In 2021, my friend Jade and I decided to spend a few days exploring the natural beauty and attractions of Colorado Springs. Over four action-packed days from May 5-8th, we explored breathtaking landscapes, indulged in local eats, and embraced a mix of relaxation and excitement. Here is a recap of this memorable trip.
DAY ONE
After working a half-day in the morning, I met up with Jade and we headed to the airport with our bags. We checked in with Southwest Airlines for our nonstop flight from Phoenix to Colorado Springs.
It was an easy flight that took about 1 hour 40 minutes total. We pushed back from the gate at about 4:00 pm. Because our trip was during the COVID-19 pandemic, the flight had plenty of open seats to stretch out!
It didn’t take long in the air, and before I knew it, we touched down at the Colorado Springs Airport around 5:40 PM. It’s a small airport with only 12 gates, but it was nice and not crowded at all.
Rental Car
We picked up our rental car, a Chevrolet Trax AWD compact SUV. While it is an unremarkable vehicle, it was an inexpensive choice for a rental.
Bird Dog BBQ
Jade and I wasted no time in heading to our first destination: Bird Dog BBQ at Ridgeview Marketplace in Colorado Springs. This was one of Jade’s favorite barbecue restaurants when she used to live here, and I was excited to try it.
I went with a pulled pork sandwich, fries, and a brownie for dessert. My food was fantastic, and I enjoyed the option of the hot and super hot BBQ sauce.
Drury Inn
With our bellies full, we made the short drive to our home for the next few nights: the Drury Inn. This was my first time staying at a Drury property and it impressed me!
The room was great, but I was impressed by the extras. The happy hour included drink tickets and there was some hot food served in the evening hours – free to guests!
From our room on the 4th floor, we had a view of a Scheels Sporting Goods store, which I had never heard of before (They ended up building a location in Arizona two years later in 2023). We liked the complimentary drinks and hot food in the evening hours.
DAY TWO
The day began with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, fueling up for a day of exploration. Before we could begin our adventures, we made a quick stop at the grocery store to stock up on water, followed by Walmart so I could buy a pair of shorts. I had thought Colorado would be cold even though it was early May, and I had stupidly only packed long pants for the trip! Lesson learned: pack appropriately!
Garden of the Gods
One of the most famous attractions in Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods, which is a U.S. National Natural Landmark. The park is known for its unique rock formations and wildlife and features a visitor center and more than 20 miles of trails. We arrived at Garden of the Gods around 10:30 AM.
Just moments after entering the park, we spotted a bighorn sheep grazing along the side of the road and pulled over for a couple of pictures. After that, we walked the 1.5-mile Central Garden Trail, which was an easy walk with lots of great views. Visiting this geological wonder was awe-inspiring, with towering red rock formations against a clear blue sky.
Relaxing
We enjoyed a late lunch at 2:45 PM Fazoli’s. They had left the Arizona market in 2008, and I was looking forward to enjoying their food. Full of cheese and carbs, we headed back to the hotel for an afternoon nap.
We enjoyed complimentary snacks during happy hour at the hotel lobby. After that, we wound down with a swim at the hotel pool. The pool was very unique with an indoor/outdoor section separated with a rubber partition that you could swim underneath. Day two was a perfect balance of adventure and rejuvenation.
DAY THREE
Another delicious breakfast at the hotel prepared us for an exciting day.
Seven Falls
The first stop was Seven Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls nestled in a stunning canyon. The park is advertised as “The grandest mile of scenery in Colorado.” We had to take a park and ride shuttle to the entrance, followed by a 0.8 mile (1.2 km) paved walk from the entrance gate to the base of the falls. There is an elevator that will bring you up to an observation deck to view the falls.
We climbed the 224 steps to ascend 400 vertical feet to the top of the falls. Because of the altitude, we were huffing and puffing upon reaching the top!
From there, we found the trailhead for Inspiration Point. The one-mile trail brought us through trees and past the grave site of author Helen Hunt Jackson, until we reached the end. The hike up to Inspiration Point offered breathtaking views of Colorado Springs and a sense of accomplishment. It took about one hour to hike the trail, plus another hour for the return back to the falls.
A late lunch at Qdoba was the perfect way to refuel before heading to Bear Creek Park, where I was captivated by the beauty of a Japanese flowering crabapple tree in full bloom.
Before heading back to the hotel, we made a second pass through the Garden of the Gods to experience it at a different time of day. We saw a couple of deer at a very close distance, which was neat.
Still full from lunch, we had no desire for dinner that night. We thought about another swim, but the hotel swimming pool was too busy. Still, the day’s adventures left me feeling fulfilled.
DAY FOUR
We kicked off the final day at the charming Wade’s Café, a local breakfast spot known for its friendly atmosphere and famous pancakes.
After checking out of the hotel, we visited some friends of Jade’s who were really nice and had a good time catching up with them.
With just hours to go until our return flight, we made a quick stop at America the Beautiful Park. The park offered a picturesque view of the Rocky Mountains under partly cloudy skies. Unfortunately, the famous Julie Penrose Fountain was closed for repairs on the day of our visit.
We were a little peckish and stopped in at Phantom Canyon Brewing Company for a quick bite. The pretzel with beer cheese dip made the perfect pre-flight snack! This stop gave us a chance to explore downtown Colorado Springs, as we had to park a few blocks away and walk to the restaurant. We passed by several historic buildings as well as some murals and public art pieces.
With that, it was time to head to the airport and return the rental car. Our flight back to Phoenix was uneventful, and we touched down around 5:45 PM local time.
Final Thoughts
Colorado Springs offers an abundance of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and great food. From the awe-inspiring Garden of the Gods to the serene Seven Falls, there was so much to discover and enjoy. I definitely cherish the memories of my trip to Colorado Springs.
