Colorado Springs
Eco-friendly travel guide to Colorado Springs advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America.
- Air quality: 4 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 3 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5
- Public transportation: 3.6 / 5
- Parks: 4 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 5 / 5
- Locals' English level: 5 / 5
- Safety: 3.85 / 5
- Accommodation: US$20 - $1,100
- Budget per day: US$80 - $1,300
Contents
Responsible Travel
Colorado Springs is a place where anyone can plan a recreational getaway to as it boasts a galaxy of outdoor activities to enjoy, miles and miles of mountain trails, and unique and beautiful sandstone rock formations. Colorado Springs is truly one of the finest resorts in the United States of America and it gives visitors and locals alike endless opportunities to get active from going on horse riding and joining whitewater rafting expeditions in Echo Canyon to hiking in the Garden of the Gods and renting mountain bikes to hit the downhill trails.
Colorado Springs is an ideal place to be if you love stunning scenery and fresh air and, foodies will be glad to be in a city like this because it's home to cuisine from all over the world ranging from a Mexican feast at La Unica to a platter of sushi at Jun Japanese as it serves up food that catches people fancy at its vast options of restaurants. Colorado offers an unspoiled spirit of the Wild West and a matchless natural beauty, and if you're looking for tips to travel responsibly, here are a few you could make use of considering the nature of this city;
- Drink Water. The climate in this city is more akin to a desert than anything else, irrespective of the flowing rivers, plentiful lakes, and the afternoon rains in the state. If you'll be moving around the city, you have a great chance of getting dehydrated, and putting this factor into cognizance is very weighty. As a result of this, do well to move around with a water bottle wherever you go and you can always refill it. The city's water is very nice and you can fill up right out of the tap. Match your alcoholic drinks with lots of water and don't forget to drink moderately as you're visiting the several distilleries, wineries, and breweries in the city. Alcohol is not hydrating so, minimize your booze intake. Even though it's recommended that you stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water, don't be tempted to drink from a river or lake even though they usually appear very clean because they have the possibility of containing some bacteria. You can come with a water backpack and carry some purification tablets - a larger water source; if you plan to hike. And before you head home, don't forget to recycle your bottles.
- Protect yourself from the sun. As you'll be moving around, put on a hat, and protect yourself from the harsh rays by wearing sunscreen. You burn faster and more severely up in the mountains and everyone knows that this is not a silly tale. Minimizing the sun on your face and getting your eyes shaded can be achieved by wearing a hat, and don't forget to re-apply the sunscreen as indicated.
- Be Altitude savvy. Learn to take things slowly because you're likely to experience altitude sickness during your visit and you can get winded and tire quickly because of the air which tends to be thinner in some parts of the city. It's often tempting to hit the ground running in this city because of the plenty of things to see and do. Don't forget to drink water, take alcohol responsibly, and when you’re 7,000 feet above your day-to-day elevation, don't go careening around the mountains, but wear sunscreen. Remembering to drink water will be hard if you get too tipsy on all those tasty local brews but note that it's important that you're conscious of your alcohol intake.
- Put fire safety into cognizance. Fire is devastating to the city's region and the state of Colorado, in general, is often in and out of drought conditions.
- Observe all fire bans. You don't need to make fire before you have fun. There are some places in the city where people are told not to burn, and if it says no grill fires or no campfires, be careful not to burn.
- Keep cigarettes to yourself. You can endanger homes and livestock with a single cigarette which can as well burn hundreds of acres; out on the eastern plains. A cigarette is a great way to start a fire and you'll be littering the city if you toss a cigarette from your car or onto a trail.
- Practice common sense fire safety. You definitely don't want to be blamed for contributing to a disaster with your face printed on a newspaper so, it's better you're too cautious, if that's what it takes. If you have lots of fuel in your car, don't leave it running in dry areas. No matter how inconvenient it may be, put your campfires out thoroughly with water, and this as well goes for your grills and any other type of fire.
- Don't perturb the wildlife, some are indeed wild. When you’re roaming the hills, keep an eye out for the wilds for the city has its fair share of adorable, neutral, some dangerous, and critters. Colorado Springs is home to lots of wild animals and you should be cautious during encounters. Make sure you're very observant of your surroundings and you don't have to run or panic if you come upon a bear or a mountain lion.
