Recommendations Colorado Springs
 

Hi, we are taking our 19 year old son out to visit a friend this summer in Colorado Springs and bringing our 17-year old daughter. We are looking for guidance on what to do, where to stay, day trips or other cities and towns we should consider staying in. Thank you so very much in advance!

I think if you read some other Colorado threads you might find that CS isn't particularly highly regarded when compared to other locations in Colorado. You may get a bit more feedback if you explained how long you'll be staying for and how flexible you are with other areas of Co.

Obviously, in CS there is the Garden of the Gods, which is worth seeing and you can do hikes (probably more like walks) through the "garden." We have enjoyed the Cave of the Winds, also.

It's been a few years, but we enjoyed the Mining Exchange hotel. Check Trip Advisor etc. to see if current reviews are positive. That said, with a full family, you may want to look for a suite hotel.

Thank you! We are visiting friends which is the motivation for CS and we are staying a week, so open to day trips.

Definitely visit Garden of the Gods and perhaps take the cog railway up Pikes Peak. Even if it's 95 degrees in town be sure to carry some warm clothing layers up with you.

A little gem not far from CO Springs is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Also, see if the Renaissance Festival is going on when you are there. That's always fun
https://coloradorenaissance.com/

Thank you!

C Springs is not the end of the world so if stuck with C Spring there are some things to do. The Royal Gorge and suspension bridge on the southern edge of C Springs is very tourist oriented, suffered from a forest fire two years ago but does have some nice scenery. I think everything is rebuilt. There is train that runs in the bottom of the river. A couple hours south is the Great Sand Dunes Nat Park. That worth a half day or more but go earlier before it gets super hot.

There is Cripple Creek. An old mining town now convert to gambling but still worth a drive through. If it is June or July (if water levels are still high) you could do some white water rafting out of Salida - little over an hour west of CS.