Weekend in Colorado Springs

October 22, 2010 7:29 AM

Colorado Springs - where to stay, what to eat, what to do - for a weekend?

We're driving to Colorado Springs at the end of this month for a weekend stay.

We'll arrive Friday afternoon, stay Saturday and leaving Sunday afternoon.

So what food, lodging, and activities offer the most bang for the buck?

Or if not that, what should I not miss?

Thanks!

posted by abdulf to travel & transportation around Colorado Springs, CO (18 answers total)

Garden of the gods is pretty cool to walk through.

To eat, there aren't many good restaurants in colorado springs, but check out blue star.
posted by TheBones at 7:34 AM on October 22, 2010

The website is sort of horrific, but you really should check out the Garden of the Gods. It's gorgeous. And free!
posted by something something at 7:34 AM on October 22, 2010

Also, maintou springs and old colorado city are kind of cool to walk through/check out.
posted by TheBones at 7:35 AM on October 22, 2010

If you go to the Blue Star, visit the Bristol Brewing Company before or after. It's right next door.

Cheap and totally awesome Mexican food: La Casita.

Waldo Canyon is a great hike. Cruise out there early morning, take the hike, then go through Manitou Springs on the way back and eat at the best breakfast place in the area: Adam's Mountain Cafe.

The CS Fine Arts Center has a great collection of Chihuly glass. Gorgeous stuff.
posted by cog_nate at 7:52 AM on October 22, 2010

If you're a fan of Nikola Tesla you could visit the Nikola Tesla Museum of Science and Industry.
posted by Burhanistan at 7:54 AM on October 22, 2010

Ride the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak! You can drive too, but if you aren't used to the altitude, I wouldn't recommend it. The lack of oxygen makes you very loopy and the drive is a bit treacherous. It's a bit of a tourist trap at the top, but frankly the view is worth it.
posted by getmetoSF at 8:04 AM on October 22, 2010

Oh, seconding the Cog Railway. It really is worth doing.
posted by something something at 8:06 AM on October 22, 2010

Holy shit I just remembered! Manitou Springs has a yearly Coffin Race (PDF), and it looks like it's going on the weekend you're visiting. It's ridiculous and really fun.

Another excellent beer spot is up towards the north: Trinity Brewing.

Also, check out the CS Independent. They list local art events, concerts, etc.
posted by cog_nate at 8:07 AM on October 22, 2010

Conway's Red Top burgers. Awesome.
posted by scruss at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2010

The west side of town has infinitely more appeal and the fall colors are beautiful right now. I also recommend the coffin race in Manitou, which is a delight to watch.
posted by mochapickle at 9:30 AM on October 22, 2010

Also, down the street from trinity brewing (which isn't very good IMO) is a great bakery and eatery called marigold's- they have pretty good food.

I also really like la casita, it's a local chain, so there are a couple of restaurants across COS.
posted by TheBones at 9:53 AM on October 22, 2010

Red Top is awesome. I'll recommend Fargo's Pizza, just because I grew up eating there and am never back in town long enough to head there.
posted by dr. fresh at 9:53 AM on October 22, 2010

Definitely Garden of the Gods. If you're in the mood for a real tourist trap experience, get a chuckwagon dinner at The Flying W Ranch. (It was about a million years ago, but I remember the food being decent.)
posted by usonian at 11:18 AM on October 22, 2010

You could see the sculpture of Starr Kempf
posted by allelopath at 12:25 PM on October 22, 2010

I know it's just a large chain hotel, but I can't let this question pass without recommending the Courtyard Marriot on Tenderfoot Hill. I've stayed there several times and always had good service and clean rooms.
The staff goes above and beyond and showed exceeding kindness to my family recently by giving a free room to family members who were coming into town for a funeral.
posted by Brody's chum at 2:58 PM on October 22, 2010

There's a rodeo museum if you're into that.

Nthing Garden of the Gods.
posted by brujita at 10:45 PM on October 22, 2010

You need to eat at King's Chef. Go for breakfast or for the patty melt. Bristol Brewing is also tasty.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:51 AM on October 23, 2010

2nding fargos -- cool venue but I don't remember much about the actual pizza.
posted by countrymod at 11:53 AM on October 25, 2010