Pikes Peak Region Attractions

Pikes Peak

Everybody’s heard about the big beautiful Peak that dominates our landscape and lends its name to this, the Pikes Peak region, but have you heard about all the other cool stuff to do here?

Featured Attractions at Pikes Peak

Tours to the summit – jeep tours, shuttle tours.
Scenic train ride to the summit.
Drive to the summit.
Ride your bike to the summit.
Hike to the summit.

About Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak is the highest summit on the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The highest and most prominent point is located in Pike National Forest at 14,115 feet above sea level. This National Park is located just west of downtown Colorado Springs, and the town of Manitou Springs lies at its base.

American Zebulon Pike explored the area for gold in the early 1800s and named the mountain “Highest Peak.” It later became known as “Pike’s Peak.”

All Aboard!

All Aboard – it’s that time

Welcome to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! We’re glad you’ve chosen to visit. Whether you are new to experiencing this legendary railroad or have been a returning guest for years, we look forward to offering you the best in year-round historic train adventures presented today as they were in 1882! We invite you to hop aboard and relive the “Golden Age” on our railroad, which was voted “#1 Best Scenic Train in North America “ by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2021 & 2022, “Best Historic Railroad of the West” 2021-23 by TrueWest Magazine Readers, and “Best Train Experience in the West” in 2016 by Sunset Magazine. Order a FREE All-Aboard Guide.

About D&SNGRR

Our family has dedicated decades to preserving the history surrounding this national treasure, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This railroad is designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and an American Society of Civil Engineering Landmark.

When is the best time to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad? Any time of the year!

During the winter, we offer exclusive round-trip train adventures deep into the heart of the San Juan National Forest to Cascade Canyon as well as the premier holiday family event train, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train ride.

If you’re visiting in the springtime, your train excursion may feature incredible waterfalls during the spring thaw season as you journey to Cascade Canyon.

All Aboard in the Summer

Summer is high season at the D&S with daily full day Durango to Silverton excursions May through October departing from Durango. We also offer daily 5-hour excursions on the Cascade Canyon Express seven days a week during the high season. These rail journeys also depart from the Durango Depot and travel to Cascade Canyon and are a perfect highlight reel of spectacular Rocky Mountain vistas for those with limited time.

Autumn offers you a unique way to experience peak leaf season from the comfort of the D&S train. Connect with family and friends as you explore the Rocky Mountains by historic railway. Sit back and allow yourself to be transported through a riot of blazing fall colors featuring the spectacular golden glow of aspens.

However you choose to relax and connect on the D&S train, and whatever adventure awaits you, we hope you have an inspiring journey where you create wonderful life-long memories!

Royal Gorge Region Visitors Guide Flipbook

Pueblo Chamber of Commerce

GreenHorn Mountain

Pueblo is your home base to your next Colorado adventure. Just southwest of Pueblo, you can find the hidden gem of Greenhorn Mountain. Reaching the top of the North Peak takes about an hour and once you reach the summit you will find breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to your west and Pikes Peak to your north. Visit Pueblo and add this amazing view to your Colorado bucket list!

Riverwalk

In the heart of downtown Pueblo, you will find the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. Stroll the 1 mile long channel and explore over 54 art pieces, take a boat ride, eat and drink like a local or shop historic Union Ave for a unique treasure. The Pueblo Riverwalk is the perfect destination for family and pooch friendly fun or romantic alone time with a special someone.

Pueblo Chile

True foodie’s want to be in the know of all things unique and tasty. Pueblo Green chile is only grown in the rich soil of the Arkansas River Valley in Pueblo County, and Puebloans eat it on everything! Pueblo’s signature dish, The Slopper, is an open-faced cheeseburger smothered in Pueblo green chili sauce. Featured on Food Network and Major League Eating, this is MUST TRY as you eat your way through Southern Colorado!

Neon Alley

Are you looking to boost your Social Media status, or just looking for your next note worthy selfie? Known as the “Greatest Collection of Neon Signs in a one-block area east of the Las Vegas Strip and west of Times Square”, Pueblo’s Neon Alley offers that one-of-a-kind backdrop. Not for your average junk yard cat, this Alley is one part eclectic (and electric!) museum and one part public arts project.

Aviation Museum

Known as the Home of Heroes, Pueblo, CO is also home to one of the largest aviation museums in the state. The Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum spans over 85,000 square feet and nearly a hundred years of military and aviation history, boosting military uniforms, personal effects, weapons, and other artifacts from all branches of the U.S. military, including allies and enemies! Explore and appreciate military history in Pueblo!

River Surfing

Pueblo, Colorado has one of the best whitewater parks in the state for river surfing. As summer snowmelt runs down the Rockies to Pueblo, it starts to flood the Arkansas River with Activity. The area has lured kayakers, boaters, water-skiers and surfers alike! Located in the heart of downtown, It’s no wonder Pueblo is quickly turning into Colorado’s top surfing destination.

