Founded in 1871, Colorado Springs is a growing city of 358,000 and a touristy place where people flock to enjoy the beautiful scenery around the city and in the neighboring area of Pikes Peak and take advantage of the healing properties of the high mountains and mineral springs. The name “Springs” was chosen to lure the easterners who were used to the name springs as this was what most fashionable eastern resorts were called and Colorado Springs became the first genuine resort community west of Chicago.
In the past people were attracted mainly by the gold that was found in the 1890s at Cripple Creek and some of them became rich. It was the case of Spencer Penrose whose wealth increased considerably after he made some big investments and this facilitated the promotion of his idea to create new highways and he even used some of his money to build the Pikes Peak highway that proved to be very effective. He did not stop here ad went on building the Broadmoor Hotel at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain.
Another investor that helped the city develop into what it is today was Gen. William J. Palmer who built the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Mineral springs and high mountains were the prime reasons why he decided to establish the first genuine resort community west of Chicago on his rail line thus helping the city’s economy that was based on tourism. He made sure that the mineral waters at Manitou Springs that were only 5 miles away will be well known in and outside the county. The publicity had a great impact on tourists who began coming and they still come in large numbers.
With the opening in 1958 of the U.S. Air Force Academy the military industry developed and the city’s population increased with military personnel and today there are more than half a million people in the metropolitan area. The Air Force Academy is an attraction for tourists that visit it every year.
Another attraction is the city’s small Western town atmosphere, the scenery at Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. This enormous mountain of 14,110-foot was called "Grand Peak," by Lt. Zebulon Pike who considered it unconquerable, but he was proved wrong as many who followed succeeded to conquer it.
Now even those who are not expert climbers can enjoy the beauties of the mountain as there’s an auto highway and a cog railway that can take them to the top. Pikes Peak Highway is the world's highest toll road and you should not miss the spectacular scenic vistas and beautiful wilderness areas you can see by taking this highway.
No matter what type you are adventurous or relaxed, you'll find something new and exciting to do every day in Colorado Springs as there are over 50 major area attractions to satisfy every visitor. Take for example Bigg City (Mr. Biggs) an indoor amusement park that provides a lot of fun for the whole family, ages 3 to 93. Adults will find it the perfect place to bring out the kid in them and let their imagination loose. They can choose to play bowling, drive the go-carts, play mini-golf and win in the arcade or go and play in Little Biggtown a kind of city of the imagination and end your tour with a delicious pizza at the Bigg City Pizza Buffet.
Come and explore the history of America's West, enjoy some of the best lodging and dining in the state, take in the scenic beauty and a favorable climate and have loads of fun in the city of Colorado Springs.
