Colorado Springs' Year-Round Outdoor Adventure

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Colorado Springs is the state’s second-largest city, but it’s first in the hearts of many visitors as a place of astonishing beauty with natural attractions, historic and geologic marvels in all directions. Spend a few days exploring the city and the communities that surround it, including Manitou Springs, Cripple Creek, Cascade, Florissant and Woodland Park.

Sustainability Activity
How to Give Back to These Special Places

Drop a few coins for Quarters for Conservation at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! By collecting quarters and other coins, the zoo funds new and existing wildlife-conservation projects.

Day
1
mineral springs tour photo
Activity
Manitou Springs Mineral Springs Tours
Taste the waters that brought Native Americans and early settlers here for centuries to “Take the Cure.” Enjoy a self guided tour anytime of the year…
Lunch
Crystal Park Cantina
Crystal Park Cantina is a unique, home-style Mexican restaurant in Manitou Springs serving delicious food made with the finest ingredients available.
Activity
Cave of the Winds
Cave tours, spectacular scenery, rides & activities from mild to wild. Discovered in 1881, a must-see Colorado attraction for travelers for more…
Dinner
Paravicini's
Paravicini's offers the city's best Italian, bar none! Lofty claim, yes, but the award-winning food and service backs it up!
Insider's Tip
Looking for Romance?

Paravicini's has a more intimate, upstairs tapas bar called Sopra.

Activity
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Explore architecture representing the Ancestral Puebloan culture (1100-1300 AD). Museum displaying artifacts. Retail store with Native American…
Lodging
Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
Best place to stay for cyclist & outdoor enthusiast.  100 year old lodge with bicycle themed rooms, walking distance to Garden of the Gods.  4…
Day
2
Breakfast
The Principal's Office
We simply love beverages, people, and the process of crafting phenomenal libations. Our goal is that each drink is presented in an environment…
Activity
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
Seven Falls, where authentic Colorado awaits. Envelope yourself in a geological wonder of seven distinct falls cascading down between steep canyon…
Insider's Tip
Don't Stop at the Top

There are a few different hikes at the top of Seven Falls. Take one to keep exploring the area.

Lunch
Restaurant 1858
Restaurant 1858 is a unique Broadmoor dining venue situated at the banks of Seven Falls. Taking its name from the Gold Rush era and the famous motto,…
Activity
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Colorado Springs is home to America's mountain zoo. Located at 6,800 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers breathtaking views of the…
Insider's Tip
Get to Know the Wildlife

Hand-feed giraffes, elephants and even a rhino at the zoo for an added fee.

Activity
Cheyenne Cañon Segways
While touring on a Segway X2, you see historic buildings, kinetic outdoor art, and the incredible scenic beauty of Cheyenne Cañon (even going off…
Lodging
The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel & Spa
The Mining Exchange, a Wyndham Grand Hotel & Spa is a boutique 4 Diamond hotel & spa located in downtown Colorado Springs; within walking distance…
Insider's Tip
Live History

Keep an eye out for the intact vaults inside The Mining Exchange, which was built in 1902 as a stock exchange for local mining companies.

Day
3
Breakfast
Marigold Cafe & Bakery
The upscale contemporary cuisine, coupled with Marigold's in-house bakery, has brought guests back time again for over 15 years.
Activity
PikeRide Bike Share
PikeRide, a community bike share program in downtown Colorado Springs, allowing visitors and locals to hop on a bike, ride to their destination, and…
Lunch
T Byrds Tacos & Tequila
Urban, Street Style Taco Bar in Downtown Colorado Springs.
Activity
Battlefield Colorado
Colorado's first and only outdoor laser tag adventure, rated 5-stars by virtually all our visitors, and winning the coveted Certificate of…
Dinner
Four by Brother Luck
The four corners region has been influenced by Western European, Spanish Colonial, Native American and Latin American cuisine. Brother Luck's…
Activity
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
With four miles of trails and interpretative signage, the Paint Mines offers a journey through time, past fascinating geological formations and…
Lodging
Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort
6,200 feet closer to the stars, Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort is a multi-faceted, four-diamond gem of the Rocky Mountains…
Day
4
Breakfast
La Baguette
French-inspired cuisine that is simple and elegant in Old Colorado City. Each entree is prepared from scratch daily and made from locally grown fresh…
Activity
Head West to Cripple Creek

The excitement that drove the Gold Rush still lives in Cripple Creek, a historic gaming and mining town where treasure seekers and hooligans from near and far can still try their hands at poker, black jack, roulette, craps and slot machines. Watch for the donkey herd that roams the streets — they love carrots and apples! The town is an hour's scenic drive from Colorado Springs.

Lunch
Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino
The Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino is home to one of the most well-appointed gaming rooms in Cripple Creek. It features Victorian era surroundings with…
Activity
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric…
Dinner
BierWerks Brewery
Serving primarily German style lagers and ales along with a few hoppy brews, BierWerks has been a local hangout since 2010.BierWerks also serves…
Activity
Hang on Main in Woodland Park

On your way back to Colorado Springs, hit up Woodland Park, known as The City Above the Clouds. Main Street has shops and restaurants, and is the perfect place for a stroll and to stretch your legs.

Lodging
The Outlook Lodge
A luxury historic vacation woodland retreat hotel with waterfall hiking and charming lake in Green Mountain Falls, near Colorado Springs. See more…
Day
5
Breakfast
Shining Mountain Golf Club
What is commonly known today as "Pikes Peak" was originally named " Shining Mountain" by the Ute Indians because of how brightly the sun reflected…
Activity
Dinosaur Resource Center
Where do dinosaurs come from? They come from here! One of the most interesting destinations you will find is the Dinosaur Resource Center. More…
Lunch
Wines of Colorado
Your destination for complimentary wine tasting, excellent creekside dining and gifts.
Activity
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon is characterized by a series of canyons and ridges sculpted by erosion of the area’s uplifted rock strata. The ridges and canyons…
Dinner
Bingo Burger - Colorado Springs
Bingo Burger prides itself on using locally sourced food and products from Colorado farms and breweries.
Activity
Trails End Taproom
Welcome to the home of Colorado Springs first self-serve taproom. Basecamp your adventure at Trails End and enjoy local beer from 40 of our taps.
Lodging
Garden of the Gods Collection
Perched high atop a mesa in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Collection is a private club, luxury resort, Health & Wellness Center, & Wellness…