Royal Gorge CO: Best Tourist Train in the United States, Explore the Royal Gorge...

For anyone who really loves the majesty of snow capped mountains and dry desert valleys and gorges, then you have to visit Colorado and the Royal Gorge! There is such a mixture and variety of different types of landscapes, and it is a pleasure to see all the things the state has to offer each time I go. Most people will fly into Denver, and then drive to their base town or city to begin their Colorado adventure. Colorado Springs is one of the best towns to use as your base, because of its proximity to the mountains and the variety of attractions in that area. I think you’ll really like Colorado Springs because of its beauty, and it’s also the home of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

There are many fun outdoor activities that you can do from this area including the Royal Gorge CO, and if you’re into adventure sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, or just plain hiking, then this is a perfect area for you! Make sure to plan your trip ahead of time so that you don’t lose out on any precious activity time, and you’ll include as much action as you like into your vacation!

If you are more into a relaxed pace that doesn’t involve a lot of physical exertion on your part, then might I suggest taking the Royal Gorge CO Route Railway, located just a short drive down the road. This is a fantastic tourist attraction which includes a 2 – 3 hour scenic ride in first class train cars, as it winds through the narrow valleys and gorges along the selected route of 24 miles. Some of the best pictures you’ll ever take will be from this train, so be sure to bring your camera! The route rides along a stream down in the valley, and you may even see mountain goats or sheep hanging high in the cliffs around you…

They do serve you a nice meal, but if you are interested in a nicer, slower pace, then they also offer dinner or murder mystery train rides in the evenings at certain times of the year. These are great for a more romantic occasion, and some real old fashioned train fun as you race down the tracks to your destination! Since these rides are at night, you won’t get to see very much detail of the surrounding cliffs or countryside but the night rides are definitely for different reasons. The Rocky Mountain News chose the Royal Gorge CO dinner train as the best in Colorado on several occasions.

The day train ride on the Royal Gorge Route Railway takes you on a 24 mile round trip excursion through a few very small towns and wilderness areas, and it’s amazing that there are still so many open and natural areas left in the U.S.! You have various options that you can choose from as far as what type of car you ride in, different classes, and different meal arrangements. They have fine chefs onboard, and you can choose from several fine wines or beverages also.

Nearby Royal Gorge CO is the famous Pikes Peak mountain at over 14,000 feet, which is the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful”. At the top, you can see the surrounding area for miles and miles, and is incredibly majestic as you would expect. The best way to get to the top is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which is the steepest cog train in the world. You will see many varieties and different types of animals in the wilderness along the way up and down, including bighorn sheep, elk, black bear, deer, marmots, and maybe even Bigfoot! It’s a great attraction in the Colorado Springs area, so don’t miss it.

I hope I’ve inspired some of you to plan your next vacation to this marvelous state so that you can see the many wonders and sights there, including the Royal Gorge Railway. Get out and experience life a little more, break out of your rut and walk on the wild side! Royal Gorge CO is just the place to develop a richer interest in the outdoors, and I hope you visit. Have fun!

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