Colorado Springs is the Goldilocks of vacation spots because it’s just right. Even though it’s Colorado’s second-largest city, residents there say they never feel suffocated. Distance from Denver, the state capital, is sufficient without making the area inaccessible.
There are plenty of parks and gardens, and the urban core is home to top-notch hotels and dining options. Colorado Springs is a destination that caters to all types of vacationers. Poet Katharine Lee Bates composed “America the Beautiful” while on vacation in Colorado Springs in 1883, and it’s easy to see why. What follows is essential information for organising your own breathtaking trip to Colorado Springs.
What to Know About Colorado Springs
Location: An hour south of Denver, near the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, at an elevation of 6,035 feet; Colorado Springs is a popular tourist destination. Based on the time of year, the climate in Colorado Springs can change dramatically.
The warm season in Colorado Springs lasts from early June through mid-September, when the average daily high is around or above 76°F, as reported by WeatherSpark. Average high temperatures reach a scorching 84 degrees Fahrenheit in July, making it the warmest month of the year.
WeatherSpark, on the other hand, claims that from late November to early March, temperatures rarely rise over 51°F on a daily basis during the cold season. December is the coldest month of the year.
Renting a car is highly recommended while in Colorado Springs. You’ll need a car to see everything in this metropolis of 195 square miles, and many of the top sites are located outside the core. Find a transportation quickly and easily with the abundance of car rental agencies in the neighbourhood, including Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and others.
The Best Time to Visit Colorado Springs
Depending on your preferred leisure activities, different seasons in Colorado Springs may be more appealing. When spring arrives, sightseers can witness the area’s revival. The melting snow reveals lush greenery and the first blooms of spring wildflowers. Summer’s milder temps make for perfect days on the mountain biking and hiking trails, while autumn ushers in some of the best foliage viewing in the United States. Many world-class ski resorts, including Breckenridge and Winter Park, are within a two-hour drive, making the area a popular winter vacation destination.
The town also plays host to a number of world-class annual events and competitions, such as the Pikes Peak Marathon in September and the Cripple Creek Ice Festival in the winter, where ice sculptors from all over the world gather to display their finest works. Therefore, there is truly no terrible time to go. Simply times that might work better with your travel plans.
Places to Visit in Colorado Springs
See the U.S. Air Force Academy and Chapel
Construction on restorations will keep the chapel out of use until at least 2027. Nonetheless, we felt it was important to make a note of the site for both your future travel plans and the significance of the location. The towering chapel rises about 150 feet into the air and is a sight to behold in terms of architecture. Each and every one of the cadets at the academy is welcome to pray in the all-faith chapel, which is open to all faiths. The chapel was designed by Walter A.
Netsch Jr. of the Chicago firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, and is constructed of aluminium, glass, and steel. There is “no significance to this number,” according to the chapel’s website; the first plans were just too costly. To reduce costs, the original plan for 18 spires was scaled back to 17. Check out the exterior here and keep an eye on the website for updates on when the doors will officially open.
Hike Pikes Peak
A climb up Pikes Peak will get your blood pumping in more ways than one. The summit of this 14,115-foot mountain can be reached via the 13.5-mile long Barr Trail. Although the trek is strenuous, the vista from the peak is worth every step. Are you just not in the mood for the hike? The Pikes Peak Highway is still open and leads to the peak, so visitors may enjoy the view without much trouble
Ride the Broadmoor Cog Railway Train
Boarding the Broadmoor Cog Railway Train is another fantastic option for taking in the sights of the Pikes Peak region. Guests ride the train for nine miles through Englemann Canyon and Deer Park at an elevation of more than 14,000 feet to see Minnehaha Falls. The best thing is that the train’s enormous picture windows make every seat a prime viewing spot. Get something to eat at the depot before the trip up; in the winter, that might be a glazed donut, and in the summer, a popsicle.
Explore Garden of the Gods Park
Hold on, there’s still more to discuss on the wonderful Colorado Springs outdoors. Spend some time exploring Garden of the Gods Park, which features 15 miles of paths of varying difficulty, including the paved, wheelchair-accessible Perkins Central Garden Trail that spans 1.5 miles. You may take a Jeep tour, an e-bike tour, or even ride a horse through the park, so guests here are spoiled for choice. Take a rock climbing instruction with a local outfitter and see the sights from above. Hang from a cliff and see if you can detect some of the park’s famous birds, like the red-tailed hawk, prairie falcon, and broad-tailed hummingbird.
The Hotels of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is home to a variety of hotels, offering something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re looking for luxury accommodations or budget-friendly options, there’s a hotel that will suit your needs. For specialty experiences, there are unique hotels like the Cliff House at Pikes Peak and the historic Antlers Hotel. Families may appreciate larger resorts like Great Wolf Lodge and Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, which offer amenities such as pools, on-site restaurants, and kid-friendly activities. Business travelers can take advantage of the conference facilities at The Mining Exchange or Academy Hotel Colorado Springs. No matter what brings you to town, there’s a hotel in Colorado Springs ready to welcome you with open arms.
The Broadmoor
If you want to do something nice for yourself, get a room at The Broadmoor. The more than 100-year-old property is like a mini city, complete with a variety of cafes and restaurants, two world-class golf courses, a full-service spa, and a wide range of lodging options, from standard hotel rooms to suites, cottages, an estate house, and brownstones large enough to accommodate extended families and featuring their own three-car garages. The hotel’s Ranch at Emerald Valley is an all-inclusive wilderness retreat with 13 luxurious cabins and miles of surrounding trails for hiking and biking.
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
Recreation and leisure are prioritised at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, as the website proudly proclaims. The hotel’s 56 rooms, many of which overlook Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods, are among the most beautiful in all of Colorado Springs. Spa services such as massages and facials are just the beginning of the resort’s extensive wellness programme, which also includes health exams and wellness concierge treatments.
The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel is located in downtown Denver
Looking for a place to stay closer to the action? The Mining Exchange is a Wyndham Grand hotel in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. There is an old piano in the foyer and leather-upholstered conference rooms to remind guests that this granite structure was once the stock market for local mining businesses. After a busy day of business or pleasure, guests can unwind in the hotel’s enormous spa.
How to Get to Colorado Springs
The trip to Colorado Springs shouldn’t take too long. The trip takes about 90 minutes and may be reached by renting a car at Denver International Airport. A regional airport serves the area, with nonstop flights to and from cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City provided by both Southwest and United.