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We have had Colorado on our travel list f-o-r-e-v-e-r.
This year we ventured out of our comfort zone, literally, and into some cold weather. When we were thinking of Colorado, we like most people thought of skiing. However, after some research (layovers in Denver don’t count right?,) we learned that there is much more to Colorado than just awesome skiing, so we decided to break up our visits to Colorado starting with an epic non-skiing vacation. Just about this time we received an email from the Colorado Springs CVB offering to host us and explore this beautiful area. It felt like fate was speaking my love language. The only problem was that we were booked for months, and I had no idea how we would make this trip work. I told Pete about the email and he said we will find a way, and find a way we did! Just a couple weeks later, with our bags packed, we were on our way! Denver has a wonderful airport with a lot of non-stop flights from all over the country, and it is a very easy drive to Colorado Springs from there. Our drive took just over an hour. Colorado Springs also has their own airport with many non-stop flights too!
Our first stop in the area was to Manitou Springs Visitors Center.
Have you heard of the famous natural Manitou mineral springs? There are 8 of them in the area located up and down the historic downtown street, they are open to the public and free to enjoy. If you stop into the visitors center, the wonderful staff and volunteers are happy to share more information about the area along with a map and cups to use to taste the different springs.
The street is lined with blocks of shopping, dining and fun activities for the whole family…none of which are chain stores. They have kept the quaint community character intact for generations to enjoy.
We tried most of the springs and Pete, Ash and Emmy pretty much loved the water at each of them. Maddie and I had very strong opinions about the tastes because each one of them tastes completely different as they pass through different elements and minerals. This was fascinating for all of us and a very good real-life educational experience for the girls and the adults too.
We couldn’t pass by the Penny Arcade. This was so fun and we could have spent hours here!
There were rides outside and then a huge room filled with aisles of classic arcade games.
Ash, of course, had to test her strength!
We were pretty much exhausted at this point after getting up at 2am to catch our flight. We were so happy to check into the resort we will be staying at, Garden of the Gods Club & Resort.
The resort is absolutely beautiful with the best views of Garden Of The Gods state park. This is the view we have been waking up to!
The girls loved this delicious welcome!
Here is a quick peek at our accommodations. We are staying in adjoining rooms. The girl’s room has two queen beds and Pete and I have a king sized bed. The rooms were recently remodeled and they did a great job bringing the natural beauty of this area into the rooms. With the temperature dipping down to 11 degrees, the fireplaces in each room are getting a lot of use, as are the coffee makers and mini fridges.
I just can’t get enough of this view!
Among the many amenities is this infinity pool, open year-round. During the non-summer season, it is open to all guests and during the summer when the recreational pool is open it is adults only. The recreational pool is larger and has a splash pad too!
The dining room also has a breathtaking view!
We enjoyed a delicious meal by the fireplace.
With the cooler weather and decorations, it is really feeling like Christmas around here!
I have so much more to share about this lovely resort which will be included in future articles.
Here is our vlog of the day:
WOW this place looks like an awesome one to stay at. I love Colorado but have only been once so far. I will definitely keep this in mind as a place to stay if we go again.
Oh, are you ever making me long for the Colorado Rockies! One of my favorite places in the world . . .
My husband went to Colorado Springs when he was in high school and has all of these amazing pictures. Colorado is definitely on my bucket list. I love how breathtaking all of the scenery is. I love how spacious the rooms are!
One of my good friends is from there and just visited over Thanksgiving. It is really beautiful.
Now this is so cool that you guys tried somewhere cold. Did you have to run out and buy winter gear?
I LOVE Colorado! I would love to explore the places you have mentioned here. I at least know a great place to stay! I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
I think it’s so cool that you’re hitting all the seasons. Hot and cold. It’s good to diversify.
You guys have gone on so many tropical vacations. I think it’s great that you’ve decided to go the other direction. Very cool. I look forward to following along.
You are in my neck of the wood! Or maybe I should say mountains. 🙂 I’ve been in the Denver area for 2 years now and have not really explored the Springs yet. Need to! Love that park!
