Discover Majestic Pikes Peak Wonders

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Get ready to take the kiddos' learning to new heights with Colo-Road Trips Educational Itineraries, trips crafted with plenty of hands-on learning, educational adventures and, of course, stops for ice cream. Each was designed with kids from kindergarten to 5th grade in mind, but the activities, outings and accommodations will be enjoyed by children of all ages — yes, that’s you, moms and dads. Supplement your trip with trivia, educational videos and games — or just hop in the car and go!
 
During this trip, explore the many wonders of Pikes Peak Wonders! This spectacular region of Colorado celebrates the courage of Olympians, the majesty of wolves, the diversity of its history and even the quirkiness of a hand-built castle.
 
Grab Your Supplies
Pencils Up!

While all that is truly needed is your kid's sense of adventure, a notebook, a writing utensil and plenty of colored pencils will come in handy.

Day
1
Activity
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

Get inspired! This highly interactive museum showcases the history of some of America’s greatest athletes and their quest for Olympic glory. One-of-a-kind artifacts, interactive exhibits and immersive technology are sure to engage and inspire kids and adults alike.

Educational Activity
Go for the Gold

Go on a hunt for gold ... medals, that is! Get activity.

Colo-road trip logo
Lunch
Back East Bar & Grill

Keep the games going with lunch at Back East. Catch live sporting events on their flatscreens while enjoying pizzas piled high with toppings that everyone will enjoy.

Activity
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Connect the present to the past with a visit to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. You’ll learn the history and culture of the Pikes Peak region through dynamic exhibits that emphasize the unique character of the community.

Educational Activity
Choose Your Own Adventure

What do you want to learn about today? Select the exhibits and floors at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum that most interest you. Get activity.

Extra Credit
Paint Mines Interpretive Park

After checking out the colorful geologic formations at Paint Mines Interpretive Park, show off how much you learned by completing a crossword puzzle. Get extra credit activity.

Dinner
Flying W Ranch

Who doesn’t love dinner and a show? Load up on a Western chuckwagon spread of smoked meats with all the trimmings, then prepare to be entertained by the humor and harmonies of the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers band.

Activity
More to Do at Flying W Ranch

The Western legacy lives on at Flying W Ranch. Explore hiking trails set amid striking red-rock formations, or check out Old West demonstrations where kids will learn all about Navajo rug weaving, silversmithing and more. If that’s not enough, you can even take a mini train ride on the ranch.

Lodging
Great Wolf Lodge

Who needs to sleep when your hotel has an indoor water park? After slipping, sliding and splashing, explore the resort grounds where fun is virtually endless. Create a plush toy from scratch, get treats at the candy shop or sign up for one of the many regularly scheduled kids activities. When it’s finally time for bed, you’ll find that the large rooms provide plenty of space to relax.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Book one of the themed suites where the kids can bunk in log cabins or wolf dens.

Day
2
Breakfast
Loose Moose Family Kitchen at the Great Wolf Lodge

Order the tasty Wolf Wake Up Breakfast, served family-style with a giant cinnamon roll, to fuel the whole crew for your next adventure.

Activity
Cripple Creek Heritage Center

Relive the glory days of the gold camp with hands-on exhibits at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. Other exhibits showcase area geology, flora and fauna, and regional recreation opportunities.

Educational Activity
Drawing on Your Memory

How good is your memory? Test your memory while exploring the museum’s collections at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. Get activity.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Purchase some feed pellets to feed the donkeys if they’re in town! Approved treats are available in the museums and retail shops for a small donation.

Lunch
Gold Camp Bakery - Victor

While the sandwiches, salads and pasties are delicious, the kids will love the huge selection of cookies, bars, cakes and pies for dessert. Plan on getting a few to go!

Activity
Mollie Kathleen Mine

Ready for an underground adventure? Grab a hard hat and descend 1,000 feet to learn about historic and modern-day mining at the Mollie Kathleen Mine.

Educational Activity
Tools of the Trade

Explore the evolution of mining as you experience the sights and sounds of the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a former gold mine. Get activity.

Trivia
How Much Do you Remember?

Time to see how much you remember from your visit to Cripple Creek with some trivia questions. Get trivia.

