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What is Colorado known for?
- Colorado is home to most of the southern Rocky Mountains and is named after the Colorado River, which rushes through the state.
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What types of landscapes can be found in Colorado?
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The state features a diverse range of landscapes, including:
- Alpine meadows
- Deep canyons
- Plateaus and mesas
- Deserts and dunes
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The state features a diverse range of landscapes, including:
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What activities can visitors enjoy in Colorado?
- In the summer, visitors can hike through canyons and explore lush mountainsides.
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What cultural experiences are available in Denver?
- Visitors can experience festivals and other attractions in the state's capital, Denver, which offers a vibrant mix of arts, culture, and entertainment.
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1. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Walk across the bridge and see canyon views during a thrilling trip.
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What is the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park?
- The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is home to the highest zip line and suspension bridge in the United States, offering thrilling attractions and breathtaking views high above the Gorge.
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What attractions can visitors enjoy at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park?
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The park features a variety of adrenaline-pumping rides and scenic experiences, including:
- Aerial gondolas
- The Royal Rush Skycoaster
- Waterclock
- Plaza Theater
- Tommy Knocker Children’s Playground
- The Cloudscraper Zipline
- The visitor center
- The famous Royal Gorge Bridge
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The park features a variety of adrenaline-pumping rides and scenic experiences, including:
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Where is the park located?
- The park is located just an hour from Colorado Springs in Canon City, Colorado.
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Is the park open year-round?
- Yes! The park is open 365 days per year, weather permitting. However, open hours change seasonally.
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What is the address of Royal Gorge Bridge & Park?
- 4218 Co. Road 3A, Canon City, Colorado, 81212.
2. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum
Ride historic rails and explore train exhibits on a scenic weekend journey.
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What is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad?
- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a historic rail line that was originally built in 1882 to transport gold and silver between the mining town of Silverton and the railroad town of Durango, Colorado.
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What kind of train operates on this railroad?
- The train is a three-foot-wide, narrow-gauge, coal-fired steam engine that originally carried ore, miners, cowboys, and settlers. Today, it transports visitors on the very same line.
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How long is the train ride?
- The journey covers 45 miles and takes approximately four and a half hours, winding along narrow mountain paths and through canyons.
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Is there narration available on the train?
- Yes! Historic narration is available on board for tourists who want to learn more about the train’s rich history.
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Are there museums associated with the railroad?
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Yes! Both Silverton and Durango have railroad museums:
- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum features artifacts related to railroading history.
- The Silverton Museum displays a Baldwin Locomotive from 1902 inside the original 1882 Depot.
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Yes! Both Silverton and Durango have railroad museums:
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Where is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad located?
- 479 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado 81301.
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How can I contact the railroad?
- Phone: 970-247-2733.
3. Denver Botanic Gardens
See vibrant blooms and walk peaceful paths on a refreshing spring afternoon.
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What are the Denver Botanic Gardens?
- The Denver Botanic Gardens showcase a diverse collection of plant life, featuring both native western flora and internationally inspired gardens.
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How large are the gardens?
- Spanning 24 acres, the gardens highlight drought-resistant plants from western North America, as well as adapted plants that thrive in the region’s climate.
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What kinds of flowers and plants are on display?
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The gardens feature a mix of native and ornamental plants, including:
- Daylilies
- Roses
- Irises
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The gardens feature a mix of native and ornamental plants, including:
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What is the Mordecai Children’s Garden?
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The Mordecai Children’s Garden encourages hands-on exploration of
soil and water. It also features:
- Stroller parking
- Picnic tables
- Year-round programming
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The Mordecai Children’s Garden encourages hands-on exploration of
soil and water. It also features:
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Are there international garden displays?
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Yes! The gardens include:
- Japanese strolling gardens and bonsai displays
- A South African garden featuring plants from the steppe region
- A greenhouse overflowing with tropical and subtropical flowers
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Yes! The gardens include:
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Where are the Denver Botanic Gardens located?
