Just an hour’s drive from Denver where I live, this area is so easy to access, I’ve visited the region a couple of dozen times. More if I count the trips I made with my family, as a kid growing up in western Kansas. My grandmother lived in Colorado Springs during her later years, and I feel almost as if I grew up in the area.
On a weekend in Colorado Springs, you can satisfy your thrill-seeker tendencies as you zipline across the 1,250-foot-deep Royal Gorge or bicycle down the winding highway from the summit of Pikes Peak. If high-octane adventure is not your speed, you may prefer to indulge in fine dining, golf, or a spa treatment at the elegant Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Or do it all! It’s all here for the taking during your weekend in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region .
Where is the Pikes Peak Region?
The Pikes Peak Region encompasses a large area that includes several counties and towns. It typically includes Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Cripple Creek, the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, and of course the region’s namesake, Pikes Peak , also known as America’s mountain.
Map of Things to do in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region
Nuts and Bolts for your Weekend in Colorado Springs
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The air is thin here. Without plenty of water, the high altitude can result in a headache or nausea. You may want to try an electrolyte drink mix that helps aid in acclimating to the altitude . In addition to a good water bottle , essentials include a fleece jacket or puffer vest , sunblock , a hat with SPF , and lip balm also with SPF factor. I also highly recommend taking baby aspirin daily starting 3 days BEFORE you come to Colorado – it can help with altitude adjustment.
While the elegant Broadmoor hotel is reason enough to visit Colorado Springs, there is so much to do in the area, you may decide to stay more than a weekend. If you’re looking for soft adventure, ride a horse or Segway through Garden of the Gods or explore Cave of the Winds by going on a haunted lantern tour (remember to duck or you’ll conk your noggin). Your heart rate will climb as you ascend the 224 stairs to the top of the Broadmoor Seven Falls. Rewards are fantastic views and bragging rights. Or watch bull riders compete at the rodeo at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
This itinerary covers everything from where to have an IPA on an outdoor patio to where to raft Class III rapids. Adventure awaits. So, grab your pack and hit the road.
Day One Morning: Fresh Beignets, Spices, and Books
The first stop for your weekend in Colorado Springs is La Baguette French Bakery & Café , on East Pikes Peak Avenue, on your way to Tejon Street. Don’t let the plastic banner hanging across the entryway fool you. Once inside, you’ll find soft lighting, classical music playing, hardwood floors, and the aroma of fresh beignets and café au lait. Sit at a table near the window and plan your day.
One of my favorite shops on Tejon Street is The Savory Spice Shop . The aroma alone is worth stopping in this locally owned treasure. With 400 spices and herbs that they blend onsite, the fragrance will entice you to check out the exotic-sounding salts. (Ask for a sample) On my recent trip there, a friend from Toronto stocked up on Ghost Pepper Salt, which adds intense heat to any dish, and a jar of Hickory Smoke Sea Salt. The shop even has a recipe for Ghost Pepper Salted Double Chocolate Cookies.
I settled on a four-pack of sauces called Scorch Set, which includes four bottles of the hot stuff: Smoked Jalapeño, Smoky Ghost, Hot Thai Green, and Aleppo Pepper. My nephew loves anything scorching and will appreciate this gift. The box reads, “Some like it hotter.”
Tattered Cover , Colorado’s bookstore darling, opened its first location outside of Denver in June 2022. Located at 112 North Tejon Street, the store has 8,000 square feet of everything book lovers need and the service for which Tattered Cover is famous.
Day one/afternoon – Garden of the Gods, by foot, horse, Jeep, bike, or Segway
The first time I visited the Garden of the Gods I was eight years old, traveling with my parents and sitting in the backseat of our car with my grandmother and sibling. We slowly drove on the road near the soaring red sandstone formations. My dad, who was a wanna-be geologist, explained the geology, flora, and fauna to us, pointing out the iconic rock formation called the Kissing Camels .
But these aren’t my grandma’s gardens. Today, visitors can glide on a Segway , either with or without a guide, through the gardens with the wind and sun on their faces, and maybe raindrops, too.
Adventures Out West sets up clients with a Segway and helmet, gives a short training in the parking lot, and leads clients on a tour through the gardens.
Author Sherry Spitsnaugle tours on a Segway through the Garden of the Gods. Photo by Tom Adkinson
On my tour, guides Daniel and Greg took time to point out the Kissing Camels formation, just like my dad did so many years ago, as well as explain other features of the park. Safety is their number one priority. A couple of times, when Daniel heard thunder, we pulled over and took cover.
The app on his phone reported thunder ten miles away, but we still waited it out, which I appreciated. On portions of the tour, we were on the road with cars; Daniel and Greg made certain that we followed all safety protocols.
Riding horses through the Gardens is also an option. Academy Riding Stables matches guests with a horse, guide, and everything needed for a leisurely ride. While I chose to see the gardens from a Segway, my friend decided to ride a horse and said it was a relaxing, mellow pace. The Visitor and Nature Center is an excellent place to learn about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area.
Visitors can climb the 224 steps to see a series of falls at Broadmoor Seven Falls, or take the elevator up and back down. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
Author Sherry Spitsnaugle gets ready to climb the steps at Seven Falls.
Broadmoor Seven Falls , a string of waterfalls, is another option for the afternoon. You may not plan to climb each of the 224 steps to the top, but once you start the ascent and acclimate, you might just keep going. Bring the essentials including a jacket and water bottle. The stairs will lead you to trails, including the most popular, Inspiration Point. Take a selfie at the top, and then ride the elevator down. Taking the elevator both up and down is also an option.
