Colorado Springs
It's clear what motivated Katharine Lee Bates to pen the words to Colorado Springs' well-known national anthem "America the Beautiful." The gorgeous Colorado Rockies can be seen if you turn your gaze in that direction. If you look in the opposite direction, you will see the Great Plains, which are described as "amber waves of grain." Visit this quaint village for more than just the stunning views.
Institutions like the Air Force Academy and the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center are also located in Colorado Springs. And through time, a variety of personalities have emerged. Take to the streets and share the sidewalks with aspiring politicians, young families, art enthusiasts, and more. Everyone stakes a claim on this area of America the Beautiful.
The second-largest city in Colorado has built a strong reputation and has consistently made the list of Best Places to Live by U.S. News. It's also well-known for being a major center for politics and religion, but in recent years Colorado Springs has toned down its religious rhetoric and even adopted a little of the relaxed atmosphere that tourists typically associate with Boulder or Telluride in Colorado (to experience this side of the Colorado Springs area, head to nearby Manitou Springs).
The majority of visitors, however, come for the expansive vistas offered by Pikes Peak, the towering cliffs that make up the Garden of the Gods, and the blushing rocks of Red Rock Canyon, not to partake in the political and social dialogue.
- #6 in Best Places to Visit in March
- #6 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
- #7 in Best Places to Visit in Colorado
- #14 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
Country: USA