- 1007 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80206.
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How can I contact the gardens?
- Phone: 720-865-3501.
4. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Explore fine art and see live performances on a creative romantic outing.
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What is the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College?
- The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College is a cultural hub dedicated to educating and inspiring the community through visual and performing arts.
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What can visitors experience at the Fine Arts Center?
- Guests can enjoy extraordinary cultural and historical performances as well as rotating exhibitions that showcase a wide range of artistic styles and influences.
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What does the permanent collection focus on?
- The collection primarily features artwork from North and Central America, with an emphasis on Hispanic and Native American pieces. However, it also includes significant works from European and Modern American artists.
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Does the Fine Arts Center offer art classes?
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Yes! The center provides a wide variety of art courses for all ages and skill levels.
Classes are available year-round and include subjects such as:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Pottery
- Photography
- Filmography
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Yes! The center provides a wide variety of art courses for all ages and skill levels.
Classes are available year-round and include subjects such as:
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Is parking available?
- Yes! Free parking is available for visitors across from the main entrance on Dale Street.
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Where is the Fine Arts Center located?
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W Dale St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
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How can I contact the Fine Arts Center?
- Phone: 719-634-5581.
5. CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens
Walk through colorful flowerbeds and see blooming displays during summer in Fort Collins.
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What are the CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens?
- The CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens are a horticultural research garden on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The garden is open to the public year-round and is located near the campus' Center for the Arts.
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What is the purpose of the garden?
- The garden serves as a trial space to test the performance of annual plant cultivars in the region's high-altitude Rocky Mountain environmental conditions.
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When are the primary annual plantings on display?
- The main annual plant displays are on view from late May through mid-October, showcasing a wide variety of flowers.
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How are the plants arranged?
- Plant varieties are grouped by genus and arranged by color. More than 1,000 different cultivars are typically on display each year.
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Are there other seasonal displays?
- Yes! The garden features an annual pansy display, which is planted in the fall and remains on display through early spring.
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Are perennials also on display?
- Yes! Perennial plants cultivated by the garden are displayed year-round across the street from the main garden facility.
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Where are the CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens located?
- CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens, 1401 Remington St, Fort Collins, CO 80523.
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How can I contact the gardens?
- Phone: (970) 491-7179.
6. Telluride Mountain Village Gondola
Explore modern works and see mountain views on a cultured quick stop.
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What is the Telluride Mountain Village Gondola?
- The Telluride Mountain Village Gondola is the only free ride of its kind in the United States, serving as both public transportation and a lift for outdoor activities.
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When did the gondola open?
- The gondola opened in 1996 and has since provided a unique way to travel between Telluride and Mountain Village.
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What activities is the gondola used for?
- It serves as a ski, snowboard, and mountain bike lift for both visitors and residents using the ski runs.
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How long does the ride take?
- The trip between Telluride and Mountain Village lasts thirteen minutes and offers stunning panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains.
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Is the gondola accessible?
- Yes! The gondolas are wheelchair accessible and include ski, snowboard, and bike racks for passenger convenience.
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Are there any amenities for passengers?
- Blankets are provided at each station to ensure comfort during the winter season.
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Where is the Telluride Mountain Village Gondola located?
- Telluride Mountain Village Gondola, 301 W. San Juan Avenue, Telluride, CO 81435.
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How can I contact the gondola service?
- Phone: 877-358-7122.
7. Aspen Art Museum
Ride high above and see alpine views on a breathtaking fall day.
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What is the Aspen Art Museum?
- The Aspen Art Museum is a contemporary art museum in Aspen, Colorado, dedicated to promoting the arts through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and more.
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Who founded the Aspen Art Museum?
- The museum was founded by local artists who aimed to create an accessible space for contemporary art and artistic education.
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Does the Aspen Art Museum charge admission?
- No! The museum offers free entry to all visitors to ensure that everyone has access to inspiring exhibitions and educational programs.
