Broadmoor Bluffs - Colorado Springs, CO

The Ute, Arapaho and Cheyenne Native American tribes enjoyed the dry climate and healing mineral springs long before Zebulon Pike arrived and "discovered" his namesake peak. With the gold and silver strikes in the 1860s, the region supported thousands of lusty miners, but in 1971, Union General William Palmer established Colorado Springs as a resort community of particular interest to those suffering from tuberculosis.

Museums abound in the area with interests for every member of your family — aviation, figure skating, fire trucks, carriages, tropical insects and regional history and provide hours of entertainment and education. Memorial Park hosts an annual balloon festival, and local artisans present their wares during fairs and festivals.

Although there are no restaurants located within Broadmoor Bluffs neighborhood, centrally located restaurants dot major close-by thoroughfares including CO-115 — the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway — Nevada Avenue and I-25.

Southern barbecue aficionados flock to Front Range Barbeque on West Colorado Avenue to enjoy smokehouse-style, home-cooked Cajun fare featuring all-natural beef and a friendly Southern hospitality. Tuck into the riblet basket, drool over the duck wings with dipping sauce or dig into the chicken and Andouille sausage jambalya. A touch of Tex-Mex rounds out the menu with homemade pork green chili served with cheddar corn bread muffins. Draft beer, Belgian brew and Scandinavian grog set you up for a rocking good time, especially when live reggae, rock and country bands appear.

The Black Bear Coffee & Tea Lodge extends an invitation to enjoy a light lunch of sandwiches, such as the Carson Club with a side of chips and a big, juicy pickle, washed down with refreshing orange-and-cinnamon iced tea or coffee. A fully stocked pastry cabinet, stuffed with mouthwatering handmade treats, beckons enchantingly for a sweet, satisfying ending to a comfortable, enjoyable luncheon.

With five military installations nearby, including the Air Force Academy, and students from seven area universities, colleges and tech schools, nightlife in Colorado Springs presents a young and lively face. The Green Line Grill on Pueblo Avenue features a simple, clean environment with a totally affordable menu. The signature burger, the El Reno-style Onion "Fried" burger, blends sweet onions with all-natural beef paired up with sweet mustard slaw on the side. This eatery remembers vegetarians and kids with veggie burgers and hand-cut fries. On concert nights at the round-the-corner Zodiac venue, the grill remains open for late-night attendees.

Colorado Springs master planners take transportation seriously, and the city proffers an extensive bus system, highlighted with a no-cost paratransit system available to those unable to navigate the fixed-stop system. In addition to regular bus service throughout the city, the Mountain Metro Transit system delivers riders to the outlaying areas surrounding Colorado Springs, including west to Manitou Springs, east to Peterson Air Force Base, Chapel Hills to the north and Widefield south of the city.

Taxis and Uber serves Broadmoor Bluffs, although being "off the beaten path" may delay arrival times. Most residents commute to work in automobiles, either singly or in car or vanpools. However, public transportation hubs are located within the neighborhood.

The downtown corridor augments parking with inexpensive lots that charge between $4 and $6 per day, with lower monthly rates available. In addition, city streets feature over 2,400 parking meters in the business districts. Easy access to major highways makes Broadmoor Bluffs appealing, as does the well-planned sidewalk mapping for comfortable walking and warning signage for drivers alerting them to cyclists in the dedicated biking lanes.

Step out your front door and step into heaven at the Bear Creek Nature Center just north of Broadmoor Bluffs. Fragrant pine-scented forests and abundant foothill wildlife greet children and adults alike in this admission-free recreation area. The two miles of self-guided nature trails prohibit pets, but they are more than welcome on regional trails that are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Downtown Memorial Park hosts an annual balloon festival. Along with an ice rink, the 40,000-square-foot-area contains a world-class competitive skateboard park that earned several special honors, including a "destination state park." The Colorado Springs Gazette dubbed Memorial Park the "best" for six consecutive years.

The cost of housing in Broadmoor Bluffs remains significantly higher than other areas in Colorado Springs, but the neighborhood shares similar costs with the city in every other way. Public transportation costs less than $2 one-way, or about $4 for an unlimited day pass, which is ideal when visiting several shopping areas or other venues via bus service on a Saturday. Unlimited 31-day and 20-day options also reduce the daily cost.

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Broadmoor Bluffs averages $841 monthly. The typical cost of a draft beer is $3.50, with microbrews and imported beers ranging up to $5.50. Gas in the area remains about 1 percent below the national average.

Broadmoor Bluffs hosts no shopping venues in the small enclave, but Colorado Springs extends plenty of shopping, including the nearby Cheyenne Mountain Shopping Center, an open-air, multiple store and restaurant venue with theaters and the World Arena Ice House. A short 18-minute drive to University Village Colorado provides anchor stores such as Lowe's, Kohl's, and Costco as well as picnic areas, outdoor plazas, and access to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail system.

Shop for designer clothing and accessories at the Broadmoor Town Center stores, such as the Boutique Shop at the Broadmoor, or find the ultimate hiking and fly-fishing accessories and excursion options at Incline Base Camp. Let your inner chef rejoice at the superb collection of cookware, gadgets and gourmet foods at the Cheyenne Gourmet.

Convenient grocery stores include Safeway, Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's, and Walmart.