Recently my family spent a long weekend in Colorado Springs – about four hours from our mountain home. Many visitor bureaus claim their cities have “so much to do,” but truly, you could spend a week in Colorado Springs and not have enough time to explore all of the amazing family-friendly attractions. Take a peek at my top picks:

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: If your kids are animal lovers, this zoo must visit. My kids loved feeding the giraffes crackers (3 for $1); the animals stand a story below visitors, so you’re eye level with the spotted creatures. The zoo is compact, yet filled with more than 800 animals – from lions and elephants to penguins and porcupines. Keeper talks and demos take place throughout the day, as do feeding and natural behavior animal shows. Weather permitting, take a Mountaineer Sky Ride high above the zoo for fabulous views.

Cave of the Winds: My family’s tour of the Cave of the Winds was the highlight of our trip. We marveled at stalagmites and stalactites that formed millions of years ago. From our knowledgeable, entertaining guide, we learned how the caves’ first visitors in the 1800s up through the mid 20th century would often steal the interesting rock formations, and otherwise touch the walls, inhibiting the cave growth. Today, the Cave of the Winds focuses strongly on environmentally friendly practices and cave preservation. If you’re not afraid of the dark, consider a tour that’s led only by lantern light (ghost stories included).

Credit: http://www.gardenofthegods.com

Garden of the Gods: The towering sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods, surprisingly a city park, are otherworldly. They’re incredibly picturesque, so make sure your camera batteries are fully charged, as you’ll likely want to snap plenty of photos, particularly late in the day as the setting sun casts fading light on the red rocks. A myriad of hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails help you get close to the natural formations; stop by the visitor center first to pick up a map. I also recommend the fascinating “How Did Those Rocks Get There?” movie ($5 adults, $3 children).

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg of sights in and around Colorado Springs. Also consider the famous Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Seven Falls, and U.S. Olympic Headquarters and Training Center. Learn more at the online Colorado Springs visitors’ guide.