Summer Travel: Small Town // Big City

{ No.2-Big City: Colorado Springs } Elizabeth Escobar

Forget Denver. Continue on to Colorado Springs, about two hours northeast of the dunes. At over 400,000 people, it’s plenty full of vibrant city fun, but still close enough to Mother Nature to satisfy adventure cravings.F

While you can’t go wrong with a hike through Garden of the Gods, I suggest tackling the Manitou Incline instead. Located in Manitou Springs (a sub-community of Colorado Springs), the incline was originally built for a cable car to transport materials up to the building of pipelines on Pikes Peak. Once finished, the track was opened up to the public for one of the most intense thigh-burning workouts around. Don’t let the one mile distance fool you; you’re dealing with a mostly 40% grade incline. Good sneakers are imperative, as are sturdy lungs and probably a Camelbak.

After you make it back down and shower, rest your legs over lunch at Crystal Park Cantina (on the road with the same name). Housed in what looks like a contemporary adobe, the young restaurant offers 11 varieties of margaritas, making for your second challenge of the day: choosing one. Might I suggest the Speedy Chihuahua: a blend of Cabo Wabo tequila, grapefruit juice and ample lime. While you’re still able to walk in a straight line, move from the bar to a table and either split a plate of tapas or get your own Portobello, Spinach and Cheese enchilada. It’s lighter fare but still delicious, which means you won’t be too weighed down for afternoon exploring.

Old Colorado City, located on the western side of the Springs is full of eclectic local shops that are apt for treating yourself to vacation souvenirs (not so great for budgets, though), and restaurants hidden inside of century-old houses. On top of this, the whole area is a national historic district, making it one of the most visually rewarding neighborhoods in the Springs to stroll around and take in.

You can bring your “city clothes,” as well as a bathing suit and floppy hat, because most hotels here boast Las Vegas-style pools designed for lounging with fancy drinks. Take the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. If the four outdoor pools just aren’t doing it for you, venture out to the resort’s private lake and take a boat or kayak out for a spin. When you get back, there’s always the option of having a cowboy-style nightcap in the wood-paneled Will Rogers Lounge, or just head directly for the fluffy pillows upstairs. Either way, enough city is here that you’ll be hard-pressed to run out of things to do in the morning.