Colorado Springs has many free attractions – including its pervasive natural beauty and bounty of parks. You can hike, bike, climb rocks and enjoy scenic drives. But it also has some attractions that are cheap for what you get. Included are:
The Money Museum: Founded by the American Numismatic Association, the Money Museum is one of the largest museums anywhere dedicated to legal tender. It looks at the history, science and art of coinage and paper money. Three main galleries display spectacular rarities and amazing finds related to the world’s history with money. The Kid’s Zone is FREE and teaches kids about money through hands-on fun. General admission is $5 and kids get in FREE. It does offer FREE admission the third Saturday of each month, too.
Pikes Peak: Plan for your round-trip journey to the summit of America’s Mountain to take 2-4 hours. The safe, scenic highway provides the chance to enjoy Pikes Peak at your leisure, rising from the gateway at 7,400 feet above sea level to its summit at 14,110 feet. Along the way, you’ll see breathtaking scenery and possibly some wildlife as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland of scenic beauty, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, to the windy top. Cost is $12 for adults, $5 for children, or a car of five passengers for $40. But the experience is priceless.
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: Founded in 1936 and on the National Register for Historic Places, this is really an art deco jewel that reflects the city’s cultural history. In 2007, it completed a $30 million renovation and expansion. The center offers world-class art galleries, excellent live theatre and an art school for all ages. Famous Western artists, such as Remington and Moran are included in the collection, as well as artifacts from native American tribes of the region. Stunning Chihuly blown glass art chandeliers also are notable. General admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 5-12. Chedkd its website for annual FREE days.
Arcade Amusements in downtown Manitou Springs will take adults back to their teen (or earlier) years with 10-cent pinball machines, Skeeball, and other old-fashioned arcade games. It’s a lot of fun for pennies on the dollar. A candy store and nearby gift shops will entertain those who don’t want to play Pac-Man. It’s a cheap way to spend an afternoon and even though it’s open-air, it’s covered in case of rain.
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are the AAA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. Security Service Field is the highest professional ballpark in the United States at 6,531 feet above sea level. Where else can you sit in the bleachers and get spectacular views of the front Range of the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop? Admission fees are modest, but there are additional discounts and deals almost every night of the season.
We could go on and on – the region has more than 55 attractions to consider. To find out more, go online to www.visitcos.com.
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