Road Trip to the Summit of Pikes Peak, Colorado's First In-N-Out, a Mountain Zoo, and More

The superlatives for this 19-mile (34 km) toll road that leads directly to the summit of Pikes Peak roll off the tongue with ease. One of the highest elevation roads in the Rockies, it's undeniably one of the state's most beautiful, too, climbing through pristine alpine forest until you crest the timberline, at which point the panoramas that make Pikes Peak so famous begin to come into view.
Suddenly, you're higher than all the surrounding mountains, higher than any low-lying clouds, and the vast plains of the Great American West look as if they stretch towards infinity.
Note that advance reservations are required to drive to Pikes Peak. The road and visitor's center are open year-round, pending inclement weather. (Call the information line for up-to-date information.) The road is fully paved.

While the views are clearly the main attraction — famously, Katharine Lee Bates penned a poem inspired by a visit here in 1893 that would become the lyrics to "America the Beautiful" — the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center (which opened June 2021) is something of a marvel in and of itself.
Located at 14,115 feet above sea level, it's the the highest-altitude LEED-certified sustainable structure in the US and on a short list of such projects around the world. The center features all new overlooks, indoor and outdoor interpretive exhibits, as well as a brand new full-service cafe serving all meals daily.
It is recommended to call there before the visit to specify the opening hours, since they may change due to the weather conditions.
Don't consider starting your descent without trying one of the longtime specialties of Pikes Peak, freshly-made donuts. A specially-calibrated machine can turn out 700 donuts per hour (a feat of science when it comes to extreme high-altitude baking).

When this iconic, California chain opened in Colorado in November 2020 — the Colorado Springs In-N-Out was the state's first — die hard In-N-Out fans made the pilgrimage from all over Colorado and even neighboring states, then queued for hours (as long as 12, 14 hours in the earliest days), just to satisfy that In-N-Out craving.
What makes In-N-Out so special? The family-owned fast casual chain goes through great lengths to control all phases of its food supply chain to live up to its "always fresh, never frozen" ethos. (In-N-Out locations famously don't even have freezers in their kitchens; the only thing frozen on the menu, the shakes, are hand-spun and made to order.)

Tucked away on the scenic campus of the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Academy Planetarium is a family-friendly favorite that offers free shows to the public most days of the week — no student or military credentials required. Shows typically run around 30 to 45 minutes and cover a range of subjects, including space exploration and phenomenon and more earthly marvels, from volcanoes to Humpback whales.
Check the site in advance for the current schedule, which changes seasonally; on the days the Planetarium has shows scheduled, there's always a 1:30 pm showing (RSVP, if suggested). If the planetarium happens to be closed, head onwards to the Air Force Academy's Visitor Center.

The Air Force Academy's Visitor Center features life-size exhibits and a short film that offer an inside look at cadet life, plus historical exhibits about the academy's rich legacy and its famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Cadet Chapel.
Depending on how much time you have to check out the Visitor's Center, consider taking the family on the short, paved nature trail (0.3 mi) that departs from here and leads to the Cadet Chapel, which is currently closed for interior restoration. Of course, there's a gift shop, too.

You mightn't think the foothills of the Front Range are home to one of the best zoos in the US, but that's just one of the many surprises in store for visitors to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is literally built into the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain, a 9,750-foot peak.
If open, take the Mountaineer Sky Ride (a free chairlift-style ride) up to the highest point of the zoo and work your way back down through the animal exhibits. Highlights include the Australia Walkabout, where free-roaming wallabies hop about; the Rocky Mountain Wild, featuring some of North America's most elusive predators; the big cats of the Asian Highlands; and the three African exhibits. Don't leave without stopping by the Giraffe Feeding Experience, where kids of all ages (and adults, too) will love hand-feeding the curious resident giraffes lettuce leaves, which they wrap up in their long purple tongues.
It is necessary to buy tickets in advance on the official website.

Tucked away in a quiet plaza on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, the Golden Bee, is a family-friendly gastropub that feels like you've stepped into another place in time — the interior is actually that of a 19th Century British pub, which was reconstructed here in the 1960s.
The house beer is a locally-made honey wheat, but you'll also find the likes of Guinness, Bass, and Boddington's on draft, as well as whiskeys and cocktails. The menu features an eclectic mix of classic English pub fare (fish and chips, shepherd's pie) and gastropub bites (colossal pretzel twist with fondue, beer-steamed mussels, kale and fennel salad, Colorado bison burger, etc.). For dessert, the warm cast iron chocolate chip cookie a la mode and sticky toffee pudding are definite crowd pleasers.
Please call +719-577-5776 to check the schedule and reserve the table.

To fully experience The Broadmoor, one of Colorado's grandest and most historic hotels, you'll want some time on property to explore its Olmsted Brothers-designed grounds and gardens — which features a picturesque lake in the middle of the property — as well as the resort's various wings and public areas, which are home to a truly exceptional collection of American Western art and sculpture, including works by Parrish, Remington, and Bierstadt. (A self-guided map to the resort's collection is available at reception.) There's a resort-style pool on property, too, with fantastic views and some water features just for kids.
One of the resort's off-the-beaten-path gems is the Golden Bee, a family-friendly gastropub that feels like you've stepped into another place in time — the interior is actually that of a 19th Century British pub, which was reconstructed here in the 1960s. After checking in, it may be worth popping over for a pint or a nightcap; the Lobby Bar is also quite nice.
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