Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog » Attractions & Activities

Visit Colorado Springs

Kathy Torline — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:01:31 +0000

55 ways to enjoy visiting Colorado Springs

For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com

Since I used to be in tourism and hospitality before I got into real estate, I always keep a pulse on what’s going on with different tourist attractions in the city and continue to be a member of the Colorado Springs Convention and Tourism Bureau. Since I’ve lived in the area for over 30 years, I still enjoy visiting some of the attractions and usually have family come visit 3 or 4 times year; hence the new attractions list they published was a good reminder for me of the many things to do in the area.

There were even some things on the list that I didn’t know about, like the Wind Walker Challenger Course at the Cave of the Winds and the Olive Tap store in Manitou Springs.

They’ve put together a fun promotion called 55 attractions in 5 days. Sounds like an amazingly crazy schedule, but as I looked through options it did look like it was doable.

Here’s the link to 55 attractions in 55 days in Colorado Springs

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

Let the Festivals Begin

Kathy Torline — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:06:38 +0000

Wondering what to do this Memorial weekend in Colorado Springs area?

Here’s a quick recap of my favorite festivals

Downtown Denver Arts Festival – The Downtown Denver Arts Festival is dedicated to supporting and showcasing Colorado artists. Downtown Denver Arts Festival holds its annual premier event each Memorial Day Weekend at the Denver Pavilions. The fine art and fine craft exhibition features over 130 of Colorado’s best artists with over 150,000 people expected to attend.

Friday, May 27th to Monday, May 30th.

Web Site: : http://www.downtowndenverartfestival.com

Territory Days - Territory Days began in 1975 and celebreates Old Colorado City as the first capitol of the Colorado Territory in 1861. It has continued to grow from a small neighborhood craft fair into a three-day street festival which now hosts over 180 craft, commercial and food booths. Between 80,000 and 150,000 guests, (depending on the weather), enjoy this event every Memorial weekend

Saturday May 28th to Monday, May 30, 2011

Web Site: http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/content.php?id=97

Boulder Creek Festival - The Festival is free to the public and features something for everyone: 10 separate event areas with 500 vendors showcase everything from community arts and crafts to health alternatives and technology while five performance stages feature a spectrum of music and dance.

Saturday May 28th to Monday, May 30, 2011

Web Site: http://www.bceproductions.com/boulder-creek-festival/

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

Acacia Park, part of the landscape of downtown

Kathy Torline — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:57:48 +0000

Acacia was the first Colorado Springs Park, dedicated in 1871

Nothing makes a downtown area more special than a park, and Acacia Park in Colorado Springs is part of the character of downtown Colorado Springs

Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave.) is located in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs. The park currently includes a band shell, horseshoe court, picnicking, playground, public phone, restrooms, shuffleboard, and the famous Uncle Wilbur Fountain.

According to the information on the Colorado Springs Government web site: “When Colorado Springs filed the original town plat in 1871, it included one city block as the first city-owned park. The park, known as North Park or Acacia Square is the site of the present-day Acacia Park.”. I absolutely love the idea that the founding fathers of Colorado Springs dedicated some of our parks back in the late 1800’s.

During the summer time, the park is the site for the Monday farmers market and Uncle Wilbur’s Fountain, a fountain with over 200 water jets, 52 of which are part of a play area where kids run and try to top the streams. Uncle Wilbur’s Fountain opened in 2001 and is owned by the City of Colorado Springs. It cost over $1 millon to build and was financed a local non-profit organization. Private donors funded the plaza and benches around the fountain, while the fountain’s upkeep is maintained by “Friends of the Fountain,” a non-profit group formed by the Smokebrush Foundation. If you would like information on how to donate time or money to the Fountain, the web site will give you the details.

There is currently a movement by HB & A Architects to gather ideas and concepts on how to continue to revitalize the park. If you have an interest in some of the concepts for the future of the park, here’s a link to Acacia Park Concepts.

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

Celebrate a time of love and friendship

Kathy Torline — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:00:17 +0000

Valentine’s Day in Colorado Springs

Since it’s now officially February, it must mean Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Here some of my favorite specials being offered by restaurants in the Colorado Springs area as well as some of my favorite restaurants you may want to check out. Valentine’s is a wonderful time to celebrate the many blessings and love of family and friends.

Broadmoor

1 Lake Avenue in Colorado Springs

719.577.5733

How do you choose which of their award winning restaurants to go to? Charles Court? Penrose Room? The Summit? The Golden Bee? Also, make sure to check out one of their Romantic packages.

Briarhurst Manor Estate
404 Manitou Ave in Manitou Springs
719-685-1864
Don’t just celebrate Valentine’s for a day this year – celebrate it for a whole week at Briarhurst Manor. They will be featuring a menu that incorporates a fare of “Love and Passion” with a pre fixe six course menu. (If you don’t make it for Valentine’s Day, maybe you’ll want to come for one of their Murder Mystery Dinners.)

