Pulpit Rock - Colorado Springs, CO

The Colorado Springs area hosted miners during gold and silver strikes in the 1860s. The first narrow gauge railroad began in 1871, opening transportation and freight lanes to the east. Following World War II, Fort Carson Army Base called the region home, followed by the Air Force Academy, NORAD and three air force installations. The largest building spree in Pulpit Rock occurred between 1960 and 1989.

Get an up-close-and-personal glimpse of vintage planes from World War II, restored and flying, at the National Museum of WWII Aviation, and enjoy the artifacts and memorabilia from that historical era. Experience the excitement of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for area history, the children's museum and the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame, in addition to many summer festivals and art fairs.

One-of-a-kind restaurants catering to taste buds with Middle East vitality to down-home Cajun dapple the N. Academy route and U.S. Highway 85, allowing convenient accessibility from Pulpit Rock. This area flaunts a fondness for Tex-Mex cuisine and family owned Pueblo Viejo tenders authentic Mexican cooking served in contemporary, casual surroundings with a bright, cheerful color palette and Mexican decor. A bottomless, complimentary basket of warm tortilla chips and spicy homemade salsa begins your meal. From a large menu, classic Mexican dishes abound, such as crispy or soft chili rellenos or a huge beef burrito smothered with red chili sauce. Put out the fire in your mouth, and choose from 12 cold margarita selections at the full bar.

For incredible gluten-free, vegetarian or standard fare, check out the Heart of Jerusalem Cafe . Savor the Middle Eastern flavors of lamb, beef or chicken kabobs served with saffron rice and fresh pita bread. Add a flavor pop with iced or hot sage tea, Turkish coffee, and luscious, flaky, layered Baklava for dessert. The Heart of Jerusalem Cafe also caters to a child's palette with chicken nuggets, hamburgers, fries and cheesy quesadillas.

Nightlife is plentiful throughout the area from the gender-specific, no-attitudes-allowed Club Q to the sophisticated Mansion. Soak up some humor at Loonee’s Comedy Corner on N. Academy, presented by well-known as well as local comedians. For more stimulating live music and dancing, visit Copperhead Road Bar & Nightclub. This venue is not for the faint of heart but features a ripping good time and favors military personnel with no cover charges.

Pulpit Rock proffers safe sidewalk traffic throughout the neighborhood, with clearly marked bike lanes and related speed limit postings. Public transportation options, including the bus, a transit system and a complementary paratransit system for those unable to use standard bus services, flourish throughout the city. Nearly 84 percent of Pulpit Rock residents drive an average of 15 to 25 minutes to work rather than utilizing public transportation. A car becomes necessary to move smoothly to outlaying hiking and amusement areas. Alternative methods of transportation include taxi service and Uber.

In Pulpit Rock, public parking at the nearby University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus features reasonable hourly and daily rates, while over 2,400 city-owned parking meters and affordable lots surround the downtown area with daily rates ranging from $6 to $10 and monthly rentals available.

Over 15 neighborhood parks occupy the Pulpit Rock area. Amenities vary from park to park, but most sport baseball, football and soccer fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, tennis courts, trails, and recreation centers. Many tout in-line hockey courts, skateboard courses, playgrounds and picnic facilities. Neighborhood parks extend handicap accessibility, making these areas ideal for family outings for all ages and abilities. Pets are welcome, and free parking is abundant.

Pulpit Rock Park, the Austin Bluffs Open Space area and University Park combine for over 585 acres of trails, with the most developed trails near Pulpit Rock. Austin Bluffs proudly acknowledges the "unique" tag bestowed on it by the United States Forest Service for the unusual sandstone rock formations within in its boundaries.

The cost of living in Pulpit Rock remains slightly lower than Colorado Springs in general. The average 31-day pass costs slightly over $40, and daily bus riders pay under $2 per one-way trip. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in this neighborhood runs $760. The median price of beer in local restaurants and bars ranges from $3 to $5.50, and gas prices are approximately 1.2 percent lower than the national average.

Handy shopping in Pulpit Rock comes in the form of University Village Colorado, a giant mall combined with outdoor plazas, biking and hiking starting points with access to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail system, and an underground passage for pedestrians returning to the UCCS campus. Become a member of the UVC Running Club for direct access to the Greenway trail with 4- to 6-mile round-trip routes, and enjoy a shop and restaurant discount following your exercise session. Costco, Kohl's and Lowe's anchor the shopping mall.

Pulpit Rock sits near major grocery shopping chains such as Safeway, Albertson's, Trader Joe's, Costco, Walmart and King Soopers, but independent, specialty stores, such as Euro Market and Deli and the India Bazaar, present selective alternatives. Sprouts Farmers Market and whole foods serve the organic market.