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An Insider's Guide to Colorado Springs
64
items Map
Sections
6
Hikes
Restaurants
Bars & Breweries
Coffee Shops
Entertainment
Shopping
Hikes
[Easiest] 0.2 miles round trip hike to a lovely waterfall. The large and sometimes very busy parking lot is near the end of North Cheyenne Canyon Rd.
Helen Hunt Falls
[Easy] A lovely space with many wandering trails that will take you up to a reservoir (dogs can swim here, humans cannot). Just pick any of the trails and make your way uphill and you’ll find the water soon enough. A great spot for watching the suns...
Stratton Open Space
[Easy] There are countless trails that meander through the beautiful rock garden. Just find somewhere to park and start wandering. You really can’t go wrong. While you’re there, make sure to stop at parking lot 13 and take the short 10 minute hike t...
Garden of the Gods
[Easy to Medium] More red rocks, with fewer tourists than GOG. A network of trails that all connect at some point. Just pick one and keep hiking until you’ve had your red rock fill. There's also a fenced dog park here.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Mount Cutler [Medium] and Mount Moscoco [Harder]: A well-marked, smaller dirt pull off to your left will probably have several cars in it. Park here and head up the trail until it splits. Go left for Mt Cutler, the shorter 1.7 mile trail which takes ...
Mt Cutler and Muscoco Trailhead
[Medium] A beautiful hike that, as the name suggests, passes over 7 bridges as you hike alongside a creek. It ends in a lovely meadow. 3.7 miles out-and-back. Once you pass the Helen Hunt Falls visitor center, keep going up until you get to the dirt ...
Seven Bridges Trail
Restaurants
A low-key joint housed inside a historic building, featuring an eclectic, globally-inspired menu and craft cocktails. Vegan offerings and outdoor dining available.
Shuga's
Upbeat casual eatery doling out gourmet hamburgers (including plant-based options!) along with fries, creative sauces, shakes & craft brews. Most ingredients are locally sourced!
Bingo Burger
Casual hangout for a familiar Mexican street food menu, served alongside tequila shots & cocktails. Vegetarian offerings available.
T Byrds Tacos & Tequila
Build-your-own wood-fired pizza in this casual, yet modern downtown spot. Vegan offerings available.
Bambino's Urban Pizzeria
An underground, late-night New American haunt crafting creative bites and cocktails. Be sure to make a reservation!
The Rabbit Hole
Italian classics and craft cocktails in lively brick building, featuring a full bar and small patio.
Red Gravy
Casual Caribbean and Italian dishes (plus Jamaican beer & rum) offered in laid-back digs with a reggae vibe.
Rasta Pasta
Fresh-baked breads & sweets, a popular onion soup & casual French fare served in a quaint space. La Baguette has several locations around town.
La Baguette Cafe and Espresso Bar
Modern mainstay serving homestyle Mexican mains, local craft beers & margaritas in casual adobe-style digs.
Crystal Park Cantina
Unfussy eatery offering Indian, Tibetan & Napalese dishes, including buffet options.
Little Nepal – Little Nepal Restaurant & Bar
Easygoing establishment offering traditional Middle Eastern & Mediterranean specialties.
Sahara Cafe
Vegan food truck serving up made-from-scratch plant based street food, all around Colorado Springs. Check their Facebook link here for their most up-to-date location!
The Joint Vegan Street Food
This laid-back, woodsy-chic kitchen serves thoughtfully-sourced vegan bar bites along with canned beers in koozies. My personal faves are the sloppy mac and adult chocolate milk!
Burrowing Owl
An upscale option featuring a menu focused on steak, seafood, & cocktails in a sleek, contemporary dining space.
Prime25
A quintessential downtown Colorado Spring brunch spot with both sweet and savory options, along with a build-your-own bloody mary bar. Their eggs benedict can't be beat.
Urban Egg: a Daytime Eatery
Traditional, down-home breakfast & lunch dishes in a cozy converted house and casual element. They're most famous for their GIANT cinnamon rolls!
Mountain Shadows Restaurant
Relaxed, contemporary restaurant & bar serving classic Thai dishes, including curries & noodles. (If you love the food, be sure to give the chef your compliments - he's my brother!)
NaRai Siam Cuisine
Acclaimed, casual spot for light, market-fresh Vietnamese specialties in a relaxed eatery with comfy booths. Great spot for a classic bowl of pho!
Saigon Cafe
Fine dining fondue establishment, offering a wine bar and tabletop grilling in a refined setting. Be sure to stop in to the basement wine cellar for a romantic setting to enjoy a glass of wine.
Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant
Bars & Breweries
A chock-full-of-character nightlife food-hall with several local grub options, from casual quick bites to upscale occasion space, along with multiple bars and an in-house brewery. Often featuring live music, board games, and a photo booth. Dogs welco...
COATI
Speakeasy-style nightspot specializing in the city's best gin-based cocktails & light bites in a stylish setting.
Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street
A moody, dimly-lit, Whiskey-focused bar with craft cocktails and shareable, small bar bites.
District Elleven
The place you're most likely to find Marea on any given night. A lively gay piano bar with an upbeat lounge element. Incredible live performance every few minutes, gourmet hotdogs, local art, craft cocktails, and open arms. Everyone is welcome here!
ICONS
Asian street faire and cocktails in a small, hip space with colorful cyberpunk murals & an industrial vibe.
