Colorado Springs

Here is my light review of the Colorado Springs area, because to be fair, I spent very little time exploring actual Colorado Springs when I visited the area in 2020. All of Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the USA, everywhere you look are incredible views of mountains and picturesque landscapes. Shout out to Mike’s sister and her husband for hosting us for this whole trip and recommending so many amazing spots. On our second visit in the fall of 2023, we got to check out a few more areas, and those updates are listed here as well!

Colorado Springs area

  • Dutch Bros is a chain coffee shop in this part of the country that we don’t have in the midwest. It’s a great stop to fuel up on your caffeine before heading out for adventures!

  • Manitou Springs is another smaller downtown area nearby that has a hippie vibe. It’s a fun area for shopping and dining, as well as just walking about. Stratton Spring is right in downtown, where you can try a sip of spring water. You can find guides online of several springs near downtown Manitou where you can sample the water. 

  • The absolute BEST must-see place in Colorado Springs is the Garden of the Gods park! This is one of the most popular attractions in the area, so you’ll have no problem finding it. I LOVED the red rock formations and although we just walked the area, you can rock climb and repel as well if you have the equipment. We went pretty early in the morning to get a parking spot, but the park was definitely getting busy by the time we left. Try to go in off-peak times to avoid traffic and parking problems.

  • Of course Pike’s Peak is here as well if you’re feeling daring (I was not). There are multiple options for getting to the top, be sure to do your research first!

  • We stopped by Old Colorado City, which is a small strip similar to Manitou Springs, but without the extreme hippie vibes. On our second visit, we went to Story Coffee Co (right on Colorado Ave), which was a very cute place for some quick caffeination!

  • We went to the region on Cheyenne Mountain and did a hike - it was pretty long and difficult, but also doable. We parked at the Upper Gold Camp Parking Lot, and did a hike from there. As with any hike in the area, be sure to pack plenty of supplies, wear appropriate clothing and shoes, and leave yourself plenty of time to get back before dark. Because of the mountains, cell service is pretty spotty and it can be difficult to locate exactly where you are if you aren’t sure. Be safe and smart, and let someone know your plans ahead of time. 

  • During our 2023 visit we went to Wayfinder Coffee Co, and it really just might be my new favorite coffee shop! It’s full of map-themed decor, AMAZING food and baked goods made in-house, actually comfortable chairs, plenty of lot parking, and great coffee and tea options. This will be my top place to return to in the Colorado Springs area!

Only a day trip away…

  • Within just a few hours of the Springs you can visit Buena Vista for some small-town vibes. DEFINITELY download your driving directions ahead of time, as the mountains will cause you to lose cell service frequently. 

  • Colorado is full of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, which is free to camp and explore. If you’re going to stop for the night, try to arrive early so you can find a spot and get set up before dark, because there is NO light out there. These “campsites” are typically just flat spots with no amenities or facilities onsite. Be sure to bring your own water and anything else you may need.

  • We camped for one night near Clear Creek Reservoir, which was a large and beautiful lake tucked between mountains. 

  • From the Buena Vista area we headed to Boulder to meet some friends for dinner. It was a several-hours long drive through the mountains, but around every turn is a large and pretty mountain, a wide valley, or a cute little town. We stopped in briefly in Breckenridge and Frisco to explore some shops, grab a bite to eat, and fill up on gas.

  • Near Boulder, we stopped at the NCAR Mesa Laboratory, because a friend recommended we check it out. You can drive to the top of a large hill and take a short walk around the rim and see the town below and mountains in the distance. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

  • We visited Rocky Mountain National Park, which is a must-do if you’re in the area. The main road was closed for the winter beyond the Rainbow Curve Overlook, and it took almost an hour to drive to that spot from either of the east side entrances. Be sure to leave plenty of time for your day trip, and plan ahead - this a pretty remote area with little cell access and no food or water for purchase inside the park. 

  • You need a timed-entry pass to enter the park much of the year, so get on the recreation.gov website well in advance of your trip to reserve a time. Also be sure to get the Bear Lake access pass. We almost skipped this section of the park, but it was SO worth the additional trip back into the park. We didn’t explore the many areas along the Bear Lake Access road, but the lake itself is beautiful and perfectly clear. 

  • Right outside the park is Coffee on the Rocks, and I could have easily spent half a day there if I had time. This coffee shop/breakfast joint/evening bar has tons of indoor and outdoor seating, and a pond where you can hangout and feed ducks! It’s very simple, but made morning coffee much more fun. 

  • The whole town of Estes Park, at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, is very cute. There are numerous shops and restaurants to explore, and we saw a whole herd of Elk casually crossing the street just outside of town! 

  • Smokey Dave’s BBQ did not disappoint for dinner! It was packed and had a long wait on Sunday evening, so plan accordingly or plan to get carryout.

Around Central Colorado

  • We took a day trip to Georgetown, another cute and small mountain town west of Denver. A lot of things were closed during the week, but I hear weekends are much more eventful! Cabin Creek Brewing was great for dinner and pizza, and although it was sadly closed during our visit, my sister-in-laws swears Mountainbuzz Pizzeria is the best pizza ever. 

  • We took a drive through Guanella Pass, which is closed in the winters due to its tight and windy nature through the mountains. We saw some yellow Aspen trees, alpine lakes, and (my favorite) a Moose!

Both of our visits to Colorado have been in the fall, which has been amazing both times. We hope to visit during other times of year to see the state in all seasons!