Best Things to Do & Places to Eat in Colorado Springs?

DomerDad

DomerDad

Proud Dad of a USAFA 2026 DD
Joined
Mar 4, 2021
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My DD and I are flying into CO Springs on Friday for a Monday USAFA tour on the 11th. We got to spend several days in Annapolis for CVW and I got some great recommendations on the USNA thread (Amish Market was awesome). I want her to get a similar feel for CO Springs. I would appreciate recommendations on great places to eat and things to see so DD can get a great sense of the area. Also, are Doolies allowed to leave campus or are there restrictions similar to USNA? If so what are the restrictions?
 
Doolies are allowed to leave campus, but there are variables as to when, how long, and for what purpose. Unlike USNA, you cannot get anywhere on foot - the campus is 18,000+ acres and it is several miles to the gate and then several more to anything outside of the gate. There is a sign-out log for accountability and when students go off campus, you sign out and identify what type of PASS you are using.
Church pass
Sponsor pass
Field trip type pass
Sporting competition pass

Beyond these, students are authorized a number of Day or Overnight passes to be used for mostly anything they want to do. The number of passes increase based on privileges assigned to your class year (grade level). Extreme bad weather (or other reasons like bad behavior) can result in the sign-out logs being closed. A key sports victory like Sinking Navy could result in the entire student body receiving an overnight pass.

For key restaurants, there are many great choices in C-Springs and Manitou Springs. My hidden gem is the King Chef diner for breakfast. I had lived in C-Springs for roughly 7 years before I learned about this gem on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. The location you REALLY want to see is the micro diner better known as the purple castle - it seats about 8 people TOTAL. The larger location is also cool, but a different experience. The menu has 1/4, 1/2, and FULL order sizes - I think most people struggle with a 1/2 order of their breakfast dishes.


 
I think I can speak for everyone and say Garden of the Gods is a must see while visiting Colorado Springs. The Academy itself is about 25 mins away from downtown C-Springs, but there are plenty of attractions in the area. I will also be there visiting on the 11th so there is a good chance we will run into one another. See you then 👍
 
shiner said:
Doolies are allowed to leave campus, but there are variables as to when, how long, and for what purpose. Unlike USNA, you cannot get anywhere on foot - the campus is 18,000+ acres and it is several miles to the gate and then several more to anything outside of the gate. There is a sign-out log for accountability and when students go off campus, you sign out and identify what type of PASS you are using.
Church pass
Sponsor pass
Field trip type pass
Sporting competition pass

Beyond these, students are authorized a number of Day or Overnight passes to be used for mostly anything they want to do. The number of passes increase based on privileges assigned to your class year (grade level). Extreme bad weather (or other reasons like bad behavior) can result in the sign-out logs being closed. A key sports victory like Sinking Navy could result in the entire student body receiving an overnight pass.

For key restaurants, there are many great choices in C-Springs and Manitou Springs. My hidden gem is the King Chef diner for breakfast. I had lived in C-Springs for roughly 7 years before I learned about this gem on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. The location you REALLY want to see is the micro diner better known as the purple castle - it seats about 8 people TOTAL. The larger location is also cool, but a different experience. The menu has 1/4, 1/2, and FULL order sizes - I think most people struggle with a 1/2 order of their breakfast dishes.


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Very helpful. Thank you @shiner
 
You must eat at Edelweiss. But you may say, I don’t like German food! Edelweiss will make you love German food. The desserts are to die for.

The US Olympic & Paralympic Museum is pretty new. It is rather interactive, though we didn’t find it very interesting overall. Still, it’s worth a look, and shouldn’t take up too much time while in town.
 
Manitou Incline is nice, Old Colorado City isn't bad, Olympic Training Center is pretty cool, Garden of God's is OK but lived here 40 years and saw it for first time like ten years ago and wasn't overly impressed. Really amazing place if you have a car when you come in, is about 1hr 15min from Springs and it's the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park (in summer there is even more around that area, with lots of rafting around that area too). Also Bishops Castle, which is south of Springs by two hours and such a breathtaking drive there and it's an amazing and huge Castle built by hand by one man.

Restraunts that I will go out of my way to drive to Colorado Springs for:

Brazilian Steakhouse - Tucanos Brazillian Grill. They just keep bringing different meat selections, as well as veggies, sides, and deserts (salad bar preCovid) to your table over and over. A sure way to gain 5-10 lbs in one sitting because it's so good.

Mediterranean: Heart of Jerusalem. Amazing food, highly recommend here... especially their Manakeesh and sage tea. Three locations in springs, best one is on Centennial right by PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA hospital.

Brazil: Taste of Brasil is yummy too and he creates his own inspired alcohols (with the help of local breweries) from the traditional Brazil flavors.
 
My family really enjoyed a visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on a recent visit. There is a fair bit of walking up and down hills but the proximity to the animals and the opportunity for interaction are superb. At one point I sat on a bench and casually looked to the left and saw a bald eagle quietly staring at me from a tree branch about 6 feet away (with no cage to speak of). It is about 30 minutes from the Academy. If you enjoy the idea of interacting with penguins and wallaby as they wander around their designated areas it is not to be missed.

One note, make sure to reserve tickets ahead of time, they have timed admission slots (once you are in you can stay as long as you'd like) and they sell out.
 
CO Springs was just named as a Top 10 city for recent college grads (Denver also made the list). Part of the reason is the exapanding downtown (as my 25 year old AF Lt said when he returned home last year, Springs is now cool). And the new expansion is south of the old downtown. So hit downtown for some good food and relaxation. There's White Pie for excellent pizza. COATI is a cool new food warehouse marketplace. And we have a beer garden now there (your daughter can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and good food trucks) - The Garden. These are all within walking distance.
Bingo Burger is the older downtown is the best burger in the area and locally owned.
As mentioned above, Garden of the Gods is a must-see - stop at the visitors' center for a good film and then find a good hike. It's a Top 50 site in the US.
If you have a day free, a trip to Breckenridge is fun. Cool ski town about 2 hours away. Park and walk around. Good food up there. And if you go the back route through Woodland Park, the drive will sell you on CO. If she skis or wants to, cadets can get an Epic Ski Pass for about $125 (it includes Breck and other resorts - where day passes cost $200). Plus she can rent skis and equipment cheaply from the Academy.
Manitou Springs is a cool small town to walk through, play a few games at an old arcade, have some food, and collect natural springs water. It borders the Springs.
Old Colorado City is fun to see as well, it's on the way to Manitou. Good BBQ there = Front Range BBQ, and locally owned. The Springs is full of chains but we have better locally owned places.
If you want a day hike nearby, Google Spruce Mountain. It's about a 15 minute drive, but a beautiful easy/moderate hike either up the mountain or in the grasslands. Then hit the small town of Palmer Lake for some wings or lunch.
I don't know where you're coming from but prep for the elevation - always have water with you and hydrate.
Good luck. PM me if you have questions.
Edit: Great new restaurant: 503w
 
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