The home to Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center and 20 Olympic governing bodies, a vast outdoor paradise studded with celebrated natural landmarks, an 1870s resort town turned bustling metropolis — Colorado Springs is no average destination.
18 fun facts about Colorado Springs Fact 1 The city was of Colorado Springs was founded in 1871. It is located at the base of the Pikes Peak Mountain at an elevation of 1. 6 kilometers above sea level. Fact 2 Colorado Springs is often simply called The Springs. Fact 3 The city enjoys over 300 days of sunshine every year. Fact 4 For tourists who throng to the city every year there are more than 50 attractions to visit. Fact 5 The famous American physicist, Nikola Tesla built his lab in this city and conduction experiments testing the wireless transmission of electricity in 1899. Fact 6 Dr Frederick McKay, a native living in Colorado Springs, introduced the idea of using fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Fact 7 Colorado Springs has been rated as the number 1 most physically fit cities in the US. Its nickname is "Olympic City USA!" Fact 8 The song, America the Beautiful, was written by Katharine Lee Bates after she visited the city and was inspired by its beauty. The Monument Divide and the Rocky Mountains protect this city from harsh weather. Fact 9 There are both army and air force bases located here as well as an air force academy and multiple military installments. Fact 10 The Garden of the Gods is one of the most famous parks in the United States and it is located in Colorado Springs. Fact 11. At an elevation of 6,035 feet, Colorado Springs has two-thirds of the oxygen found at sea level and the summit of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak has only half. Reach the summit of Pikes Peak - America’s Mountain by car, foot or bike — but be sure to give your body a few days to adapt to the higher altitude before heading up the mountain. Fact 12. Built in 1929, the Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in North America at 956 feet above the roaring Arkansas River. The impressive structure held the title of world’s highest until China’s Beipan River Guanxing Highway Bridge was completed in 2003. Be awed by the gorge’s grandeur by riding a gondola across or soaring on the zip line over the gorge for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Fact 13. Downtown Colorado Springs’ north-south streets are named after mountain ranges, and the east-west streets are named after rivers. Stroll the walkable, lively streets to discover delicious eateries and live entertainment, and admire outdoor sculpture installations from the city’s Art on the Streets program. Fact 14. Modeled after resort towns in Europe, Colorado Springs gained the nickname “Little London” when it was established in 1871. Travelers still journey from near and far for the area’s beauty and natural attractions and to indulge in pampering experiences at luxe properties like The Broadmoor and Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Fact 15. The Manitou Incline was originally built for cable cars to carry materials to build pipelines. Today, it is a rigorous workout that ascends 2,000 vertical feet in under one mile. While you can climb the popular, calf-burning trail yourself, it is not meant for the faint of heart. Manitou Incline Tips >> Fact 16. Old Colorado City was the first city built in El Paso County and was Colorado’s first capital. Explore the historic district — now home to over 100 artists and crafters — or plan your trip around annual events that pay homage to its history, like Territory Days each Memorial Day weekend. Fact 17. Garden of the Gods Park's famous red-rock formations were created millions of years ago during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line, and there's archaeological evidence that prehistoric people roamed the area in the 1300s B.C. Spot notable formations like Kissing Camels and Balanced Rock at the free city park, where you can also check out an interactive Visitor & Nature Center and partake in outdoor pursuits like hiking, biking and rock climbing. The natural wonder is ranked as the No. 1 park in the U.S. by TripAdvisor users. Fact 18. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb held its first race in 1916 on Pikes Peak, making it the second-oldest auto race in the U.S. after the Indianapolis 500. Watch top drivers from around the world test their skills up the 156 twists and turns of the mountainside every June.
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