How to Spend 3 Days in Colorado Springs

With three days to spend in Colorado Springs, gateway to the Front Range mountains, you’ll have enough time to see its iconic natural attractions, get a feel for local culture around town, and get out of town to see the Royal Gorge. Read on for tips on how to make the most of your three days in Colorado Springs.

Day 1: Great Outdoors

A vast majority of travelers to Colorado Springs come for its abundant natural attractions and outdoor recreational opportunities, and today you’ll sample some of the best. Get an early start for a trip to the top of Pikes Peak, the most famous fourteener in Colorado. Join a guided tour to drive up to the top, or hop aboard the historic cog railway. Active travelers might opt for some front-country hiking in the Pikes Peak area. Grab lunch in artsy Manitou Springs, then head to Garden of the Gods to take in the impressive red sandstone formations. Get off the beaten path on a Jeep tour, zip around the Juniper Loop on a Segway, or practice rock climbing with an experienced local guide. If you haven’t had enough by the time the sun goes down, make your way to nearby Seven Falls for dinner overlooking the illuminated cascades. 

Day 2: Colorado Culture

This morning, learn a bit more about the history of Colorado Springs and its colorful characters during a Segway tour around town. Glide through beautiful Cheyenne Cañon and past the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, Starsmore Discovery Center, Penrose House, Pauline Chapel, and the Penrose Heritage Museum. Some tours also include the Broadmoor and Pine Grove areas. Alternatively, consider heading out on an app-guided scavenger hunt, where you’ll learn about the area’s history and culture while searching for clues and completing challenges. In the afternoon, practice the art of Mexican cooking during an in-home cooking class. 

Day 3: Royal Gorge

Head farther afield today to see one of Colorado’s most spectacular regions, the Royal Gorge. Walk across the gorge on the highest suspension bridge in the United States, ride over the gorge in an aerial gondola, or spend an exhilarating day rafting down the Arkansas River between the gorge’s towering walls. Once back in town, freshen up and head to historic Tejon Street in downtown for dinner and some drinks, perhaps sampling Mexican food or a local steak.