Lauren & Josiah
Things To Do
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is one of the best free attractions in the country and regularly voted one of the best parks in the U.S. on TripAdvisor. A National Natural Landmark, the 300-foot red sandstone monoliths tower above a backdrop of blue as Pike’s Peak stands majestically in the background. An outdoor playground, the area is a climber’s haven (and a great place to try rock climbing for the first time), but there are also over 15 miles of trails that can be explored by hiking, biking, Jeep, or Segway. Some of the most popular photo spots include the easy 1-mile Siamese Twins Trail, which leads to a natural rock window, High Point Overlook, Ridge Trail Overlook, and Palmer Trail. Pro Tip: the park is much less busy on weekdays so plan your visit accordingly.
Pikes Peak
Take a drive to the top of Pikes Peak, one of the most visited mountains on the planet. This majestic Colorado 14er is one of the few places so grand in scale that are also accessible to be experienced first-hand by people of all ages and abilities. Get Pikes Peak tickets and take a trip to the summit to experience one of the best Colorado Springs attractions. In fact, it is one of the coolest things to do in Colorado, period. The safe and scenic Pikes Peak Highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy 19 miles of mountain terrain, with frequent pull-offs for you to get out, stretch your legs, and take photos. You’ll be treated to breathtaking views, four different Colorado life zones and unique animal sightings, like the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, yellow-bellied marmots and (rumored) Big Foot. The “Meet the Ranger” program is the perfect place to learn about Pikes Peak’s history, geology, nature, wildlife, and events.
Manitou Incline
Not for the faint of heart, but you’ll feel on top of the world (literally) after you do it! The Manitou Incline, is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs, Colorado, near Colorado Springs. The trail is the remains of a former 3 ft narrow gauge funicular railway whose tracks washed out during a rock slide in 1990. The Incline is famous for its sweeping views and steep grade, with an average grade of 45% and as steep as 68% in places, making it a fitness challenge for locals of the Colorado Springs area. The incline gains 2,011 feet of elevation in .88 miles horizontal. Currently the Incline has approximately 2,744 steps from the bottom to the summit.
The Broadmoor
The Broadmoor welcomes guests to a legendary Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort with impeccable service and distinctive amenities. Here, the spirit of the West inspires the adventurer within, providing endless opportunities to explore the picturesque mountains, streams, and canyons that have inspired generations. Whether you are interested in zip lining adventures and horseback riding, Colorado fly fishing, or an indulgent day at the spa, you’ll find endless activities for every age in every season. Experience an iconic Colorado Springs resort where personalized luxury offers an escape from the ordinary and modern details blend seamlessly with the timeless European elegance of our historic hotel.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The #4 ranked best zoo in North America in 2018 by USA Today. It’s known for its interactive animal experiences, you can feed a number of fuzzy and furry friends from leopards and lions to elephants. The star of the show is the giant giraffe herd, though, which never seems to tire of lapping up lettuce right from the palm of your hand. You could spend all day watching them amble about, but there are also plenty of unique creatures to seek out like the tapir, coati, and my personal favorite, the okapi, which looks like a cross between a deer, zebra, and pony. Pro Tip: Don’t leave without driving up to the Will Rogers Shrine for one of the best views of Colorado Springs.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
If you enjoy cheering for Team USA, the Colorado Springs Olympic Center is where to fangirl over all your favorite athletes. The facility is home to summer training programs and dorms for Olympic and Paralympic sports like gymnastics, swimming, and cycling. Private tours are led by guides and the athletes themselves and include lunch at the athlete cafeteria and a visit to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. To enhance the experience even further, a brand new U.S. Olympic Museum is set to open in 2020.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
The Broadmoor’s world-famous waterfall, Seven Falls is the only waterfall in Colorado to be included on Nat Geo’s list of must-see waterfalls around the world. Named for its seven separate tiered falls, each segment technically has its own name and characteristics. You must take a shuttle to get there and purchase a ticket (yes, you need a ticket to hike), but the base of the falls is an easy .8-mile walk from the park entrance or a $2 tram ride. From there, you can either take the stairs or an elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest observation deck before climbing the 224 stairs to the top of the falls to hike around the circumference. Be sure to come back at night when the flowing water is bathed in colored lights (year-round, beginning around 5:30 p.m.).