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Garden of the Gods Trading Post Peppermint Fudge
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The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is a retail heaven with the largest selection of t-shirts, mugs, and locally-made art in the region. But the allure doesn't end with its vast array of merchandise. The architecture, history, cafe, coffee bar and one of the best patios in the state, make it the perfect stop for your whole crew!

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More than 25,000 square feet of space greet you upon your entrance, a vast location loaded with unique items, gifts and souvenirs simply not found anywhere else. In fact, the Garden of the Gods Trading Post boasts more than 90,000 different items, each competitively priced so you can maximize your shopping budget (hello Christmas list!).

Over at the Balanced Rock Café, you can enjoy a cool treat from Colorado City Creamery or fill up on rich and hearty portions of delicious hot meals like their famous buffalo cheeseburger, crispy chicken fingers or a ¼ pound hot dog. If that’s not your thing, they also have some tasty vegan options so you can dine no matter what dietary restrictions you might have. There’s also fresh-popped popcorn and homemade fudge that’s made in-house in a variety of flavors. Starbucks coffee is served daily, so feel free to warm up with a latte in the winter and cool off with a Frappuccino in the summer.

The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is also home to a stunning collection of Native American jewelry, art, pottery and textiles, which reflects its 94-year history as the place to shop in the Pikes Peak region for Native American wares. In fact, the Trading Post was created in 1929 by Charles E. Strausenback as a place for visitors to find the best of southwestern culture, with famous artists like Awa Tsireh selling jewelry and art there. (Tsireh also painted some of the murals you’ll find in the shop today.)

If relaxation is more your scene, it’s a great place to chill out and read a book surrounded by beautiful Colorado scenery and the backdrop of the Garden of the Gods. The Garden of the Gods Trading Post patio cannot be beat for an al fresco lunch or an afternoon reading break in the sunshine.

More than a store, the Garden of the Gods Trading Post offers visitors of all types an experience they won’t forget — and will want to repeat.

Things to know

Free
Hours

8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Daily

Average time

1-2 hours

Exertion level
Attraction type

FAQs

NO WAY! They love all well-behaved four-legged family members at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Please keep them on a leash and clean up after them.

The front room was built in 1929, but the original owner sold hand carved trinkets at a small stand near the Kissing Camels starting in 1910, when he was only 12 years old! Since then, the Garden of the Gods Trading Post has been owned by only two families.

The Balanced Rock Cafe offers burgers (including their famous Buffalo Burger), sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Be sure to try the house-made chips! The Kissing Camels Coffee Shop serves a wide selection of Starbuck’s coffee and drinks, ice-cream from the Old Colorado City Creamery, and several other desserts. In the main part of the store, you’ll find 30 different flavors of fudge that are made in-house, and a huge selection of local jams, jellies, hot-sauces and candies.

Location

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