Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Colorado Springs?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Colorado Springs?
Most visitors spend two to three days in Colorado Springs when visiting. The outdoorsy mountain town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the hiking, the beautiful scenery, the museums and landmarks, and the small town charm.
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and it offers access to world-class hiking and stunning parks both within and near the town. The Garden of Gods is a world class park in town and the city also offers easy access to the famed Pike's Peak in Pike National Forest. Many visitors use Colorado Springs as a base for exploring the many outdoor recreation areas that are nearby.
Do you have one or two days to visit Colorado Springs? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Colorado Springs?
One day is generally not enough time to experience the town and surrounding mountains while visiting Colorado Springs. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to experience the hiking, the beautiful scenery, the museums and landmarks, and the small town charm. To genuinely appreciate the mountain atmosphere, local flavors, and epic views of the outdoorsy mountain town, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. In fact, many tourists opt for two to three days in the area. After all, Colorado Springs is a nice mountain town that isn't very crowded with tourists since it only has a few sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Colorado Springs
When visiting Colorado Springs, you absolutely can't miss Pikes Peak as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
Colorado Springs is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The town is surrounded by tons of natural beauty. In the area you'll find the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Rock Climbing at Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs ($221)
- Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Old Stage Road Jeep Tour ($95)
- Sightseeing Jeep Tour in Garden of the Gods ($90)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. Given only a weekend, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the mountain town vibe and surrounding mountains here. You won't want to miss the chance to discover the nearby hiking trails, admire the wonderful scenery, browse through museums, and take in the local charm. To truly savor all that the mountain town boasts, a longer amount of time is recommended. Many vacationers opt for two to three days to thoroughly enjoy the mountain vibe of the mountain town. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
How to spend 2 days in Colorado Springs
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Colorado Springs, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the mountain town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Colorado Springs sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ancient Landscapes Private Geology Hike at Garden of the Gods ($99)
- Guided Hiking Experience of Iconic Mirror Lake & Lone Eagle Peak ($150)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Classic 3-Hour Food Tour in Colorado Springs ($88)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Colorado Springs, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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