A splendid holiday destination for both summer and winter seasons, Colorado Springs is nestled on the eastern slope of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains at the base of Pikes Peak. The area surrounding the city is dotted with numerous natural attractions and features, including North Cheyenne Cañon Park, the Garden of the Gods, and Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Visitors can also enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horse-riding trails.
If you are here to explore the best of the city, you must also check out the following weekend destinations from Colorado Springs:
Denver
Also known as the Mile High City, Delver, Colorado is named so as it is a mile high or 5, 280 feet above sea level. A popular spot among visitors since the discovery of gold in Cherry Creek in the 1850s, the city is one of the most frequented places in the nation, and how can it not! With the massive Rocky Mountain as a backdrop and over 300 sunny days, Denver is bustling with attractions to see and things to do. Whether it’s experiencing the interesting artworks and collections at Denver Art Museum, indulging in shopping and entertainment at Cherry Creek North, exploring the area’s wildlife at Denver Zoo, or taking a stroll at Civic Center Park located right in the heart of the downtown, the city offers plenty of experiences for you and your family.
Best Time to Visit: April to May and September to October are the best months to visit Denver. Expect fewer tourists, a pleasant climate, and affordable prices.
How to Reach: The most convenient mode of transportation between Colorado Springs and Denver is to take a direct bus that takes around 2 hours and costs between $11 to $45 in bus fare.
Aspen
Commonly known as a ski town, the gorgeous town of Aspen has a lot more to offer than what meets the usual eye. A favorite among visitors since the late 19th century, Aspen is home to some of the most gorgeous trails in the region if not the country. During the summer months, when the snow has melted, you can spend your weekends exploring the various mountain trails around town, including but not limited to the Hunter Creek Trail, the Rio Grande Trail, and Maroon Lake. If you are an adventure seeker and a history buff, you would love to explore the spine-chilling Ashford Ghost Town and Independence Ghost town, both of which are managed by Aspen Historical Society.
Best Time to Visit: The most recommended months to visit the gorgeous town of Aspen are between December to February.
How to Reach: If you don’t mind splurging a bit, the fastest way to travel between the two cities is to take a direct flight for 2 hours and 45 minutes and pay between $260 to $1,100. Alternatively, you can drive down for under 4 hours and cost between $16 to $23 in fuel.
Boulder
Boulder has always been a unique holiday destination that boasts spectacular natural beauty as a result of being located amidst the Rocky Mountains. For outdoor enthusiasts and fitness buffs, the city is blessed with over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, along with numerous rock-climbing options. One of the two main streets in Boulder, Downtown is popular for its pedestrian-only Pearl Street Mall, which is dotted with art galleries, shopping avenues, and fine-dining restaurants. The second is further south on Broadway and is known as The Hill – this is where the University of Colorado is located. Other than these, Boulder’s top attractions also include the Flatirons and Flagstaff Mountain which can be found in the hills and parks surrounding the city.
Best Time to Visit: Although the town can be visited throughout the year, it is most suggested to visit Boulder between January to March and June to August.
How to Reach: The fastest and the most economical way to travel between Colorado Springs and Boulder is to get on a bus to Denver Union Station Amtrak, transfer over to Union Station Gate B17, and then hop on another bus to Broadway & Regent Dr. The entire journey takes slightly over 2 hours under $20.
Telluride
A mecca of sorts for adventure lovers and outdoorsy visitors, the quaint town of Telluride enjoys a picturesque location set amidst the towering San Juan Mountains. Formerly established as a mining town in the 1870s, it is now extensively renowned as a year-round resort. A list of activities to enjoy in Telluride includes but isn’t limited to hiking during the summer months and skiing and snowboarding during the winter. All thanks to its wonderful location, Telluride rests in a gorgeous box canyon with grandiose mountains, lush forests, and glittering waterfalls surrounding it. While most tourists visit here for the landscape and activities, the entire center of this charming town is being preserved as a National Historic Landmark District.
Best Time to Visit: The most preferred times to explore Telluride are from the middle of June to August and from the middle of November to early April. Although these summer and winter seasons offer higher crowds and prices, they are the peak times to enjoy the town’s famous festivals and world-renowned skiing.
How to Reach: Telluride is a bit farther away from Colorado Springs and the journey between the two places can take over 10 hours in buses and shuttles and cost over $1,000. If you don’t mind being behind the steering wheel for around 6 and a half hours, driving down to the location would cost between $30 to $43.
Frisco
Surrounded by world-famous ski resorts such as Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Breckenridge, Frisco is often overlooked as a vacation spot in Colorado, but if that’s what you feel as well, you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Summit Country’s true hidden Gem, the town has so much to offer only if you knew where to look. A paradise for family vacationers, Frisco Adventure Park is the place to be for everything outdoors, including tubing at the tubing hill which features seven, longwinded 1,200-foot tubing lanes with lift service to take you up the hill, ski and snowboarding lessons, snowshoeing, and even a one-of-kind dinner chuck wagon experience. During summer, the park also has a bike park with a dirt bike jump facility, slope-style course and pump track. What’s more, you can also learn the art of glassblowing at GatherHouse Glassblowing Studio and Gallery.
Best Time to Visit: July and August are the best times to visit Frisco for its enjoyable weather.
How to Reach: One of the quickest and cheapest ways to reach Frisco is to take a Groome Transportation bus from The Antlers’ S. Cascade to Denver International Airport and then take another one to Frisco.
High in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is not only one of the loveliest cities but also one of the most visited places in the United States. Also known as “the Springs”, it is one of the sunniest states in the country. Home to the United States Olympic Committee and one of the largest Olympic Training Centers in the country, the city is surrounded by many fabulous locations that make up for some of the best weekend destinations from Colorado Springs.