Travel should be fun, right? So why not enjoy some games like a local when you take a trip to Colorado Springs? On this Creative Stays itinerary, graphic designer and arts advocate Colin Christie will lead you through a weekend of arts, sports and beautiful places inside and outside.
“First and foremost, you’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pikes Peak region,” Colin says. “I think you could come here and do nothing, and you’d still have a good time because it’s such a beautiful place to be.” But don’t worry, you have a lot more than nothing in store for your getaway in Colorado Springs.
Where to Stay: Lodging
Element by Westin
Base your stay in the heart of Colorado Springs. You’ll be in the center of everything downtown and comfy in the brand new Element by Westin. The 125-room hotel opened in May 2022 as part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection, and it shares the building with sister hotel SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Located at 55 East Costilla Avenue, the Element is an easy walk away from great dining, shopping, art galleries and entertainment.
“It’s right in the center of everything and super-connected to downtown and the Tejon Street corridor,” Colin says. “It’s close to tons of bars and restaurants. You can walk to Weidner Field for a Switchbacks game or to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. It’s also a brand-new hotel, so there are great amenities and a really fresh vibe. It’s a cool place to stay.”
Those amenities include modern design in the rooms and a large common space where you can enjoy complimentary breakfast. There is a state-of-the-art fitness center and indoor pool and hot tub. And one of Colorado Springs’ hottest restaurants and bars Lumen8 is on the rooftop, but more on that later.
DAY 1
To get to Colorado Springs, we recommend that you fly into the Colorado Springs Airport. Many cities offer direct flights to COS, and many other connecting flights route through Denver. “Our airport is incredibly accessible and convenient,” Colin says. “It may take a nominal amount of additional time or money, but it is well worth it to avoid crowded I-25 traffic, bustling baggage claim lines and hectic rental car process in Denver.”
If you arrive early, treat yourself to happy hour at Cork and Cask. The upscale wine and whiskey bar is one block away from the Element by Westin at 60 East Moreno Avenue. “The decor at Cork and Cask is really unique and eclectic,” Colin says. “They have plush furniture all around with these cool high-backed, velvet-upholstered chairs. There is local art all over the walls, exposed brick, chandeliers everywhere. It’s got a pretty classy upscale environment, but it’s still very welcoming and a really comfortable place to hang out.”
The large front patio might also draw you outside in nice weather to sit around one of the six large fire pits. As for libations, the wine and whiskey lists are extensive, with some unique pours for the aficionados. Or the talented bartenders will mix any favorite cocktails. “Cork and Cask has an epic Black Walnut Old Fashioned that is pre-Prohibition style,” Colin says. “That’s always what I’m ordering here.”
After your drinks and bites, head to Cottonwood Center for the Arts at 427 East Colorado Avenue. At just 0.6 miles away, it’s an easy walk or bike ride. There’s a docking station for PikeRide e-bikes right outside the Element by Westin, making the shared bikes a convenient way to get anywhere around downtown during your stay. Just scan and pay as you go.
The Cottonwood Center describes itself as “a flourishing nexus of educational programming, gallery shows and studio spaces.” The arts complex houses roughly 80 artists of nearly every medium, and there are designated gallery spaces that rotate shows monthly. “The real joy comes from meandering throughout the building and checking out the massive amount of visual art hanging through the entire premises,” Colin says. “Additionally, there is a great gift shop area with creative, affordable gifts.”
If you’re lucky enough to be at Cottonwood on the first Friday of the month, you can enjoy special First Friday Downtown events, such as new exhibition openings, receptions or performances.
You’re in for a treat when you’re ready for dinner. Just head back to your hotel and ride the specially marked elevator to the eighth floor for rooftop dining at Lumen8 Rooftop Social. “The newly opened rooftop bar and restaurant offers the most stunning views of the Front Range in the city,” Colin says. “The atmosphere there is incredible. They have this amazing patio and outdoor space with couches and fire pits. The cocktails are a clinic in inventive mixology. Their food menu is designed for mixing and matching, so grab several small plates and sample the full spectrum. If you’re set on an entree, there are great options to satiate your appetite.”
After dinner, walk up Tejon Street to the Wild Goose Meeting House, where you’ll find live music most Friday and Saturday nights. The music is always energizing, and the ambience is hip and intimate. If you want to get your steps or pedals in, the Wild Goose is a manageable eight blocks directly north from the Element. “The Wild Goose is the epitome of community,” Colin says. “It’s a meeting house. It’s welcoming and vibrant. It’s where people come together to have meetings or maybe do a little work or read a book, have a cup of coffee. Then on weekend nights it fires up for live music.”
DAY 2
Many of Colorado Springs’ outdoor gems lie west of the city in the foothills and mountains, but one of the most unique natural treasures is hidden in plain sight to the east: the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Drive about 45 minutes east to 29950 Paint Mines Road in Calhan and find yourself in another universe. Set among the high plains are a collection of colorful spires, hoodoos and rock formations. There is evidence that ancient and Indigenous people visited the Paint Mines. And Native Americans used the colorful clays and minerals to make paint and dye.
“The paint mines look almost fake with all of these colors in different layers of the rocks,” Colin says. “It feels like you’re on a completely different planet or a a desert Western kind of moon. These truly mesmerizing rock formations will be well worth the drive.” The park is free to enter. You can read more about visiting and hiking around the Paint Mines in Trails: The Paint Mines.
You’ll be hungry after your hike, so head back to downtown for excellent pizza by the slice, salads and a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at Poor Richard’s, 324 1/2 North Tejon Street. “Poor Richard’s has a charming outdoor patio that’s a great place to enjoy a casual dining experience,” Colin says.
