Colorado Springs Surprised Us. Here's our Full Itinerary

Whenever my family and I go on road trips, we visit all the states surrounding California such as Arizona, Utah, and Oregon, but we always skip Colorado. So naturally, we were excited to finally visit. I decided to go with just my daughters and make it a girls trip.

We booked our flight into the Colorado Springs airport instead of flying into Denver, and it was a great choice. The airport was so much closer to everything we wanted to do and made for a smooth, stress-free arrival.

Stop 1: Broadmoor Falls (Seven Falls)

After arriving, we picked up our rental car from Budget and immediately headed to Broadmoor Falls. I bought our tickets online ahead of time to secure our entry, which I highly recommend. It was a short thirty-minute drive from the airport.

🎟️ Entry & Getting There

Entry is $19 per adult and $12 per youth. It may feel steep, but it is absolutely worth it. Once you park, a shuttle takes you into the falls entrance, about a ten-minute ride with great sightseeing along the way.

The first thing you notice is the dramatic box canyon. With its jagged cliffs and narrow passageways, it is easy to understand how it earned the name "The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado."

You can view the falls from so many different viewpoints, which is wonderful because if one is not accessible for you, there is always another. There is also the option of climbing 224 narrow stairs all the way to the very top, if you are up for it.

Not gonna lie, it was incredibly intimidating and I almost talked myself out of it. But I am so glad I did it. We all worked together, counted our breaths, and made it back down safely. That is definitely a memory we will hold onto forever.

On the way back out, we stopped at the visitor center and tried their local handmade ice cream, which was absolutely delicious. We took our time walking back as the sun went down, and we even spotted a bear on the way.

Our honest advice: This place seriously needs a full day. Give yourself the time to slow down and soak in all the beauty without feeling rushed.

Dinner: Monses

After the falls, we headed to a local El Salvadoran restaurant called Monses. The line was out the door and we waited at least an hour, but it was completely worth every minute.

We ordered various pupusas and horchatas, and the moment the food arrived, we dug in. The portions were huge, the flavors were incredible, and we ended up taking some home because there was simply too much to finish.

⏱️ Plan Ahead

Expect a wait, as the line can stretch out the door. Come hungry, come patient, and come ready for one of the best meals of your trip.

Evening: Sun Water Spa, Manitou Springs

After filling our bellies, we realized just how exhausted we were after a full day of travel and hiking. We had made reservations at the Sun Water Spa in Manitou Springs, where you can reserve private cedar soaking tubs filled with mineral-rich waters sourced from the Seven Minute Springs nearby.

Sitting back and enjoying the stars from the tub was genuinely magical, and it was a beautiful way to close out our first day in Colorado.

💬 Honest Review

The tubs are not very private, so you will be fairly close to other guests. You also cannot adjust the water temperature, and overall we felt it was a bit overpriced for what it offered. It is also not very kid-friendly.

Our recommendation: Skip this one with the kids and save it for a couples trip.

Where We Stayed: Cheyenne Mountain Resort

After our eventful first day, we checked into the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, nestled right at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. The room was absolutely gorgeous, with warm rustic decor and a private balcony overlooking the most stunning views of the mountains and the property.

On the property: Five heated swimming pools, a twenty-five acre private lake, tennis, golf, pickleball, a full restaurant, and a spa. It is massive in the best possible way.

Breakfast: Mountain View Restaurant

We woke up bright and early and headed down to the Mountain View Restaurant breakfast buffet. I am usually not a fan of buffets, but this one was absolutely to die for.

On the buffet: Cereals, granola, yogurt, fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, made-to-order omelets, waffles, and so much more.

The food was so filling, the service was excellent, and while you eat you get to take in breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountain front range right from your seat.

Stop 2: Garden of the Gods

After breakfast, we made our way to the Garden of the Gods. I had researched this place so much beforehand and I was so excited to finally get there and start exploring all those iconic red sandstone formations.

📍 Start at the Visitor Center

The visitor center is absolutely massive and well worth your time before entering the park. We worked through Junior Ranger booklets and learned about the geology, ecology, and cultural history of the area.

Maps and guides in hand, we made our way into the park and started the main loop. We stayed well beyond the hike because the photo opportunities are simply endless.

Do not miss: The Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels, and Siamese Twins formations. Each one is more jaw-dropping than the last.

