Looking to visit Colorado Springs? I’m sharing everything there is to know before visiting, including the perfect itinerary for 3 days in Colorado Springs.
You could easily spend years exploring all that Colorado has to offer – from the cities to the mountains.. and everything in between! Colorado Springs is the second-largest city in Colorado and full of iconic landmarks. With epic adventures like driving up to the summit of Pikes Peak to exploring all of the local eats, this is a must-visit destination.
About Colorado Springs
The history of Colorado Springs dates back almost 5,000 years when the hunters and gatherers of the Paleo-Indian and Archaic-period people settled on the slopes of Pikes Peak. From the 16th through the early 19th century, many tribes set up camp on the mountain in the warmer months and lived in what is present day Garden of the Gods during the colder months, as plants and animals were plentiful. These tribes remained dominant over the land until white settlers founded Colorado City in the 1850s during the Colorado Gold Rush. When the claim of gold did not prove to be abundant, new settlers began to find success in agriculture – eventually disrupting the Native Americans’ by occupying their land, killing their game, and introducing diseases for which they had no immunity.
By the late 1860s, the Native American tribes had relocated to surrounding areas in Colorado and Oklahoma, and Colorado City’s promise began to decline until a man named General William Jackson Palmer arrived from Pennsylvania. Palmer had a vision for the city, enough to establish the Colorado Springs Company which would go on to develop the area that would become Colorado Springs on July 31, 1871. Part of Palmer’s vision was to advertise the city as a prospective leader in healthcare. With the mild climate and mineral water source, Colorado Springs would soon be labeled a refuge for those with respiratory illnesses, like Tuberculosis. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, the growth of healthcare facilities and evangelical Christian churches, along with the establishment of the United States Air Force in Colorado Springs, brought in thousands of people and servicemen of who would call this place home.
Today, the city is a booming tourist destination – full of delicious local restaurants and breweries, iconic sites to check off of your bucket list, and many museums and exhibits to learn all about the area’s history. The city has also become the headquarters for the USA Olympics!
Best Time to Visit Colorado Springs
The best time of year to visit Colorado solely depends on what you are looking to do. If you’re looking to experience top tier ski resorts, winter will be for you. If your goal is to catch peak aspen season, you’ll want to visit in the fall. For whitewater rafting enthusiasts, springtime will be the best for you as the snow melts off into the rivers.
Summer in Colorado Springs will bring hot and dry weather. Daily temperatures average between 70-80 degrees which makes this time of the year perfect for swimming in those alpine lakes and enjoying outdoor dining in the evenings. Summertime is absolutely the busiest time of the year and afternoon thunderstorms are common in Colorado. Start your activities early in the morning to avoid the heat, storms, and crowds.
The spring and fall months are definitely the better times to visit Colorado Springs. You’ll get cooler temperatures (averaging between 50-70 degrees), but way less crowds and cheaper lodging options. We visited mid-May and it was beautiful – I’d say we even got pretty lucky! There is still a chance of snow during this time of the year, especially at higher elevations… so make sure to check the weather reports and pack accordingly. If you have your sights set on driving up to the summit of Pikes Peak, you might want to plan your visit late spring to early fall just to be safe.
How to Get to Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is located in central Colorado, on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. If you’re flying into Colorado, it will be easiest to fly into the Denver International Airport and take Interstate 25 south to Colorado Springs – about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
3 Days in Colorado Springs Itinerary
We visited Colorado Springs in mid-May. This itinerary is based on visiting from May – October.
Day One –
- Start your morning early with coffee and a quick breakfast at Switchback Coffee Roasters. They have two cafe locations that are pretty close in proximity to each other, so it doesn’t matter which one you choose.
- Drive up to the summit of Pikes Peak. I strongly recommend getting to the entrance of Pikes Peak Highway first thing in the morning or you could risk waiting in line to enter. The drive itself is absolutely breathtaking and is a must-do when in Colorado Springs. It will cost you $35 per car and is open year-round (weather permitting) and will take about 3-4 hours to complete the drive as you summit one of Colorado’s 14ers at 14,115 feet! Make sure to bring water and snacks, and turn around if you begin to feel altitude sickness. Visitors can also hike up to the summit or take the Cog Railway ($58.50 per person).
- Explore Manitou Springs – A charming town just northwest of Colorado Springs. Spend some time walking around the downtown area and enjoy lunch at Adam’s Mountain Cafe and a beer (or two!) at Manitou Brewing Company. There is plenty to do here like exploring Cave of the Winds Park or the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
Day Two –
- Begin day 2 with casual breakfast at Snooze. The pancakes and egg scrambles are delicious!
- Spend the morning exploring Garden of the Gods. Start at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center to learn about the history of the area and formation of the park. There are a few different ways you can explore the park – by foot, vehicle, segway, bike, horse, or rope. Rock-climbing is super popular here and it was so much fun watching the climbers in action. The park offers 21 miles of trails, some of those being paved. I recommend making a stop at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post after exploring the park where you can purchase souvenirs of all kinds, including local arts and crafts.
Leave No Trace: There are 7 principles you should know before setting out on any adventure. This includes planning ahead, traveling along durable surfaces, disposing of waste, leaving what you find, minimizing the impact of your campfire, respecting wildlife, and being considerate to those who are also enjoying the space.
- Head a few minutes up the road to Red Leg Brewing Company – veteran owned and operated! It was a warm when we were there so we sat outside and enjoyed a few drinks. They also have different vendors on site offering a variety of small plates.
- In the afternoon, visit Old Colorado City – A designated National Historic District. Today, the area is a thriving art district. Stroll down Colorado Avenue and check out the galleries and boutiques along the way. If you’re interesting in visiting the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, it is located a few minutes from Old Colorado City.
- Indulge in the best tacos and margaritas for dinner at Dos Santos!
Day Three –
- Grab coffee and breakfast at Loyal Coffee to start your third and final day in Colorado Springs.
- Spend your day exploring The Broadmoor – A 5-star luxury resort. Even if you do not stay here, I highly recommend paying the grounds a visit. The resort is nestled up against the mountains on 5,000 acres of land. I loved walking around the hotel to see the historic paintings and artifacts they have on display. It kind of felt like we were stepping back in time.
- On top of the spa, golf courses, pools, tennis & pickle ball courts, galleries, and boutiques.. the resort offers one-of-a-kind adventure and wilderness experiences like falconry, mountain biking, and fly fishing.
- A popular activity at The Broadmoor is hiking up to Seven Falls, a 181 foot waterfall. It costs $18 per adult, but everyone we talked to recommended seeing it. Unfortunately, the waterfall was closed when we were visiting and will remain closed until March 2023.
- For the animal lovers, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located right down the road from The Broadmoor.
- The Broadmoor has a handful of restaurant options from fine dining offering memorable culinary experiences to more casual cafes. If you can get a reservation, the resort is a beautiful place to enjoy a dinner on your last night in Colorado Springs. If you can’t get a reservation, or prefer to eat elsewhere, check out Shugas.
Where to Next?
If you have more time to explore Colorado, head to these destinations below:
- Denver ~ 1 hour
- Breckenridge ~ 2 hours
- Rocky Mountain National Park ~ 2 1/2 hours
- Great Sand Dunes National Park ~ 2 1/2 hours
- Aspen ~ 4 1/2 hours
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park ~ 4 1/2 hours
HAPPY EXPLORING!
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