Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off

Day One

Leaving Sky Harbor Airport, we head to the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado. The beauty of the area is evident as we arrive in Colorado Springs and visit Garden of the Gods Park. Registered as a National Natural Landmark, Garden of the Gods offers dramatic views, with 300’ towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak. The world-class Visitor & Nature Center and museum is the most visited attraction in the region and includes all new interactive exhibits. Located in Garden of the Gods Trading Post is Balanced Rock Café, where we will take time to enjoy lunch surrounded by the beautiful Colorado scenery. Grab a souvenir or view the Trading Post’s stunning collection of Native American jewelry, art, pottery and textiles. This afternoon we check-in to Drury Inn Colorado Springs. Their 5:30pm Kickback includes hot foods and cold drinks, and the hotel is conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, a shopping center, and the Colorado Mountain Brewery.

Day Two

Enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel before we head out, and up, Pikes Peak, aboard the world’s highest cog train. Pikes Peak, known as America’s Mountain, is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, rising over 14,000 feet into the sky. The Cog Railway has been climbing Pikes Peak since 1891 and offers incredible views during the 3.5 hour round trip journey. From the top of the mountain to the base of the falls… The Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls tucked into a magnificent box canyon. Referred to as “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado”, take in the scenic wonder from either the top of a 224-step staircase, or from the Eagle’s Nest viewing platform, which can be accessed by elevator. This evening, relax and enjoy the show at the Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon Supper Show. Before dinner, wander through the Western Grounds and watch horseshoe demonstrations, Navajo rug weavers, or try your hand at axe throwing or archery. Indulge in a chuckwagon dinner of smoked brisket, berbere chicken, baked potatoes and fixins’ in the stunning Mountain Stream Lodge, with rolling glass walls exposing the beautiful surrounding landscape. Then clap your hands and stomp your feet to the sounds of the Flying W Wranglers, the second-oldest Western performance band in the world.

Day Three

We’ll be up early today to watch dozens of hot air balloons float to the skies from our VIP tent at the Labor Day Lift Off! Enjoy a catered breakfast, coffee and mimosa bar in the VIP tent overlooking the Launch Field. Watch nearly 70 hot air balloons float over the breathtaking Colorado Springs landscape. Enjoy the views from the tent or walk among the balloons as they inflate and launch from the field. After Lift Off, we’ll take head to downtown Colorado Springs for some shopping, sightseeing and lunch on your own. Downtown offers a variety of restaurants, shops and parks and is designated a Creative District in the state of Colorado. Choose to spend your free time visiting the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center or the Pioneers Museum. Stroll through Acacia Park or take a self-guided walking tour of the public art on display. Be sure to find the hidden gem that is AdAmAn Alley! This evening it’s back to the hot air balloon launch field and our private VIP tent. Enjoy a catered dinner and drinks while you marvel at the beauty of the balloons ‘glowing’ against the backdrop of the night sky. Take in not only the sights of the balloons but hear the sound and feel the heat from the burners as the balloons inflate.

Day Four

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before our visit to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum. The museum is dedicated to America’s greatest athletes and their compelling stories, with the artifacts, media and technology behind the athletes who make the United States proud. The Museum focuses on the core values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements: friendship, respect, and excellence; determination, equality, inspiration and courage. The Museum is one of the most accessible and interactive museums in the world, designed so all guests experience the Museum the same way. After our visit to the museum, we’ll leave Colorado Springs and head back to Denver airport for our flight to Phoenix.

FB=Full Breakfast, D=Dinner