Colorado Springs Travelers Recommend

With three days to spend in Colorado Springs, gateway to the Front Range mountains, you’ll have enough time to see its iconic natural attractions, get a feel for local culture around town, and get out of town to see the Royal Gorge. Read on for tips on how to make the most of your three days in Colorado Springs.

Day 1: Great Outdoors

A vast majority of travelers to Colorado Springs come for its abundant natural attractions and outdoor recreational opportunities, and today you’ll sample some of the best. Get an early start for a trip to the top of Pikes Peak, the most famous fourteener in Colorado. Join a guided tour to drive up to the top, or hop aboard the historic cog railway. Active travelers might opt for some front-country hiking in the Pikes Peak area. Grab lunch in artsy Manitou Springs, then head to Garden of the Gods to take in the impressive red sandstone formations. Get off the beaten path on a Jeep tour, zip around the Juniper Loop on a Segway, or practice rock climbing with an experienced local guide. If you haven’t had enough by the time the sun goes down, make your way to nearby Seven Falls for dinner overlooking the illuminated cascades. 

Day 2: Colorado Culture

This morning, learn a bit more about the history of Colorado Springs and its colorful characters during a Segway tour around town. Glide through beautiful Cheyenne Cañon and past the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, Starsmore Discovery Center, Penrose House, Pauline Chapel, and the Penrose Heritage Museum. Some tours also include the Broadmoor and Pine Grove areas. Alternatively, consider heading out on an app-guided scavenger hunt, where you’ll learn about the area’s history and culture while searching for clues and completing challenges. In the afternoon, practice the art of Mexican cooking during an in-home cooking class. 

Day 3: Royal Gorge

Head farther afield today to see one of Colorado’s most spectacular regions, the Royal Gorge. Walk across the gorge on the highest suspension bridge in the United States, ride over the gorge in an aerial gondola, or spend an exhilarating day rafting down the Arkansas River between the gorge’s towering walls. Once back in town, freshen up and head to historic Tejon Street in downtown for dinner and some drinks, perhaps sampling Mexican food or a local steak.

Colorado’s second-largest city and one of America’s first destination resorts, Colorado Springs is part college town, part outdoor adventurer’s playground, and 100 percent beautiful. While you could easily spend a week or more exploring the Front Range, here are some suggestions if you only have a day in town. 

Morning: Pikes Peak

Colorado’s famous fourteener, Pikes Peak doubles as Colorado Springs’ most popular attraction and a must on any visit. Get an early start for a tour to the top of one of the highest points in the Rocky Mountains, or, if you prefer to travel independently, ride the historic cog railway to the top to soak up the views. Stop in the artsy town of Manitou Springs at the base of Pikes Peak for lunch and a bit of window shopping before continuing on to your afternoon adventures.

Afternoon: Garden of the Gods

The red sandstone cathedral spires and towering monoliths of Garden of the Gods date back around 300 million years. Spend some time this afternoon exploring this registered National Natural Landmark. Take an open-air Jeep tour to visit remote areas that few visitors get to see, zip around the Juniper Loop on a Segway as you learn more about the red rock formations, or see the Garden of the Gods from new heights by signing up for a rock-climbing lesson, suitable for beginner or intermediate climbers. 

Night: Downtown Barhop

A day spent outdoors has probably worked up an appetite, so this evening, head to Downtown Colorado Springs for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants. You’ll find options for Mexican, steak, and Continental cuisine to suit all tastes. If you still have energy to burn, pop in to a local brewery for a Colorado craft beer, or make your way to Tejon Street for a late-night barhop. No matter where the night takes you, remember to make a toast to a day well spent. 

While Colorado Springs may be best-known as a gateway to outdoor adventure in Colorado’s Front Range, it also packs plenty of cultural appeal in its own right. With two days to spend in the area, you’ll have time to see the star natural attractions and spend some time exploring town. Here’s how.

Day 1: Around Town

**Morning:**Get an early start this morning to see Colorado Springs from a different perspective, aboard a hot-air balloon. There’s no better way to get an overview of the region’s scenic beauty than from above, where you’ll get spectacular views of Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods, and the rocky mountains. Finish off your experience with a Champagne breakfast back on solid ground.

**Afternoon:**Now that you’ve seen Colorado Springs from above, see it from street level. Explore on your own, or, for a fun alternative, opt for an app-guided scavenger hunt that takes you through downtown searching for clues, answering trivia questions, and performing challenges. 

**Night:**This evening, make your way to historic Tejon Street, home to some of the oldest buildings in Colorado Springs, for a night out on the down. Pick one of the many area restaurants for dinner, complemented by a cold Colorado-brewed beer.

Day 2: Great Outdoors

**Morning:**Today is all about exploring the natural wonders of Colorado Springs, starting with Colorado’s most famous summit, Pikes Peak. Take a guided tour to the top of this iconic fourteener, or travel on your own by riding the historic cog railway to the top. Either way, the views can’t be beat. 

**Afternoon:**This afternoon you’ll have time to explore another star attraction, the majestic Garden of the Gods. You have several options for touring the area, including by Jeep, Segway, or on a rock-climbing tour (suitable for both beginner or intermediate climbers).

**Night:**This evening, head to the neighboring town of Manitou Springs, an artsy community at the base of Pikes Peak, for dinner and a stroll. Be sure to taste test the water from the eight different mineral springs—all open to the public—to see which one’s best.