Day One Evening: Manitou Springs
Located at the base of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs gets its nickname, Hippie Mayberry, from the chill vibe, street musicians, artists, parents pushing their kids in a stroller, and friendly folks. Everyone here says hi.
One option for dinner is Manitou Brewing Company where you can sit outside on the patio and sip one of the brewery’s beers or find a table inside, where it’s noisy, crowded, and lively. Just like a good bar should be. Their website reads, “Our beer is born from the pristine waters located near the top of the peak.”
Manitou Brewing Company, downtown Manitou Springs, has a great patio and excellent beer brewed onsite. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
The night I was there with a couple of friends, three of us squeezed into a table for two, but we were perfectly happy. One of my friends prefers wine to beer, a fact which she shared with the server who promptly delivered samples he thought she might like. She settled on Beelicious Blood Orange Honey Blonde. My High Ground IPA (6.9 %) paired nicely with the Bronco Burger with sweet potato fries.
I had never closed down a bar in my life, but that changed at Manitou Brewing Company. But only because they close at 8 p.m. We were the last ones leaving as the manager was taking down the outside sandwich signs. She smiled and said, “We hit the hay early here in Manitou Springs!”
Another option, with a completely different vibe, is Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama . It’s cheesy but in a fun way. You’ll have a choice of entrees in the restaurant, then go upstairs to the theatre where local actors play the parts of the villain and heroine. Audience members boo and hiss the bad guy, and ooh and ahh the fair maiden. The night I was there, the pianist tickled the ivories like a pro.
For dessert, Josh & John’s Homemade Ice Cream serves a gluten-free lilac scoop, made with taro root, named Purple Mountain Majesty, or a blend of brownies and chocolate called Moose on the Loose. There’s also Vanilla Bean, Almond Joy, and more. Ice cream is locally churned. This sweet treat gets consistently high ratings.
Cacao Chemistry Chocolatier and Patisserie , on Tejon Street, gives samples of chocolate bark, but you won’t want to stop there. They also sell Valrhona dark chocolate, French almond macarons, and gourmet cookies.
Day Two Morning: Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain
Bike down Pikes Peak Highway
Start your day early to get to the top of Pikes Peak. It’s the best time to avoid most traffic, especially if you plan to bicycle down. Adventures Out West fits clients with a bike and helmet and high visibility vest for the two-hour ride. And, most importantly, they’ll give you tips as well as guide you as you ride down Pikes Peak Highway.
You’ll ride with staff in a Jeep on the way up, and before your bike ride down, you’ll have time to visit the newly renovated and aptly named Summit Welcome Center at the top. Here, you can learn about the area, and the gift shop sells everything from kitchen magnets to fleece jackets. And whatever you do – don’t forget to try some of their world-famous donuts at the top!
Other options are to ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or hire someone else to do the driving and schedule a tour with Gray Line . You’ll be above 14,000 feet at the top of Pikes Peak so take some layers as it will be cold at the top.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings are an excellent place for kids and adults to explore, climb, and learn. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
If altitude is a concern, another option is the Manitou Cliff Dwellings to explore the architecture of ancient cliff dwellers. Take a self-guided tour of the archeological and natural history preserve and get an idea of how Native Americans lived hundreds of years ago. The day I visited, the kids loved being able to climb around the structures.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is another excellent option for your weekend in Colorado Springs, and I recommend taking the 90-minute haunted lantern tour. Be advised: footing is uneven; there are stairs to climb; it’s dark except for the candle you will carry in a lantern; you will have to duck to avoid hitting your head, and it’s not the best idea for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. But, if you’re okay with the aforementioned, then go!
This is one of the areas you’ll see on the haunted lantern tour at Cave of the Winds. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
John, aka Hippie, is the best storyteller among storytellers. He guides tours at Cave of the Winds, and attractions around the globe. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
I loved exploring the dark tunnels and listening to our guide, John, aka Hippie, weave eerie and sometimes bizarre stories of the folks who originally discovered the caves.
Hippie was the best storyteller I’ve ever heard. He lowered his voice to a whisper when the tale got to a scary part to build suspense. Everyone in my group agreed we could have listened to him tell tales about the ancient rock formations and the cave’s history for hours.
Day Two Afternoon: Royal Gorge Adventures
The Travel Channel named ziplining over the Royal Gorge as the number one bucket list item in Colorado. I hadn’t planned to zipline over anything , especially the 1,250-foot-deep Royal Gorge. But after I learned that it was number one on everyone’s bucket lists, how could I not?
Ride the Gondola over the Royal Gorge and then zipline back! Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
Visitors can walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge and find the flag that represents their state, in this case, the flag of Colorado. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
Ziplining over the Royal Gorge is number one on visitors’ bucket lists! Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle
Author Sherry Spitsnaugle, left, and pal, celebrate after ziplining across the Royal Gorge. Photo by Tom Adkinson
A friend said she would zipline across the gorge if I would. We each signed a waiver, stepped on the scales, (100 pounds is the minimum and 245 the maximum), listened to last-minute instructions, got strapped in, took a deep breath, and then…we flew over the gorge!
The ride was breathtaking. And fast. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
For another big thrill while in the Royal Gorge Bridge and park area – be sure to also check out the Via Ferrata . A Via Ferrata (Italian term meaning ‘iron path’) is a protected climbing route, built with a steel cable rail fixed to the rock, metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges, and zip wires. You are clipped in the entire time and have a special harness to wear in addition to special ‘sticky’ shoes.