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What can visitors do at the Aspen Art Museum?
- Guests can explore rotating exhibitions, attend lectures, participate in workshops, and enjoy a variety of artistic events.
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What else can visitors do while in Aspen?
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While in Aspen, visitors can enjoy activities such as:
- Skiing
- Shopping
- Hiking
- Dining at great restaurants
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While in Aspen, visitors can enjoy activities such as:
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Where is the Aspen Art Museum located?
- 637 E. Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611.
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How can I contact the Aspen Art Museum?
- Phone: 970-925-8050.
8. Tread of Pioneers Museum
Discover pioneer life and walk through exhibits on a historical trip.
© Tread of Pioneers Museum
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What is the Tread of Pioneers Museum?
- The Tread of Pioneers Museum is a regional history museum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, housed within the historic 1901 Zimmerman House.
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What exhibits are on display?
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The museum showcases permanent exhibits and historical artifacts within a
renovated Queen Anne-style home. Highlights include:
- An extensive firearms collection
- A replica chuckwagon from the pioneer era
- Exhibits on the region’s indigenous history
- Displays about the local skiing industry and agriculture
- Stories of infamous Wild West outlaws, including Harry Tracy of Butch Cassidy's Hole in the Wall Gang
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The museum showcases permanent exhibits and historical artifacts within a
renovated Queen Anne-style home. Highlights include:
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Where is the Tread of Pioneers Museum located?
- 800 Oak St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.
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How can I contact the museum?
- Phone: 970-879-2214.
9. Bishop Castle
Explore handmade towers and walk through quirky halls on a cheap adventure.
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What is Bishop Castle?
- Bishop Castle is an incredible hand-built fortress located in the San Isabel National Forest, constructed single-handedly by Jim Bishop.
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When did construction of Bishop Castle begin?
- Jim Bishop purchased the land in 1959 and began construction after his wedding in 1967. Originally intended to be a simple stone cabin, the project grew into an elaborate castle.
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What features does Bishop Castle have?
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The castle includes:
- Turrets, crenellations, and arches
- An enormous steam-producing dragon built from stainless steel plates
- Hand-laid wrought ironwork and stone masonry
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The castle includes:
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Is Bishop Castle still under construction?
- Yes! Construction is ongoing, and parts of the structure are not sealed off. Parents are advised to watch their children closely while visiting.
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What are the visiting hours and admission fees?
- Bishop Castle is open every day, and admission is always free. There is a donation box for those who wish to contribute.
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Where is Bishop Castle located?
- 12705 Colorado Rte. 165, Rye, Colorado 81069.
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How can I contact Bishop Castle?
- Phone: 719-564-4366.
10. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
Go underground and see mining equipment during a one-of-a-kind retirement tour.
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What is the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine?
- The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine was at the heart of Colorado’s gold mining industry. It is located in a 25-acre site where more gold has been mined than in Alaska and California combined.
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What does the tour include?
- Visitors are taken on a guided tour through mine shafts and tunnels that have been in use since 1889. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
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How deep does the tour go?
- An elevator ferries visitors 1,000 feet below the earth. This part of the tour is not recommended for the claustrophobic.
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Who leads the tours?
- Tours are led by former miners and descendants of miners, providing firsthand knowledge of gold mining conditions.
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What can visitors see inside the mine?
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Visitors will see:
- A century’s worth of mining equipment
- A vein of gold ore still running through the tunnels
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Visitors will see:
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Are there facilities above ground?
- Yes! Above ground, there is a gift shop and a seasonal diner.
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Where is the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine located?
- 9388 Hwy. 67, Cripple Creek, Colorado 80813.
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How can I contact the mine?
- Phone: 719-689-2466.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
- 2. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum
- 3. Denver Botanic Gardens
- 4. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
- 5. CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens
- 6. Telluride Mountain Village Gondola
- 7. Aspen Art Museum
- 8. Tread of Pioneers Museum
- 9. Bishop Castle
- 10. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine