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February 23, 2017August 21, 2018

Top 12 Things To Do In Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs holds a special place in my heart. This was where my husband and I fell in love; my first home away from my parent’s house. This was where I went to college and met some of the greatest people I’ve ever known.

Here is an insider’s guide to 12 fun things to do when you’re in Colorado Springs, all of which are college student approved.

Garden of the Gods

photo credit H. Michael Miley

Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs. It has been ranked the number 1 park in the country based on 3,000 reviews on Trip Advisor, ahead of New York’s Central Park and Chicago’s Millennium Park. My husband and I often hike here because it is a free park with ample parking. I recommend Ridge Trail which is a moderate ½ mile loop winding over a rocky pathway with beautiful scenery.

Pikes Peak

photo credit Brian Gautreau

There are three ways to get to the top of Pikes Peak: hike, take the cog-railroad or drive. Well, I’m sure there are more ways if you’re creative. If you are up for hiking a fourteener, do it. If not, opt for driving instead of taking the cog-railroad because it’s cheaper, you can go at your own pace and you can take photos along the way. We made our ascent mid-October and were thrilled to find out that the top had just been cleared of snow. Many times the top will be closed off to drivers because the last couple of miles of road is dangerous when slick. Tip: Bring warm clothes, even if it is warm down the mountain it is always cold and windy at the top.

Cave of the Winds

photo credit Jon Roberts

Cave of the Winds is a local attraction in Manitou Springs where you can tour a variety of caves at different levels of hiking difficulty. There are tours for all ages. My parents brought me to Cave of the Winds and it was one of the coolest things we have ever done and that’s according to a high schooler who was particularly difficult to impress.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

photo credit mrwynd

Giraffes! The coolest thing about Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is that you can hand feed the giraffes. This is an excellent opportunity to get that giraffe selfie you’ve always wanted. Other than that, it’s exactly what you’d expect from America’s only mountainside zoo: gorgeous and on a huge hill. Wear your best walking shoes!

Rudy’s BBQ

photo credit Jeff Keyzer

If you’re a fan of good old-fashioned Texas BBQ you’ll love Rudy’s. The restaurant is a large barn with a little general store attached. You order your meat and your fixings in the barn and watch them carve it off right there in front of you. Then, you find a picnic table, douse your meat in sauce and dig in! This place is full of character and known by the locals as the best BBQ in town.

Glen Eyrie Castle

photo credit David Shankbone

Glen Eyrie is an English Tudor-style castle built in 1903 by the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer but I fondly remember it as, “the castle Grandma and Grandpa worked at.” My grandparents volunteered at the castle when I was a child and I often walked the grounds arm in arm with them. I later found out that you are required to pay for morning or afternoon tea, book a tour or stay overnight and that you cannot just simply walk through the castle whenever you’d like.

Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs

photo credit Bradley Gordon

Manitou Springs is a small town full of art, music, theater and gift shops. One of the coolest things in Manitou Springs is the Penny Arcade. Spanning across several store fronts they have arcade games like pinball, skeeball, air hockey and more. I don’t remember the games actually costing a penny but it is always a fun cheap date activity.

Old Colorado City

photo credit Paul Sableman

Old Colorado City is a national historic district in Colorado Springs. It sits on about 8 acres and is full of adorable little shops and restaurants. I often confused Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City because they have a similar look and feel to them. Old Colorado City has excellent restaurants and coffee shops. I prefer to go here when I’m looking for that small-town Gilmore Girls vibe.

Graffiti Falls

photo credit Mark Byzewski

Graffiti Falls, also known as Rainbow Falls or Cascade Falls, is a waterfall surrounded by canyon walls covered in graffiti. I was skeptical when my husband told me about it because it seems like there’s no way it could be beautiful. On the contrary, this is a beautiful site full of personality, life and color. There are usually a few left spray paint cans so you can leave a tag of your own. The hike in is moderate and only a half a mile. However, there isn’t a designated path so most of it is unsteady river rocks.

