Car Rental Colorado Springs
Exploring Colorado Springs
The gorgeous scenery of the Rocky Mountains ensures that there is no shortage of wonderful areas to explore around Colorado Springs. There are breathtaking vistas and superb rock formations at every turn, and simply driving through this spectacular scenery is unforgettable in itself.
A few kilometres out of town are the Anasazi cliff dwellings. These well-preserved, ancient homes date back to 1100 AD, and comprise over 40 rooms, including a revered ceremonial space. There are two onsite museums, showcasing Anasazi artefacts and providing information on the Native Americans and the cliff dwellings themselves.
Heading west from Colorado Springs will take you to the ski resorts of Aspen and Vail, where you can enjoy the slopes by day and the social scene by night. The nearby Colorado River is an excellent summer alternative to the slopes; its torrent of gushing water is perfect for white-water rafting and its depths offer many hours of entertainment for keen fishermen.
The US Air Force Academy is only a short drive north from the town of Colorado Springs. Here you can enjoy the idyllic mountain setting, visit the beautiful chapel, or learn about the activities and operations of the academy at the educational visitors’ centre.
Less than an hour by car west of Colorado Springs is the picturesque village of Florissant (French for ‘flowering’). The village is named for the profusion of wildflowers that saturate the surrounding slopes with vibrant colours during the spring months.
Another good reason to visit Florissant is the superb Fossil Beds National Monument, which showcases some of the most perfectly preserved plant and animal fossils in the world. Butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, fish, birds and mammals, as well as assorted tree leaves, all millions of years old, are perfectly detailed in ancient shale strata, providing a fun and fascinating outing for the whole family.
