Top places to visit on a weekend trip to the Springs
After living in Colorado Springs for about 13 years, I've been gone for about a year now. In February I had the opportunity to go back and visit, and bonus, I got to show my husband around (this was his first trip to Colorado). While we didn't have a chance to visit all of the locations listed, here are the top places I recommend you visit on a weekend trip to the Springs.
Garden of the Gods
Possibly one of the most popular places to visit in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark that offers fun and unique sights and experiences all year round. We visited mid-February right after a snowstorm swept through town. Rain, shine, or snow, Garden of the Gods is always worth the visit. With trails running throughout, you can walk, hike, bike, segway and even horseback ride through the park. The main sights to see are the giant sandstone rock formations that bring both awe and wonder. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, this place is a photographer's playing ground. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even take advantage of rock climbing up these amazing rocks (you must have a local climbing permit). Garden of the Gods is free, open to the public, and is one of the most popular destinations in town for good reason.
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
My husband's favorite place we visited while in town was the Penny Arcade. Located in downtown Manitou Springs, it's a fun attraction offering vintage and new arcade games throughout. Some costing the same penny they once did back in the day, and some ranging up to $1.50 per game. It's a fun place to take photos, play some games you might not have ever seen before (or might not have seen since you were a kid), and be taken back to that old-school vibe. Vintage soda machines, machine coin-operated cars and animals for kids to ride in, and tons of pinball machines are just some of the fun things you'll find scattered throughout the different game rooms here. It's open all year-round and offers games both indoors and outdoors (they will not run some of the games, or will keep some of the rooms closed, if the weather drops below a certain temperature, so plan accordingly).
Manitou is a small town that's easily walkable and has some cute and charming shops, so be sure to check out the rest of the town while you're there. Parking throughout Manitou is mostly paid parking with both street paid parking and paid parking lots scattered throughout. You'll also be near the base of Pikes Peak, so if you're feeling adventurous you can take a hike up the famous incline at the base of the mountain (weather permitting & reservations required). Or check out the options to drive or even ride a cog railway up to the peak. Even if you don't have a chance to visit the base in Manitou, during your visit to Colorado Springs you'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the beautiful sight of Pikes Peak and capture some amazing photos.
Cave of the Winds
The Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is located near Manitou Springs just outside of Colorado Springs. It's one of the highest caves in the United States. It's located above the Williams Canyon. With cave tours offered year-round, it's a fun family-friendly way to explore the natural wonders of the cave. The tour takes you along walkways and stairs into 15 different rooms of the cave. We've taken my nephew when he was still a baby and my sister was able to carry him through the cave, but it wasn't the easiest experience. They recommend baby front carriers and do not allow baby backpack carriers or strollers. While doable to carry a baby with you, I'd recommend going with children that can manage the walk and stairs as it can be strenuous to carry a baby through the whole tour. The park also has some fun attractions you can enjoy before or after touring and exploring the cave such as a ropes course, playground, ziplining, and an exhilarating free-fall swing ride that goes over the canyon. They also offer a cafe that you can eat at while waiting for your cave tour to start, or that you can enjoy after. With so many activities, the park offers a full day of adventure.
Downtown Colorado Springs/Ice Skating & Cacao Chemistry
Colorado Springs is a quickly growing city, but the charm of their downtown remains. Stroll and check out their fun boutiques, explore their bookshops, enjoy the different restaurants, go ice skating (if you go in the winter), and be sure to stop by my personal favorite shop, the Cacao Chemistry. Located on Tejon St., this small chocolate shop is a must-visit for me anytime I go downtown. The owner and staff are super friendly, the quality of their chocolate is amazing, and they offer many other goodies like truffles, tea, delicious macaroons, local art showcase, and more. My personal favorites are the raspberry macaroons and Valrhona Raspberry Inspiration Vegan White Chocolate. If you choose to stop by, be sure to check out their amazing rewards program as well, and you can start earning goodies like free chocolate bark and points to use towards your next purchase! (This is not an ad, but it's just a local business that I have grown to love so much, so I had to highlight it).
Speakeasy Scene: Allusion, District Elleven, The Archives Underground
An unexpected surprise in downtown Colorado Springs is the vibrant speakeasy scene. If you're looking for a unique experience, be sure to check out one of these bars when visiting the Springs. Whether you drink alcohol or not, you'll find some amazing non-alcoholic handcrafted cocktails and some delicious eats at these speakeasies.
