Welcome to the Springs
Bordered to the west by the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains and to the east by hazy expanses of the Eastern Plains, Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city, is as flush with nature and culture experiences as the state’s better-known destinations.
Manitou Springs
A quirky town at the base of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs is known for its local artist community, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, and the mile-long cardio menace known as the Manitou Incline.
Going Up
Spend any amount of time in the Springs and your gaze is sure to fix on the 14,115-foot-tall Pikes Peak. The well-maintained, but very challenging, thirteen-mile Barr Trail leads the most adventurous hikers to the summit—as does the historic Cog Railway, a refurbished, scenic train ride up and down the mountain.
Fuel Up Before a big day on Pikes Peak, visit Switchback Coffee, a local roaster with two locations on the quieter east side of town. You can enjoy a fresh cup of joe and regionally sourced breakfast options.
Tough Stuff For the hard-core hikers, the 6.5 mile trail to Barr Camp winds through woody single track halfway up Pikes Peak, where you can book a campsite or refuel and head down the same day.
Cog Railway
If you’re in it for the view, hop on the Cog Railway, a historic year-round train ride that slowly snakes up to the summit of Pikes Peak—no hiking poles required.
Ivywild School
Grab a bite and a brew at Ivywild School, a historic elementary school turned food court, with a handful of restaurants, a whiskey lounge, a brewery, and the aptly named Principal’s Office, an artisanal cocktail bar.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is one of the most well-known hiking spots in Colorado Springs, and for good reason. Towering rock formations and easy, flat trails provide an accessible way to immerse yourself in nature.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
For something off the beaten path, head east to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, a colorful, geologically fascinating space named for the bright clay hues used by American Indians to make paints.
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum has collected local work since 1896. While its exhibitions offer a deep cultural dive into the region, the historic building itself is a pleasure to wander around. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free.
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
Explore the North Cheyenne Cañon Park lies at the edge of the city with a variety of trails, from easy open-space loops to more challenging single-track trails ascending the foothills.
Life in a Mountain Town
While it’s only a twenty-minute drive from Colorado Springs, the steep hillsides surrounding Green Mountain Falls keep the town tucked away from the bustle of the nearby urban center. Art installations from past iterations of the Green Box Arts Festival are scattered throughout town, enchanting the town’s one main road and few side streets.
Cantina Verde is the town’s go-to dinner spot, serving tacos, fajitas, and even burgers. Catch live music on the patio on Sunday nights
Green Box Arts Festival
A premier summertime event, the Green Box Arts Festival features visual and performing artists, who spend time nestled in the hillside town of Green Mountain Falls creating new works for the two-week summer festival.
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