Cristina's Guidebook
Neighborhoods
The neighborhood is very quiet and primarily retirees. Right around the corner, down 30th towards Colorado Ave is where to be. If you go right on Colorado Ave, you’ll find fast food, a Safeway, Starbucks and other essentials. I’d suggest driving as there’s not much to explore.
If you turn left on Colorado Ave, that’s where the local shopping, boutique art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and culture. I’d suggest walking if you’re exploring in the day.
Pleasant Valley
The neighborhood is very quiet and primarily retirees. Right around the corner, down 30th towards Colorado Ave is where to be. If you go right on Colorado Ave, you’ll find fast food, a Safeway, Starbucks and other essentials. I’d suggest driving as there’s not much to explore.
If you turn left on Colorado Ave, that’s where the local shopping, boutique art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and culture. I’d suggest walking if you’re exploring in the day.
Sightseeing
Must explore for great restaurants, shopping, bars, coffee, culture, and live music.
I especially love La Baguette, a French cafe that serves the best French Onion Soup I’ve ever had. It also serves loaves of the best fresh bread, you can bring home.
6 locals recommend
Old Colorado City! Shop. Dine. Discover. Stay.
Colorado AvenueMust explore for great restaurants, shopping, bars, coffee, culture, and live music.
I especially love La Baguette, a French cafe that serves the best French Onion Soup I’ve ever had. It also serves loaves of the best fresh bread, you can bring home.
Downtown Manitou Springs continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, with many one-story small shops, restaurants, and pubs, as well as a creekside city park with a children's playground made from unusual materials. Among other services, shops sell clothing, candy, souvenirs, and outdoor recreation. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak. Barr Trail, which winds its way up Pikes Peak, is accessible from town.
649 locals recommend
Manitou Springs
Downtown Manitou Springs continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, with many one-story small shops, restaurants, and pubs, as well as a creekside city park with a children's playground made from unusual materials. Among other services, shops sell clothing, candy, souvenirs, and outdoor recreation. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak. Barr Trail, which winds its way up Pikes Peak, is accessible from town.
Downtown is a buzzing hub of indie boutiques, peaceful parks, and global eateries. The area is a designated creative district with sculptures dotting its leafy streets. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum chronicles local history, while the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is known for American art. A lively nightlife scene encompasses breweries, wine bars, and dance clubs, plus concerts at the Pikes Peak Center.
154 locals recommend
Downtown
Downtown is a buzzing hub of indie boutiques, peaceful parks, and global eateries. The area is a designated creative district with sculptures dotting its leafy streets. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum chronicles local history, while the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is known for American art. A lively nightlife scene encompasses breweries, wine bars, and dance clubs, plus concerts at the Pikes Peak Center.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is one of the best new attractions in Colorado Springs. The Museum is dedicated to capturing and sharing the history of Team USA in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the hopes and dreams of future generations.
150 locals recommend
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
200 S Sierra Madre StThe U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is one of the best new attractions in Colorado Springs. The Museum is dedicated to capturing and sharing the history of Team USA in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the hopes and dreams of future generations.
Activities
The Manitou Springs Incline, or simply the Incline, is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs. The trail is the remains of a former railway whose tracks washed out during a rock slide in 1990. The Incline is famous for its sweeping views and steep grade (average grade of 45%) making it a fitness challenge for locals of the Colorado Springs area. The incline gains 2,011 feet of elevation in 0.88 miles horizontal, and ~2,744 steps. This is a very difficult climb, especially if you are not accustomed to the altitude, but worth it if you have extra time to kill.
228 locals recommend
The Incline
The InclineThe Manitou Springs Incline, or simply the Incline, is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs. The trail is the remains of a former railway whose tracks washed out during a rock slide in 1990. The Incline is famous for its sweeping views and steep grade (average grade of 45%) making it a fitness challenge for locals of the Colorado Springs area. The incline gains 2,011 feet of elevation in 0.88 miles horizontal, and ~2,744 steps. This is a very difficult climb, especially if you are not accustomed to the altitude, but worth it if you have extra time to kill.
The Garden of the Gods Park is popular for hiking, technical rock climbing, road and mountain biking and horseback riding. It attracts more than two million visitors a year, making it the city's most visited park. There are 21 miles of trails.
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdThe Garden of the Gods Park is popular for hiking, technical rock climbing, road and mountain biking and horseback riding. It attracts more than two million visitors a year, making it the city's most visited park. There are 21 miles of trails.
The park contains many miles of easy walking (hiking) trails that wind through and around the rock formations, and is popular with hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers.
430 locals recommend
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
3550 W High StThe park contains many miles of easy walking (hiking) trails that wind through and around the rock formations, and is popular with hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers.
Weidner Field is the new downtown stadium in Colorado Springs. Opened on April 24, 2021, it is home to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, which competes in the second level of U.S. men's professional soccer, the USL Championship (USLC). It hosts events and concerts so be sure to check out the schedule.
6 locals recommend
Weidner Field
111 W Cimarron StWeidner Field is the new downtown stadium in Colorado Springs. Opened on April 24, 2021, it is home to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, which competes in the second level of U.S. men's professional soccer, the USL Championship (USLC). It hosts events and concerts so be sure to check out the schedule.
Food scene
This is a newly updated area with trendy new bars and eateries. Great crowd, scenes, culture, live music and happy hours.
While OCC and south downtown have good restaurants, this is my favorite area.
South Tejon Street
South Tejon StreetThis is a newly updated area with trendy new bars and eateries. Great crowd, scenes, culture, live music and happy hours.
While OCC and south downtown have good restaurants, this is my favorite area.
City advice
What to pack
Pack layers and a hat/sunglasses
It’s always safe to pack in layers, as the weather can be unpredictable. Sunscreen (available in the house) and a hat are helpful while exploring. The best weather for exploring and hiking is the morning. Afternoon weather can vary from high heat to storms, depending on the day.
Don't miss
Saturday Farmer’s Market is a must
There’s an excellent farmers market at Bankcroft Park in the middle of Old Colorado Springs (OCC) every Saturday at 8am-12pm that I highly recommend exploring.
Don't miss
Brewery Scene
Colorado Springs is known for it’s breweries, located all through out the city. OCC brewing just opened up down Colorado Ave. Others that are popular with locals in the area are Cerberus, Brass Brewing, Fossil, Red Leg, and Local Relic but there’s many more.