Travel Guides
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- Your Complete Guide to Colorado Springs Hotels & Endeavors
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More than 700 feet above Denver, Colorado Springs is the second-most populated and the biggest city (by acres) in the state of Colorado. At the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the “Olympic City” is known for its abundant nature, including Pikes Peak and the red sandstone and limestone protruding from the ground at Garden of the Gods. If you love the great outdoors, Colorado Springs offers sightseeing and mountain views like nowhere else. You might also hear it referred to as “The City of Millionaires” because gold was discovered on the slopes of Pikes Peak in the late 1800s. While the gold rush lasted for just about a year, you might still get lucky today and find some in areas like Cripple Creek.
IHG Hotels in Colorado Springs
Close to the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Garden of the Gods, and other local attractions, the Holiday Inn Express® hotel in Colorado Springs is clean, convenient, and comfortable. With free breakfast, free self-parking, a fitness center, a heated indoor pool, and a hot tub, you have everything you need for your stay, business or pleasure.
Stay minutes from Pikes National Forest when you book a room at Staybridge Suites Colorado Springs North. The mountain view hotel is perfect for a short or extended stay and has an outdoor pool, fitness center, complimentary daily breakfast, and even hosts a free social hour with drinks and appetizers a few days a week. The hotel’s outdoor space has a fire pit and comfy chairs, great for lounging with a glass of wine. Pets are welcome here for a fee and there’s a laundry facility on-site for guests to use.
Things to Do in Colorado Springs
Explore Garden of the Gods, a surreal natural landmark featuring stunning red rock formations and scenic hiking trails.Test your skills on its granite cliffs or take a scenic drive or hike to the summit of Pikes Peak, one of Colorado's famous "Fourteeners" (one of 58 peaks above 14,000 feet of elevation) for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and plains.
Get up close and personal with exotic animals and enjoy breathtaking views of the city at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America's only mountain zoo. Named one of the top zoos in the country by TripAdvisor and USA Today, this zoo is home to Rocky Mountain goats, mountain lions, Alaska moose, Canada lynx, Mexican wolves, bald eagles, big cats, primates, and more.
Ten minutes from Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs is a charming mountain town known for its quirky shops, art galleries, and multiple natural mineral springs. The resort city features dozens of great restaurants and a very difficult hike (2,744 steep steps!) up the Manitou Incline for anyone who’s up for the challenge.
Put on your art critic hat for a trip to Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, a renowned museum and gallery, where you’ll find a diverse collection of art, including works by regional and international artists.
With countless trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes, Colorado Springs offers endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. Some popular trails include Barr Trail and Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Or check out the world-class climbing routes in nearby areas like Shelf Road and Eleven Mile Canyon. Hit the trails at places like North Cheyenne Cañon Park or Palmer Park for thrilling mountain biking experiences surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Trip Extras
Are you an IHG One Rewards member? Book tours, activities, and things to do in Colorado Springs and earn points toward future travels. Some fun ones include a hands-on falconry class, a Manitou Springs zipline tour, and a half-day Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting adventure in Cotopaxi.
Where to Eat & Drink in Colorado Springs
Known for its funky menu and speakeasy-style ambiance, the Rabbit Hole — which is Alice in Wonderland-inspired — offers a variety of creative dishes and cocktails like the rabbit meatloaf, Cornish game hen, and the Tweedle Bee (a spicy pepper-infused gin drink with honey and lemon). This is a great place for a unique and quirky dining experience you’ll want to tell your friends about.
A local favorite, it’s said that Shuga's was once a typewriter repair shop and it still gives off a fun and eclectic feel. The cozy restaurant offers globally inspired dishes with a focus on fresh ingredients, like pozole, a karaage sandwich, and jalapeño-bacon mac and cheese. Their drinks menu features “crappy beer” and “crappy wine” — seasonal, rotating selections — in addition to fun cocktails like the Hot Frenchman, Harvey Wrote Some Lyrics, and the Pineapple Trainwreck.
Chef Brother Luck's restaurant, Four by Brother Luck, offers a modern take on Southwestern cuisine. The menu features unique dishes inspired by different regions of the Southwest, all locally-sourced from Colorado and influenced by the four main providers of their ingredients: the hunter, the gatherer, the fisherman, and the farmer. Standout menu items include the artichoke bisque, vegetarian chilaquiles, spring pea ravioli with pancetta, and all the desserts.
If you’re craving an elaborate Sunday brunch, the Lake Terrace Dining Room is the way to go (reservations required). The prix fixe buffet offers over 100 menu items like made-to-order omelets, crepes, cheese and charcuterie, salads, sushi rolls, and more in a European-inspired setting with stunning lake and mountain views. Brunch pairs best with mimosas, on a day off from hiking and intense activity.
A few other favorites in town include MacKenzie's Chop House, Monse's Taste of El Salvador Pupuseria, Juniper Valley Ranch (open for 70+ years and counting), and PigLatin Cocina.
Travel Tips & How to Get Around Town
Transportation
Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore Colorado Springs and the surrounding area, especially if you plan to visit nearby attractions like Pikes Peak or Garden of the Gods. But there’s also the Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) system, which operates bus routes throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas, providing an affordable option for getting around. Rideshare services are available in Colorado Springs, offering convenient transportation options for short distances or when public transportation is not available. The city is also bike and pedestrian-friendly, with lots of bike lanes and trails.
Travel Tips
Colorado Springs sits at an elevation of over 6,000 feet above sea level, so it's important to stay hydrated and take it easy, especially if you're not used to high altitudes. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with mild summers, cool winters, and occasional snowfall in the winter months. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, and dress in layers.
The sun can be intense in Colorado, so be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, especially when spending time outdoors. And always respect the natural beauty by practicing Leave No Trace principles, including packing out trash, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife and vegetation.
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