- Pack out your waste. Trash adds up and can overtake an area and it isn't just unsightly. So, do well to bring along ways to bring back your refuse whenever you're out hunting, fishing, camping, or hiking.
Air Quality and Pollution
Colorado Springs is regarded to be one of the cities with the best air quality in the United States of America and it's considered to be a great place for those who are sensitive to allergy pollutants because its pollution index is 65.7% less than the Colorado average. The air quality in Colorado Springs is better than the air quality in Denver and it has an air quality index of 88.3%. However, despite this intriguing stat, Colorado Springs's air quality suffers some setbacks because of the perpetual wildfire smoke in some parts of the city.
Respect the Culture
This laid-back, unpretentious Colorado is dominated by a sense of adventure, and it has been turned into ski runs through gold mines. Nature rules Colorado Springs and you'll find tons of typical farmers and ski bums in this city with a spirit of strength and independence. Most of the locals in this city depend on the land for their livelihood and respecting the culture of this city will have to probably start from respecting the land, the locals' ideology, and mother earth. From cowboys and fourth-generation ranchers to environmentalists and ski bums, Colorado is a land of outdoorsy people, and the recreation culture in this beautiful city is focused on boating, biking, snowboarding, and skiing for the mountains have created a cool outdoor recreation culture.
The cultural scene in Colorado has shifted to something of mountain chic and Colorado is "defined" by the pervasive attitude of living in the moment, extreme sports buffs, and summer music festivals. Colorado Springs is no doubt a very nice place to be and respecting the culture in this city has to do more with paying attention to the warnings placed in some parts of the city, keeping the city clean when you're out hiking in the mountains, being friendly with the people around you just as the locals are, and keeping an open mind.
Top 10 Places to Visit
During your trip to Colorado Springs, you can enjoy great restaurants, ski resorts, breakfast spots, RV parks, romantic getaways, parks, and lots more to your advantage. Colorado boasts plenty of fine attractions which include Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, Glen Eyrie Castle, and the Garden of the Gods Park, and the most interesting part of it all is that most of its finest attractions cost no dime. Couples and families will find Colorado Springs to be a fun weekend destination.
Famed for its mountain scenery, spectacular red rock, and endless hiking trails, Colorado Springs offers all from culinary adventures to outdoor excursions as it's brimming with exciting experiences, and it's no surprise that it draws over 20 million visitors annually. Things to do in Colorado Springs are limitless; whether you seek educational and cultural activities or outdoor thrills and, the adventures in this city range from mild to wild with no shortage of things to do. Hoping to check out some of the best attractions in Colorado Springs? Here's our top 10 list.
- The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature: It's one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs and, lectures, nature walks, and Junior Ranger program are some of its several available programs. It has plentiful exhibits about minerals, animals, local plants, Native Indians, and d lots more. It's the most visited park in Colorado Springs and it boasts 15 miles of gorgeous trails. Made of sandstone and limestone, it features white, red, and pink vertical rocks as a 1,364-acre park, and it's listed as a National Natural Landscape. Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding are very popular here. Situated on North 30th Street, it's one of the top attractions in Colorado Springs, and it's a favorite of many for its large and colorful rock formations. It's a public park.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Bear Grottos, Australia Walkabout, and lots more are some of the exhibits you'll find here. It's home to one of the largest herd of giraffes in the United States of America and visitors can enjoy a wonderful experience of feeding the giraffes. Giraffes are actually the most popular animals and there are lions and zebras featured at the African Rift Valley exhibit. Dedicated to recreation, education, and conservation, this zoo was founded in 1926 and it's home to 30 endangered species, about 180 species overall, and more than 950 animals altogether. It's a great place to visit with kids, it's situated at an elevation of 6,800 feet on Cheyenne Mountain, and it covers an area of 140 acres. It's the only mountainside zoo in the United States of America and it's southwest of downtown Colorado Springs on Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road.