Chiba Bar
A historic schoolhouse turned bustling communal arts and faire center- featuring a brewery, a Whiskey distillery, and a coffee shop. Occasionally offers live music and art shows. *Bonus* Lead Planner Birdie also works at the whiskey house on the lowe...
Ivywild School
An underground cocktail bar serving craft libations, vintage spirits, and late-night food in a dimly-lit, historic speakeasy element.
The Archives Underground Libations
An upscale whiskey and wine bar featuring luxe velvet lounge seating, outdoor fire pits, small bites, and a delightful menu with something for everyone! I recommend the pretzels.
Cork & Cask
A local brewery and taproom with a sport's bar-esque element and a rotation of food trucks and weekly philanthropic events.
Goat Patch Brewing Company
A self-pour taproom that focuses on serving local and global craft beer, cider, wine and kombucha, paid by the ounce. With an element of quintessential Colorado outdoorsman, Trails End is unique in that it's like a daily beer fest, encouraging visito...
Trails End Taproom
Coffee Shops
A cute little neighborhood cafe and bar in the Old North End. Birdie also works here!
Good Neighbors Meeting House
Charming tiny-house-turned-coffee-shop offering the city's best espresso drinks & pastries. Utilize their deck seating or set up a picnic in the adjacent Acacia Park.
Story Coffee Company
Artisanal espresso drinks, plus breakfast & lunch fare are offered at this sun-lit, modern coffee outpost. The best part is the plethora of plants!
Switchback Coffee Roasters
Modern coffeehouse featuring its own roasted beans, coffee drinks and sweet & savory toast options.
Loyal Coffee
Funky local cafe offering espresso drinks, craft taps & sandwiches in an airy, wood-clad space.
The Wild Goose Meeting House
Offbeat joint with a rustic, whimsical interior offering yerba mate drinks, pastries & delicious sandwiches. I recommend a chai mate and carob peanut butter bar!
The Maté Factor Café
Entertainment
My old digs! An epic experience for thrill seekers. A beautifully scenic course including 10 ziplines and 2 suspension bridges, with the highest point at 500ft off the ground and speeds up to 45mph. The longest line takes you down an 1800 ft cable fr...
The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure Zipline
Experience these natural cave infrastructures for yourself on multiple guided tour options available for every age group. The affiliated adventure park features a climbing wall, zip-line, and adrenaline rides!
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Experience the breathtaking ascent up Tava (Pike's Peak) in a newly-remodeled train car, boasting 360 degree views at over 14,000 feet in elevation. Pike's Peak, known as America’s Mountain, is the star attraction, but the journey along the way is fu...
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
An in-house dinner and movie experience featuring cozy chairs, a laidback element, and a upgrade to the classic cinema experience.
Bonus points: Just next door is the Rail Yard, their sister venue featuring bowling, arcade gaming, gourmet dining an...
RoadHouse Cinemas | Colorado Springs
Weidner Field is home to the Colorado Spring's professional Switchbacks soccer team, and serves as the arena for many community events and concerts through the year.
Switchbacks Stadium
An intimate community art theater with live performances suitable for all ages.
Millibo Art Theatre
Broadway performances, comedy tours, local musicals and more!
Ent Center for the Arts
A local cultural collective for theater, comedy, music, and more!
Pikes Peak Center For The Performing Arts
Jeep tours, hot air balloon rides, Segway excursions, zip-lines and more!
Adventures Out West
The 60,000-square foot U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs is dedicated to America’s greatest athletes and their compelling stories, with the artifacts, media and technology behind the athletes who make the United States proud.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Take a drive up Gold Camp Road to overlook the city in the evening.
Take a scenic drive!
Watch the sunset over Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak from Mesa Overlook.
Watch the sunset!
A nostalgic attraction at the center of historic Manitou Springs where you can re-discover hundreds of old arcade games like pinball, skeeball, and more- with just pocket change.
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
The first Friday of each month, stroll through Downtown or along Old Colorado City for a collective of local art on display. Many feature wine bars and live music.
First Friday Art Walk
Colorado Springs features a farmer's market every day of the week during peak season! Check out the link here for more details on when and where to visit.
Farmers Markets of Colorado Springs
A bowling alley also featuring laser tag, an arcade, plus a restaurant & sports bar.
The Summit Interquest
Cozy downtown comedy club featuring lots o' laughs, open mics, comedy classes, a full bar, and more.
3E's Comedy Club
Experience something truly fun and unique as the exhilarating game of WhirlyBall combines lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars in a game of skill coupled with a touch of chance.
WhirlyBall Colorado Springs
A nifty little music venue in Manitou Springs with great shows year round.
Lulu's Downstairs
Shopping
Eclectic CO. is a retail collective of over 80 local artisans; from homemade skincare to vintage wares, from jewelry to home goods and so much more. Be sure to check out their Downtown and Old Colorado City locations!
Eclectic CO.
A locally owned shop offering simple, everyday options that are eco-friendly, sustainable, fair trade and vegan-friendly, as well as bulk refill solutions for home and body products.
Conscious Living
A unique studio boutique of an esteemed local artisan featuring unique gifts, jewelry, home wares, and more.
Heartshake Studios
An LGBTQ+ owned-and-operated gift and stationery boutique, full of eclectic, locally-made designs and the best greeting cards you'll ever find.
Ladyfingers Letterpress