Melting Pot
30-A Pikes Peak Ave. in Colorado Springs
719-385-0300
Looking for a special way to spend the most romantic night of the year? Then The Melting Pot is the place for you. You and your date can dip into four courses including a spinach artichoke cheese fondue, lobster, filet mignon, bananas foster, plus much more!

Mozaic Restaurant
The Inn at Palmer Divide
719-481-1800
Make your Valentine’s Day last for more than one day! You can enjoy a wonderful dinner at MoZaic Restaurant then enjoy a romantic evening staying at The Inn at Palmer Divide. You can even pre-order roses to be included with dinner. (This may be my restaurant of choice for Valentines, maybe I’ll see you there!)

Of course, there are many other great restaurants in area to choose from including The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, The Blue Star, Walter’s Bistro, MacKenzie’s Chop House, The Craftwood Inn (one of my favorites for amazing local cuisine), The SteakSmith, Carlos Bistro, Nosh, Dale Street Cafe, Mona Lisa Cafe and Fondue, The Warehouse , Marigolds Cafe and Bakery, and The Famous SteakHouse.

Or, if you really want to do something fun check out some of the specials at the local Bed and Breakfasts including The Holden House, and Two Sisters Inn.

Celebrate the day of love for your friends and family — remember the people who are your many Blessings in Life.

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

Are you ready to toss that fruit cake you got for Christmas?

Kathy Torline — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:00:33 +0000

#33 Unique Things to do #8 – Annual Fruitcake Toss

Search for Homes in Manitou Springs

Looking for something unique to do this weekend? Plan on coming to the 15th Annual Fruitcake Toss held in Manitou Springs. The launch is set to begin at 9:30 am on January 9, 2010 at the Manitou Spring High School. The event used to beld at the Park but it has been moved back to the the High School to allow even more room to fling the fruitcakes.

It’s the dessert that gets no respect

“The worst gift is fruitcake,” Johnny Carson once suggested. “There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.” When I was a kid growing up in Kansas, but dad used to get fruitcakes from his customers and suppliers during Christmas. I truly think we threw most of them away, at least I hope we did.

What are the rules for the toss?

The rules of the Fruitcake Toss are pretty entertaining to read, and here are some of my favorites ……….the cakes cannot contain anything inedible, they’ll be inspected by the fruitcake Toss Technical inspector, if you don’t have a Fruitcake you can rent one $1.00, there are weight classes for 2 lb. and 4lb. cakes; and the launch device can’t be powered by fuel.

Giving Back

According to information on the Manitou Springs web site “In conjunction with this event we will be starting a one week Re-gift drive collecting any clothing items to be given to those in need. Coats, hats, gloves, etc. can be brought to the Fruitcake Toss event and throughout the week to the following drop off locations: Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Goldminers Nuts & Candy, Miramont Castle & the StageCoach Inn.”

What’s the record?

The distance record for a human toss is 290 feet. but a pneumatic canon once sent a fruitcake over 1,225.5 feet.

Do you need coaching and practice before the big day?

Several local Manitou Springs restaurants are offering Fruitcake Toss specials, including a heavy-duty cake to use in the event, and advance coaching on the art of fruitcake tossing. If you want to find out ever more info, check out their Facebook Page.

Fruitcake Trivia

Did you know there is a The Society for the Protection and Preservation of Fruitcake? Also, there is a National Fruit Cake day on December 27th. There is also a National Fruitcake Toss day

Put this on your list of Things to do in Manitou Springs

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #1

33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #2

33 Unique things to do in Colorado Springs…#3

33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #4 Air Force Academy Chapel

33 Unique things to do-#5 Van Briggle Pottery and Museum

33 Unique things to do #6 Colorado College Hockey

33 Unique things to do- #7 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Labor Day Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, mark your calendars.

Kathy Torline — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:13:33 +0000

Colorado Springs Labor Day

Mark your Calendars!

Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com

The Colorado Balloon Classic is held in Memorial Park off Pikes Peak Avenue between Hancock Ave. and Union Blvd near the shores of Prospect Lake. It has grown to be the largest and the longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as the State of Colorado. Over 100 balloons are scheduled for accession on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with a Balloon Glo® scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evenings.

The Colorado Balloon Classic was originally created in 1977 alongside the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Because of its success and large tourism attraction, it moved downtown into Memorial Park in 1978 for the Labor Day Weekend at the request of the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. Best of all, the entire event is free.

Unique Facts

** The event is considered one of the top 100 events in the North America by the American Bus Association.

** Most balloons fly between 500 and 1000 feet above ground.

** The average balloons stands between 8 and 10 stories high.

** Licenses are required for balloon pilots, and there are different types of licenses depending on their air time and skill level.