- Pikes Peak: You can catch a stunning view of the Continental Divide and the Garden of the Gods here, amidst many others from the summit. It's a great road trip if you seek things to do with kids. One of the most popular trails is the 13-mile Barr Trail and trekking is another way to get to the top. By riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or driving on the Pikes Peak Toll Road, you can reach the top. The peak is named after Zebulon Pike and it's situated 12 miles from downtown Colorado Springs in Pike National Forest. It's one of the highest in the Rocky Mountains and it's at 14,115 feet.
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: World-famous New Mexico architect John Gaw Meem is the brain behind the design of this place which is famous for its gorgeous Santa Fe-style architecture which earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally opened in 1936, it opened in its current incarnation in July of 2017, and it's the premier arts and entertainment facility of Colorado College. The local community at the Bemis School of Art are offered some art education classes and the 450-seat SaGaJi Theatre is where the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company presents its music and dance events, film screenings, dramas, and musicals with Southwest artwork displayed at the Taylor Museum. From several theatrical performances spaces and libraries to music rooms, art galleries, and studios, the center contains a plethora of creative and performances spaces.
- Penrose Heritage Museum: Dedicated to promoting and preserving regional history and heritage as a historic resource, the El Pomar Foundation is the manager of this museum. It features two presidential carriages and it contains a collection of carriages of the Penrose’s. The widow of Spencer Penrose; Julie Penrose, established this museum in 1941 and it was previously called Carriage Museum.
- United States Air Force Academy: Open every day and providing information to visitors is the Barry Goldwater Air Force Academy Visitor Center, and the training and education of people for the United States Air Force is what this military academy is dedicated to. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colorado and it's situated north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County. The Falcon Hiking Trail is open to visitors and, the Field House, the Falcon Athletic Center, Cadet Chapel, and Arnold Hall are highlights of the self-guided tour. A film about the academy is shown at a 250-seat theater where you'll as well find various exhibits; all inside the 31,600 square foot center.
- Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site: It's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and it's a fine place to be if you seek historic attractions in Colorado Springs. Explanations of the activities of daily life are provided by the museum guides dressed in costumes here. From a mansion for the 1907 Edwardian Country Estate and a farmhouse for the 1880s Chambers Home and Ranch to a log cabin for the 1860s Galloway Homestead and a tepee for the American Indian area in 1775, it has different dwelling at different period of time with something unique. Depicting life in four different time periods in the Pikes Peak area, it's an open-air living history museum also known as the Chambers Ranch, and it's situated on Gateway Road.
- Western Museum of Mining & Industry: It has a farmers’ market that's held twice a week and it as well offers lectures and rotating exhibits. The museum’s library is where books related to mining are kept. Items like live burros, a steam shovel, and a stamp mill for gold ore are showcased on the outdoor exhibits with scale models of mills and mines on the indoor exhibits. More so, items like antique mining equipment, pneumatic machines, and steam engines are included in its collection. This museum is located on North Gate Boulevard and it was founded in 1970. It's devoted to industrial technology and the mining history of the western United States.
- Olympic Training Center: It's the home of the U.S. Olympic Committee and wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, and gymnastics are some of the common sports at this state-of-the-art athletic complex. Situated on East Boulder Street near downtown Colorado Springs, it's a 35-acre complex that's worth seeing, especially for sports fanatics. Items related to sports and the Olympics are sold at the Team USA Shop which can be found in the Visitor Center. Throughout the year, it offers tours, and preschoolers are also not left behind from enjoying this tour it provides. Two swimming pools, a sports medicine and sport science center, residence halls, and dining halls are some of its facilities.
- Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum: It hosts tours, special events, programs, lectures, and temporary exhibits. Over 60,000 captivating cultural and historic objects made up the collection of this museum and the former El Paso County Courthouse is the home of this museum. Containing arts and artifacts that celebrate the Pikes Peak region, it's situated on South Tejon Street. The mining industry, the health resort industry, and the founding of Colorado Springs are some of what its items are related to. And, its Native American collection represents the cultures of Ute, Cheyenne, and the Arapaho.
Explore
Colorado Springs is home to some of the most celebrated natural scenery in the United States of America and it's nestled in the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains. Colorado Springs does have a lot to brag about and it's a place where you can barely get bored with the endless things it offers to keep visitors busy and the plenty of attractions it proudly boasts. From the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and ANA Money Museum to the Pioneer Museum, you'll find an array of pleasant indoor attractions to choose from, and if you would prefer to unwind at a natural attraction, places like Palmer Park, Red Rock Canyon, and the Garden of the Gods give you the opportunity to experience nature enjoyably. Whether you come to Colorado Springs in winter, fall, summer, or spring, you'll never be short of things to do.
