Colorado Springs: Your Next Vacation? by Zach Thompson
Today, Colorado Springs is one of the most popular tourist locations in the United States. However, few people know the history behind this attractive region. In fact, interest in Colorado Springs was not initially spurred by its immense natural beauty. Instead, it was an 1859 gold rush that first brought large groups of people to the area. Once the thrill of the area's gold subsided, though, tourists and adventurers kept coming to enjoy all Colorado Springs has to offer.
At the heart of Colorado Springs is the incredible Pike's Peak. It reaches more than 14,000 feet in height and has become the major landscape symbol of the Colorado Springs region. Since its discovery in the 19th century, this impressive mountain is now the most visited peak in all of the United States. The appeal of the trek up Pike's Peak brings thousands of hikers to Colorado Springs each year, adding to its other great attractions.
Those who prefer to relax rather than climb mountains often travel to Colorado Springs for its luxurious spas. The first such establishment in Colorado Springs dates all the way back to 1871. Back then, Colorado springs was then that a small, Victorian style resort town helped popularize the area. The wide appeal of the relaxing venue attracted visitors from across the United States and beyond. In fact, a large portion of Colorado Springs' early tourists traveled all the way from England.
One reason why spas became so popular in Colorado Springs is the region's reputation for having healing powers. Colorado Springs' climate is excellent with lots of sun and clean, dry air. Plus, the region is home to natural hot springs that can be rather soothing to the body. Some people even drank Colorado Springs' waters believing them to have healing properties. In the early days of its popularity, Colorado Springs was even known to help relieve tuberculosis.
The natural features of Colorado Springs have also given it a very different sort of popularity. Since the 1940s, the United States' military has made the area home to several important bases and command centers. The first to appear in Colorado Springs was the Army's Camp Carson followed a decade later by the United States Air Force Academy. Over time, other bases appeared as well including Peterson Air Force Base, U.S. Space Command, Shriever Air Force Base, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Colorado Springs has also become a popular site for film production. The natural beauty of the area has long been a source of creative inspiration. In fact, the well-known song "America the Beautiful" was written following the composer's visit to Colorado Springs. Now, movie producers come to the area for a wide variety of reasons. For one, it rarely rains in Colorado Springs, which means few delays in production. Also, Colorado Springs can stand in for a number of movie locations. For example, geological formations in Colorado Springs can transform it into a rocky setting while the forests and mountains offer great wilderness shots. At the same time, sprawling towns and even a few nearby cities can create a more urban landscape for filming.
Ultimately, Colorado Springs has transformed over the last 150 years to become the center of a number of cultural activities. Colorado Springs is a great place to visit and truly offers something for everyone.
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