Colorado Getaways : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Colorado Getaways

This summer, discover Colorado and soak in the breath-taking scenery as well as some local attractions. There are many great escapes in our backyard, including:

North Front Range
• Visit the town US New and World Report calls one of the best places in the United States to live. You can even satisfy your sweet tooth without ingesting calories. Visit the Loveland Museum and Gallery through August 16^th to see a show of paintings by Wayne Thiebaud that explore all things confectionary. When finished there explore all sorts of arts, recreation and dining options. Discover more at http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/ .
• Closing in the near future because of development on Harmony Rd. in Timnath (just southeast of Fort Collins), this may be your last chance to visit the Swetsville Zoo, a sculpture garden with zany characters made of machine parts and other materials. For more information call 970.484.9509 or 970.224.2548
• Spend a day shopping in Fort Collins. Shop for western clothing, antiques, sporting goods and stop for some homemade ice cream and toffee! Visit Historic Old Town and take pleasure in this unique shopping experience.
For more information on other attractions, including beer tours, and lodging visit: www.ftcollins.org

Pikes Peak Country
• First stop is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit. Get to know Colorado’s wild heritage including mountain lions, moose, otters and more. This zoo is the only private mountain zoo in the U.S.; take the Sky Ride for an aerial view.
• See Seven Falls; a waterfall cascading 181 feet in seven distinct steps down a solid cliff of Pikes Peak granite. Located in South Cheyenne Canyon, a system of trails leads you to amazing views of Colorado Springs.
• Visit the United States Air Force Academy by exiting I-25 at exit 156 B and continuing on to Visitors Center. Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Due to security reasons, the Academy will some times close to the public. Call Public Affairs at 719.333.2025 for up-to-date information.
• Step back in time in Cripple Creek, one of 3 Colorado towns with limited stakes gambling. Historic mine shafts and cabins still dot the landscape while gold mining is in full swing as the states largest open pit and heap leach project takes shape between Cripple Creek and Victor.
For more information on these attractions plus many more (and coupons!) visit: www.pikes-peak.com

Denver

• Spend some time in the capital of Colorado. The Capital building has a lot of history that some of us might not be aware of. Colorado rose onyx (also known as Beulah red marble), was a type of stone so rare that all known reserves were used in the capitol’s construction. Take a day to soak in Colorado’s heritage. Tours are offered every 45 minutes.
• Visit the ‘Unsinkable’ Molly Brown House. Molly Brown was one of the few survivors of the Titanic. This house, now museum, was the family home and in 1902 served as the Governor’s Mansion. Learn more about Molly Brown and all of her accomplishments. Tours available Tuesday through Sunday.
• Learn something new everyday and stop by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Enjoy a variety of exhibits, programs and activities for the entire family. The museum also offers an IMAX™ movie theatre and the world’s most advanced digital planetarium.
For more information on your weekend trip in Denver visit: www.denver.org

Summer Camp for Big Kids.

"Camp Not Exactly Roughing It" at Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colo., is a deluxe three-night getaway, with unlimited fly-fishing casting clinics, Frisbee golf, boccie and hiking, plus two lift tickets for scenic chairlift rides up Beaver Creek Mountain and lunch at Spruce Saddle. There are summer-camp-themed treats, like s'mores cocktails, granola parfaits and ants on a log served up (that's celery sticks filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins). You can also connect with your dedicated "counselor concierge" before you arrive to schedule horseback rides, whitewater-rafting, zip-lining, mountain-biking and more for additional discounted fees. Nightly rates start at $262 (that's 50% off usual prices) per person, based on double occupancy, and include breakfast; the package is available June 13 through Sept. 7. 800-752-7920

Visit www.colorado.com to see many more ideas for weekend getaways, plus click on their Hot Deals button and download all sorts of discounts like 50% off tickets at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden or $15 off two tickets to Waterworld in Westminster.