Have you ever visited a new location with a trusted guide to show you the ins & outs and local favorites? Maybe a friend or relative? How about a local artist, poet, actor or musician who shares your interests or aesthetic? Welcome to Creative Stays! We’ve asked 13 diverse creatives from the Colorado Springs arts community to curate their personalized recommendations for favorite lodging accommodations, community attractions, restaurants, entertainment activities, hidden hangouts and not-to-miss cultural destinations — so you can have a perfect three-day getaway weekend in and around Colorado Springs!

“A lot of people know about Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region for its amazing natural beauty, but there also is this wonderful arts and cultural community here,” says Andy Vick, Executive Director of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (aka COPPeR). “Fortunately, there’s been great cross-sector collaboration between the arts, tourism, outdoor recreation, sports and lodging communities, and Creative Stays is another example of that. It all makes Colorado Springs a very vibrant destination to experience and enjoy — especially with the help of some insider tips.”

Perfect for out-of-town visitors and local residents, Creative Stays offers a whole new way to explore and discover the wonderful attractions and amenities that Colorado’s Pikes Peak region has to offer! You can follow these itineraries exactly, or pick and choose to customize your own favorite experiences. Either way, follow along as these colorful stories and guides unfold in videos, photos, narratives and social media over the coming months.

Sometimes all you need to make your weekend getaway perfect is a little creativity!