Tips

If you are planning on going, here’s my tips:

Dress in layers, it will be cool in the morning, and as the sun starts to rise you can peel other layers as needed
- Blankets are always helpful
Check the weather report the night before; as the flights are very dependent on the weather. Too windy, the balloons definitely won’t go up. Early morning rain in the forecast, again, they won’t go up.
Bring something comfy to sit on, either some camp chairs or a blanket.
Cameras, cameras, and more cameras. It’s a photographers dream.
- My favorite shots are the balloons with the mountains in the background or the balloons over the water.
Bring some pocket change; there are always some good concessionaires there. You can either bring your own hot beverages, or enjoy some hot coffee and hot chocolate, topped off with some decadent funnel cake.

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

150 year Anniversary Celebration of Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush

Kathy Torline — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:01:44 +0000

1859 Gold Rush

Must Read Articles:

This Saturday, June 27th, is the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush at Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center in Cheyenne Canon from 10:00 am to 4;00 pm. Enjoy some local gold mining history in the area and at the same time learn from the prospectors who will be on hand to help teach gold panning techniques; participation will be encouraged!

A little slice of Pikes Peak area history

The Pikes Peak Gold Rush began in 1858 and lasted until 1861. It was considered to be THE largest gold rush in American history. An estimated 100,000 gold seekers participated in the gold rush, and they were often known as the fifty-niners. They used the motto Pike’s Peak or Bust. The phrase was painted on wagons by prospectors to show they were on their way across the prairie to find gold in Colorado.

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

Birding season, mark your calendar

Kathy Torline — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:02 +0000

Looking for something unique to do? Love watching wildlife?

Must Read Posts:

I’ve never been an avid bird watcher, but I certainly enjoying watching any type of wildlife; including birds. I was doing some research this weekend on local birds, including the hummingbirds that come by and visit us every year and I came across these unique activities in Colorado Springs, and thought I’d share it with our readers …………

Plan now to take advantage of the monthly bird walks at the Garden of the Gods Park. The park staff is partnering with the American Birding Association (ABA) and is offering monthly bird walks from May to November.

According to some information I found during my research for this blog, there have been over 170 species of birds seen in the park. Some of the local birds found are the Spotted Towhee, Virginia’s Warbler, White-throated Swift, Prairie Falcon, and the Rock Wren.

     Schedule:
     May 23, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15
     8 a.m.

Also, put on your calendar the Wednesday morning bird walks with Charlie Campbell. It’s open to birders of all ability levels to join him for a morning stroll to view the feathered migrants and residents of Cheyenne Mountain State Park; Colorado’s newest state park. A wide variety of birds including red-tail hawks, golden eagles, and wild turkey have all been seen in the park.

     Schedule:
     May 13, May 20, May 27th
     9:00am

Cheyenne Mountain Park also has some other great birding activities this spring including a Bird of Prey Identification Series, on May 31st; and All About Blue Birds on May 17th.

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

33 Unique things to do- #7 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Nancy Shakeshaft-Slack — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:03:26 +0000

Cheyenne Mt. Zoo

For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sits above The Broadmoor Hotel at 6,800 feet up Cheyenne Mountain. Spencer Penrose was originally given a bear and then other exotic animals became part of his collection. After a child was bitten, he decided he needed a place to house his menagerie and so he built and incorporated it in 1926. Over the years its delighted young and old alike. Want to feed giraffes? You can certainly do that here.

With its 172 species of wild animals, engaging exhibits and irresistible attractions, The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo serves the citizens and visitors of Colorado Springs well. Along with the wonderful exhibits, you can ride a carousel that was a popular attraction at the 1932 World’s Fair. A cherished feature of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, it has been giving people of all ages a great ride since 1937. You can also take a train ride or ride a pony. How about a ride on the Mountaineer Sky Ride where you can take a chairlift-style, open-air ride that provides spectacular views of the Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs and the plains to the east.

Take your lunch or buy some food while you’re there. You can also take a trip tho the Will Rogers Shrine as part of your admission. This is an absolutely wonderful way to spend a day in Colorado Springs.

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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com

Some Irish fun on St. Patrick’s Day in Colorado Springs

Nancy Shakeshaft-Slack — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:31:04 +0000

St. Patrick’s day celebrations

Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
shine bright on your way.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all! I’m thinking we’re all a little Irish today. Want to know of some places to hang your hat tonight and have a little bite and some great beer? Here’s a few suggestions that will bring out the Irish in all.

No Irishman will ever turn down a request to head to Jack Quinn’s, a nationally recognised pub and alehouse in downtown Colorado Springs. The restaurant offers a full menu of Irish fare along with all your favorite brews. Better get there early as they are full up most of the day.

In the mood for something a little more upscale? How about Mackensie’s Chop House located in the historic Alamo building. You can find some of the finest and freshest steaks and seafood that Colorado Springs has. Fine dining but with a more casual feel.

Of course there’s always O’Furry’s located on Fillmore. It’s The Omelet Parlor by day and a fun bar at night where they have awesome burgers and ice cold beer.

So, whatever you do today, enjoy and remember to drink responsibly.

Some other restaurants that you might like reading about:

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