The Broadmoor

photo credit Kari Sullivan

Who doesn’t love a good swanky hotel? Even if you can’t afford to stay at The Broadmoor it is definitely worth a visit. I suggest wearing your fanciest clothes and walking around like you own the place. Truth is, I could hardly afford a cocktail here when I visited in college, but it was fun to pretend.

US Olympic Training Center

photo credit Marc Goebel

For aspiring Olympic athletes I’m sure the US Olympic Training Center is the bee’s knees. For us regular folk, it’s a tour of a bunch of gyms and pools. Regardless, it’s pretty inspiring to know that some of the greatest athletes in the world trained here and it’s fun to point at workout equipment and ask the tour guide if Michael Phelps’ butt has been here…or here…or here.

The Money Museum

photo credit David Shankbone

I can’t write about Colorado Springs without mentioning the museum where I had my first internship. You don’t have to be a numismatist to enjoy looking at money. The Money Museum has an extensive collection of currency as well as it’s very own mini-mint where you can see how coins were made starting in the 1500s. Another perk – admission is only $5 a person.

Do you agree with this list? Do you have anything you would add to it? Leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Emma

December 27, 2016May 28, 2020

3 Days In Pagosa Springs, Colorado

For the past two years, my husband and I have taken turns choosing a weekend getaway for our birthday. Last year we went to Steamboat Springs, CO for my birthday and this year he requested that we go to Pagosa Springs, CO (notice a theme developing). We spent a total of three days and two overnights in Pagosa Springs and I would say it was one of the best trips we have ever been on. Please take a look at our trip tips and photos and feel free to leave questions or comments below!

About Pagosa Springs

Pagosa Springs is home to approximately 1,800 people and boasts the title of the “World’s Deepest Hot Springs.” Pagosa Springs sits about an hour outside of Durango, CO and 5 hours southwest of Denver. The town is alongside the San Juan River, which is great for tubing during the warmer months. There are also many non-commercialized natural hot springs on the river that you can take advantage of, if you don’t mind sitting on the side of the road in a bikini, that is.

The drive from Denver to Pagosa Springs

We left from Denver on Friday morning and knew that a storm was on its way so instead of taking the scenic US-285 S we stuck with I-25 S and US 160 W to avoid the many mountain passes. Due to the blowing snow, the drive took about 6 hours instead of 5. We were worried about needing chains and driving our Toyota Corolla rather than a 4WD or AWD vehicle but we did just fine. We headed back to Denver on Sunday afternoon and took the scenic US-285 N and it was a beautiful drive with clear skies the whole way.

Pagosa Hot Springs Hotel and Spa

The Springs Resort and Spa is located in downtown Pagosa Springs, right next to the San Juan River. The spa includes hot springs and lodging. You do not have the stay at the resort to have access to the hot springs. Rooms range from $199-$619 a night with the cheapest being a 216 sq ft room with 2 double beds and the most expensive being a spacious 2-bed 2-bath suite. The perk of staying at the resort is 24 hour access to the hot springs, the close proximity to the pools and the complimentary water bottles and adorable robes. Keep in mind that if you do not stay at the resort, you have access to the pools from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. in the winter and 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. in the summer. The prices range from $26-$53 (adult) and $14-$30 (child) depending on how many amenities you’d like to take advantage of (locker rooms, towels, etc.)

The Springs Resort and Spa pools

The Springs Resort and Spa has 23 mineral hot springs varying from 83-114 degrees fahrenheit. Each pool offers a unique experience, my husband and I tried the majority of them and found that during the day we preferred 95 degree springs while at night the 102 degree springs were ideal. Our favorite pools were The Cliffs, Serendipity, Sunset Social Club and Top O’ the Morning. The Burg was also a unique experience, being right on the river with your toes in the gravel, but it was a little too hot at 104 degrees. You don’t realize how much a 2 degree difference makes until you go between a couple of pools.

