Me and the family and thinking about spending a week in your state (Colorado Springs among other areas) and the wife is cautious because of the possible smoke and fire issues going on right now. Our news doesn’t get very specific so I wanted to ask y’all how it is.

This, though the fires are mostly far to the north/northwest.  There is or was one by Steamboat Springs, haven't heard much on it lately.  The rest are in N. CA, Oregon and Idaho, last I heard.

Zoom as needed :)  It has been too hazy for typical tourism pictures, but I have not seen the yellow or worse monitoring station indicators for when it is headed towards unhealthy for some folks.   Winds are always shifting, and a good thunderstorm clears things out for a while too.



https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=38.83352000000008&lng=-104.82180999999997&zoom=12


Also


https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/



If you post up some interests, the locals may chime in with some ideas.   Hiking, 4wd, food, breweries, museums, artsy, kid-friendly, etc.

Thanks all.


Nothing in particular. Children’s museums, water parks, BBQ (probably don’t have any in your state ), local attractions, hiking. Just anything fun. We’ll be in her Camry so no 4x4 stuff this time.

Sunscreen & hydration always, also take it easy with respect to altitude until adjusted.  The following are in no particular order at all

A short drive from Colo Spgs, kid-friendly depending upon age  http://www.goldminetours.com/

A no-brainer, but weather-dependent.   Snow is unlikely now of course, but thunderstorms and hail are possibilities https://coloradosprings.gov/pikes-peak-americas-mountain

Another no-brainer, but weather is less of an issue due to season and elevation https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/garden-gods

I have no idea about the Olympics museum, either before or after covid.   They are leeches upon the taxpayers

BBQ is indeed lame here  

But we have outstanding green chili (excuse the spelling) for breakfast burritos

https://kingschefdiner.com/  or  https://mtnshadowsrestaurant.com/


If for nothing else, heading west on US24 from COS and over Wilkerson Pass leads to a great view of the >14000 ft peaks on continental divide, and from there are many possibilities.    Depending on the age of the kiddos, consider heading to St Elmo to feed the chipmunks.  Or maybe North on CO-9 over Hoosier Pass (stop to run the kiddos to exhaustion at >10000 ft) gets you into Breckenridge where there are plenty of non-ski-season activities.

Since rainfall has been decent so far, check out Zapata Falls which is very close to Great Sand Dunes NP.   The hike is short, and if the water is flowing there is a great payoff - probably best to check facebook (boo, hiss) to see if the falls are still going, it will be a lame hike otherwise.

https://www.alamosa.org/things-to-do-in-alamosa/alamosa-scenic-wonders/389-zapata-falls

Sand Dunes is an underappreciated National Park, and under smoke-free conditions provides an outstanding view of the Milky Way that is impossible in light-pollution areas.    But be prepared, services are limited.

Rewinding in no particular order:

Under-appreciated, but in the middle of Colo Spgs there is Palmer Park.    There are many moderate trails, and weather-dependent some great views.  Kid-friendly with respect to difficulty and elevation, and right in the middle of civilization.    I have found this park to be a good intermediate stop to help flat-landers adjust while also providing great pics from the middle of a city.

A few weeks ago my BIL & nephew were up here from San Antonio (both very capable), and it turned out that breakfast downtown plus a reasonable hike at Palmer Park suited them just fine.  It would have been rude of me to take them on steep & high-elevation trail, and anyway the Manitou Incline is a PITA for access with shit views

Someone at work just did the Cog Rail up to Pikes Peak and said it was a lot of fun. He said it was about 30 degrees at the top so keep that in mind.

Very good info, thanks!

bird dog and rudy's for BBQ in COS.

Those are both lame-ass  BBQ spots

Yea, can’t speak to Bird Dog but we have plenty of Rudy’s n Texas. No thanks. We’ll be hunting for small locally owned places

it's all i got when i'm working in COS.

bird dog is pretty tasty.  

If you are looking for Texas BBQ there is a place in cripple creek called Rusty's.  I didn't eat there but a Texan I talked to said it was just like home.  If you try it let us know.