Welcome to Colorado Springs, one of the country’s top destinations for Western vibes and breathtaking mountain views. Just South of Denver, “The Springs” (that’s what the locals call it) mixes small-town charm with scenic bucket-list adventures, adding epic hikes, ghost towns, and chuckwagon ranch dinners to your camera roll. There’s so much to do in Colorado Springs, and since it’s a popular road trip stop, there’s a decent number of tourist traps and novelties that aren’t worth your time.
I used to live in Colorado Springs, and have played “tour guide” for many friends and family members in the city over the years. In this weekend getaway guide, I’ve cut out the over-hyped spots and expensive tourist traps to give you an authentic weekend you’ll write home about. Check off each spot to experience Colorado Springs like the locals do.
Chapters
- Coffee and Breakfast Sandwiches at Switchback
- Explore Garden of the Gods
- Have Tea at Glen Eyrie Castle
- Drive Up Gold Camp Road
- Get Dinner in Downtown Colorado Springs
- Grab Breakfast and Coffee at Bird Tree Cafe
- Hike the Manitou Incline or Drive Pike’s Peak
- See the Sights in Manitou Springs
- Hike to Paradise Cove or the Interpretive Paint Mines
- Enjoy a Chuckwagon Dinner and Show at Flying W Ranch
How to Spend a Weekend in Colorado Springs (Day 1 Itinerary)
Day 1 (Morning): Coffee and Breakfast Sandwiches at Switchback
I will visit Colorado Springs just to get a drink from Switchback Coffee Roasters (it’s one of my favorite spots in Colorado). Their Shook’s Run location is nestled in the historic housing district right outside downtown Colorado Springs, so you’ll be close to activities, but feel tucked away from crowds. While you’re there, choose from a menu of farm-to-table breakfast bites that will keep you full for a day of mountain adventures.
Day 1 (Morning): Explore Garden of the Gods
My travel philosophy is to enjoy the highly-rated spots at the beginning of the trip. That way, the energy battery is full, and you can circle back to places you really enjoy, instead of wishing you had more time. This philosophy applies to both nature and ice cream.
Anyway, Garden of the Gods is even more spectacular in person than in social media pictures. The red rock cliffsides framing America’s Mountain, Pike’s Peak, are worth your undivided attention. When you visit, think of Garden of the Gods as a mini National Park. It’s free to enter and open to the public, and it will test your patience after 9:00 AM. I recommend you enjoy the park early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or in the wintertime to appreciate its nature without the tourist chaos.
You’ll enter through the Visitor’s Center and drive a one-way road that loops around the park. It either dumps you out at Manitou Springs or allows you to re-enter the park and drive the whole thing over again. As soon as you enter, look for mountain goats (they love the grassy areas near the road). Turn in at the Central Garden Trail to see popular rock formations and enjoy the heart of the park (there’s an easy hike here that’s paved). Then pick a trail hike, like Siamese Twins, where you can view Pike’s Peak through a rock window.
Day 1 (Afternoon): Tea at Glen Eyrie Castle
A hidden gem right outside of Garden of the Gods is Glen Eyrie Castle. It’s a real Tudor-style castle owned by The Navigators, and it’s open for scheduled tours, high tea, and overnight stays. Tea is a popular Colorado Springs activity, so you’ll need to make reservations well in advance.
When you enter the castle, you’ll be welcomed into an open breakfast room with beautifully set tables. The tea lasts a little more than two hours with multiple courses ranging from soup, salad, and sandwiches to homemade scones and jam for dessert. The meals are chosen based on a seasonal menu and sourced from local ingredients. You can even request a gluten-free option (although the kitchen isn’t certified for celiac). Bring your cutest dress and camera, and be ready to take photos with your tea, tour the castle grounds, and enjoy Garden of the Gods views in a quiet pocket of the park.
Day 1 (Afternoon): Drive Up Gold Camp Road
I’m a sucker for a good view and a little mining history, and Gold Camp Road has both. It was originally built during the gold rush to haul ore from Victor to Colorado Springs, and driving the dirt road transports you back in time. You’ll find Gold Camp Road in the Pike National Forest, where there are plenty of roadside pull-offs for hiking, biking, and photos. The highlight of your trip up the side of the mountain is the historic tunnels, built in the 1800s with dynamite and mining tools. These tunnels are unlike anything we see on modern road builds, and they’re said to be haunted.
Gold Camp Road isn’t paved, but much of the road is accessible without Four Wheel Drive. Expect the drive to be bumpy, and always check road conditions for washouts and snow before you go. It’s closed during the winter, and anytime there’s inclement weather. Bring your camera, check your brakes, and don’t stay up there after dark.
