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!

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.

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.

Cave Of The Winds

Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs was discovered back in the 1880's by two brothers, George and John Pickett, who were out with a group from their church.


If you have never explored a cave, don't miss this one. It is a beautiful underground chamber of beauty, with stalactites, stalagmites, canopies made of limestone, and crystal formations.

Wear jeans, good sneakers, and a light jacket as you might get cool. The temperature stays at 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your children have jackets.

Take a camera as you will definitely want to have photos of this cave to enjoy after your vacation. Your whole family will be amazed at the beauty that God created underground. The formations are just gorgeous.

This cave, just like many others, is home to a lot of bats, but don't worry. They do not attack you. If this is your first cave exploration, the strange smell you experience as you enter the cave is bat guano, aka bat poop. Yuck, but it is there in almost every cave I have ever been in.

Admission is $14 for adults and $7 for children ages 6 to 11. They are open everyday of the year, except for Christmas. Hours vary.