Discover Majestic Pikes Peak Wonders | Colorado.com

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Discover Majestic Pikes Peak Wonders

Colorado.com

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.

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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…

Educational Activity

Go for the Gold

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…