Dinner
Iron Tree Restaurant and Brewery - Florissant

Dinner is laid back and easy on this restaurant’s shady, dog-friendly patio. The large, fenced yard has games to keep the kids entertained while you choose from the extensive menu, ranging from mac and cheese to salads, sandwiches, burgers and more.

Activity
Florissant Fossil Quarry

Have you ever wanted to collect real fossils? Here’s your chance! Have fun learning about the ancient past by collecting genuine plant and insect fossils. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting plant and insect remains, including ants, spiders and flies.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Make the hour's drive to Buena Vista and stay the night along the scenic Arkansas River.

Lodging
The Surf Hotel and Chateau - Buena Vista

Fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the Arkansas River, and in the morning check out the nearby Buena Vista Whitewater Park and beach. Let loose and have fun climbing on the rocks, digging your toes in the sand, and catching a few kayakers and surfers ride the waves.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Cool off from the day’s adventure with a scoop of gelato from The Midland Stop and explore the town before bedtime.

Day
3
Breakfast
Brown Dog Coffee Company - Buena Vista

Time to fuel up for the day’s adventure! Adults will love this high-quality caffeinated brew, and kids will feel all grown up with their own faux coffee drink. Grab a muffin, quiche or breakfast burrito for the short drive to Salida.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Hit the road for a fun-filled day exploring Salida and and other spots in Chaffee County.

Activity
Browns Canyon Adventure Park

Zip, jump, swing and crawl your way through 66 unique challenges suspended alongside the Arkansas River. While many of the challenges are for ages 7 and up, there is something for every age and ability to explore at the park.

Lunch
Boathouse Cantina Salida

Feast on organic, locally sourced tacos, burgers and salads while watching surfers, kayakers and tubers navigate the river park. The large patio offers prime viewing of the area and hours of entertainment for the family!

Activity
Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center

Sneak a peek into what life was like on a ranch 100 years ago! Established in 1868, this high-altitude sixth-generation cattle ranch is still in use, and lucky visitors are able to visit the historic homestead.

Educational Activity
Home on the Range

Ever wonder what life was like for a homesteader? Enjoy life on the ranch and use your imagination to craft a daily journal entry while at the Hutchinson Homestead and Ranch. Get activity.

Dinner
Mo Burrito - Salida

Build your own burrito, taco, bowl or salad; then find a seat on the huge, sunny patio. After dinner (mo’quito burritos and quesadillas for the kiddos), play a few rounds of skeeball and foosball in the roomy, kid-friendly dining room.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Make the hour's long drive from Salida to the Wet Mountain Valley town of Westcliffe.

Activity
Mission: Wolf

Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Mission: Wolf is a remote sanctuary for wolf-dog crosses and captive wolves. Kids will enjoy learning about the breed — and might even catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures or hear their howls.

Educational Activity
Mission: Rescue

Using just a few words, write a poem about the majestic animals who call Mission: Wolf home. Get activity.

Extra Credit
Bishops Castle

Have you ever seen a real-life castle? Well here’s your chance! This one was built by Jim Bishop over the span of 60 years — the world’s largest one-man project. Witness his labor of love and roam over three stories of rooms, towers and bridges. Watch out though: There’s rumblings that a fire-breathing dragon lives here. Get extra credit activity.

Lodging
Lamp Post Lodge - Westcliffe

Star-studded nightlife takes on new meaning as you spend the evening stargazing from this International Dark-Sky-designated lodge with spectacular views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

Day
4
Breakfast
Rancher’s Roost Cafe - Westcliffe

Breakfast at a bowling alley? Why not? This cafe serves up delicious pancakes, french toast and eggs. Be sure to try their biscuits with gravy, locals can’t stop raving about them.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Make the hour's drive from Westcliffe to Cañon City.

Activity
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Home to America’s highest suspension bridge and the majestic Royal Gorge, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a long-loved Colorado landmark. Adults will marvel at awe-inspiring panoramic views while kids delight in adventurous park fun.

Educational Activity
By the Numbers

Ever wonder how old the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is, or how far above the ground it is? Learn these facts and more. Get activity.

Lunch
Grill on the Hill, Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Sit back on the shady deck, listen to live music and keep your eyes peeled for the wild mountain goats — they love this part of the park!