The Archives is an underground bar located inside of Colorado Craft that offers an intimate fancy setting with well-crafted cocktails and delicious eats (try out their pork green chili mac and cheese if you go!). I've only been once, but it was overall a pleasant time there.
District Elleven is a prohibition-era themed bar now located at the back of T-Byrds Tacos. For one of their entrances, you'll walk through a giant safe door to get in. Once inside, you'll feel transported back in time as the decor and even bartenders and wait staff outfits are fully in theme. Specializing in offering a wide selection of bourbon, this speakeasy has a wide range in cocktails and food (the speakeasy used to be located behind an amazing tapas bar, so now with the transition I am not sure what their food selection is like).
Lastly, and my personal favorite, is the Allusion cocktail bar. They currently have two locations in town, the one downtown is now located behind the Wobbly Olive (which also has 2 locations, so be sure you go to the right one when making reservations). Allusion offers an experience unlike any other as they have rotating themes in their bars that they fully embrace all throughout both in decor and in their cocktails that are specially curated to fit each theme. The length of time these themes stick around varies, but for the most up to date info on their current themes be sure to check them out on social media. Some previous themes they've done are 'Nightmare Before Christmas,' 'Star Wars,' 'Barbie,' and my personal favorite so far, 'The Lord of the Rings.' With each theme, as you enter the bar you feel like you are transported into these different realms.
With having two locations in town, the bar is able to offer dual themes, for example during their 'Barbie' theme, they had Barbie's Dream Bar at their location on Powers and Ken's Mojo Dojo Casa House downtown. While their cocktails are amazing and unique, they also offer food (I've never had the food there and their selection of food will be different now that they are located behind the Wobbly Olive). It's definitely an amazing spot to check out while in the Springs. If you're planning to go anytime soon, they are about to transition to a 'FRIENDS' theme! For updates on that transition check out their Facebook page.
*** Allusion does not require reservations, but the location is very small, so it's best to make a reservation online on their website. You will be required to put in your credit card and will be charged a fee if you are a no-show. ***
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
As far as zoos go, I don't typically include them in my visits to new places, but the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs has been ranked in the top five zoos in America for several years. Much like other zoos, they offer various experiences like animal feedings, carousel rides, a petting zoo, and they even have a Mountaineer Sky Ride that's a chairlift-style ride with views of the zoo, the mountain, and the city of Colorado Springs. What makes Cheyenne Mountain unlike other zoos is that it's actually on a mountainside. According to their website, it's America's only mountain zoo. It's a very nature-immersed experience. Be sure to be prepared for steep hills and walks as the walking paths do move with the landscape of the mountain. They do offer a golf cart shuttle to help get around the zoo (it costs $3 per person for the whole day). Overall, it's a fun way to be in nature and enjoy the many different species of animals there. Keep an eye out for themes like Boo at the Zoo during Halloween and Zoo Lights during the Christmas season for added fun.
Hiking
While hiking might seem like a given activity to do when visiting Colorado Springs, it still has to be mentioned on the list as it is one of the most popular activities for both residents and visitors alike. With so many trails located throughout the town and on the outskirts of town, you are sure to find one that matches your skill level and ambiance preference. My personal favorite hike to do is the Seven Bridges trail. It's a moderate-level hike that goes along a stream and, as the name suggests, crosses seven bridges along the way. It's a great option for a summer hike as well as it provides lots of shade throughout the hike. This is only one of the many amazing hiking locations. Colorado is known for its natural beauty, so be sure to spend some time outside taking in the sights and enjoying the crisp, fresh air.
Colorado Springs offers a wide range of attractions and activities. Some very budget-friendly and some at a cost, but whatever your budget and whatever your length of stay, you're sure to find something fun and memorable to do while visiting this beautiful city. Keep in mind the elevation when visiting, especially if you are coming from a town where the elevation is lower. Stay hydrated and allow your body to adjust that first day before pushing yourself too much with activities like hiking. I hope you get a chance to check out at least one of the locations/activities listed in this blog, and that you have an amazing time visiting the Springs!
Thank you so much for reading this blog! Have you visited any of these places before? Leave a comment below sharing which one was your favorite, or if you have a place you would add to the list, share that below! Subscribe below to stay up to date on all future travel posts! Follow the blog on social media @mindonthepath. Safe travels and happy reading!
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