How to Spend One Day in Colorado Springs: Best Hikes, Activities, and Eats
Colorado Springs is a perfect destination for a day trip from Denver since it has a plethora of stunning scenery within a relatively small area.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking to explore the city in a new way, this one day Colorado Springs itinerary includes the most popular sights and delicious food.
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One Day in Colorado Springs Itinerary
This one day Colorado Springs itinerary covers some of the most popular sights, ensuring you make the most of your trip.
I have included estimated time frames for each activity below to help provide a realistic schedule.
Of course, you can always adjust the activities and timing based on your preferences and schedule.
If you’re driving from Denver to Colorado Springs for a day trip, this itinerary will probably be too tight, as it doesn’t account for the 1.5 hour drive each way (maybe more depending on traffic).
If this is your situation, I recommend skipping either the Seven Bridges Trail or the Cog Railway, depending on whether you’d prefer more hiking or want to make sure you see Pikes Peak.
Another way to save time is by packing breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can skip the restaurant stops and make the most of your day!
Sunrise at Garden of the Gods (6:00 am to 8:00 am)
In order to get the most out of your one day in Colorado Springs, I recommend starting your day early at the Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods is well-known for its towering red rock formations, which, in my opinion, are most stunning at sunrise when the golden light casts a beautiful glow on the rocks.
By visiting at sunrise, you get to beat the crowds! It does get pretty busy here in the late morning and afternoon since it offers free parking and is free to enter.
If you won’t be in Colorado Springs until later in the morning, Garden of the Gods would also be a great place to end the day at sunset.
I recommend walking along the Perkins Central Garden Trail, an easy 1.1-mile loop that takes you up close to some of the park’s most famous rock formations, like Kissing Camels and Balanced Rock.
I would budget around an hour for the hike since you will want to stop and take in the beautiful views along with snapping a few photos.
If you’re wanting a longer hike, consider the Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop which is 4 miles roundtrip. I would budget around 2.5 to 3 hours for this one.
Breakfast & Coffee at Jives Coffee Lounge (8:00 am to 9:00 am)
After your morning hike, take the 10 minute drive to Jives Coffee Lounge, a cozy spot in Old Colorado City!
It was my favorite place to grab coffee in Colorado Springs! The iced caramel delight coffee was my favorite.
It’s the perfect place to fuel up for the day with a yummy latte and a loaded breakfast bagel or pastry.
The owner is also the sweetest, making for an even better experience!
Hike the Seven Bridges Trail (10:00 am to 1:00 pm)
Next, head out for another hike at the popular Seven Bridges Trail.
It is a pretty easy to moderate hike located in North Cheyenne Cañon Park.
It is approximately 3.5 miles round trip,l and its name comes from the seven wooden bridges you’ll cross over during the hike.
It is relatively flat and shady making it suitable for most hikers!
Be sure to bring water and snacks, as this hike can take up to three hours depending on your pace.
Lunch at The Manitou Brewing Company (1:00 pm to 3:00 pm)
By now, you’ll for sure have worked up an appetite!
I recommend heading to The Manitou Brewing Company which is only about a 25 minute drive from the Seven Bridges Trailhead parking and is nearby the Cog’s Railway to Pike’s Peak which is next on this itinerary!
They have a great variety of food and drink options.
Take the Cog Railway to Pikes Peak (3:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
No trip to Colorado Springs is complete without visiting Pikes Peak, and the Cog Railway offers a relaxing and faster way to experience this iconic mountain.
You can hike up Pikes Peak, but it would take the entire day and should only be attempted by experienced hikers who have acclimated to the high altitude in Colorado.
This historic train ride takes you to the summit at 14,115 feet while providing you with beautiful views of the Rockies.
At the summit, take time to soak in the views and don’t miss out on trying a world-famous Pike’s Peak donut inside the visitor center!
I would estimate this activity to take around 4 hours, per their website.
If you’re looking for a unique experience with a smaller group, consider booking a Jeep Tour to Pikes Peak.
Dinner at the Rabbit Hole (7:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
For dinner, I recommend going to the Rabbit Hole, which is an underground restaurant with an Alice in Wonderland theme.
It was our favorite restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs for its delicious food and unique ambiance.
Try their braised short ribs or duck wings, paired with one of their signature drinks! I really enjoyed the Hoptail Mocktail.
We went here early, around 4:00 pm and were able to secure a table for two without a reservation, but it is popular and can have long wait times.
If you know around what time you will be eating dinner, I do recommend making reservations in advance.
Ice Cream from BJ’s Velvet Freez (9:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
No day is complete without a sweet treat, and BJ’s Velvet Freez is the perfect place to grab some delicious soft-serve ice cream.
It is a cute local ice cream stand with an old school charm, making it the perfect way to end your one day in Colorado Springs.
There is no inside seating, so keep that in mind if the weather is bad. They do have a drive-thru though so you can always get it to-go!
Keep in mind that they close at 9:00 pm during the week and at 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Conclusion
While one day in Colorado Springs isn’t enough time to see all of the sights, you can fit in a lot of the iconic outdoor activities and dining.
If you have more time in your itinerary, I recommend spending a weekend in Colorado Springs to also fit in some time to do the Manitou Incline hike if you’re interested in that.
With it only being about a 1.5 hour drive from Denver, it makes for the perfect day trip!
Check out my other blog posts about Colorado below!
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