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This 2 bedroom with a master bedroom loft is located on the northwest end of Colorado Springs. Backing up to the mountains, and minutes from swimming, hiking, biking trails and shops. Walgreens is a 5 minute walk, and Safeway is a 3 minute drive from this town home. Fully furnished with games in the pantry, utensils in the kitchen drawers, and linens on the beds.
Minimum of 3 night stay at $200/night or. Weekly cleaning, utilities, internet connection and local phone are included. Kitchen has an electric stove/oven and an overhead microwave. Garbage disposal and dishwasher for your convenience. The door off the kitchen leads to the fenced patio. Plenty of parking, room for one car in the back parking lot, and ample street parking in front. The views from the kitchen and second bedroom are of the Pikes Peak mountain range. The views from the master bedroom loft and the living room are of the foothills. Great parks, trails and shopping. Wilson Ranch Park is across the street from the town home, a short 2 minute walk. The pool is closed Labor Day until the start of summer. The basketball courts, tennis courts, play structure and park are open year round. Beds are covered with The Platinum Mattress Protector and pillows are covered with Clean Air allergy relief liners for allergy and stain protection. Bedding is all 200 count cotton with duvet cover. All linens are washed prior to leasing and there is weekly cleaning service. Linen service is once a month for extended stay renters.
Once you are here you will have to schedule a trip on the Cog Railroad. Pick it up in Manitou Springs, parking is available and tickets can be purchased same day if you do some planning. The Cog Railroad is the easiest and most likely not to require a barf bag. You can drive it, but it is really windey, steep and the driver should be driving. Those Pikes Peak switch backs are famous in June for the Pikes Peak road ralley, but not recommended for the rental car driving tourist. Take the train, get the conductors narration and let the kids unbuckle and see the beauty that is off the main road. Even in the summer Pikes Peak may have snow and ice.
Garden of the Gods is a "must see" attraction. Especially if you have small children or annoying older adults. You can drive this park and see the most amazing rock formations. If you have the energy; remember you are at 6,000+ feet above sea level; you can park the car and explore one of many trails in that park. Look up, because there are many rock climbers wedging their toes into those rocks above! Don't forget to check out "The Trading Post". A park tourist stop for shopping and beverages. I love their shop, I do most my Christmas shopping there as they have great stuff and their prices are great too. Yes, I like a bargain!
If you want to venture further south, you can visit Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Take 115 (Nevada) south and it is on the right. Ft Carson is on the left. Ft Carson has one of my favorite golf courses which is open to the public. Call for tee times, and give yourself extra time to wait at the security gate. Don't forget your drivers license and registration (rental car agreement). This course has stellar views from every hole of Cheyenne Mountain. Do military get a discount? I don't know, but you should ask when you make reservations, then call me so I can complete that 4-some!
How about a road trip! Keep going south on 115 (Nevada) and you will run into Florence, Penrose and Canon to name a few. Head west and you can find Salida and the wonderfully-strange castle made of welded metal. Drive the back roads and notice the transition from mountain to desert with juttings of red rock and snow covered peaks.
Back in "the Springs", you will definitely want to spend an evening walking around downtown. Search for the perfect dining spot or Irish pub to belt out the tunes with your cronies. "Phantom Canyon" is directly accross the street from the Hilton Antlers Hotel. Great place to set up camp if you have a group you want to guarantee a festive evening with. Park for the night on a table upstairs; they rent pool tables by the hour; and make friends with those next to you as the evening grows. They have an awesome chef and menu so fit dinner in too. The chicken tortilla soup is to die for.
If you are looking for the quieter kind of entertainment, then I recommend "The Famous". The Famous is my favorite place to hang on a Friday night. Colorado Springs "suits" seem to like it too. Friday night there is a local piano player that plays the most awesome Billy Joel and Elton John. Ops, I just dated myself! Belly up to his piano bar and make friends with the locals, or find a table and enjoy the best prime rib and the largest wedge of butter-head lettuce ever!
In the mood for the finer little things in life? How about a chocolate martini? McKensies Chop House is the answer. Great dinner menu and great underground brick atmosphere.
If you come to Colorado Springs for shopping, shame on you! OK, I guess after a strenuous day in the Garden of the Gods you may need to delight yourself with a new outfit. The Shops at Briargate and the Chapel Hills Mall are my two recomendations. Make sure when you are in Macy's that you say hi to Nicki in cosmetics. Tell her I say hi!
Manitou Springs is a "Bezerkeley-like" experience you have to have for your vacation blog. Artists, excentrics, even the lady with the python on her neck. The Keg is my favorite lunch destination. Expect a wait, expect the burger to take a while, but it is real beef, and it comes off the grill with the real sizzle. Biker bar look, but order the salad with the blueberries, strawberries, nuts and add chicken to the berry vinegarette topping. The most amazing salad ever!!!! |