City Parks
If you would love to participate in a few fun activities and seek the perfect spot to appreciate the weather, the city parks in Colorado Springs offer you an opportunity to catch a memorable experience!
- Garden of the Gods: If you would be coming here, don't forget to take photos with the ‘Balanced Rock’ and the ‘Sentinel Spines’. Adults, students, and children can enjoy the occasional programs and events hosted at the center here and you can get educated on geology, wildlife, local plant, and more here. The history of the Garden of the Gods is detailed at the visitor’s center and you can enjoy everything from mountain biking and horseback riding to rock climbing and hiking here. It's a wonder to behold and it's recognized as a National Natural Landmark. It's the most visited park in Colorado Springs and it boasts 15 miles of gorgeous trails. Situated on North 30th Street, it's one of the top attractions in Colorado Springs, and it's a favorite of many for its large and colorful rock formations.
- Helen Hunt Falls: There's very limited parking available here, especially busy summer months so do well to arrive early in the day if you'll be coming here. As you drive along the narrow roads of the canyon, don't forget to take caution. Once you're here and you need to take a lunch break, you have different choices of picnic areas scattered about the park you can hit up. Helen Hunt Falls is a great outing for families and it's simply breathtaking as you'll receive panoramic views of the entire city when you get to the top. It provides views of beautiful waterfalls and it's an extremely popular hiking destination. This place is named after activist and poet Helen Maria Hunt.
- Creek Dog Park: If you want to catch a fun time with your four-legged best friend, this park is a fine place for you. It features a facility for dog bathing, a special area reserved for smaller and senior dogs, and an agility training area. Here, you can let your dog run out in the open grass, drink from the dog-friendly fountains, swim in the creek, or walk along the trails. Explore the outdoors and catch a beautiful feeling and thankfully, you and your pet can roam about freely because this 25-acre park is fenced in. If you would love to indulge your furry friend in an off-leash adventure, you already know where you need to be.
National Parks
National parks have something for everyone as they provide an array of outdoor activities for all from stargazing and kayaking to horseback riding, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, camping, and wildlife viewing to auto touring. Luckily, Colorado Springs shares a close proximity to some of the finest national parks in the United States of America which include Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, and Rocky Mountain.
Beaches
Although there are no beaches in Colorado Springs, you can always take a weekend trip to one of the nearby cities to catch a fun beach time.
Landmarks
Visiting the landmarks in the city is a great way to learn the history and as well experience the city more intriguingly.
- Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun: There's a wall by famous Santa Fe artist Randall Davey housed here amidst the many significant cultural attractions packed here. There are three floors honoring Will Rogers' career and the ground floor exhibits murals portraying local history. The tower comprises five floors and there are spectacular views of Colorado Springs provided on the top deck which is 8,136 feet if you're on the height of the will rogers shrine. It's situated 1.4 miles to the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway up from the Zoo entrance and it's a historic landmark.
- Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site: It's available for special events and accessible during the summer-living history initiative. This place creates a lifetime of memories and offers guests an opportunity of witnessing history with all five senses. Interpreting the economic, agricultural, and social growth of the Pikes Peak region with its experiential, cultural, and healthy system, it depicts life from 1775-1907 in the Pikes Peak community, and it's a non-profit, cultural, natural history ranch and museum.
- Glen Eyrie: Attending one of the events here is a great way to escape from the busyness of the city to experience relaxation, calm, and get away from daily life. It's a haven and a place of transformation and inspiration. It boasts impressive rock faces of sandstone, sparkling waterfalls, green lawns, whispering aspen, and magnificent pines. You can catch your breath for some sacred moments when you come here and set aside all your worries because this place has a rich spiritual history that evoke such an atmosphere. The beauty of Eyrie is breathtaking and delightful wildlife such as wild turkeys, deer, and bighorn sheep can be admired here. This castle is set in an idyllic location often used for women’s retreats, men’s retreats, marriage retreats, and lots more for it's also a retreat center and a conference center. Christmas Madrigal Banquets, Tea at the Castle, and weddings are some other events it's used for and you can as well take guided tours of the castle.
