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EnCompass®
The AAA Companion |
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November | December 2004
Volume 78 Issue 6
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Feature Article
Holiday spotlight on Pueblo
Pueblo often enjoys balmier temperatures than much of Colorado in the winter, so why not visit for a family-fun weekend and take in some of the city's special holiday happenings at the same time?
The Front Range city dresses in its festive best for the holidays. Here are a few things to do this time of year:
Bask in the glow of the holiday lights on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (HARP), Nov. 26 through early January. The day after Thanksgiving, not only are the lights turned on, but there's storytelling and a visit from Santa Claus for the kids, booths selling hot drinks, and a free fireworks display over Lake Elizabeth.
A 37-room 1893 mansion, the Rosemount Victorian House Museum, is a treat any time of year, but dresses up for the holidays with Christmas trees in every major room. It's an old-fashioned look with newfangled lights-the Thatcher family, who built it, had electricity brought in before most homes.
On Nov. 27, the Parade of Lights wends its way through Union Avenue Historic District-a fun place for shopping and dining. More than 100 entries include lighted floats, marching bands, drill teams and animals, followed by the lighting of a large Christmas tree, dancing and refreshments.
The Pueblo Zoo sparkles with its annual ElectriCritters display-weekends starting Nov. 26 and continuing through Dec. 30. About 300,000 lights create more than 100 whimsical animal sculptures. Leaping lizards!…Er, frogs.
If you need your annual "Nutcracker" experience, the Sangre de Cristo Ballet Theatre presents its traditional performance of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, Dec. 9-11 at the Arts Center Theater.
Some of the city's best indoor attractions are great any time of year.
The Fred E. Weisbrod Aircraft Museum at the Pueblo Memorial Airport is a fascinating exhibit of rare, vintage aircraft from the early days of flight through two world wars to Vietnam.
El Pueblo Museum reflects Colorado's early history-starting with a mock-up of the 1840s trading post built here. The newly rebuilt museum houses an archeological dig and, for the holidays, there will be a historical Christmas tree exhibit done by area students.
If you don't do anything else in Pueblo, be sure to check out the Mexican restaurants. The city has some of the best Mexican food in the state. Everyone has their favorites-ask around!
Make a weekend of it-lodgings range from chain motels to the more upscale Marriott to the elegant Abriendo Inn bed-and-breakfast.
For information on visiting Pueblo, call 800-233-3446 or log on to www.pueblo.org.
About This Section
Colorado is a gold mine of intriguing places and things to see and do. With Colorado Explorer, we highlight some of the well-known but we also dig deeper — to present unique and lesser-known ideas to AAA members.
Readers may notice that Colorado Explorer is free of advertising and does not include AAA Diamond ratings with the hotels and restaurants mentioned, nor identify which attractions are AAA Gems. What's featured in this section is not related to advertising or promotion — just great ideas from people who know and love this state.
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Eat~Shop~Stay
Bath butlers, yurt
dining and no-crowd shopping
By Linda DuVal
Well-known
and worth it
Where better to spend a cold winter's night than sitting in a snug auditorium, watching a play at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts? And where to stay? Well, how about right next door at Hotel Teatro. Ask about this winter's Warm Up Package, with a complimentary hot drink on arrival and an aromatherapy bath drawn by your very own bath butler. 303-228-1100 or
888-727-1200.
Dolls and Christmas are a natural duo. If you're looking for more than just a pretty face, visit Old Colorado City in Colorado Springs, where Simpich Character Dolls have been made for more than 50 years. These world-famous collectibles, each painted and dressed by hand, include
storybook characters, a variety of Santas, figures suitable for a crèche and even little angels for your holiday tree. 719-636-3272.
Lesser-known gems
Ski condos are fine for families and groups who can fill one, but the Nordic Inn in Crested Butte may be better suited for singles and couples. The charming European-style lodge was there long before the modern structures, perched up on the mountainside ski area. It's a place where you can get to know folks around a cozy fire in the lobby's conversation pit or while indulging in a heartier-than-normal "continental" breakfast. Owners Allen and Judy Cox say they get lots of repeat visitors, generation after generation. 970-349-5542.
Just because you're skiing in Vail or Beaver Creek and paying premium ski lift prices doesn't mean you can't find a great meal at a budget price. Check out the European-style Columbine Bakery and Café in Avon. Terrific food comes at modest prices, including a free dessert with a lunch entrée-and don't even think about leaving without a treat from the pastry case. 970-949-1400.
Something different
You'll work up an appetite when you visit the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse in Leadville. That's because you have to snowshoe or cross-country ski a mile in and out. Gourmet meals, served in a yurt, include such treats as Colorado lamb, elk tenderloin and baked salmon, and must be selected in advance. Rumor has it the other courses— prepared at the whim of the chef — are equally delectable. 719-486-8114.
It's not the first place you might think of going for holiday shopping, but if you want an old-fashioned, small-town experience, consider attending Hometown Holidays, Nov. 26 in Sterling. You can shop for just about anything, from lingerie to computer parts, but there are no mall crowds and you probably can park right in front of the store you want to visit. There will be sleigh rides (on wheels, if necessary), carolers, an arts-and-crafts fair and the town Christmas tree is lighted that night. 866-522-5070.
See & Do
Winter golfing, hot-air
ballooning and bowling turkeys
By Linda DuVal
Well-known
and worth it
Looking for a way to entertain the kids over the holiday break? Take your tykes to the Buell Children's Museum in Pueblo, where they'll be entertained while they learn. Ranked by Child magazine as one of the top children's museums in the country, there's always something special happening here. Hands-on and creative activities are the order of any day, but they especially gear up when kids are out of school. 719-583-6217.
Colorado's famous for its great golf, but in the middle of winter? You bet your putter. Aficionados can play year round in Grand Junction, where the majestic Colorado National Monument serves as a backdrop. The championship 18-hole Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, the area's newest course, was rated the "best new affordable golf course" by Golf Digest and it stays open all winter, weather permitting. Last January, they had perfect golf weather. 970-263-9270.
Lesser-known gems
We tend to think of hot-air ballooning as a summer sport in Colorado, but in the Arkansas Valley, it's just too hot during those months. Instead, area balloonists rise to the occasion in Rocky Ford the first full weekend in November (Nov. 5-7 this year). Morning flights are followed by tailgate brunches, and an arts-and-crafts fair, for those who want a more down-to-earth activity. Those with balloon envy can enter a raffle to win an aerial ride. 719-254-7483.
After a weekend of challenging snow sports, a long soak in a hot spring is just what the doctor ordered. If your path takes you through Hot Sulphur Springs, stop and do just that. The resort, which was closed for some years, is enjoying a renaissance, and improvements just seem to keep coming. Check out the newly renovated 1840 cabin with fireplace (comes with a champagne breakfast). Or just relax with a massage or other spa services. 800-510-6235.
Something different
What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than by...bowling turkeys? Frozen birds are flung
across the plaza at Copper Mountain each Thanksgiving Day by anyone who wants to try to knock down a set of Pilgrim pins. Pay a few bucks to bowl, and win prizes-with proceeds going to a local charity. According to one past observer, "it's pretty funny to watch, and a lot of fun to do." 866-841-2481.
Lots of folks ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroadin the summer, but in recent years the train has been making tracks in the snow, too. Starting Nov. 24, passengers can ride along 26 miles of breathtaking winterscape, from Durango to Cascade Canyon, often through falling snow — a pristine view of the Rockies. To get reservations for the five-hour round trip, call
1-888-TRAIN-07.
Linda DuVal is the former travel editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette.
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