We're very lucky to live in a state and community that is so beautiful and that many people want to visit. But sometimes it's nice to get away from the tourists crawling over our neighborhoods and remember what Colorado was like in the good ole' days. Here is one of my favorite day trip destinations, complete with local attractions, some side trips, and some places to stay if one day isn't enough to enjoy these beautiful Colorado delights.
Woodland Park: Where to Go
You can avoid the tourist spots around Colorado Springs and drive into the hills above the Air Force Academy to a little town that actually reminds me of the frontier towns in Alaska. I think it's the wood carvings. Or maybe the eateries with names like the Hungry Bear Restaurant or the Historic Ute Inn Restaurant & Saloon. Or possibly the unassuming western wear store called the Cowhand.
And if you're like me and you only eat Donuts on vacation, then I have the place for you. “A Woodland Park landmark, the Donut Mill has drawn visitors and local residents for decades with fresh baked donuts, sweet rolls, huge sticky buns, and their own special biscuits & gravy.”
When I was a kid, picnics included fried chicken and homemade potato salad. Moms today can just stop by Joanie's Deli to pick up the fixins' for a picnic in the park.
Or on Fridays from 8am- 1pm during the summer, the Farmers Market is available in Memorial Park. Memorial Park also boasts a nice playground with a fantastic view as well as a revamped family fishing hole (children 15 years old and under can fish without a license). Other facilities at the park include:
- Horseshoe Pits
- Tennis Courts
- Basketball Court
- Sand Volleyball Court
- Gazebo
- Picnic Tables
If your kids are into dinosaurs, you might want to stop by the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center which has a play area and educational activities at the Children's Learning Center. (Going on a guided tour and on a week day is recommended.)
And if you want your kids to think you're smart, you can download the Woodland Park Historic Walking Tour and while you're walking through town, you can answer questions like “I wonder what that old building is?”
Side Trips Around Woodland Park
When we moved into our previous house, down the hill in Lakewood, there were some unusual pieces of trees in the back yard – like fossils. We didn't really know what they were until we found Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument about 15 miles south west of Woodland Park. ”Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.” While you're there, you can hike around the Hornbeck Wildlife Loop and see the woman-owned homestead of Adeline Hornbek.
But to get to the fossil beds, you have to drive by Colorado Wolf Adventures. If you're looking for a once in a lifetime, amazing “walk with a wolf” experience, this is it. Children do need to be 8 or older, you need to wear good hiking shoes or boots (sandals are not allowed), and reservations well in advance are required, and it is pricey.
Another alternative, south of Divide, is the Mollie Kathleen Mine in Cripple Creek (24 miles from Woodland Park). “Discovered in 1891, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine was the first claim to be struck by a woman in the Cripple Creek and Victor gold camp — a true rarity in those days.”
Staying Overnight
If you're intrigued by Woodland Park and want to spend a couple of days in the area, there is camping near Woodland Park and around Rampart Reservoir.
Or if you prefer a B&B, you could see if Pikes Peak Paradise Bed and Breakfast or Bristlecone Lodge have availability.
Make the Most of It: A Happy Place Travel Will Help Plan Your Trip
Book your trip using a local travel agent! You don't need to travel far to find adventure. Kathie with A Happy Place Travel can help you find the hidden gems no matter where you go. Schedule a time to chat with Kathie to get started on planning your getaway now. Schedule NOW!
A Happy Place Travel Let's Start Planning Your Perfect Vacation Today! |
 | Kathie Snyders with A Happy Place Travel |
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