Go There: A Weekend Getaway to Colorado Springs
Welcome to “Go There,” a Livability.com series about travel and how to maximize your time in some of our favorite cities. Today, we’re headed to Colorado Springs, CO.
Roughly 70 miles from Denver, a city that often steals the spotlight, Colorado Springs is a hidden gem offering a unique blend of mountain adventure and urban charm. Over the years, this mountain hideaway has gained notoriety, and the city’s population has grown nearly 70 percent since 1992. It is expected to surpass Denver’s by 2050. And it’s easy to see why! Colorado Springs recently earned a spot on Livability’s 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live list, partly due to the city’s high scores in the housing and cost of living, transportation and education categories.
But thanks to the Pikes Peak region’s long and varied list of things to see and do, it is also a popular place to visit. Colorado Springs is the perfect destination for a memorable weekend getaway with its stunning natural beauty, family-friendly attractions and thriving culinary scene.
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Where to Stay in Colorado Springs, CO
The Broadmoor, situated on 3,000 immaculately landscaped acres at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, is known for its bounty of amenities and doting hospitality. In fact, it’s one of only three AAA Five Diamond Hotels in Colorado. The 105-year-old resort has 20 restaurants, bars and cafes, a spa, three pools and two golf courses, making it a destination in and of itself. Book a West Premier room for views of paddle-boat-dotted Cheyenne Lake or the Rocky Mountains, or splurge on a lakeside suite.
For those longing for a more rustic experience, consider one of the property’s Wilderness Experiences. The all-inclusive Cloud Camp, housed in Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose’s wilderness lodge 3,000 feet above the resort, pairs outdoor activities (think: guided hikes and mule rides) with upscale accommodations and a swanky Colorado-inspired food and beverage program.
If you prefer to stay in downtown Colorado Springs, make Kinship Landing your home base. The boutique hotel debuted in 2020 and has suites, trendy bunk rooms (including private and hostel-forward shared options) and an urban camping option. That means you can slumber in a plush king bed or bring your own tent to sleep on a private “camp deck” amid sights of the surrounding mountains.
The recently refurbished Mining Exchange is another option downtown near popular attractions such as the Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The property, built in 1902 as a stock exchange for local mining companies, honors its roots and Colorado Springs’ mountain landscape with touches such as the antique piano in the lobby and guest rooms decorated with leather and botanical accents.
What to Do in Colorado Springs, CO
Whether you’re an animal lover or have kids in tow (or both), the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a must-visit. The 146-acre wildlife park offers tons of opportunities to interact with wild creatures, including penguins, elephants, goats and giraffes. It has one of North America’s largest herds of giraffes, who live among lions, zebras, monkeys and hogs in the African Rift Valley, one of the zoo’s many habitats.
Colorado Springs — home to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the organization’s training center and two dozen national governing bodies — is known as Olympic City USA. Delve into the history of Team USA at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum, which opened in 2020 and has 12 galleries of exhibits across 60,000 square feet. See the complete collection of Olympic torches and learn all about the inductees of the legendary Hall of Fame, including boxer Muhammad Ali and figure skater Peggy Fleming.
There are many options for visitors who want to explore Colorado Springs’ Rocky Mountain landscape. Garden of the Gods, a National Natural Landmark, is one of the city’s most popular attractions. There, you can hike or walk among gravity-defying red-rock formations with glimpses of Pikes Peak in the background.
If you want to explore Pikes Peak — the 14,115-foot summit that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful” — options include a scenic cruise along the Pikes Peak Highway or a ride up the historic Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The latter reopened in 2021 after an extensive three-year renovation, which includes a new visitor center at the summit. Don’t miss the doughnuts, cooked in what is lauded as the “highest fryer in North America,” at the top.
Where to Eat & Drink in Colorado Springs, CO
It’s easy to eat and drink like a local in Colorado Springs because the city has so many delicious dining options. Even if you’re not staying at the resort, The Broadmoor is worth a stop for a meal. Book a table at the Summit Restaurant, where Chef de Cuisine Rocio Neyra Palmer serves a rotating lineup of polished contemporary American dishes and specialties inspired by her Peruvian roots. Start with the trio of ceviches, then dig into the tender beef tenderloin, presented atop potato purée with Hudson Valley foie gras.
While reservations are required for lunch, dinner and brunch at the Margarita on Pine Creek, the extra effort pays off. The family-owned stalwart has served elevated yet comforting American cuisine in the city for nearly 50 years. Get a table at brunch for shrimp and cheesy grits, country sausage eggs Benedict and other decadent early-day specialties.
For the ultimate modern culinary experience, consider a meal at The Studio, the newest concept from local restaurateur Brother Luck (of Bravo’s Top Chef fame). His intimate downtown Colorado Springs restaurant prepares rotating multi-course menus with cocktail or wine pairings for groups of 24 diners at a time. On North Tejon Street, you can also visit Four by Brother Luck, his original concept and a local go-to for farm-to-table bites.
Where to Spend Happy Hour in Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado has a hefty population of craft brewers and distillers, and there are tons of venues to taste their innovation in Colorado Springs. Seeking refreshing suds? Duck into Phantom Canyon Brewing Company, also known for its sprawling outdoor patio, and Bristol Brewing Company, where you can sip hazy IPAs and saisons in a refurbished elementary school. Or if you’re craving something stiffer, Lee Spirits Company serves delicious gin cocktails in a speakeasy-style tasting room called Brooklyns on Boulder. Or Distillery 291 produces award-winning small-batch bourbons and whiskeys, which you can sample in a tasting room outfitted with Wild West furnishings (we recommend the Whiskarita).
Where to Shop in Colorado Springs, CO
Ninety percent of the stores in downtown Colorado Springs are locally owned and operated, so you can support the city’s small businesses while indulging in some retail therapy. The area, which encompasses Tejon Street and Cascade Avenue, is lined with shops and boutiques selling everything from clothing and outdoor gear to home decor.
Hunt for stylish finds at Coralun Vintage and The Local Honey Collective and souvenirs made by local artisans at Rocky Mountain Soap Market and Eclectic Co. Then stop for a sweet treat at Cacao Chemistry, where the shelves are stocked with bars, truffles and bark made with French chocolate and gummies, licorice and other confections. Or pick up some croissants from Provision Bread and Bakery, where owners Brandon DelGrosso and Trista Heileman (also the baker) sell scones, cookies, hand pies and other goodies produced with organic and regeneratively farmed grain.
Local Obsession in Colorado Springs, CO
Tackling the Manitou Incline, a 2,744-step trek that climbs 2,000 feet in elevation in under 1 mile, is a rite of passage for hikers who reside in Colorado and beyond. More than 70,000 visitors from ages 7 to 70 tackle the incline every year. Those who reach the 6,550-foot summit are rewarded with vast mountain and forest views (and major bragging rights). The hike is located in Manitou Springs, about 8 miles from downtown Colorado Springs, and reservations are required (they’re free and available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily).
Looking for even more weekend travel inspiration?
Check out “Go There,” a Livability.com series about travel and how to maximize your time in some of our favorite cities.