The Ultimate Weekend Trip to Colorado Springs

Where To Go And What To Do

So you’ve decided to do a weekend getaway to Colorado Springs. Now what? Say no more.

Introduction

Back in Fall of 2019, I was 25, attending fire academy full-time, working as an EMT, while also raising my 3-year-old daughter. Why this background info? Well, to put it mildly, I wasn’t exactly hitting it big. My point? I wanted to travel…rather I needed to travel…but how? That is when I first started investigating how to travel on a budget, and with a young child.

I traveled a lot growing up. I was blessed to have been raised in a family where the luxury of traveling often was just ‘the norm’. I remember chuckling to myself realizing just how lucky I had been to travel as much as I had. Instead of allowing myself to reminisce of those days when traveling involved zero monetary commitment or planning from my end, I decided that one way or another, I was going to have my butt on a plane as soon as I finished fire academy. Plane to where? It didn’t matter. Just a plane…to a destination…ideally that I had never been. Oh, and my daughter with me of course. Minor detail. Long story short-ish…

Why Colorado Springs?

We ended up in Colorado Springs. I honestly can’t remember how it came to be the destination (as I do not remember it being a bucket list item or anything of that sort), but I can say most definitely the flight costs factored in. Ultimately, I chose to fly into Denver International Airport, and then rent a car and drive to Colorado Springs. Although Colorado Springs has an airport, it is smaller, pricier to fly into, and I had wanted to have access to a car regardless.

For those who may not know of this already, Frontier Airlines (my choice airline for flying Cleveland to Denver), has extremely good deals on flights for members (yearly fee for the discount den membership $59 which can easily be worth it even just booking one trip), and on select flights they have as ‘kids fly free’ option. Meaning, that for every one adult airline ticket booked on that flight, one child (under the age of 15) flys completely free. Its important to note that not all flights qualify, and most that do fall on weekdays but at the time, my daughter was in daycare/preschool so missing school wasn’t a concern. Furthermore, in general flying on weekdays tends to decrease flight prices in general, often fairly significantly…but tips on flying on the cheap is a topic for another post.

Where To Stay: Lodging

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort

I cannot possibly sing praise to this place enough. Not only did we stay here for the entirety of our first trip to Colorado Springs…but I actually went back here again on a trip Fall of 2020…and yet again in Fall of 2021.

I loved that it was a small, family-owned business, was reasonably priced, and right in the dead center of everything I wanted to explore in Colorado Springs. Additional benefits that we enjoyed were the all-inclusive breakfast, wide-range of bicycles available for guests to borrow, fire pit area with chairs, variety of board games and entertainment in the main guest lodge, and. the friendliness of the staff. They have truly made us feel at home each and every time.

What To Do: The Great Outdoors

Ultimately, Colorado Springs (and Colorado in general) was somewhere I wanted to go specifically to hike and explore ‘the great outdoors’. Consequently, Colorado Springs provides several breathtaking parks all within crazy close proximity.

Garden of the Gods Park

Garden of the Gods is a 1,341.3 acre public park located in Colorado Springs. Although officially established in 1909, the geological formations characteristic of this park are the result of over 300 million years. 862 acres of the park were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

Admission to the park, as well as the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, is free to all.  The park provides one of the most extensive pictures of earth history found anywhere in the United States. It is a true geological wonder and embodies a unique biological melting pot where the grasslands of the Great Plains meet the woodlands characteristic of the American Southwest and merge with the mountain forest of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak.

One aspect that is great about this particular park is that there are plenty of fairly flat as well as some paved, trails that are ideal for those lugging a stroller (as I did for three years in a row). The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature center is located at 1805 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 8 min (2.9 miles)

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon Amphitheater, Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a gorgeous sandstone park with various hiking and bike-accessible trails. The 1,474-acre city park is located between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. There are 11 marked trails in Red Rock Canyon Open Space ranging from 1.7 to 5.4 miles and from 6,141 to 6,866 feet above sea level.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is located along Highway 24 at 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 5 min (1.8 miles) 

Pike’s Peak

Pike’s Peak, famously titled, “America’s Mountain” is known as the mountain that the song “America, the Beautiful” was written about. All three times that I have had the opportunity to visit Colorado Springs, I opted to drive to the top. There is a train to the top (although not operational during my first visit and possibly my second) however, driving Pikes Peak Highway allows the opportunity to stop along the way at scenic overlooks for absolutely breathtaking views and photo ops. Currently, admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 6-15. There is a discount ed rate of $50 for a ‘carload’ (up to 5 passengers). Although under construction during my initial two visits, the new Pike’s Peak Visitor Center at the summit is now fully open and operational including a state of the art museum detailing the history of the mountain.