This is so precious! I can’t wait to read more 🙂
Omg we absolutely LOVED Colorado ! We were just there for a month as we travel the US in our RV as a full time family. We enjoyed every city we went to but our favorite was Glenwood springs it was breathtakingingly beautiful! I love your pics you shared !!
This looks like an amazing trip! I love those accommodations- clean, simple- but really pretty.
I have wanted to go to Colorado forever, too! What beautiful views! Such a gorgeous place.
That view is amazing with the mountains. I would love to visit Colorado Springs.
What a stunning view! Haven’t been to Colorado but now I’m definitely interested in going!
I love the Rockies. Your accommodations are lovely. It’s great that each room has a fireplace.
I would love to go here with my kids! It looks like a lot of fun! The resort is like the cherry on top of the icing! It’s really lovely out there!
Wow, that view is amazing! So gorgeous.
Such a beautiful place to travel. I’ve been through there many times
This looks like a beautiful place to spend time with the kids. I would love to go skiing with them again. It has been to long since we went on a family vacation.
My sister in law lives in Saratoga Springs NY and my kids tried the water from the sulfur spring. I got a picture of my son’s face, but I wish I got it on video. Colorado Springs looks fantastic.
We have never been to this area and it looks like something my family would just love! I am loving your travel reviews!
I love Colorado Springs. It is such a beautiful place to visit. I could wake up to that mountain view everyday and never get tired of it.
Looks like you had a good time. That arcade alone would keep my child busy for hours. Look forward to reading what happens next.
WOW! What a fun town perfect for exploring! What a beautiful view too!
The view is absolutely breathtaking. And it looks like there’s fine dining and plenty of entertainment for the younger set. I’m sure you had a great time.
I love Colorado Springs! And all we did was go to Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. Your pictures are beautiful!
It’s on my travel list too and after this I’ve bumped it up a few spots. Omg, the photos are amazing. So beautiful. Extremely different to Australia aha.
This looks like so much fun! I love going new places!
Our family loves traveling in Colorado, it is such a pretty state with so many outdoorsy things to do year round. Seeing all your photos makes me want to go back sooner than our next trip planned there coming up in a few months.
Colorado is on my travel list too! What a gorgeous location!
Colorado is very much on my list. I hope we make it there – From your travelogue it looks like a great visit!
Wow!What a fun vacation! Welcome to Colorado! I’m sure you will enjoy your stay! 😀
My family likes to travel.. Seems that you have a wonderful time spending your vacation with your family.
What cool accommodation and surrounds. Sign me up for a visit!
This looks like a great place to visit, stunning views. Love how many awesome places there are in the USA to visit.
I am so jealous! I yearn for family trips to Colorado! I LOVE where ya’ll stayed! Def going to remember it when we go!
What a gorgeous view! Imagine being in the infinity pool and being able to gaze out at the stunning view before you. Incredible.
Looks like you had a great time. I love your photos.
Colorado Springs is on our list, too. WOW! The views are really gorgeous! I can’t wait until we are able to take a trip there. I don’t think I will want to leave. ❤️
Wow Colorado Springs looks beautiful and that hotel looks gorgeous! The views are incredible. Great photos, looks like you had an amazing time!
That’s such a nice vacation with the whole family! I’m sure you all had a great time! I can’t wait to hear more about the following days!
I love Colorado! It is such a wonderful place! Hope you enjoy there <3
I want to visit Colorado so badly. I have seen many beautiful pictures, and heard many wonderful things. This is currently at the top of my destinations list!!
Wow, it seems like the girls are having great fun. I love those old timey arcades. And what a view from that resort!
Looks like loads of funa nd yes, indded its a lovely life.
I really love all of your travel adventures! Colorado is on our bucket list for 2017, we are dying to get the kids skiing there!
The kids look like they had a great time! We’ve been planning a trip to Colorado Springs for a while now. I haven’t been able to sit and sort our thoughts down, but this would be a great place to look into.
Looks like you all had a great first day!! I love CO Springs!
looks really awesome I would like to spend there time with my family