Colorado Springs: America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful

Perhaps one of the country’s best loved celebrate-the-USA songs is America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates. But she was inspired to pen the words when visiting Colorado Springs in 1893. She had joined colleagues in a wagon expedition to the summit of Pikes Peak. The stunning vistas inspired her, and her poem eventually was set to the music for "America the Beautiful."

Visiting Colorado Springs

Today, the city of over 400,000 people is Colorado’s second-largest city and named to the elite group of Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

They explained that Colorado Springs offered an extraordinary range of tourism opportunities in a single location, and noted that the city is home to Colorado College and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. It boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene--including the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, which interprets the early history of the area. Architecture buffs will not want to miss the stunning Cadet Chapel at the Air Force Academy, which is considered a masterpiece of Modernist architecture.

Of course, we found other sites and sights because, well, that’s what we do.

Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum

Although never an actual fire fighter, Dr. Lester Williams came from a family with an interest in fire-fighting and Dr. Williams pursued this passion when he moved to Colorado Springs in 1946. Named Honorary Chief, he immediately started researching and writing papers on the fire service. Along the way, he amassed a large collection of memorabilia. Today the museum includes over 3,000 items from fire plugs to hats and even children’s fire-fighting related toys. The centerpieces of the Dr. Lester L. William Fire Museum are pieces of actual equipment, including a 1898 Metropolitan Steamer and a 1926 Ahrens Fox. It’s a delight to see this historic equipment and wonder at the ingenuity behind it.

Old Colorado City

Old Colorado City is the oldest city in the Pikes Peak Region, having had its moment of glory in 1861 as Colorado’s Territory’s first capitol. Today it is part of Colorado Springs, a designated National Historic District, shining with charm. Galleries, shops, and restaurants abound. While strolling the streets, visit the Old Colorado City History Center, a free-admission museum.

Simpich is a combination marionette theater, art gallery, and doll museum. It’s all held together by being projects of Jan and Bob Simpich, who have created the dolls (and Bob the oil paintings in the gallery) that are housed in the museum, and the marionette theater production.

And if you forget that this part of the state is known for its old gold mines scattered along the street are ore cars loaded with rocks and a plaque telling readers about some of the history of Colorado City and gold mining.

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

Opening in 1936, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is a gem of a museum, offering not only innovative exhibits but also master classes, classic movies, lectures, and classes. Stand-outs include blown glass art of Dale Chihuly, and Colorado’s own Boardman Robinson and his series The History of Commerce.

Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center

Now owned by The Navigators, a Christian ministry and publishing company, Glen Eyrie was originally the home of William Jackson Palmer, a Civil War general for the Union army turned wildly successful businessman. He came to the area from his home state of Pennsylvania, and stayed describing its "most enticing scenery." Palmer founded the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and purchased land to create Colorado Springs. His home was the beautiful Glen Eyrie Castle, located just north of Garden of the Gods Park.

It is open to the public for hiking Monday through Thursday. Admittance to the grounds is free, but a reservation is required. Enjoy the richness of the setting while experiencing a Victorian tea, or take a public tour of the castle.

It is first and foremost a place of retreat and contemplation – offering lodging to escape from the outside world. As such rooms have no TV and no alcohol is served on the property but there is hiking through gorgeous vistas and a beautifully decorated historic building. And the viewing of the wildlife that inhabit the grounds.

Garden of the Gods

The area of Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods had an existence before white settlers. The Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho and other tribes often camped in what is now called Garden of the Gods Park.

Garden of the Gods today is a free city park, but a park with upthrusts and spires, unusual rock formations, and hiking trails for all levels of e xperience. It’s a place to visit and revisit. There’s a Visitor & Nature Center and a separately owned Trading Post .

Stop by the Visitor Center at the main entrance and pick up a map to the major rock formations, roads, and hiking trails. They also offer free presentations, and free 30-minute, naturalist-led daily guided nature walks.

Included within the park’s boundary is the 230 acre Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site - now in operation as a living historic farm.

Just outside of the park grounds, Garden of the Gods Lodge offers luxury accommodations and every room has a patio that provides a gorgeous vista.

For more information or to plan your trip go to Visit Colorado Springs

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