Whether you are passing through the area or staying nearby, do not shortchange yourself on time here.

Stop 3: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Of course, we always have to make the most of every minute when we travel, so we rushed over to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. I will be honest: I do not usually enjoy visiting zoos due to animal welfare concerns. But this one is genuinely different.

🦒 Why This Zoo Is Different

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo participates in over 30 species survival programs. It sits at an elevation of 6,714 feet, which actually mimics the natural habitat of many of its animals.

When we first entered, we headed straight to the giraffe experience, where you can purchase lettuce to feed them up close. As you hold out the lettuce, they come down so near you can almost kiss them.

Heads up: The giraffe area gets very crowded quickly, so head there first thing when you arrive.

After the giraffes, we came across elephants you can also hand-feed, which was incredible. But nothing could have prepared us for what came next.

As we were walking through the grounds, we suddenly noticed wallabies right beside us, just casually hanging out. You can actually pet them. Some of them were carrying their babies in their pouches, and it was honestly the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

The employees were wonderful about stopping to talk with us about conservation and the animals, and the kids soaked up every word.

Our verdict: I cannot recommend a family stop here enough. If you are anywhere near Colorado Springs, this zoo belongs on your list, no question.

Dinner: Bambino's Urban Pizzeria

After the zoo, we headed to downtown Colorado Springs. Our first stop was Bambino's Urban Pizzeria, where you can build your own pizza or choose a pre-prepared one. It was delicious, lowkey, and completely family friendly.

Dessert: Frozen Gold

The highlight of the evening was dessert at Frozen Gold. The concept is genius: classic soft serve, coated with whatever topping your heart desires. Hot Cheetos, M&Ms, Skittles, sprinkles, Pop Rocks, Oreo crumbs, even chips.

I was genuinely sad that we only had one day left. I still had an endless list of things I wanted to do and see, and the trip felt way too short. But of course, we made the absolute most of it.

Morning: Loyal Coffee

We woke up bright and early and grabbed a quick breakfast from Loyal Coffee to go, fueling up as we made our way to the next stop.

Stop 4: Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

We were so excited to explore the caves and enjoy some rides, but the weather had other plans. It was pouring rain when we arrived. Thankfully the park was still open, so we decided to start with the cave tour.

🕯️ Tour Options

My girls, aged 13 and 10, chose the Haunted Lantern Tour, a 90-minute experience guided only by lantern light and scary stories. I opted for the Discovery Tour to learn about the cave's history and geology.

It is hard to believe this is one of the highest caves in the United States, sitting at 7,000 feet. The geology is fascinating.

By the time we came out of the caves, the weather had improved slightly. All except the Wind Walker Challenge Course, which my daughter Raya tackled in the rain and freezing cold without hesitation. She did amazing and absolutely loved every second of it.

🦅 On the Bucket List

Our time here was cut short by the weather, but we are already dreaming of coming back for the Terror-Dactyl: a ride that drops you 200 feet into Williams Canyon at 100 miles per hour.

Even without the rides: Drive up and take in the views of Williams Canyon, Pikes Peak, and all the surrounding beauty. It is worth the trip on its own.

Stop 5: Manitou Cliff Dwellings

As we drove back down, I spotted one more stop I had always wanted to visit: the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. These structures date back 800 to 1,000 years to the ancestral Puebloan people, and I have always been drawn to them.

The museum and visitor center were wonderful to explore, and we brought home a few unique pieces as keepsakes. It was a quietly powerful way to end our last full day in Colorado Springs.

Stop 6: US Olympic & Paralympic Museum

Our last afternoon stop before heading back to the hotel was the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum. It is a stunning building from the outside and even more impressive inside.

The exhibits are incredibly well done, covering the full history of the Olympic Games and highlighting the achievements of so many incredible athletes. We were completely drawn in from start to finish.

Allow at least 2 hours: There is genuinely so much to see and read and experience. Do not rush it.

Final Thoughts

Colorado Springs genuinely surprised us, in the very best way. We came not knowing quite what to expect and left with a list of everything we want to come back for. The nature is extraordinary, the food scene is better than you would expect, and there is a warmth and energy to the city that we really loved.

If you are planning a family trip to Colorado and skipping Colorado Springs in favor of Denver, I would encourage you to reconsider. It absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary and I promise it will not disappoint.