Colorado Springs, CO

I used to live there but I have no ideas on hotels - google Colorado Springs lodging there are so many different kinds of places to stay from cheap to expensive.

Things to do...first get your hiking boots on! Everything to do in Colorado is done outside and most likely will require walking or hiking. Garden of the Gods is awesome! So many picture moments are there. There are a ton of trails right off the highway going up into the mountains - beautiful places to see. Drive up to Pike's Peak - that is at least a half day gig, but well worth it. You will need good breaks on your car - they have break check points on the way down to make sure they aren't burning. Manitou Springs is a quaint little town next to the Springs - great restaurants and shopping. Old Colorado City is another small town next to the Springs - great shopping, so many different types of artists have shops there and there are good restaurants too. There is the Pike Peak Cog Railway - http://www.cograilway.com/ You could always head to a mountain town like Cripple Creek for a little gambling or to Glenwood Springs (a little far but well worth it if yo have the time) to get into the hot springs. The Air Force Academy is in the Springs - that's fun to go see, you can drive through or stop at some of the buildings - it's all public, at least it was before 9/11.

You will not be bored and will find plenty to do.! Have a great time!

The Focus on the Family Center is there in Colorado Springs. My kids listen to the Adventures in Odyssey radio show every chance they get that Focus on the Family does. There is a AinO area inside that is totally free!! Lots of things for the kids to do and look at inside, and there is a Whit's End Ice Cream Shop where you could eat lunch and get ice cream pretty inexpensively. There is a 3 story inside slide too, although I can't remember the age limit for it. Here is a link to tell a little more http://www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us/welcome-center.aspx
When we went the ages of my children were 10, 8,8,6,2 and they all had a blast! Hope that helps.
Alison
PS: We also went to Garden of the Gods, it is absolutely gorgeous!!

We spent a couple days in Colo. Springs during our Colorado vacation in April 2009 - at the time we had one child 18 months old. I can't give hotel recommendations because we camped. I really enjoyed Garden of the Gods. We also went up Pikes Peak but couldn't go all the way because of snow. I think it'd be a nice place for you to go.

OMG You will LOVE it and so will your 3yo especially if she loves the outdoors :)
We got back from there about 3weeks ago and I so want to go back!!
I can't agree with Momma11 more - so many many things to do and definately bring hiking boots/good walking shoes. I will though say drink LOTS of water before going and while you are there b/c of Altitude Sickness (Hydration helps TONS) - I used Acli-Mate (it is on the web) as a product to help prevent the Altitude Sickness and it helped :)

My husband went to college there (Air Force Academy) so we go back often to visit. We LOVE it there and have even discussed settling in C-Springs once he retires from the AF. We generally stay with a good family friend so I don't have hotel recommendations BUT its a great vacation place with lots to see and do. Pikes Peak, Garden of the God's and Crested Butte come to mind if you're the outdoorsy type. Also, Denver and Boulder are only an hour or so away and have tons of things to do. If you like tea, the Celestial Seasonings tea factory in Boulder is fun. Enjoy- its beautiful there!