I visited Japan and Singapore in April of this year and upon my return, I decided I needed a vacation to spend some time out of the city and to connect with nature, so I started planning a trip to Colorado Springs.
Below are some of the things we did that I will highly recommend. We were also very surprised by the food scene in Colorado Springs, so I have shared some of the places we ate at.
Hopefully this helps you plan a trip to Colorado Springs, for an opportunity to disconnect from daily life and connect with nature.
Flights:
Flights to Colorado Springs from the DMV are between 280 – 320 dollars depending on what airport you depart from and also when the flights are booked.
I will advise, flights are booked way ahead of time for better savings.
I am also a Travel agent, so please contact me via email and/or IG @beingbruni for tips on how to save on both domestic and international flights.
Accommodation:
There are several budget friendly hotels in Colorado Springs, and most of these hotels are close proximity to the major sights and activities in Colorado Springs.
I had a few hotel options when I was completing my reservations, but I will highly recommend staying at Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn.
Located just less than 20 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport, Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn is a gem. The hotel offers a free breakfast buffet, and it has the best breakfast options I have ever had in the United States.
The hotel is also very close to most of the major attractions in Colorado Springs. It is approximately 8 minutes to the Garden of the Gods, and less than 20 minutes to Manitou Springs, Colorado. Manitou Springs is home to some very popular attractions and must do activities in Colorado Springs, such as Pikes Peak, and the Manitou Incline.
The customer service was great. The receptionist at the front desk was very helpful and very pleasant. The bar attendants were very kind, and patient, and most importantly, the lady who distributed breakfast was one of the most pleasant and welcoming ladies I have met.
She engaged in conversations with folks as we ate our breakfast and was very interested in our daily plans. She even had follow- up questions for us the next day and to my surprise, she asked about the specific events we did the day prior, and I was very happy she remembered.
Overall, great experience and I will definitely be staying here again when next I am in the city.
A night at the Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn is between 160 – 200 US dollars a night.
Mode of Transportation:
I will not emphasize this enough but if you have a driver’s license, the best mode of transportation in Colorado Springs is a rental car.
Colorado has a great public transportation system, but they have few bus stops and also do not run very often during the weekends.
A rental car will give you peace of mind, and also limit your wait time either for a bus or Uber/Lyft.
Also, with a rental car you have the flexibility to drive wherever and whenever and even take a road trip to Denver, Colorado like I did.
Where to eat:
Here comes the fun part, that is if you are a foodie like me. We spent three nights in Colorado Springs so I did very intensive research to decide on where and what to eat and I must say my friend and I were very satisfied with these choices.
Below are some of the restaurants I will recommend for a good meal and good service that is worth your money and your time.
Gurkhas kitchen Indian Restaurant:
I will recommend visiting Gurkhas kitchen Indian Restaurant for some delicious Nepalese Indian food. The food was delicious, and the service was great. The ladies were very welcoming, and it was fun chatting with them and asking for food recommendations.
We ended up getting the Lamb Korma, and a basket of Naan and the food was delicious. The Korma was very creamy and full of flavor and the spice level was exactly what I had requested, and I enjoyed my meal.
Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna:
For some Greek cuisine, the only restaurant you want to visit is Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna. The warm welcome at the entrance was the beginning of one of my favorite restaurant experiences.
We had a reservation, but we came late and were seated almost immediately. Our server offered us some water and some naan bread. He took our orders on time and our food was there in no time.
The manager came over several times to ask how we were doing and offered us more naan (we were hiking all day, so we were starving and finished our first plate of naan in a flash). He said we can ask any of them for more and we are free to take some to go if we want to.
I ordered lamb gyros and potatoes. Without mixing my words, this was the best lamb gyros I have ever had.
COATI Food Hall:
Located in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, COATI Food Hall is a more laid-back food hall with several food vendors and music. This will be a great option for a casual night out with friends, eating good food, chatting, and listening to music.
I ate at Green Freak. I got one of their customized grains and green bowl and it was very delicious. My friend ordered a Bibimbap bowl from Anju and she enjoyed her meal too.
Things to do:
Now for the reason why we are here, below are a few must do activities in Colorado Springs for nature, adventure, hiking, and outdoor lovers.
