Guidebook for Colorado Springs
Essentials
The closest grocery. It has a Wells Fargo ATM inside. On the way there you'll find a liquor store, Walgreens, UPS store, etc.
118 locals recommend
Safeway
3275 W Colorado AveThe closest grocery. It has a Wells Fargo ATM inside. On the way there you'll find a liquor store, Walgreens, UPS store, etc.
Groceries, gas, thrift store, hardware store, bank, drug store, liquor store, subway. It's all here at the King Soopers shopping center at 19th and Uintah.
179 locals recommend
King Soopers
6030 Stetson Hills BlvdGroceries, gas, thrift store, hardware store, bank, drug store, liquor store, subway. It's all here at the King Soopers shopping center at 19th and Uintah.
Drinks & Nightlife
A fun new outdoor themed bar where you pour your own. Tons of unique beer on tap. It's family friendly and even has some board games my kids love.
51 locals recommend
Trails End Taproom
2925 W Colorado AveA fun new outdoor themed bar where you pour your own. Tons of unique beer on tap. It's family friendly and even has some board games my kids love.
Standard Irish stuff and a few interesting beers on tap. Pub fare, but the food is really good compared to your standard pub. There's a back patio that's smoker-friendly, but this is not apparent from the street side. Just walk through the kitchen like you own the place and you'll be there.
43 locals recommend
Alchemy
2625 W Colorado AveStandard Irish stuff and a few interesting beers on tap. Pub fare, but the food is really good compared to your standard pub. There's a back patio that's smoker-friendly, but this is not apparent from the street side. Just walk through the kitchen like you own the place and you'll be there.
The center of the West Side roots music scene. Good beer selection. If you are a BBQ connoisseur you probably won't write home about the food. Don't get me wrong--it's good; it's just not amazing, but somehow that doesn't hurt the experience much.
129 locals recommend
Front Range Barbeque
2330 W Colorado AveThe center of the West Side roots music scene. Good beer selection. If you are a BBQ connoisseur you probably won't write home about the food. Don't get me wrong--it's good; it's just not amazing, but somehow that doesn't hurt the experience much.
Parks & Nature
Thorndale Park
The closest park with a playground. There is one structure for gathering/shelter.
The center of OCC. Bands play in the bandshell and the farmers market is here every Saturday; June – October from 7 AM – 1 PM. It's flanked by coffee, museum, library, and historical stuff.
9 locals recommend
Bancroft Park
2408 W Colorado AveThe center of OCC. Bands play in the bandshell and the farmers market is here every Saturday; June – October from 7 AM – 1 PM. It's flanked by coffee, museum, library, and historical stuff.
Its probably the reason you are here, and for good reason. Garden of the Gods should not be missed.
1172 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdIts probably the reason you are here, and for good reason. Garden of the Gods should not be missed.
With views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the continental divide, a visitors center that's great for kids, and hiking opportunities that abound for all fitness levels, this is a pretty incredible nature experience just about 45 minutes from Colorado Springs.
122 locals recommend
Mueller State Park
21045 CO-67With views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the continental divide, a visitors center that's great for kids, and hiking opportunities that abound for all fitness levels, this is a pretty incredible nature experience just about 45 minutes from Colorado Springs.
Arts & Culture
This is one of the great galleries on CO ave but there are many others. Explore!
Squash Blossom Gallery
2531 W Colorado AveThis is one of the great galleries on CO ave but there are many others. Explore!
Shopping
Probably because of the odd "we're not allowed to call it muppets" name, this may be the shop that most comes to mind if you were to ask a local where to buy touristy gifts, kids souvenirs, t-shirts, etc. but there are many, many others along Colorado Avenue, so if this one is not what you're looking for, you'll find that one on the way here or close by.
Mountain Moppets Children's Clothing and Baby Boutique
2530 West Colorado AvenueProbably because of the odd "we're not allowed to call it muppets" name, this may be the shop that most comes to mind if you were to ask a local where to buy touristy gifts, kids souvenirs, t-shirts, etc. but there are many, many others along Colorado Avenue, so if this one is not what you're looking for, you'll find that one on the way here or close by.
Food Scene
This is OCC's classic ice cream joint. The ice cream is homemade and it's good and well-priced. We never have out-of-town guests without ending up here, and somehow there's a gravitational pull to the Creamery every time we finish up a hike at Garden of the Gods with our kids.
21 locals recommend
Colorado City Creamery
2602 Colorado AveThis is OCC's classic ice cream joint. The ice cream is homemade and it's good and well-priced. We never have out-of-town guests without ending up here, and somehow there's a gravitational pull to the Creamery every time we finish up a hike at Garden of the Gods with our kids.
This place is the classic boho eclectic art and unmatched furniture kind of coffeehouse, right on Bankcroft Park.
45 locals recommend
Jives Coffee Lounge
16 Colbrunn CtThis place is the classic boho eclectic art and unmatched furniture kind of coffeehouse, right on Bankcroft Park.
If you are walking from the cottage but you want an upgrade to a more hipster crafted vibe from Jives, the atmosphere and product here will suite you.
15 locals recommend
Carnelian Coffee Co
2428 W Colorado AveIf you are walking from the cottage but you want an upgrade to a more hipster crafted vibe from Jives, the atmosphere and product here will suite you.
Hands down the best third wave coffee and espresso on the West Side, and with bottomless drip coffee at $4, it's quite a deal if you want to settle in for a book, a meeting, or to get some work done. The staff welcomes this kind of loitering. The bamboo tables have abundant plugs for computers and even USBs for phones. It's in a historic roundhouse (the kind they use to do maintenance on train engines). Nice staff. Punk music.
blank coffee | food
600 S 21st StHands down the best third wave coffee and espresso on the West Side, and with bottomless drip coffee at $4, it's quite a deal if you want to settle in for a book, a meeting, or to get some work done. The staff welcomes this kind of loitering. The bamboo tables have abundant plugs for computers and even USBs for phones. It's in a historic roundhouse (the kind they use to do maintenance on train engines). Nice staff. Punk music.
Lots of outdoor seating, but it does tend to be crowded especially in the summer. For good reason! This is the West Side's greatest brewpub. If you are into craft beers and elevated pub fare, this place is your jam. Try the smoked brisket grilled cheese or the reuben rolls with one of many locally crafted IPAs and all kinds of other mayhem.
146 locals recommend
Cerberus Brewing Company
702 W Colorado AveLots of outdoor seating, but it does tend to be crowded especially in the summer. For good reason! This is the West Side's greatest brewpub. If you are into craft beers and elevated pub fare, this place is your jam. Try the smoked brisket grilled cheese or the reuben rolls with one of many locally crafted IPAs and all kinds of other mayhem.
Sightseeing
Just a few minutes (depending in traffic) away this little mountain hamlet is full of funky interesting vibes and gorgeous views of Pikes Peak. Whether it's the Cog Railway (when it reopens!) or the Manitou Incline, or just letting the kids play on rides or Skeeball at the "Penny" Arcade (spoiler: it takes quarters) , or whether it's grabbing a craft brew or a glass of wine, Manitou is just fun.
649 locals recommend
Manitou Springs
Just a few minutes (depending in traffic) away this little mountain hamlet is full of funky interesting vibes and gorgeous views of Pikes Peak. Whether it's the Cog Railway (when it reopens!) or the Manitou Incline, or just letting the kids play on rides or Skeeball at the "Penny" Arcade (spoiler: it takes quarters) , or whether it's grabbing a craft brew or a glass of wine, Manitou is just fun.