Our final day in Colorado Springs we got up at a relaxing pace, swam in the pool and headed over to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Nestled behind the Broadmoor Hotel, the zoo is beautifully situated on a hillside.
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926 by philanthropist Spencer Penrose to house his growing collection of exotic animals. In 1938, after substantial development, Mr. Penrose incorporated the Zoo as a non-profit public trust for the people of Colorado Springs. This trust was deemed “for the sole purpose of establishing and maintaining a zoological park to provide recreation, education, conservation and scientific facilities in the field of zoology and related subjects, and to preserve the Zoo in perpetuity for the people of the Pikes Peak region.”
Today, the Zoo has been successful in transforming a visitor’s experience from a passive viewer to an active The kids and my husband and I really enjoyed the zoo – the atmosphere was wonderful – the zoo has such a gorgeous view and the animals are all in really nice habitats.
There are fun things to do and so many animals to interact with all over the zoo! The animals seem so much closer and interactive than at many zoos. 
One of their “claims to fame” are the giraffe’s who are “up close and personal” because you’re actually elevated to their head level! For a small fee you can feed them, so you get to really meet a giraffe – if you’re lucky they’ll like you (or maybe unlucky!)! They are proud to have a new baby giraffe at the zoo right now – SO SO totally cute! And more giraffe’s than I’ve ever seen in one place!
On our family trip to Southern Colorado, we went to the Colorado Gator Farm and they supply the zoo with their alligators, so you’ll have to go check those out! We also had a lot of fun watching some very active hippos and Alec sought out the penguins which were great – almost looked fake they were so animated and fun!
Along with the exercise you get going up and down the hills of the zoo, you get to experience the most amazing view – and another fun add-on is to take the Mountain Sky Ride up to the top! When you reach the top there’s a climbing wall for the kids and a fantastic view – not to be missed!
What you need to know:
Hours
Summer Months (May 1st through Labor Day) 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.)
All Other Months 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.)
Upcoming Events
Boo at the Zoo.
Prices
Regular Admission Prices (Effective May 1, 2012):
Admission Prices:
Adults $17.25
Children (ages 3-11) $12.25
Seniors (ages 65+) $15.25
Military Adult $14.25
Military Child $9.25
All Children 2 and under: FREE
Off Season – Day after Labor Day through April
Adults $14.25
Children (ages 3-16) $10.25
Senior (ages 65+) $12.25
Military Adult $11.25
Military Child $7.25
All Children 2 and under: FREE
SKY RIDE!
Adult (12 and older): $5.00
Child: 3-11: $4.00
Our last night in Colorado Springs, we stayed at the unique and architecturally fabulous The Satellite Hotel! For more information on this hotel – check out my review on Mid-Century Style Magazine for this unique and inexpensive place to stay!
