APC Publisher Andrew Dwyer has lived in Colorado Springs for 20 years. He’s stoked the PCA Expo is coming this February…and he hopes you come too! An Insider Guide to Colorado Springs – By Andrew Dwyer
The PCA Expo is Feb. 3-7 at the Broadmoor Resort, right here in my town…gorgeous Colorado Springs. You already know why you should attend Expo – it’s the most powerful opportunity to improve your business! But if you’re still undecided about Colorado Springs, let me push you off that fence and into this mountain paradise.
I moved here in 2002, shortly after I started working from home. My family (wife and 3 kids) had the luxury of living anywhere while I telecommuted to APC. We easily chose Colorado Springs at the foothills of the Rockies: crystal-clear views, blue skies, 300 days of sunshine and easy access to all the mind-blowing mountain beauty that Colorado has to offer.
If you’ve never experienced a mountain town or skied Colorado or visited a mountain west National Park…this is your chance! These are my suggestions for making your PCA Expo trip one you’ll never stop telling your friends about.
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The Broadmoor Resort – A Rare Treat
This isn’t just another hotel with a conference center. The Broadmoor Resort is stunning. Views of the mountains there are spectacular. And when you frame those views with Broadmoor Lake and the beautiful Broadmoor golf course, you’ll be in awe. The architecture, shops, confectionery, service, and history will amaze you. That’s why The Broadmoor is on the U.S. News Top 10 list of resorts in America.
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Best Day Trips & In-Town Sites
- Garden of the Gods: easy, accessible, gorgeous
- Downtown Colorado Springs: 3 miles away; cute and quaint; ample restaurants, bars & shopping
- U.S. Air Force Academy: beautiful and fascinating
- U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Training Center: Tour facilities where many Olympic athletes live and train.
- U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Museum: Brand new museum downtown highlights U.S. Olympic history.
- Drive up Pikes Peak: It’s a kick to drive through multiple “life zones” – montane, subalpine, etc. – and emerge above the treeline atop one of Colorado’s 14ers. And yes, you’ll feel the lack of oxygen up there.
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Top Spots for Craft Beer Crowd
- Bristol Brewery at Ivywild School. Former elementary school that houses a brewery, bars and food stands. (3 miles from Broadmoor)
- Pikes Peak Brewing Company at COATI. Large downtown setting with multiple bars and eateries. (4 miles)
- Cerberus Brewing, OCC Brewing and WestFax, all 4 miles away in the Old Colorado City neighborhood.
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Best Overnight Trips
- Rocky Mountain Natl Park: Views here will blow your mind. And you won’t need to battle the massive summer crowds. Simply drive to scenic overlooks or rent some snowshoes and get after it! You’ll also love the adjacent town of Estes Park, known for the Stanley Hotel and elk strolling down main street.
- Glenwood Springs Hot Springs: This place is special. Picture yourself in a massive natural hot springs pool, outdoors, in the middle of winter, surrounded by spectacular snow-covered Rocky Mountains. Stay the night and enjoy the beautiful town of Glenwood Springs
- Royal Gorge Bridge: Take in the views from the bridge over the Arkansas River or try the daring zipline and “skycoaster” (or the much tamer gondola ride).
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Ride the scenic train through mountain canyons and forest.
- Denver: If your jam is more big-city buzz than mountain majesty, then yes, you’ll enjoy Denver. Or maybe you want to see Jokic and the Nuggets or MacKinnon and the Avs.
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National Parks!
If you love national parks like I do, then here’s your opportunity to cross some of the most beautiful ones off your list. In some cases, you can even do two in one trip.
- Rocky Mountain, 2.5-hour drive
- Arches & Canyonlands, 6.5 hours
- Grand Teton & Yellowstone, 8.5 hours
- Zion & Bryce, 10 hours
- Grand Canyon, 10 hours
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And of course…Ski Resorts!
Fresh Pow is calling you! Don’t miss your chance. And it’s advisable (and cheaper) that you purchase lift tickets in advance. These resorts are ranked not by quality but by driving distance from Colorado Springs:
2:15: Breckenridge
2:30: Copper, Keystone, Arapahoe, Monarch (economy)
2:45: Ski Cooper (economy)
3:00: Vail, Beaver Creek
3:45: Crested Butte
4:00: Steamboat Springs
4:30: Aspen, Snowmass
7:00: Telluride
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Don’t Sleep on COS Airport
Yes, Denver International Airport offers more flights at lower cost. But for a few extra dollars, fly into Colorado Springs and save yourself 2-3 hours and untold frustration. There’s only 12 gates to navigate, baggage claim is easy, and your rental car is just a few steps away.