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Museums
Colorado Springs museums cover a wide range of subjects which include fine art, cowboys, insects, money, mining, trains, aviation, and regional history.
- Ghost Town Museum: If you'll be coming here, be on the lookout for coupons on admission fees. This museum is a great place for kids, families, and students. You can sip on a drink in the saloon, see artifacts up close, and watch a short film detailing the history of the town. You can disengage in hands-on activities like panning for real gold, operating old nickelodeons or jukeboxes, and churning butter as you journey back to the Wild West. The Ghost Town Museum was built in 1954 with the aim of preserving an important period of Colorado history.
- National Museum of World War II Aviation: On days when the museum is open, visitors can benefit from its nice guided tours which are available three times per day. It has a gift shop that sells historical World War II related items and the museum also offers a free K-12 STEM program. Aircrafts undergoing restorations by WestPac Restorations can be seen in the Restoration Hangar and World War II aircraft and artifacts are some of its collection. It's situated pretty close to Peterson Air Force Base and the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport and sits on 20 acres of land. Those who desire to comprehend the importance of American aviation during World War II should come here for the right knowledge and this museum is situated on Aviation Way.
- Peterson Air and Space Museum: Martin, Lockheed, Curtiss, and Convair are some of the aircraft makers. Buildings that date from between 1928 and 1941 are the host of this museum that sits on a historic district of 8.3 acres. Dedicated to preserving the city's history of aviation and that of Peterson Air Force Base, it displays a variety of aircraft, and it was founded as the NORAD Visitor Center in 1982. It's the oldest aviation museum in Colorado and it's situated on Ent Avenue.
- Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum: It hosts tours, special events, programs, lectures, and temporary exhibits. Over 60,000 captivating cultural and historic objects made up the collection of this museum and the former El Paso County Courthouse is the home of this museum. Containing arts and artifacts that celebrate the Pikes Peak region, it's situated on South Tejon Street. The mining industry, the health resort industry, and the founding of Colorado Springs are some of what its items are related to. And, its Native American collection represents the cultures of Ute, Cheyenne, and the Arapaho.
- Western Museum of Mining & Industry: It has a farmers’ market that's held twice a week and it as well offers lectures and rotating exhibits. The museum’s library is where books related to mining are kept. Items like live burros, a steam shovel, and a stamp mill for gold ore are showcased on the outdoor exhibits with scale models of mills and mines on the indoor exhibits. More so, items like antique mining equipment, pneumatic machines, and steam engines are included in its collection. This museum is located on North Gate Boulevard and it was founded in 1970. It's devoted to industrial technology and the mining history of the western United States.
- Penrose Heritage Museum: Dedicated to promoting and preserving regional history and heritage as a historic resource, the El Pomar Foundation is the manager of this museum. It features two presidential carriages and it contains a collection of carriages of the Penrose’s. The widow of Spencer Penrose; Julie Penrose, established this museum in 1941 and it was previously called Carriage Museum.
Eat
Home to several American and Mexican restaurants, Colorado Springs also boasts its fair share of global cuisines. For spicy coconut shrimp soup and creative sandwiches, a casual restaurant and bar; Shuga's, catches the fancy of many in the city, especially the students of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. To enjoy famed green chili, a local favorite you should check out is King's Chef Diner. For tavern classics like homemade pretzel bites, wings, and bison burgers paired with beer cheese, head over to this popular brewery-meets-restaurant, Phantom Canyon. More so, Sonterra Grill is a recommended spot if you crave some nice Mexican bites.
Traditional Local Restaurants
Traditional local restaurants are in good quality and quantity in Colorado Springs:
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
- Edelweiss German Restaurant
- Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant
- Springs Orleans
- Uchenna Ethiopian Restaurant
- Caspian Cafe
- Applebee's Grill + Bar
- Buffalo Wild Wings
Vegetarian and Vegan
Colorado Springs is a very vegan-friendly city and some of the hottest veg-friendly dining spots in the city are showcased during the hosted vegan restaurant week. The city holds two vegan festivals and it's not surprising that it's fast-growing into one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the United States of America. There's plenty of creative and delicious dishes and you'll be glad to know that you won't be saddled with tasteless, boring meals even if you don't eat meat.
