47th Annual (1998) Denver X-ray Conference™ Local Attractions Air Force (U.S.) Academy: North on U.S. Interstate 25, North Academy Exit. Call 472-2555 or the Visitor Center 472-2025 for information. An educational facility for cadets, it is also a major tourist attraction. Points of interest are the Cadet Chapel, Planetarium and Visitor Center. American Numismatic Association: 818 North Cascade Avenue. Call 632-2646 for more information. Headquarters for the coin collecting hobby. The museum displays coins, medals, tokens and paper money documenting many historical events. Bear Creek Nature Center: 245 Bear Creek Road. Call 520-6387 for more information. The educational center features wildlife exhibits, nature trails, hosted activities and tours. Black Forest Observatory: 12815 Porcupine Lane, Black Forest. Call 495-3828 for more information. Sky tours at one of the largest public observatories in Colorado. Actual viewing through the observatory telescope. By reservation. Open 7 days a week. Cave of the Winds: Four miles west on U.S. Highway 24, Manitou Springs. Call 685-5444 for information. A one-mile long cavern with numerous passageways. Guided tours through the cavern feature informative programs explaining the formation of the stalagmite and stalactite structures. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road. Call 633-9925 for information. Set in scenic mountain terrain and open year-round. Features include Primate World and Wolf Woods. Admission includes the Will Rogers Monument, "Shrine of the Sun". Cripple Creek: One hour west of Colorado Springs. The historic gold mining town is one of Colorado’s three cities with limited stakes gambling. A multitude of casinos beckon you to try your luck amid the noise and excitement. To enjoy more sightseeing in this western region, the Cripple Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad provides a four-mile excursion. Also, the Cripple Creek Museum offers a glimpse back at the town’s lively history. The Molly Kathleen Gold Mine provides tours of its genuine mining facility. Fine Arts Center: 30 West Dale Street. Call 634-5581 for information. Famous for its Taylor Museum Collection of southwestern artifacts (textiles, pottery, baskets, wood sculptures) and a complete New Mexico chapel. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: West on U.S. Highway 24, Florissant. Call 748-3253 for information. Exhibits of insects and plants fossilized in a prehistoric lake by mudflows from a volcanic eruption. There are petrified sequoias and a homestead dating to 1878. Programs, displays and tours are available. Flying W. Ranch: 3330 Chuckwagon Road. Call 598-4000 for information. Experience the "Old West" cowboys and settlers in a quaint town with shops and replicated buildings. Enjoy a chuckwagon supper, with live traditional western entertainment by the Flying W. Wranglers. Reservations are required. Garden of the Gods: 1805 North 30th Street. Call 634-6666 for information. Renowned for its magnificent red sandstone formations. The park is a registered National Natural Landmark containing 940 acres. A Visitor Center provides extensive background on this unique area. There are opportunities for many outdoor activities. Rock Ledge Ranch is located at the east entrance to the Garden of the Gods. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a general store, blacksmith shop and pioneer farm. Open daily year-round. Ghost Town Museum: 400 South 21st Street. Call 634-0696 for information. Experience an authentic town from the "Old West", as it actually was a century ago. Set inside the 1899 Colorado Midland Railroad Terminal Building, open year-round. Hall of Presidents Living Wax Studio: 1050 South 21st Street. Call 635-3553 for information. Enjoy the beautifully costumed figures, lavishly decorated room-size and original antiques displayed in a 10,000 square-foot studio. Madame Josephine Tussaud of London provides wax figures. Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum: Manitou Springs. Call 685-5242 for information. Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, as well as a pueblo of the Taos Indians. Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway: 515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs. Call 685-5401 for information. Climb 14,110 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak on the world’s highest cog system. Miramont Castle Museum: 9 Capital Hill Avenue, Manitou Springs. Call 685-1011 for information. There are nine separate architectural styles in this 46-room structure constructed in 1895. A museum of miniatures is featured, as well as historical information and a wide assortment of antiques. Old Colorado City: West on Colorado Avenue. This first permanent settlement in the area was once a rough town of saloons and parlor houses. Now, it is a National Historic District with many interesting shops and restaurants. Pikes Peak Highway: West on Highway 24 in Cascade. Call 684-9383 for information. Drive on the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. Toll road open seasonally from May through October. Pioneers Museum: 215 South Tejou.. Call 578-6650 for information. Collections of local importance housed in the 1903 former country courthouse. Prize winning Van Briggle pieces, three rooms of furniture from the home of Helen Hunt Jackson, photos and artifacts relating to the early history of Colorado Springs, crystals, fossils and gold-bearing tellurides. ProRodeo Hall of Fame & American Cowboy Museum: 101 ProRodeo Drive. Call 528-4764 for information. Historic memorabilia and displays of this uniquely western sport and the authentic "cowboy." Includes a hall of rodeo champions. Rock Lodge Ranch Historic Site: East entrance of Garden of the Gods. Call 578-6777 for information. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this pioneer ranch and farm includes a general store and blacksmith shop reconstructed to show life as it was lived in years past. Royal Gorge: 8 Miles west of Canon City on Highway 50. Call (719) 275-7507 for information. The world’s highest suspension bridge spans the spectacular gorge, 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. Walk or drive across the bridge, constructed in 1929. Travel to the bottom of the gorge via an incline or across the gorge by way of aerial tram. Open year-round. Royal Gorge Rafting: 7 Miles west on Canon City on Highway 50. Call (719) 275-5161 for information. Join the elite group of adventures who challenge the treacherous waters of the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River. Seven Falls: South Cheyenne Canyon. Call 632-0752 for information. Scenic canyon with cascading falls, nature trails and Native American dances. An elevator is available to reach Eagles Nest, overlooking the falls. U.S. Olympic Complex: 1750 East Boulder Street. Call 578-4644 for information. Athletes train at this headquarters facility. Tours are available to the public. Van Briggle Pottery: 600 South 21st Street. Call 633-7729 for information. Fine art pottery and an interesting selection of Oriental artwork. A wide array of gift items. Dates back to 1899. Open year-round. Western Museum of Mining and Industry: 125 North Gate Road. Call 488-0880 for information. The mining era of the Pikes Peak region is illustrated in displays. Demonstrations provide a greater understanding of mining techniques and panning for gold.