Estes to Denver via Colorado Springs

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Hidee Gold Mine 1950 Hidee Mine Road Central City, CO 80427
Email: info@hideegoldmine.com

Call: 720-548-0343

Liz mentioned wanting to visit a gold mine. This looked the best of the ones I checked. Tours are $26.95

http://www.hideegoldmine.com/

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

“One of the most famous men of the West” Our Mission The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, a facility owned and operated by the City and County of Denver, exists to preserve the memory of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. To this end it maintains the Cody gravesite and related structures on Lookout Mountain Park; collects, cares for and interprets artifacts associated with "Buffalo Bill" Cody's life and times between 1846 and 1917; and records Cody's ongoing influence on American culture. Our History William F. Cody died in 1917 and was buried in Lookout Mountain Park. According to Mrs. Cody and other close friends, he had asked to be buried on the mountain overlooking the Great Plains where he had spent so much of his life. In 1921 Johnny Baker opened the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum near the grave. The artifacts in the Museum were items he had collected over the years and had gathered from the many friends who had performed with him in the Wild West. Mrs. Cody also provided objects, although she died and was buried next to her husband shortly before the Museum opened. The City of Denver owned the property but the Bakers owned the artifacts and ran the museum and shop. They called the building "Pahaska Tepee" after Cody's hunting lodge of the same name outside of Yellowstone Park. After Johnny Baker's death in 1931, his wife Olive continued to operate Pahaska Tepee until her own death in 1956. At that point, under an earlier agreement, the collection became the property of the City. The Museum is now operated by the City and County of Denver. We are part of Denver Mountain Parks division of Denver Parks and Recreation.

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

“An educational organization” Lookout Mountain Nature Center promotes conservation of Jefferson County's open spaces through educational programs and exhibits. We offer free naturalist-led programs in every season for individuals, families, and schools and groups. This mountain-top oasis offers gentle hiking trails past ponderosa pines and through meadows, affording panoramic views of the Denver metro area. Our 134 acres provide habitat for black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, elk and Abert’s squirrels, which are often captured on our wildlife camera. Wildflowers abound in warmer months. The 1.4 miles of trails are open to hikers, but are closed to bicyclists, equestrians and those hiking with a dog. Adjacent Windy Saddle Park allows all of these uses.

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

NATURAL WONDER Our Take Red Rocks is pretty special, and it’s a place that has stuck in my mind. You can visit during the day when there isn’t a show going on, and it’s great for a hike or a picnic. If you don’t have tickets to see a show here, it’s still worth visiting. The monumental amphitheater is literally carved into the mountain, and it feels like something from Ancient Rome. It’s a really cool place to enjoy the sun and the views, and humanity is very lucky that it has survived as an arts venue and hasn’t been turned into an infrastructure project.

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Explore Colorado Springs' paradise in one magical stop. Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark. Imagine dramatic views, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. This world-class Visitor & Nature Center and museum is the most visited attraction in the region with all new interactive exhibits. Learn how the amazing red rocks got there with the NEW Geo-Trekker theater experience, shown every 20 minutes. Delight in one of Colorado's most photographed views while eating in our glass-enclosed café or from our terrace overlooking Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. Where else can you eat inside a postcard?

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Day 19--Thursday, September 2, 2021

“Authentic Anasazi Cliff Dwellings” Explore the fascinating cliff dwellings architecture of the ancient Anasazi and browse through two museums featuring cultural displays all overlooking the historic town of Manitou Springs, Coloroda. Open 7 Days a Week (weather permitting) Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a rare historical treasure. Over 700 year old Authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings, with 40 rooms await you. There are no "Do Not Touch" signs. You are free to touch and even go inside these fascinating architectural remnants of an American Indian culture that roamed the Four Corners area of the Southwest from 1200 B.C. to A.D. 1300. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Pikes Peak, the mountain that provided the inspiration for the writing of, America the Beautiful. Over the years, Native American Indians - descendants of the Ancient Ones - have demonstrated their living culture through traditional dances handed down from generation to generation.

Day 19 - Thursday September 2, 2021

Pikes Peak Cog Railway - https://www.cograilway.com/

515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Reserved Admission Ticket Adult - $68.00 ($58 unreserved) Round-trip journey to the summit of Pikes Peak, reaching 14,115 feet in altitude and sweeping 360-degree views. Reserved seating offers the opportunity to choose your seat on the train.

Day 19--Thursday, September 2, 2021

TIP: If you are just stopping by and would like to park in the underground parking lot for free, be sure to stop by the Penrose Heritage Museum to receive validated parking!

