Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods & Old Colorado City

A National Natural Landmark and free public park containing 300-foot vertical sandstone fins (Fountain Formation, 300 million years old) that were horizontal seafloor before tectonic uplift along the Rampart Range fault tilted them on end. The 2-mile Main Loop Trail passes Balanced Rock, the Three Graces, and the Kissing Camels formations with Pikes Peak (14,115 ft) directly behind. The Visitor & Nature Center (free) has the best geological exhibits explaining the formation sequence — how the same sandstone appears flat-lying at Red Rocks Amphitheatre 60 miles north and vertical here.

The original townsite of Colorado City (founded 1859, predating Colorado Springs by 12 years) survives as a 5-block historic commercial strip on Colorado Avenue — Victorian brick storefronts now housing independent galleries, pottery studios, antique dealers, and restaurants. The district was Colorado's territorial capital for three days in 1862 before the capital moved to Denver. The Colorado City Historical Museum on 26th Street covers the town's history from frontier trading post through its annexation by Colorado Springs in 1917.

A 1936 Art Deco building on the Colorado College campus housing an underrated permanent collection — significant works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Boardman Robinson, and a strong collection of Native American and Hispanic Southwest art. The Guatemalan Stairway (a 1935 mosaic by Pablita Velarde) in the theater lobby is one of the most remarkable public art installations in Colorado. Free on the first Friday of each month; admission otherwise.