When to visit Pagosa Springs

Keep in mind that my husband and I have only been to Pagosa Springs once, so I am speaking with very limited experience. However, I would say that fall or winter is the ideal time to visit because I often find it unbearable to sit in hot springs during a warm spring or summer day. We visited during the first week in December and there was snow on the ground, it was a brisk 35 degrees during the day and 15 degrees at night. During the day, most of the hot springs were too warm and we found ourselves sitting on the edge with our feet in the pool. At night, almost all of the pools felt perfect and the only difficult part was walking from pool to pool in a swimsuit. We loved being in the pool from 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; the steam rising off of the pools with the Christmas lights shimmering in the background was quite a sight to see.

The Spa in Pagosa Springs

The Spa offers a variety of treatments including massages, aromatherapy, facials, tanning and waxing. I found the prices to be very reasonable, with an hour full body massage at $105 whereas most places charge $150 per hour. I did not visit the spa so I cannot attest to the quality of the services.

What to bring to Pagosa Springs

If you are staying at the resort you will be given a towel and a robe as well as a complimentary water bottle and toiletry kit. If you are not staying at the resort, you may pay extra for a towel and robe as well as access to a locker room. Besides the aforementioned items, I recommend bringing flip flops because the ground between pools is rough, cold and sprinkled with pebbles to keep it from getting too slick. Warning: keep an eye on your belongings. My flip flops and robe were stolen within 2 hours of being in the pools, all while I was less than 20 ft away from them.

The food in Pagosa Springs

While we were walking along the river we met a woman who had moved to Pagosa Springs from San Diego a few years back. We asked for a lunch recommendation and she insisted that we go to Kip’s Grill which I knew was a popular choice from my research on Pinterest. My husband ordered some spicy tacos and I ordered the nachos. Everything was beyond delicious! The nachos were humongous; they were so big, in fact, that I had them for lunch and we split the rest for dinner. That’s three meals from one plate of nachos! We also went to Pagosa Springs Brewing Company for dinner one night and The Rose for our final breakfast in town. The food was great at both, but I can’t rant or rave over anything in particular.

Treasure Falls in Pagosa Springs

On our way out of town, we stopped at Treasure Falls to see the frozen waterfall. You can see the falls from the parking lot or hike about ¼ mile to the bottom of the falls. The hike wasn’t long but I wouldn’t say that it’s easy. That being said, it should be noted that 1. It had just snowed, so the trail was packed with ice and powder 2. I was carrying a large camera and was wasn’t wearing athletic clothes or shoes 3. I’m outdoorsy in the sense that I enjoy drinking wine on patios. The truth is that I’m just not a big fan of hiking, but the view was breathtaking.

I can’t wait to start planning my birthday weekend getaway for fall 2017. I think we may be running out of Colorado towns with the word “springs” in it, but we are open to recommendations.

Thanks for reading,

Emma

Products listed above are from Amazon Associates which means I get some cash if you buy any of my suggested items. Thanks in advance! – Emma

September 15, 2016May 23, 2018

Strawberry Park Hot Springs Review

One of my favorite vacation spots is Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This little piece of heaven is located about 165 miles northwest of Denver (approximately a 4 hour drive). I recommend visiting in the fall when the leaves are changing and the air is crisp. My husband surprised me with a trip to Steamboat Springs for my birthday last year and it remains one of my favorite places in the world.

As you make your way towards Strawberry Park Hot Springs you are surrounded by more aspen trees than you will ever see in your life, which is why I recommend going in the fall between September 1st and October 1st to see the leaves when they are bright yellow. We were there October 17-19th and as you can see, all of the leaves had already fallen.

WARNING: The drive to the springs from town is slightly precarious. It is a couple of miles of unpaved road. Our Toyota Echo handled it decently in October…if decently means our tires were spinning, we started rolling backwards down a hill and I shouted, “JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL!” On second thought, I recommend taking a car with four-wheel drive. From November 1st to May 1st a four-wheel drive vehicle with snow tires or any vehicle with chains is required to be on the last two miles of the road.