City of Cañon City

If you are looking for more information about our beautiful city, visit www.canoncity.org

Central City, Colorado

Central City – just west of Denver

Located just 35 miles west of Denver. Take the short drive to discover this hidden gem mountain town. Historically it was founded as a mining community back in 1859 and gained the notariety as the “Richest Square Mile on Earth”. Scince then it has transpired into one of three gaming towns in Colorado to help bolster the local economy. This town’s close proximity to denver and conviently surrounded by bustling Colorado towns, popular ski areas, and National Forest access provides appeal to stop by and experience Central City.

Fun in Central City

Whether your idea of fun is gaming at the casinos all night, getting pampered at a hotel, dining at an elegant restaurant or enjoying world-class outdoor activities, you’ll find it all in Central City. Play outside on your bike, with your fishing pole or simply hiking the historic trails. Indoors, the craps tables, slot machines and poker rooms might be more your style of play. But it’s all here. Come join the FUN!

Castle Rock

Things To Do in Castle Rock

It’s easy to see how Castle Rock got its name when one spies the castle-shaped butte towering high above the town center. The town’s history is also easily visible in the original, well-preserved homes, cafés, and churches throughout the area. Many of these were built using the unusual rhyolite stone that originally attracted the settlers who founded the town in the mid-to-late 18th century. Prior to their arrival, the area was occupied by Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indian tribes. Today, nearly 60,0000 people call Castle Rock home.

With roots in mining and railroads, this affluent town offers an updated taste of the Old West. It boasts a historic downtown area, 265 acres of parks, and 44 miles of trails. Castle Rock, easily accessible by Interstate 25, is home to the Outlets at Castle Rock (the largest open-air outlet center in the State) and is the seat of Douglas County. The town encompasses 33 square miles and sits in the East Plum Creek Valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 6,202 feet.

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Castle Rock is a safe and welcoming place to enjoy the brisk Colorado air year round.

Community & Traveler Resources

Travel Resources

Use these resources to plan your Colorado vacation, event, or to research local community’s resources.

Airports

Colorado has an excellent resource of airports throughout the state. Denver International Airport (DIA) is a hub for the United States and Colorado, plus regional airports that serve Colorado’s smaller mountain towns.

Visitor Information Organizations
Education
Event Venues
Grocery Stores
Pet Care/Boarding
Real Estate
Services
Transportation
Vehicle Rentals
Weddings
Worship

South Park

South Park, Colorado

Perched high in the Colorado Rockies, South Park Colorado is a microcosm of Western history. From deep canyons to vast grasslands to snowy peaks and alpine meadows, this compelling basin is home to the nation’s highest incorporated town, gold mines, cattle ranches, and mountain passes. As one of only 49 National Heritage Areas in the United States, South Park offers a rare glimpse of pioneer life at high altitudes during the settlement of the American West.

South Park Colorado is a landscape rich with heritage and attracts individuals who value western authenticity. Some ranches have been operated for five generations by the same family. As they have for centuries, residents still depend on the land for their livelihood, recreation, and quality of life. As other places lose their inherent charm, South Park becomes a more engaging destination.

More About South Park Colorado

Perhaps you’re curious about the more modern attraction, the cartoon South Park. What does South Park Colorado have to do with the cartoon anyway? One can really only speculate on the subject. Perhaps these two places (one real, the other fictional) have nothing to do with one another. It’s just mere coincidence that they bear similar naming. However, it’s also possible that there’s more to it than mere coincidence. One similarity that stands out is that the historical South Park was outlandish, full of ironies, and scandal. This is also true about the cartoon. Learn more about South Park, Fairplay and Conifer Colorado. There are some interesting connections between them that might just satisfy your curiosity.

Highway US 24 Corridor

Transcontinental Highway of 1926 – US 24

U.S. Hwy 24 or Route 24 is one of the original transcontinental highways of 1926. Initially, it started at Pontiac, Michigan in the east and headed west, and terminated at Kansas City, Missouri. Today US 24 runs from Independence Township, Michigan at an intersection with I-75, and terminates at Minturn, Colorado at an intersection with I-70.

When the US highway system was started in 1926, US Route 24 in Colorado was called US 40S. This highway started in Grand Junction and proceeded west along the current I-70 route to Minturn. Then proceeded to the current route to Limon. From Limon, it proceeded to the Kansas border and was called US 40N. The US 40S and US 40N, west and east of Limon respectively received US 24 designation in 1936; however, in 1975 when US 24 was extended west from Kansas City, Missouri. The stretch between Grand Junction and Minturn was decommissioned.

Looking back on the naming and development of US Route 24 and how this transitioned into other major highways is confusing, to say the least; however, it does let us know that US 24 was an important highway in terms of western migration and the development of west/central United States.

Telegraph Road

Dixie Highway in Pontiac, Michigan, and Laskey Road in Toledo, Ohio, denote a section of highway that was known as Telegraph Road. This telling name came about before the highway even existed after the telegraph wires which ultimately ran parallel to the route. US Route 24 was the western edge of Telegraph Road that ran through Detroit. Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits even wrote the song “Telegraph Road”, which is the story of the development and decay of this highway.

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