- Santana’s Vegan Grill
- The Burrowing Owl Lounge
- Bambino’s Urban Pizzeria
- Sweet Elizabeth’s Organics
- Adam’s Mountain Cafe
- Natural Epicurian
- Nourish Organic Juice
- Jose Muldoon’s
Street Food
Food trucks in Colorado Springs give you an opportunity to enjoy quality street food and savor a gourmet meal without a high cost plus a huge variety of choices:
- Solsage Food Truck
- The Wild Card
- Killik's Kitchen
- Smokin' J's BBQ
- Phat Frankies
- Macos Tacos
- Piglatin Truck
- Big Papa's Grill
- All Things Pita
Drink
Colorado Springs is home to some of the finest breweries in the state and you'll have a great time in this city if you're a beer lover.
Tap-water
The tap water in Colorado Springs is considered safe to drink and you should have no fear drinking directly from the city's tap water. Mountain streams are the origination of almost 75% of Colorado Springs' water.
Organic Cafés
There's no shortage of organic cafés in Colorado Springs and here are some of the finest ones you'll find around:
- Ola Juice Bar
- Natural Epicurean
- Modern Market Eatery
- Cafe Red Point
- Nourish Organic Juice
- Burrowing Owl
- TILL
- Adam’s Mountain Cafe
- Sweet Elizabeth’s Organic Bakery
- Santana’s Vegan Grill
Breweries
The brewery scene in Colorado Springs is fascinating and here are some of the best ones in the city:
- Red Leg Brewing Company
- Cerberus Brewing Company
- Storybook Brewing
- Pikes Peak Brewing
- Bristol Brewing
- Trinity Brewing Company
- Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
- Dueces Wild Brewery
Activities
Fondly referred to as Little London in its early days, Colorado Springs is home to lots of recreational things to do, and the fact that it's close to historic national treasures, world-famous attractions, amazing natural sights, and mountains also adds to its value. Being one of the most popular vacation destinations in Colorado, guests and locals have exciting choices for outdoor adventure, endless blue skies, and stunning natural scenery to enjoy. Hoping to get busy in the city? Here are a few ideas you can explore;
- Take your visit to new heights and explore Pikes Peak
- Pay a visit to Garden of the Gods and enjoy hiking to your full pleasure, and you can as well explore the entire park by car
- Visit the U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Olympic Training Center
- Spend a few hours at one of the exceptional museums in the city
- Get around the city on two wheels by taking advantage of the PikeRide bike-share program
- Start your morning with a visit to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- Stop for a performance or movie at The Historic Jones Theater
Yoga and Retreats
You can trust any of these places for your yoga and retreats in Colorado Springs:
- Hot On Yoga
- Colorado Spirit Retreat
- cambio. Yoga
- YOGA STUDIO SATYA
- Baptiste Power Yoga Colorado Springs
- Root: Center for Yoga & Sacred Studies
- Yogafied
- CorePower Yoga
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, Colorado Springs offers something for all budgets, tastes, and ages as there's a perfect place for everyone. Colorado Springs accommodations options run the gamut; there are RV parks and campground where outdoor enthusiasts can feel right at home, and staying in cabin lodging near Colorado Springs is a nice idea for those who want to enjoy being closer to nature. There are plentiful self-contained resorts with amazing facilities in Colorado Springs and you'll as well find hotels, vacation homes, and bed and breakfasts to oblige to.
Green Hotels
Here are some of the best green hotels in Colorado Springs:
- Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport
- The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
- Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
- Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- The Broadmoor
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Colorado Springs
Hostels and Guest Houses
When it comes to looking for the best hostel or guesthouse in Colorado Springs to stay in, you'll find quite a handful of options of places to choose from but ColoRADo Adventure Hostel and Neva Inn are some of the most popular ones.
Apartments
Apartments are not difficult to find in Colorado Springs. While you can check for listings on different websites online, you can as well subscribe to Airbnb for decent accommodation. A local neighborhood could be more interesting if you're a solo traveler but you might prefer a more touristy area if you're a first time visitor to this city.