Once you arrive, the cost is $20 per adult or $15 per adult on weekdays. Cash or check only. They have a cute little cabin that you can change into your swimsuit in and restroom facilities as well. It’s a short hike down to the springs, maybe a 3 minute trail. Nothing to stress over, but be sure to have shoes and a swimsuit cover-up or robe available if you don’t want to trek through the dirt half naked.

There are approximately 5 pools to choose from all ranging from “Ahh! It burns!” to “Hmm, is this even considered a hot spring?” degrees Fahrenheit. When it’s really packed with people, you’ll know which pool is the ideal temperature by where the crowd is. Watch where people sit, and when they get up to leave, push every man, woman and child in your path out of the way to snag said spot. Sure, you’ll make a few enemies, but all is fair in love and hot springing.

Oh, one more thing to keep in mind: After dark clothing becomes optional. This can be awkward for some, *shyly raises hand* or super awesome for others, *vividly remembers 60 year old man dropping his pants, thrusting into open air and yelling “YEAAAHH!”* If bathing naked with 30+ strangers is what you consider a good time, more power to you. Just remember to leave the 17 years old and younger crowd at home.

Another excellent hot spring in Colorado is located in Pagosa Springs. Read more here.

About Strawberry Park Hot Springs (found on their website)

The vision of Strawberry Hot Springs is to maintain the beautiful natural environment while keeping the park accessible to all. Restrooms and changing areas are available as are picnic areas. Overnight rentals are popular year–round, and hiking, biking, and snowshoeing trails are conveniently nearby in Routt National Forest. We are only a short drive or shuttle trip from downtown Steamboat Springs and the Steamboat Ski Area.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is truly an unforgettable experience. The blending of pure natural beauty and the unique stone masonry of our pools will undoubtedly impress you with each visit.

Link to website: http://strawberryhotsprings.com/

August 26, 2016May 23, 2018

Best Brunch In Denver

One of my favorite date activities is going out for brunch with my husband after sleeping in on Sunday morning. Denver is full of incredible restaurants offering scrambles, Eggs Benedict, pancakes and your classic continental. Another perk: breakfast typically feels a lot healthier than going out for dinner because you have the option of ordering eggs, mixed fruit and a kale smoothie — YUM!

Here are a few must try breakfast joints in Denver.

Snooze an A.M. Eatery

Snooze opened their doors in Denver, CO 10 years ago and have since added locations in California, Arizona and Texas. You can expect a 45-90 minute wait on any given weekend but trust me, it’s worth it. My go to order is the Bella! Bella! Benny Benedict but people swear by the Breakfast Tacos. No matter what you order, it’s delicious.

Urban Egg

What this place lacks in curb appeal, it makes up for in flavor. Located in a strip mall in Highlands Ranch, CO about 20 miles south of Denver, Urban Egg Eatery is a locally owned and operated restaurant named #10 on Urbanspoon’s list of 101 Great Breakfasts in the U.S. Substitute your side of hash browns for a pancake of your choice for a small up-charge. They are phenomenal.

Jelly Cafe

If you’re looking for a delicious scramble with a side of Instagram worthy jelly donuts, look no further than Jelly Cafe, this trendy diner located in Capitol Hill. They also offer a bottomless mimosa for $12, you know, if you’re into that sort of thing. *shamelessly raises hand*

Denver Biscuit Company

“Biscuits smothered in…” should be their slogan because practically everything on the menu includes a biscuit smothered in something. What started as The Biscuit Bus food truck developed into a well established breakfast spot named Denver Biscuit Company that has caught the attention of Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. If you’re looking for a good hearty home-cooked meal (and an opportunity to brag to people about how you’ve been to a place that has been on TV), this is the place to be. Read my full review here.

Lucile’s Creole Cafe

This place is what my nieces would call, “totes adorbs.” They have 6 locations across Colorado and are wildly popular with the locals. The restaurant’s theme is “Lucile’s Creole Café, Exploring Creole Cooking from Around the World,” and you truly do feel as though you’ve step foot in New Orleans the moment you enter the door. Trust me, I went to New Orleans one time. I’m clearly an expert.