Day 1 (Evening): Get Dinner in Downtown Colorado Springs
Everyone will tell you to visit Old Colorado City or Manitou Springs for the downtown charm, and the truth is, there are more downtown areas here than you can realistically visit. My recommendation is to pick the one that’s closest to your hotel or that has the best restaurants. The modern Colorado Springs downtown area has plenty of charm and delicious bites, and it’s usually where I go. The food is generally better and cheaper than you’ll find in the more touristy areas. My favorite spots are The Rabbit Hole (underground dinner and cocktails), Red Gravy (Italian), Odyssey Gastropub (comfort food), and White Pie (pizza and salad).
How to Spend a Weekend in Colorado Springs (Day 2 Itinerary)
Day 2 (Morning): Grab Breakfast and Coffee at Bird Tree Cafe
Another day, another strong breakfast. Your body burns more carbs when you’re at altitude, so make sure you start adventures with a hearty breakfast and plenty of hydration. I love Bird Tree Cafe, Urban Egg, or Wayfinder Cafe.
Day 2 (Morning): Hike the Manitou Incline or Drive Pike’s Peak
These are both peak Colorado Springs activities, and I’m recommending either/or based on your fitness level. The Manitou Incline is a famous hike that you’ll see from the road when you drive into Manitou Springs (look for it on the side of the mountain). In less than a mile, you’ll conquer nearly 3,000 stairs and 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s no joke, and not a hike you should do if you haven’t spent a bit of time at altitude.
You’ll start the incline from Manitou Springs, and you’ll need to book reservations. Completing the incline is a brag-worthy event and something you’ll tell all your friends about when you head home.
On the other hand, visiting the top of Pike’s Peak is equally impressive. You can either take the Cog Railway Train (tickets start at $70) or drive to the top of the mountain yourself. Pike’s Peak inspired America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates and the phrase “Pike’s Peak or bust,” a motivational quote used during the gold rush. On a clear day, you can see five different states from the top (New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma) and the curvature of the Earth. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot plenty of high-altitude wildlife on your way up.
If you drive to the top of Pike’s Peak, you need to abide by all 14,000-foot mountain rules. Drink so much water. Don’t leave your car during a storm. Leave early in the morning and come back down by mid-afternoon. Have multiple designated drivers in case someone gets altitude sickness. And expect park rangers to check your brakes on the way down.
Day 2 (Afternoon): See the Sights in Manitou Springs
On your way down from the mountains, you’ll land in Manitou Springs. This is a historic downtown at the base of Pike’s Peak and a fun place to enjoy some relaxed time. There’s a famous penny arcade where you can play vintage games, naturally carbonated water springs to explore, and the Miramont Castle that’s open for day tours. It’s easy to walk through the town and admire art, buy souvenirs, and enjoy some lunch all within an hour or so.
Day 2 (Afternoon): Hike to Paradise Cove or Enjoy the Paint Mines Interpretive Park
No trip to Colorado Springs is complete without a visit to its magnificent nature, and there’s so much beauty to experience outside of the city. I suggest you choose either Paradise Cove or the Interpretive Paint Mines (both about an hour drive from Colorado Springs).
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is free to enter and features colorful hoodoos and spires that are unique to this part of Colorado. Erosion over time has chipped away at the walls of the small canyon, revealing stripes of colorful rock and clay that were once used by Native Americans to make paint. There are trails inside the park, where you get a full view of all the colorful layers of rock. You can also hike the trail above the canyon for an overhead view.
The Paint Mines are in a more rural part of Colorado, and you will need to drive on a dirt road to get there. That said, there’s no need for Four Wheel Drive. Just be mindful as you drive and bring plenty of water and snacks for your adventure.
If you’re a thrill seeker, Paradise Cove is a local swimming hole where you can escape the summer heat and try your luck at cliff jumping. You’ll get there by paying a small $6 fee and hiking a short, mile-long trail to get there. During the weekend, Paradise Cove can be a little crowded, so I recommend you go during the week. Bring a picnic, plenty of water, and prepare for cold (but refreshing) water temperatures.
The cove is near the Florissant Fossil Beds, Hornbek Homestead, and the mining town of Cripple Creek. If you have extra time in the area, add these stops for some Colorado mining history.
Day 2 (Evening): Enjoy a Chuckwagon Dinner Show at Flying W Ranch
Put this cowboy-style dinner on your Colorado bucket list and finish your weekend getaway on a high note. Flying W Ranch is located right outside of Garden of the Gods on a 1,400-acre cattle ranch. With your dinner ticket, you’ll get smoked brisket and Dutch oven biscuits after learning how to cattle rope. While the tickets are a little pricey ($69), they include a dinner performance, axe throwing, a train ride, and a meet-and-greet with the ranch animals.
More Colorado Travel: 10 Colorado Small Towns to Visit
Pack the organic snacks, put someone with good music taste in the passenger seat, and gas up for your Colorado road trip. Here’s my list of can’t-miss Colorado small towns for the true rugged mountain experience, away from all the chaos of Denver and Colorado Springs.
Letters to explore
Little comforts for your busy life