Couchsurfing
Colorado is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts and you might be lucky to find a host for couchsurfing in this city.
Camping
Campgrounds and RV Parks are in large quantity in Colorado Springs and you can enjoy camping in the city at any of these places:
- Garden of the Gods RV Resort
- Golden Eagle Campground
- Fountain Creek Campground
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park
- Foot of the Rockies RV Park
- Goldfield Campground
- AMHE
- Gold Camp Park
How to Get There
There are a couple of options to explore to get into Colorado Springs but flying in into the airport still proves to be a more convenient option.
Air
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport is a full-service airport serving the city alongside these other airports;
- Pueblo Memorial Airport
- Denver International Airport
Bus
Bustang runs service from Denver and Pueblo and Greyhound also offers means of getting into the city from neighbouring states and a few cities in Colorado.
Train
Getting into the city by train is not feasible.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking isn't illegal in Colorado Springs.
Others
Driving into the city is pretty much feasible, especially if you're coming from Denver or other cities in the state.
Moving Around
Most of the popular things to do in the city aren't reachable on foot from the city center, the best way to get around Colorado Springs is by car, and you can hit up the Colorado Springs Airport (COS) to rent a vehicle. However, your two feet and a comfy pair of shoes should do the trick if you want to spend the day in nearby Manitou Springs or downtown Colorado Springs.
Walk
Areas like Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs are where you can enjoy taking a walk and as well peruse the many shops and galleries around. Walking around is easy in Colorado Springs because of its grid-pattern layout and compact neighborhoods.
Bicycle
With over 60 miles of mountain bike trails, 120 miles of paved urban bike paths, and more than 100 miles of on-street bike lanes, Colorado Springs has become more bike-friendly over the past several years.
Electronic Vehicles
You should be able to pick up an electronic vehicle at one of the car rental companies around.
Public Bus
Throughout Colorado Springs, more than 20 local bus routes are operated by Mountain Metropolitan Transit. You can purchase a day pass for $4 and one-way rides for adults cost about $1.75. However, take note that many routes cease operation after 7 p.m, Saturday and Sunday service is not as frequent, and buses operate from 5 in the morning to 10 in the evening on weekdays.
Tram, Train and Subway
Getting around the city via tram, train, or subway isn't common.
Sustainable Shopping
Colorado Springs does have its good share of environmentally-friendly, sustainable, and ethical stores, and you should be able to shop sustainably in the city as an eco-friendly traveler.
Food Markets
Some of the best food markets in Colorado Springs are:
- Canon City Farmers Market
- Briargate Farmers Market
- Colorado Farm & Art Market
- Fountain Community Market
- Luna Market
- Old Colorado City Farmers Market
- Monument Hill Farmers Market
Flea Markets
Popular flea markets in Colorado Springs include:
- PBNJ's Indoor Flea Market
- Colorado Springs Flea Market
- BlanketWorld Central
- The Lucky Ducky Marketplace
Second Hand Stores
Thrift stores are plentiful in Colorado Springs:
- Thrift House
- arc Thrift Shop
- Sisters Thrift & Boutique
- St. Paws Thrift Store
- Thrift Store - Silver Key Friends
- Jimi V's Thrift Store
- Life Network Family Thrift Store
Eco-Fashion
Toad&Co, Momentum, Ten Thousand Villages, and Lillies are some of the best places you can trust for your ethical, eco-friendly fashion in Colorado Springs.
Recycling
The El Paso County Environmental Division operates recycling in the city and some of the recyclables in the city are office paper, newspaper, tin cans, aluminum cans, and cardboard.
Waste
El Paso County sponsors a yard waste collection in the city.
Work and Study Abroad
Colorado Springs attracts more outdoor enthusiasts and explorers because of its many opportunities for adventures and proximity to several natural wonders.
Exchange Student
Despite Colorado Spring's status as a hotspot for adventurists, it's still home to a couple of universities and colleges such as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College, and Colorado College, of which most of them offer the student exchange program.
Au Pair
Au pairs do not seem to be that common in Colorado Springs.
Volunteering
Want to volunteer in Colorado Springs? Places like Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, Community Centers, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, and Adopt-a-Park/Trail call for more volunteers in the city.