial Day weekend through the end of August, you can eat a chuckwagon dinner and then watch a show every evening. Yum and Yeeehaaaa!

This is a great place and one you should not miss if you have not visited a real working ranch before. The food is excellent and the shows are a lot of fun.

There is a western village for you to tour with shops and native Americans making craft work for you to purchase. Kids can ride the train around the ranch. See a horse get a new shoe put on.

Steaks, pork ribs, brisket, or barbecued chicken are served outside along with buttermilk biscuits, beans, baked potatoes, and salad on good weather nights. If there is rain, there is an indoor place so you can still enjoy the food.

For the month of September, you can catch the dinner and show from Thursday through Saturday each week. From March until Memorial Day weekend, and from October through December, they are open on weekends for dinner only. They are closed for all of January and February.

The Flying W Ranch has been serving locals and visitors since 1953. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (719) 598-4000 or (800)232-3599. In order to make reservations, you must provide a name, a credit card number and a telephone number. Trust me, the whole experience is worth it!

Arrive at 5pm so you have time to tour the village and have a look around. Dinner is served at 7pm. The show starts at 8pm. Some evenings, they serve 1,000 people so the earlier you get there, the better!

If you are interested in getting married cowboy style, there is a beautiful old western church just for weddings. There is also an outdoor area where you can get married.

Below are the current (2009) admission prices for dinner and the show.

General Admission- $22.00

Children ages 6-12-$12.00

Children ages 3-5-$5.00

13oz Kansas City Strip Steak Upgrade-$29.00

Children 2 and under-Free

Senior (Age 60) discount price-$20.00 and $27.00 for the 13oz Kansas City Strip Steak

Military (Active) discount price-$20.00 and $27.00 for the 13oz Kansas City Strip Steak


Have fun at the Flying W Ranch and tell them that Juanita sent you!

Edelweiss Restaurant

The Edelweiss Restaurant is a family-friendly place to eat that kids enjoy. This is a great German eatery that has been in business for 40 years. The dining room has a real European atmosphere. It is a fun place to eat in.

It is open from Sunday through Thursday from 11:30am to 9pm and on Friday and Saturday from 11:30am to 9:30pm.

All of the desserts are made from scratch by a European-trained chef. Every dessert is incredibly delicious and I could eat them all.

The lunch and dinner menus have a nice selection of salads, sandwiches, and German food plates. I have eaten a good deal of them and this place has good food. The price are not cheap, but are moderately rated. There are a few items for children. Our kids loved them and my guess is that yours will, too.

You can get a good lunch for under $10. Dinners cost anywhere from around $12 up to $26 per person, not including drinks or desserts. There is a good selection of dishes to choose from.

This restaurant is located at 34 East Ramona Avenue and the phone number is (719) 633-2220.

The Dutch Kitchen

The Dutch Kitchen, in Manitou Springs is an inexpensive, but wonderful place to get delicious soups, sandwiches, and pies. Don't leave Colorado Springs until you have eaten here! With a homey atmosphere, you will enjoy looking on the walls at the many pie awards they have won over the years. After you taste one of their pies, you will understand why.

This eatery has been serving up good food since 1959 and the food is still delicious and satisfying. My favorite is the corned beef sandwich. Their specialty is a Reuben sandwich. They also serve up a great Monte Cristo, my daughter's favorite. They make their own fresh salad dressings and serve sandwiches on freshly baked bread.

The buttermilk pie is really good. In the summer, the fresh rhubarb pie is excellent, if you like rhubarb. It is not sour; just the right amount of sugar and the crust is fantastic. When I was a kid in upstate New York, we grew rhubarb in our garden and made rhubarb pies all of the time so it took me right back to my childhood! Yum!

Unfortunately, this restaurant is closed every in the spring and fall. They are closed everyday during December, January, and February. Sorry, winter visitors, but you will have to come back in the spring...

The other disadvantage is that they do not accept credit cards. So make sure that you have plenty of cash, not that you need a lot. Not including drinks or dessert, you can expect to pay between $4 and $8 for lunch and between $7 and $13 per person for dinner. It is worth it.

The Dutch Kitchen is located at 1025 Manitou Avenue and their phone number is 719-685-9962. They are open from 11:30am to 3:30pm and from 4:30pm to 8pm.