Colorado Springs

General Information

Day 1: Wednesday - Pikes Peak

We decided to drive up Pikes Peak, the tallest mountain in the continental USA, soaring to 14,110 feet above sea level. Along the way, we stopped to admire breathtaking views. Excitingly, we even found some tiny gold flakes in the water, which thrilled the kids!

However, upon reaching the summit, we struggled with the thin air. Our son collapsed shortly after reaching the peak due to the lack of oxygen. Although we wanted to take in the stunning vistas, we had to begin our descent after 20 minutes of resting, as we were all still having trouble breathing.

Viewing platform at the peak

Tip: Be sure to stop at the midway point gift shop/rest stop and spend about 30 minutes walking around. We did this ten years ago and were fine at the peak. This time, we skipped that stop and felt the difference.

Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ at our hotel while watching a magnificent sunset.

We stayed at the Mountain River Lodge located in Lake George Colorado.

Day 2: Thursday - Cave of the Winds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & Garden of the Gods

We had an amazing time at the Cave of the Winds! The cave tour revealed a fascinating network of natural caverns. The ropes course, set at the cliff's edge, was thrilling, but make sure your kids can handle heights (trust me!). Climbing the nets to reach the top of the slide and zooming down was a highlight!

Cave of the Winds

There’s plenty to do at Cave of the Winds, ensuring you can easily spend hours enjoying all the attractions. The views are absolutely incredible!

Next, we visited Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Getting up close with the giraffes was a definite highlight! We loved feeding them and admiring their long black tongues. We also enjoyed seeing other animals like penguins, bears, and mountain goats. The zoo features open spaces for kids to play, including sandboxes and obstacle courses, making it far more than just an ordinary zoo. The chairlift ride offered stunning views from the top.

Finally, we headed to the Garden of the Gods, where the striking red rocks against the greenery and bright blue sky were picturesque. While driving there, we stopped at a viewpoint and had a great time climbing on the red rocks and soaking in the beautiful surroundings. We even spotted a male deer up close, munching on grass and leaves.

Garden of the Gods

The pathways around the rocks are paved and easy to navigate.

Day 3: Friday - Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

The drive to Royal Gorge was a bit winding, but it was well worth it once we arrived! The park offers a variety of fun activities for both adults and kids. We crossed the bridge over the canyon, marveling at the Arkansas River rushing thousands of feet below us. It’s one of the highest suspension bridges in the world!

Royal Gorge Bridge

Once across, we headed straight to the multi-story playground. We had a blast climbing the spider webs, sliding down various slides, and trying out different seesaws. There’s also a splash pad, but we weren’t prepared for that!

We enjoyed a free carousel right near the playground, then wandered around before taking the cable car back across the canyon.

We capped off the day with a picnic lunch on the porch of the main building, surrounded by beautiful views.

For the adventurous, there are options like ziplining across the canyon.

Day 4: Shabbos

We enjoyed a leisurely morning with a longer meal than usual, featuring delicious food from Shabbos On the Go (Greenfelds Catering). Afterward, we headed across the street to a local playground, played with some toys we brought along, and basked in the warm sun while enjoying outdoor activities.