Be sure to check ahead to see if you need a reservation (this is sometimes the case particularly during the summer) and be sure to check ahead for any weather-related closings (more of an issue in the later months of the year). Pikes Peak, located in the Rocky Mountains west of Colorado Springs, is one of the most famous — and most attainable — 14ers in the country. Clocking in at a breathtaking 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak is one of the 53 mountains in Colorado that achieves a height of 14,000 feet+, also making it one of the top 100 mountains in the United States.

Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 18 min (10.3 miles)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

At an elevation of 6,714 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the highest zoo in the country. The zoo covers 140 acres, 40 of which are in use. Advance tickets may be required. Be sure to check their official website for up-to-date information.

Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 16 min (7.4 miles)

The Manitou Incline

The Manitou Incline gains 2,000 feet in elevation from start to finish. The average grade for the trail is 45 percent and, in some places, it is as steep as 68 percent. There are 2,768 steps to the top…and a fairly difficult 3 mile hike back down to the bottom along the Barr Trail after reaching the summit. I correctly estimated how difficult it would be and what it would entail doing it with Lily (who at the time was only 5)… so I knew what I was getting myself into overall, despite it being my first time and boy was it exhilarating. PSA  not recommended for anyone who has a fear of heights ( the adrenaline junkie in my was thrilled). The base of the Incline is located in Manitou Springs near the base of the Barr Trail and across the street from the Cog Railroad.

Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 11 min (3.9 miles)

What To Do: Museums & More

Manitou Springs Penny Arcade

Spend some time exploring the famous Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs, Colorado. From vintage pinball machines to shooting galleries, the Penny Arcade is a magical walk back in time for everyone. This indoor/outdoor arcade features over 400 vintage games and outdoor rides, 20 different pinball machines (both new and old) and 30 different racing games. And the Penny Arcade is (mostly) true to its name with plenty of games indeed costing only a penny. But there are many more that cost anywhere from 5¢ up to $1.50.

The Penny Arcade is located at 930 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 6 min (2.1 miles)

Wild West Ghost Town Museum

Ghost Town Museum was created in 1954 to preserve a piece of Colorado’s Wild West heritage.

The museum is set up like a little “town” featuring an indoor collection of the very structures that were left to decay around the Pikes Peak region, all looking much as they would have 100 years ago. An impressive array of everyday artifacts is displayed in each building.

The museum is housed inside a historic stone structure. In 1899, the Colorado Midland Railroad constructed it as a maintenance building for the steam locomotives that hauled gold ore to the Golden Cycle Mill, once located across the street from the museum. The Roundhouse next door and the Ghost Town Museum are all that remain of the operations of the Golden Cycle Company, which closed the facilities in 1949. They have lots of hands-on activities that are great for kids! Especially those that need space to run around and things to touch!

400 S 21st St Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Distance from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: 6 min (2.3 miles).

Food + Drink

Trails End Taproom and Eatery is a great option for adults and children alike. It has plenty of space and often has live music. The environment is welcoming, the food is delicious and diverse, and they have plenty of brews on tap!

One of the reasons I love Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort is because breakfast is included. When I say breakfast I don’t mean that continental breakfast served at massive chain hotels that I am sure immediately popped into your head. Rather, they provide a buffet-style assortment of various cereals, yogurts, fresh fruit, milk, coffee, tea, juices, bagels with a variety of spreads, a waffle maker and I’m sure plenty more I am forgetting.

Additionally, Buffalo Lodge has room set-ups with kitchenettes. I chose this option to save money by getting groceries and preparing some meals there rather than just eating out! There is a Safeway chain grocery store very close by among others. There is also a liquor store in the same plaza with an excellent selection of liquor, wine, and my favorite….Colorado-brewed beers and hard ciders!

Posted By: fehn.isabel.a · In: Travel