Day 19--Thursday, September 2, 2021

Parking for Seven Falls is at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd. Tickets to Seven Falls must be purchased at the gate. Tickets cannot be purchased online and there are no advance reservations.

Day 19--Thursday, September 1, 2021

Day 18--Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Read that many shops are only open Thurs thru Sun, so may want to delay this till Thurs or Fri.

Day 20--Friday, September 3, 2021

Appears to be open for tours, but need to check before stopping.

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/us-air-force-academy-co/services/united-states-air-force-academy

Day 20--Friday, September 3, 2021

An option on the Denver City Pass

“Dive in to food and fun!” Explore the Adventure Exhibit with fascinating sea creatures, tigers and more! Enjoy sensational food at the Aquarium Restaurant and join us for incredible events and fun programs like swimming with the sharks! Downtown Aquarium was purchased by Landry's Restaurants, Inc. in 2003, when it was Colorado's Ocean Journey Aquarium. On July 14, 2005, Landry's reopened the redesigned complex as Downtown Aquarium. The entertainment and dining complex features a public aquarium boasting more than a million gallons of underwater exhibits that highlight fascinating ecosystems around the world. Downtown Aquarium houses over 500 species of animals, the interactive Stingray Reef touch tank, Aquarium Restaurant, Dive Lounge, the Nautilus Ballroom and amusements for the entire family. With a full-service restaurant, an upscale bar, a fully equipped ballroom, aquatic & geographic exhibits and shopping, Downtown Aquarium has it all!

Day 20--Friday, September 3, 2021

An option on the Denver City Pass

“Discover Colorado’s historic treasures” Established in 1879, the Colorado Historical Society – now known as History Colorado -- offers the public access to cultural and heritage resources of Colorado, including statewide museums and special programs for individuals and families, collection stewardship of Colorado’s historic treasures, educational resources for schools, students and teachers, services related to preservation, archaeology and history, and a research library. It is headquartered in the History Colorado Center in Denver’s Golden Triangle Museum District.

Day 20--Friday, September 3, 2021

Need timed entry tickets. https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en or

optionally https://www.citypass.com/denver?mv_source=denverart&campaign=tickets $39 for 3 sites.

ONE-TIME ADMISSION TO 3, 4, OR 5 ATTRACTIONS Downtown Aquarium, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver Botanic Gardens, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center

The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast, with a collection of more than 70,000 works of art divided between nine permanent collections including African, American Indian, Asian, European and American, modern and contemporary, pre-Colombian, photography, Spanish Colonial, and western American art. Our holdings reflect our city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world.

Day 20--Friday, September 3, 2021

An option on the Denver City Pass

“Strives to entertain and delight” Denver Botanic Gardens strives to entertain and delight while spreading the collective wisdom of the Gardens through outreach, collaboration and education. Our conservation programs play a major role in saving species and protecting natural habitats for future generations. It became a reality in 1951 when members of the Colorado Forestry and Horticulture Association incorporated as the non-profit Botanical Gardens Foundation of Denver and hired legendary landscape architect Saco R. DeBoer to create a 15-year master plan. It was one of the first gardens in the country to emphasize native plants and to champion environmentally responsible practices, such as water conservation and biological control of pests. Today, Denver Botanic Gardens continues this tradition at three unique sites: Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield and Mount Goliath. Each of these demonstrates the varied ecosystems of Colorado.

Highlights Learn about Colorado's native flora in the 17 Gardens of the West, showcasing plants that thrive in the arid climate. See gardens inspired by Japan, China, South Africa and the Tropics, including plants from other regions that are similar to Denver in climate and soils. Enjoy the color of roses, day lilies, irises and more in the Ornamental Gardens, and take a relaxing break in the Shady Gardens, an especially nice place to linger on warm days. Don't miss Mordecai Children's Garden, where your budding horticulturalists can explore plants and the natural world through hands-on experiences and play. Open seasonally. Enhance your visit with seasonal art exhibitions, including an outdoor sculpture exhibition every spring and summer.

Day 20 - September 3, 2021

Need timed entry tickets, $15.95 to $16.95 Sr, off on on peak time. Stonehenge exhibit $7 more, IMAX another $4.

“Experience the natural wonders of Colorado” The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region's leading resource for informal science education.A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science inspires curiosity and excites minds of all ages through scientific discovery and the presentation and preservation of the world's unique treasures. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science aspires to create a community of critical thinkers who understand the lessons of the past and act as responsible stewards of the future.