Next door and connected to the restaurant are Poor Richard’s Books and Gifts and Little Richard’s Toy Store. Both are perfect spots to grab a souvenir or gift.
You can easily spend an afternoon shopping in the many boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries along Tejon Street. Two favorites, G44 Gallery and the Kreuser Gallery are just around the corner from Poor Richard’s at 121 and 125 East Boulder Street. Both host monthly exhibitions by local artists. “That’s a great thing about Colorado Springs: There is relatively affordable artwork in galleries and shops all over the place,” Colin says.
If you want to eat before your evening Switchbacks FC soccer game, get an early start and head for The Depot at 10 South Sierra Madre Street. Colorado Springs’ historic train depot is now home to Track 10 Urban Kitchen and Brakeman’s Burgers. If you’re traveling with your honey and want more of a high-end special occasion, Track 10 offers terrific steaks, seafood and vegetarian options sourced from local purveyors. If you’re traveling solo or with friends or family, hit up Brakeman’s Burgers for one of their imaginative burgers and delicious boozy milkshakes.
“The historic train depot was home to commercial rail services back in the 1800s, when it was built by General William Jackson Palmer who founded Colorado Springs,” Colin says. “This is where people would arrive at Colorado Springs. They would walk out the front door and be greeted by the Antlers Hotel and a beautiful park. This was people’s first impression of Colorado Springs.”
After dinner, it’s game time. The Switchbacks FC are the Springs’ professional soccer team that plays in the USL Championship league. “They’re our home team, and they’re fantastic,” Colin says. The regular season runs from March to October with home games mostly on Friday or Saturday nights. In 2022, the Switchbacks played into November, before being eliminated in the semifinals of the playoffs.
Games happen at Weidner Field, a state-of-the-art USL stadium that opened in 2021. At 111 West Cimarron Street, it’s only three blocks from the Element by Westin. “Weidner Field on a game night is extremely energetic, extremely hyped,” Colin says. “There really isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you want to be in the heart of the rowdies section, get seats on the south end of the stadium behind the goal.”
That’s the home of the Trailheads SG and Sangre Latina, the two official supporters groups. “The Trailheads and Sangre Latina are the rowdiest fans,” Colin says. “They are the heartbeat of the whole game. They’re pounding on drums. They’re stomping their feet. They’re cheering the whole time, waving flags. They keep the hype up for the entire 90 minutes of the game.”
Keep an eye out for Ziggy, the Switchbacks burly mountain goat mascot. And make sure to stay till the end for fireworks that follow every home match. If by chance, you don’t make it to the game, the patio at Lumen8 makes for stellar postgame fireworks viewing.
Another unique aspect of Weidner Field is its public art. You can’t miss Epicenter at the main entrance. The reflective steel ball is topped with two massive interlocking rings illuminated by pulsing, colored LED lights. The sculpture reflects the pride of the Switchbacks and Olympic City USA. “It’s also a really great place for selfies,” Colin says. “It just gives you this sense of arrival when you show up to a game.”
Also be sure to check out the large sports murals on the east side of Weidner Field. The Leroy Neiman Art Walk consists of large-scale paintings, depicting Olympic athletes participating in their various sports. The paintings were done by Leroy Neiman, an artist who became synonymous with the art of Team USA. His bright, impressionistic, depictions of Olympic athletes line the outer wall of Weidner Field for the public to enjoy.
DAY 3
Before leaving town, you’ve got to get out and enjoy some outdoor activity. Disc golf is a perfect way to do that. “Disc golf is basically hiking and having an activity to do at the same time,” Colin says. “Colorado Springs has some amazing, challenging disc golf courses with views that are awesome.”
Colin’s favorite course, The Aviary, is less than a 10-minute drive from downtown. We recommend parking at the El Pomar Youth Sports Park, 2212 Executive Circle, and walking across the soccer fields and bridge to the Aviary. “I think the Aviary has some of the most epic views in Colorado Springs, especially on a disc golf course,” Colin says. “They have one hole that overlooks a cliff above Fountain Creek, and you’ve got to throw your disc over the creek and onto the other side. There have been so many discs lost in that creek, not only by me but by every player that plays there. It just adds to the challenge and the fun of it. And it has this epic panoramic view of Pikes Peak. It’s pretty special.”
If disc golf sounds a little too high intensity, take a leisurely stroll through Monument Valley Park and enjoy a picnic. You can access Monument Valley Park in multiple places as it follows the creek, but mapping your way to 170 West Cache La Poudre Street will put you in the middle section of the park. Pick up some baguettes, cheese and fruit from Bread and Butter Neighborhood Market and make your own picnic.
As you head back east to fly out of Colorado Springs, drive through the Platte Avenue corridor and enjoy some eye candy with the vibrant murals in the Knob Hill Urban Arts District. You’ll find several of them on and near Platte Furniture at 2331 East Platte Place. The colorful murals brighten the walls of many buildings and represent the resilient spirit of the multicultural neighborhood and the Colorado Springs community.
“One of my favorite murals there shows Fannie Mae Duncan with her famous saying ‘Everybody welcome,’” Colin says. Fannie Mae Duncan owned a jazz club called the Cotton Club where musicians, such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Muddy Waters, played in the 1950s and ‘60s. When the local police chief pressed her about the club’s clientele of all races, Duncan stood her ground. The sign in her window read “Everybody welcome,” and she made sure that was always true. “I love the mural that depicts her,” Colin says. “I think it is indicative of our city: Everybody is welcome here.”
Map Your Itinerary
Want to build your custom Colorado Springs itinerary? Use the Visit Colorado Springs Trip Planner tool to enter your destinations and create your maps and schedules in one spot.
For up-to-date event information when you’re in town, be sure to visit PeakRadar.com, the cultural calendar for the Pikes Peak region.