Garden of the Gods:
No trip to Colorado Springs is complete without a visit to the Garden of the Gods. The Garden of the Gods is a 1,341.3 acre public park and it was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. Visiting the Garden of the Gods is free to visit, and there are several free parking lots.
Pikes Peak:
Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The ultra-prominent 14,115-foot fourteener is located in Pike National Forest, 12 miles west of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The views at the top of Pikes Peak are worth the trip but be weary of the cold weather. Dress accordingly as temperatures will drop drastically at the top.
Also, I will recommend completing your train tickets reservation with Cog Railway a day before your trip. You will receive multiple emails with your tickets, and parking information so be on the lookout for those.
The round trip to the top of Pikes peak with Cog Railway, observation, and the return back is 3 hours so plan accordingly.
While up there, you can visit the gift shop and don’t forget to try some of the very special donuts at the top of Pikes peak. The donuts are supposed to taste different because of the elevation.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space:
For more hiking, I will recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon Open Space. The trails are easy to navigate, and the view is breathtaking.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a 1,474-acre city park in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Manitou Incline:
Warning: Climbing the Manitou Incline is not a walk in the park. These 2,744 steps are comparable to climbing the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower TWICE, The Washington Monument THREE TIMES, The Statue of Liberty SIX TIMES.
Proceed with caution as this incline will challenge you and your mind. On my climb up, I saw several folks give up and return to the base, and very fit men and women struggling and breathing hard.
If you wish to challenge yourself, go for it but go at your own pace. Listen to your body and rest when needed. Drink lots of water and once you get to the top, give yourself a pat on the back because you just climbed the top of the Empire State Building. Don’t forget to take a commemorative picture at the top as your trophy.
It took me 1 hour 8 minutes to get to the top on a rainy day and I was very proud of myself.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls:
There is a fee to visit the Broadmoor Seven falls so complete your reservation prior to arrival. The entrance fees include a shuttle ride to the Seven Falls from the designated parking lot so remember to arrive on time, so you don’t miss your entrance time.
If you are up for the challenge, climb the almost 280 stairs that will take you 7,200 feet above sea level and get a great view of the waterfalls. If not, there is also an elevator that will take you to the top for a great view. Of course, I had to challenge myself (that is what I do best), and it was worth it. Dress, accordingly, and stay hydrated.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings:
Explore the fascinating architecture of the ancient cliff dwellers and browse through two museums featuring cultural displays all overlooking the historic town of Manitou Springs.
You can purchase tickets to the Monitor Cliff Dwellings at the entrance. If you have a few minutes to spare, I will recommend visiting the Cliff Dwellings, the museum, and the gift shop to learn about the Indians.
Downtown Colorado Springs:
Downtown Colorado Springs is very vibrant at night so be sure to stop by and enjoy a walk in the city, Also, stop by one of the shops in the streets for some shopping. The owners are very friendly and will entertain a conversation.
Cave of the Winds:
Cave of the Winds is one of the premiere show caves in the United States and, at 7,000 feet, they’re also one of the highest!
Tickets are required so to save time, be sure to complete your reservation prior to visiting.
The tour should take about 45 minutes and it is chilly in the caves so dress accordingly.
Olympic Museum:
Colorado Springs is known as the Olympic city and is home to the Olympics training center and of course the Olympic museum. A ticket is required to visit both the training center and the museum, and this can be purchased on site. The tour of the museum will last over an hour so have fun and enjoy this interactive museum on the Olympics history and learn about some of our most decorated and popular Olympians.
Downtown Manitou Springs:
Manitou Springs, is located just about 15 minutes from Colorado Springs. The small city is home to Pikes Peak and the Manitou Incline.
I will recommend stopping by and exploring the city, visit the shops, and take some pictures.
Overall, I had a great time in Colorado Springs, and I will recommend all nature lovers to visit. The mountainous City is very picturesque and beautiful, and the residents are very welcoming.
I also took a day road trip to Denver, Colorado, but I will go over that experience in a different blog post.
If you need help planning your trip to Colorado Springs, or any other local or international destinations, you can contact me via email @beingbruni8@gmail.com and/or on IG @beingbruni.
Hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences, and recommendations. Have a great week ahead and stay blessed.
Nicely done….definitely gearing up for Colorado!