One Day in Colorado Springs: Nearby Hiking, Unique Dining & More

Colorado Springs is a mid-sized city full of outdoor activities, great food and a variety of fun activities. The city lies beneath Pike’s Peak, the highest summit in the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It's also well known for Garden of the Gods, a National Natural Landmark where you can see orange jagged rocks towering into the sky.

Colorado Springs makes a great day trip from Denver or is a perfect Colorado weekend destination. This guide covers a full-day itinerary for exploring the area, plus a beautiful hotel, where to eat in Colorado Springs, and more.

Fast Facts about Colorado Springs

• Colorado Springs has a population of 460,000+ people
• The Colorado Springs airport is serviced by 5 airlines and flies directly to 9 US cities. However, you will have a lot more options if you fly into Denver.
• It's located 1.5 hours from Denver

Where to Stay in Colorado Springs

Kinship Landing is a uniquely modern hotel centrally located in downtown Colorado Springs. The rooms are beautifully furnished with wood walls and earthy tones. I stayed in a junior suite that included a queen bed elevated up on a wood platform, a cute cushion to sit on, a small sitting area and even a desk.

In addition to various sized suites, Kinship Landing also offers shared bunk rooms and even a camping deck where guests can go “camping” with mountain views and amenities like a private bathroom.

You’ll also find a delicious restaurant in the lobby, Homa. Homa serves a variety of items from breakfast to cocktails. I enjoyed the veggie handpie which was full of chickpeas, onions and carrots.

Overall, Kinship Landing is a beautiful boutique hotel that is perfect for solo travelers, couples and families alike.

How to Spend One Day in Colorado Springs and Nearby

Grab coffee, summit a 14er, hike in Garden of the Gods and enjoy a unique dining destination.

Start your day at Loyal Coffee

If you stay at Kinship Landing, Loyal Coffee is located right across the street. The coffee shop serves some delicious toast options for breakfast, including sweet options such as ricotta apple and savory options with soft boiled eggs.

They also roast their own coffee beans and serve cocktails and wine. It’s a great place to either grab a quick breakfast or spend some time any time of day.

Go on a hike in Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark and famously beautiful hiking spot that emcommpasses 1,300 acres of Colorado Springs. The land for the park was donated to the city of Colorado Springs in the early 1900’s with the conditions that it would remain free to the public.

Pro Tip: Get here early to beat the crowds.

The park has 21 miles of trails with a variety of incredible sandstone rock formations. If you only have time for one trail, check out the Perkins Central Trail for close-up views to some of the highest rock formations in the park.

Other interesting trails include the half mile Ridge Trail with some views from higher up or the Siamese Twins Trail for a 1 mile loop with great views of Pikes Peak. The park also offers jeep and segway tours, bike rental and rock climbing. At the visitor center, you can pick up a map and also get a fantastic overlook of the unique red rocks sticking up out of the ground.

Parking can be limited at Garden of the Gods but a shuttle is offered in the summer months.

Drive to the Top of Pikes Peak

Summit a 14er right outside of Colorado Springs! Pikes Peak has an elevation of 14,115 ft and is one of the few Colorado 14ers that you can drive directly to the top of. Plus, the views along the way are epic.

The drive to the top is 19 miles and has several viewpoints along the way. You may want to avoid it if you're afraid of heights, as there are a lot of steep drop offs. The road is also quite steep - there is an even a mandatory brake check on the way down.

At the top, there is a visitor center, gift shop and a place to get delicious donuts.

Reservations are required to drive to the top between May 26 - September 30. If you don't want to drive yourself, you can also take the Cog Railway or a Jeep Tour to reach the top.

Drive at Ivywild School

Ivywild School is a unique destination that is perfect for enjoying lunch, dinner or drinks. It’s a bustling food hall and bar located inside of a former elementary school. When you enter, all of the elements of the school are still present but instead of classrooms, you’ll see restaurants and bars.

There are chalkboard-lined hallways, old school lighting fixtures, a vending machine that dispenses art and lots of unique touches. There are also some cozy nooks to sit indoors and ample outdoor seating where you can spread out and relax.

I enjoyed a vegetarian empanada from Lazo Empanadas, a fresh hoagie from Salad or Bust and a refreshing beer from Bristol Brewing Company.

Josh & John’s Ice Cream

If you're craving a sweet treat after a day of adventure, check out this ice cream shop! Josh & John’s Ice Cream serves delicious hand churned ice cream in downtown Colorado Springs. They have a one-of-a-kind process for making their ice cream that has been adapted from old White Mountain hand churns.

Flavors include ‘purple mountain majesty,’ ‘moose on the loose,’ and ‘Colorado cookies and cream.’ This is a great place to enjoy dessert after a day of exploring.

More Things To Do in Colorado Springs

• Hike the infamous Manitou Incline, which climbs up a whopping 2,000 feet in 1 mile. It's great if you're looking for a challenge. A reservation is required.

• Take a day trip to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, located less than an hour from Colorado Springs. The park is full of spires and hoodoos clad in chromatic displays of gold, purple and pink, and has 4 miles of hiking trails.

• Explore the historic town of Manitou Springs and try some of their mineral water.

Final Thoughts

I hope this helps you plan a fun day trip to Colorado Springs! From jagged red rocks to towering mountains, this city is a wonderful gateway to adventure.

For more Colorado guides, check out these blogs:

• How to Spend a Weekend in Denver, Colorado
• The Best Things To Do in Boulder, Colorado in the Summer
• How to Spend 2 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park
• A Guide to Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the Spring
• The Best Hiking in Fort Collins
• The Best Things To Do in Silverthorne, CO

Thanks for Reading!