The Best Things to do in Colorado Springs:
Colorado is such an iconic United States destination. There are so many thrilling reasons to visit this beautiful state; and I 100% plan on returning to visit again. In April 2019, I had the pleasure of working with Visit Colorado Springs to create a 3-day itinerary that suited my interests and the interests of my readers. So with that said, I am thrilled to share (what I consider to be) the best things to do in Colorado Springs, CO!
My Itinerary:
Day 1:
- Arrive on an early flight
- Bag Drop at SCP Hotel
- Food Tour with Rocky Mountain Food Tours (we didn’t actually get to go on this tour due to our flight being delayed, but I really wish we could have)
- Check-in Hotel / Tour Hotel & Happy Hour
- Dinner at The Warehouse Restaurant
Day 2:
- Ziplining with Adventures Out West
- Lunch at Pizzeria Rustica (I actually found this place at random, but it was SO good!)
- Explore & Shop throughout Old Colorado City
- Happy Hour at The Wobbly Olive
- Dinner at Sopra Wine Bar
Day 3:
- Coffee at Ivywild School
- Electric Bike Tour through Garden of the Gods with Amp’d Adventures Tours
- Lunch at The Bench
- Distillery Tasting at Distillery 291
Getting to Colorado Springs & Around Town:
Colorado Springs does have its own airport, and we planned on strictly using it. However, we had a few delays leaving Raleigh that ended up making us have to fly into Denver and then Uber to Colorado Springs. And honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. It was about an hour and a half drive, but it allowed you to see a lot of the scenery throughout the drive.
Once in town, we strictly used Uber and Lyft; that’s how I prefer to travel. I’d rather not rent a car and worry about driving and parking unless it is absolutely necessary. However, it is a very drivable city if you do prefer renting a car.
SCP Hotel:
I could not have been more impressed with our stay with SCP Hotel. It is not overly fancy from the outside, but the inside is extremely modern yet welcoming. The staff always welcomed us home with a smile. And the best part is, when you check-in, you get a free local craft beer.
SCP stands for “Soul, Community, Planet.” Everything about SCP is holistic from the recycled building items that have been upcycled as art, to the refillable water bottles in the rooms, to locally made products sold in the common areas, to a fabulous yoga and fitness center!
The rooms were extremely spacious and clean, the beds were comfortable, and the lighting in the room was the best I’ve ever seen in a hotel room (good for bloggers lol). I truly loved my time at SCP and HIGHLY recommend it if you find yourself in Colorado Springs!
The Warehouse Restaurant:
Our first stop once we finally arrived in Colorado Springs was for a lovely dinner at The Warehouse Restaurant. The staff went above and beyond by preparing an outstanding pairing dinner for us so that we could share a variety of their unique dishes. The Warehouse Restaurant also doubles as an art gallery – meaning all of the art inside the restaurant is for sale. Our pairing menu consisted of the following:
- Course One
- Charred Octopus paired with 2017 Giuseppe e Luigi Pinot Grigio
- Sesame Calamari paired with Prosecco Neirano
- Course Two
- Coconut & Green Curry Soup (with Asian vegetables, mint, and onion shoots) paired with 2016 Tolosa “No Oak” Chardonnay
- Course Three
- Cast Iron-Seared Elk Flat Iron Steak paired with 2016 Hahn Grenache Syrahand Sesame & Wasabi Scallops paired with 2013 “White Doe” Blend
- Course Four
- Buttermilk Pannacotta (with blackberry puree and candied walnuts) paired with 2017 Centorri Moscato
The first course was my absolute favorite part of the entire meal; both dishes were outstandingly unique and paired perfectly with the wines that were presented to us. The second course was equally unique and not something I would have ever ordered for myself; however, we were pleasantly surprised with the mix of flavors. Course three completed the experience with seared elk, cooked to perfection – along with the best scallops that I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. And the night ended on a high note with a delicious dessert.
