Colorado Springs Travel Tips
I was just in Colorado Springs for my future brother-in-law’s wedding. While I was there, Aryeh Goretsky sent me an email with a few “local” tips inside. Seems a shame to keep those to myself, so I’m going to post ‘em here in the hopes that other people traveling to Colorado Springs will discover them when searching for help…
When I was there last, NORAD, USAFA and Ft. Carson were not allowing tours any more, but they may have relaxed those. If you are still in Colorado Springs, here are some fun things to do while you’re there, in no particular order:
- Garden of the Gods Park (either just to drive through or to park and walk around in).
- The Will Rogers Shrine (kind of like Coit Tower in SF).
- Bear Creek Park (dog park, some walking, also hiking)
- Check out the Starr Kempf kinetic sculptures over by the Starsmore Discovery Center
- See a movie at the IMAX theatre
- Take the funicular rail car up Pike’s Peak
- There are all sorts of galleries, boutiques and eateries in Old Colorado City, downtown Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs
- Visit Woodland Park (about 16 miles W of town, curvy drive up to it)
Things you can probably avoid: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, the Flying W Ranch, the Nicola Tesla museum, and the Cave of the Winds. The Zoo is (or was) very small and the Flying W more of a dinner and “western experience” thing for people who’ve never seen a cowboy. There is an Insect Museum south of town – I don’t know if it is worth visiting. And as far as eating is concerned:
- Broadmoor Hotel (various restaurants, all expensive)
- Craftwood Inn [Manitou Springs] (game, expensive)
- Edelweiss (German food, moderate)
- Giuseppe’s Depot (pizza, kind of touristy but fun, moderate)
- Il Vicino (pizza, inexpensive)
- Marigold (noveau, moderate-expensive)
- Mollica’s (Italian deli, inexpensive)
- Phantom Canyon Brewery (nouveau, moderate)
- Stage Coach (continental, moderate-expensive)
- Swiss Chalet [Woodland Park] (dinner is expensive, lunch is reasonable)
Downtown Colorado Springs is 6,000 feet above sea level, Woodland Park is at 8,500 feet and Cripple Creek and Victor are just over 10,000 feet. This means you may be exposed to more UV radiation then if you were at sea level. If anyone burns easily, bring some suntan lotion. Also, the air is thinner and drier. As a result, your body will dry out quicker. Take bottled water with you wherever you go (e.g., leave it in the car). Chapstick will also be useful. Also, there may be quite a bit of pollen in the air from pine trees and the like. Take anti-allergens if this is an issue. There is a CompUSA and a Best Buy at the north end of town in case of digital emergencies.
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9 Comments
keener2u
July 24th, 2006
at 12:00pm
Definitely check out 15c also. It sounds shady but it is a 30’s like speak easy/Martini bar. Take Tejon to the Jamba Juice and head to the blue light in the alley. The door should be labeled 15c. Awesome place and definitely a spot not to be missed.
K. Ripperger
July 24th, 2006
at 1:26pm
Chris –
The bases are all still closed and you can’t get tours unless you are sponsored by someone who has access. Even then, the wait time is usually months. If you know anyone who has access to NORAD and have time to schedule your trip around it, it’s totally worth it.
Also, when you’re in town, don’t miss the local “non tourist” parks — especially Ute Valley Park and Palmer Park. They’re not your typical parks because they are essentially hundreds of acres of trails in the middle of the city. Ute Valley is off of Constitution and Vindicator and Palmer Park is off of Academy between Platte and Austin Bluffs. Any locals will be able to point you to these parks.
For eating, you can’t come to town without trying the best Mexican ever: Salsa Brava. There are now two locations — one off Rockrimmon and Vindicator; the other is near Chapel Hills and Briargate.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2006
at 3:01pm
Colorado Springs Travel Tips…
Blogger Chris Pirillo gives us some travel tips for Colorado Springs. His lists contains mostly tourist attractions and restaurants but is interesting none the less….
Tony
August 17th, 2006
at 12:51pm
There are some interesting places mentioned above. The information is useful for somebody who never been in Colorado Springs. I like that you posted places to avoid… I will going to take a look on them when I will have the opportunity to go in Colorado Springs.
Travel and Vacation
August 17th, 2006
at 6:11pm
Going to Colorado Springs?…
Chris Pirillo wrote a thorough guide for visitors to Colorado Springs. Do's, dont's, and tips that a lot of travel guides miss. Who else would tell you where the Best Buy is in case of a "digital emergency"?
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Paul Qualls
December 15th, 2006
at 3:58pm
I can’t believe that Chris says not to go to the Zoo in Colorado Springs. The zoo here has the largest herd of Giraffes outside of Africa and you can hand feed them I have a yearly membership, and we go several times a year. It takes about 5 hours to get through our “small” Zoo. I think Chris should edit this as it falls into the “if you don’t know for sure, don’t say anything about it either way” category.
Paul
Robin
February 15th, 2007
at 10:51am
A couple more places we love to eat at in the Springs:
Blue Star… modern setting, great bar, awesome ambiance. Restaurant is on the pricey side, but the bar menu is just as excellent, and more affordable. The staff is very friendly. Sits right next to Bristol Brewing Co, which makes Laughing Lab.
Paravicini’s… the most excellent italian cuisine in the Springs. You can watch the action in the kitchen from your table, and the owner mingles with the patrons. And, the menu is affordable.
Now a not so vibrant view of Swiss Chalet in Woodland Park…
The food was very good, and the restaurant is very quaint, but the wait staff seemed quite pre-occupied to give us the time of day besides taking our order, bringing our food, and taking our money. From the moment we walked in we didn’t feel very welcome. We had a reservation but had to wait because everyone before us was late?
We were directed to sit at the bar while we waited for our table. The person who came to make our drinks never greeted us, and she served my Bailey’s on ice half full. Once we were seated, we had to wait several minutes for the easel menu to be brought to us, and another several minutes for someone to take our order… long enough for us to contemplate leaving. The person who took our order didn’t even ask us if we wanted anything to drink, and that was the last time we saw her until she came by to take our plates. My husband had to ask for the check. We had several servers come by our table but with the exception of the lady who brought our food [she was very nice, and attentive] no one else could even make eye contact, let alone ask if everything was ok or if we needed anything. The owner walked around helping the staff, but you never saw him going from table to table talking to the patrons… which is what you normally see in a restaurant that charges $25 and up per entree.
sharron
June 10th, 2007
at 8:39pm
correction: Ute Valley Park is off Centennial, not Constitution. And it is WELL worth the visit! Also, try Red Rock Canyon, off of hiway 24 and Ridge Road………it’s the best!
Colorado Springs
July 3rd, 2008
at 4:00pm
Great take on the Colorado Springs area. There are definitely plenty of things to do!