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Explore the Colorado outback and discover remnants of the area’s mining history with an off-road ATV Tour. Play Dirty ATV offers a 2-hour, professionally guided adventure suitable for all ages. 

Activity
Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center

Check out the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center for cool artifacts and records from the region from 1870 to present day. The history center showcases topics including the film industry in Fremont County, fossil discovery and local family legends.

Educational Activity
Pioneer Life

Explore early pioneer life with a visit to the Rudd Cabin at the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center. Get activity.

Extra Credit
Dinosaur Hunt

Are you ready for a dinosaur hunt? Cañon City has sculptures of dinosaurs and bighorn sheep throughout town. How many can you find? Get extra credit activity.

Dinner
Pizza Madness - Cañon City

The whole family will be well fed and entertained with delicious pizza, funky murals and tons of video games. Kids can build their own mini-pizza, while the grownups sample gourmet pies such as the Rafter, the Pesto Special or The Big One.

Activity
Whitewater Rafting

New to river rafting with little ones? Get your feet wet on the most rafted river in the country on Raft Masters’ Family Float. Kids will love the splashy fun on this 5-mile float trip.

Sustainability Activity
Care for Colorado

Colorado’s rivers are precious! Learn how you can follow the Care for Colorado Principles to help protect all of our incredible resources through entertaining and educational videos suitable for all ages.

Lodging
Royal Gorge Cabins

Make Royal Gorge Cabins your base camp for exploring the area. Their location can’t be beat and their two-bedroom cabins are the ideal choice for families, complete with three flatscreen TVs and an indoor and outdoor fireplace.

Day
5
Breakfast
Cañon City Mugs

Start the day off at the espresso bar and grab a house-roasted coffee that’ll wake you right up — and happy face or confetti pancakes for the kiddos. All kids meals come complete with a toy to keep them busy at the table and in the car.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Grab an extra latte to go for the 45-minute drive to Pueblo.

Activity
El Pueblo History Museum

El Pueblo History Museum showcases the region’s history through innovative exhibits. On rotation is the "Borderlands of Southern Colorado" exhibit. Kids will enjoy exploring the re-created 1840s adobe trading post and plaza, and the archaeological excavation site of the original 1842 El Pueblo trading post.

Educational Activity
Storytelling

Explore the stories and traditions of the people who lived and traveled in the area at El Pueblo History Museum. Get activity.

Lunch
Bingo Burger - Pueblo

No visit to Pueblo is complete without sampling the renowned Pueblo chile. Feeling spicy? Grandpa Berry’s Blast Furnace burger brings the heat with ingredients such as extra chiles, Shishito peppers, pimento cheese and sriracha ketchup. Kiddos not a fan? Not to worry, they can fill up on kid-sized burgers, fries, milkshakes and malts.

Activity
Buell Children’s Museum

The Buell Children’s Museum teems with hands-on exhibits focusing on the arts, science and history. Kids of all ages can explore their creative side by starring in their own productions in the El Pomar Magic Carpet Theater or crafting their own masterpieces in the Artrageous Studio.

Educational Activity
What’s your Passion?

Ready to discover your passion? Explore a wide variety of activities at Buell Children’s Museum to discover what piques your interest. Get activity.

Extra Credit
Sangre de Cristo Arts Museum

Compare and contrast two pieces of art at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Museum. Get extra credit activity.

Dinner
Angelo’s Pizza

Watch the world float by from Angelo’s gorgeous patio on the Pueblo Riverwalk overlooking the Arkansas River. The extensive Italian menu serves up East Coast-style pizza, pastas, sandwiches and entrees.

Activity
Pueblo Riverwalk

Kids will be fascinated learning about the history of Pueblo on this mile-long walk along the Arkansas River channel. You can also search and find more than 50 art installations and visit the Veteran’s Bridge, which honors those who have served our country.

Itinerary Tip
Insider's Tip

Sit back, relax and learn some cool facts on a 25-minute interpretive boat ride on the Arkansas River.

Lodging
Springhill Suites Pueblo

Stay close to the action at Springhill Suites, located near historic downtown Pueblo. Suites give families plenty of room to spread out, with a sofa sleeper in the separate sitting area, and family-friendly amenities such as a microwave and mini-fridge. Want to soak up your last few hours of vacay? Lap it up at the indoor pool and hot tub.