Ziplining with Adventures Out West:
I have been zip lining in Tennessee before – but not much could beat the views of Colorado. The zip lining staff at Adventures Out West were extremely knowledgeable, yet absolutely hilarious. They kept us laughing (and safe) throughout the entire experience.
The course consisted of two shorter, beginning lines and three longer lines that allow you to try out a variety of tricks and trust falls. No matter your experience level, fears, or interest… I truly recommend zip lining with Adventures Out West on your next trip to Colorado Springs!
Dinner at Sopra Wine Bar:
Clearly, by the name of my blog, I am a fan of wine. I love the creativity, process, flavors, creations, pairings, and fun that can be found in the huge variety of wine varietals that exist. Sopra Wine Bar is another example of the excellence that can be found when building meals around a variety of excellent wines. Sopra offers a variety of wines by the glass and by the bottle, along with shared plates and dinner entrees.
Olivia and I split 3 shared plates consisting of Margarita Bruschetta, Sausage & Peppers, & Formaggi. Each of which paired deliciously with the 2015 Opaque Red Wine Blend that they selected for us to try. The Margarita Bruschetta was by far my favorite dish, as the slightly toasted mozzarella melted over the thick baked Italian bread. Sopra Wine Bar is not a place to be missed in your next visit to Old Colorado City; an iconic food and shopping area that is a must-see in Colorado Springs.
Electric Bike Tour with Amp’d Adventures Tours:
(Garden of the Gods Area / “Garden and Glen Combo Tour”)
Not going to lie, I was a bit afraid of this tour at first. I mean, “riding a bike is something you never forget, right?” But it had been a while, and I wasn’t sure what kind of terrain we would be on. WELL, let me tell you that this was the most unique and beautiful tour that I have ever been on.
The bikes are extremely easy to operate and the terrain is paved and easily accessible for riders of all experience levels. I will let you know that we did not experience the full tour, as the weather was a bit cold and rainy on the day of our tour. However, biking around the Garden of the Gods area in Colorado Springs is definitely worth being checked-off of your bucket list.
The owner was extremely kind and gracious enough to host us, make stops along the way for photo ops, and educate us on what makes Garden of the Gods a unique land-formation. The area is a registered National Landmark This tour is sure to serve as both fun and educational – with a large variety of photo ops. So what are you waiting for? Go and book your plane ticket to Colorado Springs now! LOL 🙂
Lunch at The Bench:
Filled with sports puns and analogies, The Bench is a local sports bar with top-notch food and an incredible staff. Each course was unique and put a modern twist on a “bar food” classic. We started with Smoked Spud Skins, smothered in a variety of smoked cheeses. Next, we tried a variety of wing options – tossed in their unique wing sauces.
A pleasant surprise was found in a tasty vegetarian option – the Tempura Fried Cauliflower with a Chipotle Ranch sauce was out-of-this-world. Another
I could not recommend The Bench more! Personally, I will always a fan of this style of food. It’s simple, classic, and delightful. However, when an establishment is able to take classic dishes and add an unexpected (but delicious) twist to them… that’s what makes them stand out.
Distillery Tasting at Distillery 291:
Distillery 291 has a unique beginning and an equally unique distiller. Michael Myers has a long history in a variety of whiskey regions. He pours his heart and soul into the seven different whiskeys that Distillery 291 produces.
All of Distillery 291’s whiskeys are hand-made through a grain-to-barrel-to-bottle process. Aged in a pure and heavily charred American White Oak Barrel, Distillery 291 has crafted a perfect combination of both bold and smooth. Stopping in for a tasting before dinner would be the perfect way to start a great evening.
Other Random Notes and Conclusions:
I know someone out there is wondering
But seriously, Colorado Springs was a dream destination. I highly recommend making the trip. If you have any questions about getting there, what to do, or how to get around – just ask! Follow me and message me on Instagram or Facebook. I’d love to chat.
A huge thank you to Visit COS and SCP Hotel for hosting me during my time in Colorado Springs. And thank YOU for reading my “Best Things to do in Colorado Springs.”
Until next time,
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