Situated at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains, and just a stone’s throw away from bustling Colorado Springs, is the latest Candlewood Suites® on Fort Carson, an IHG® Army Hotel. Enjoy the endless nearby activities—from natural beauty to family fun.
Created with your comfort and convenience in mind, Candlewood Suites on Fort Carson provides amenities tailored to meet your needs. Each suite features a full kitchen with cookware, dinnerware, and small appliances. In the mornings, jumpstart your day by indulging in complimentary hot breakfast. During your stay, take advantage of the 24-hour fitness center, business center, and on-post shuttle service.
While in the area, check out the abundance of attractions! Colorado offers something for everyone.
For the outdoor enthusiast:
There are some tourist attractions that are worth the hype. It’s hard to be this close to Colorado Springs without joining the more than 500,000 annual visitors who take in the sublime view from the top of Pikes Peak. Whether you’re brave enough to trek the 14,115 feet on foot or choose to drive up the meandering path to the summit, the end result is the same—a slice of heaven courtesy of “America’s Mountain.”
Speaking of heavenly scenery, the nearby Garden of the Gods Park is a 300 million-year-old geological wonderland offering 15 hiking trails, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and more. Relish the stunning Red Rock formations that ascend above the grasslands and mountainous forest.
Hungry for more of the great outdoors? Enjoy hiking, camping, biking, boating, cross-country skiing, and plenty of other activities in area state parks, including Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Lake Pueblo State Park, Mueller State Park, and Eleven Mile State Park.
For the whole family:
If you’re traveling with family, consider visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Cripple Creek Railroad. Or, share with your kids a glimpse of the good ole’ days at Manitou Springs Penny Arcade.
Speckling the mountainside with 750 animals in 15 different exhibits, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo treats visitors to lions, elephants, ring-tailed lemurs, leopards, giraffes, and more year-round. See the zoo in its spectacular setting from the Mountaineer Sky Ride, or schedule and zoo exploration tour. The zoo offers unique programs for all ages, including a Stroller Safari with animal encounter, the My Big Backyard program that teaches children how to safely engage with wildlife, WildNights sleepovers, and Animal Care 101.
Cripple Creek Railroad offers adventures for children, history buffs, and railroad enthusiasts. The featured century-old steam locomotive chugs guests along a 45-minute trip past old Midland Terminal and the deserted mining camp in Anaconda. Learn more about this old gold mining town and be sure to post plenty of photos from this picturesque route.
Revel in a blast from the past with hundreds of arcade games—from modern to classic—at Manitou Springs Penny Arcade. Stroll through several small buildings that capture the unique feel and charm of arcade game history. Play more than 20 pinball machines, 30 different racing games, and more—some of which still cost a penny! Kids will enjoy the amusement park area featuring car and animal amusement rides.
For something unique:
Want to know what it’s like to train like an Olympian? Visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, where every two years, the country’s top athletes prepare to ace their sport. The 35-acre training center is home to sports facilities that support nine Olympic and Paralympic sports. Mark your calendars—in 2020, Olympic City USA will unveil the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame, set to be one of the most accessible and high-tech museums in the world.
Explore the adventurous lifestyle of a different kind of champion at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Hear the stories that cowboy legends are made of, view the evolution of rodeo clothing and accessories over the last 100 years, behold the greats in the Hall of Champions, and, during the summer months, visit retired bucking horses as part of the Rodeo Livestock Exhibit.
For a night on the town:
There are more than twenty Colorado Springs craft breweries to visit and taste test. To name a few, check out the Unibrau Hefeweizen at two Colorado Mountain Brewery locations, try the award-winning TPS Report at Trinity Brewing Company in the Northwest, enjoy a Wild Strawberry Rhubarb at Local Relic downtown, or go for the Oatmeal Stout at Cogstone Brewing Company in the Southeast.
For local entertainment:
No matter what time of year, you’ll get a flavor for the area during countless annual festivals. Check out works of icy wonder during Cripple Creek Ice Festival in February, indulge in the Spring Wine Extravaganza in April, groove to three days of eclectic music from local and national artists during the Meadowgrass Music Festival in May, or join the party during two days of thrilling competition at the Top of the World Rodeo in June. Keep an eye on Visitcos.com for more fun throughout the year!
