The essential Colorado Springs
Drinks & Nightlife
Some of my favorite spots to drink that I've given the most favorable reviews to over the years of my food/drink criticisms for the local alt-weekly paper.
Distillery 291
4242 North Nevada AvenueGo do a flight!
Cerberus Brewing Company
702 W Colorado AveElysium IPA!
Local Relic
320 S Weber StAmazing experimental brews!
Go for the Donburi bowl. Japanese whiskey cocktails. Very cool cyberpunk vibe.
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Chiba Bar
19 E Kiowa StGo for the Donburi bowl. Japanese whiskey cocktails. Very cool cyberpunk vibe.
The town's co-oldest brewery with a solid flagship lineup and good seasonals. Located at the Ivywild School near The Principal's Office and Axe and the Oak Distillery.
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Bristol Brewing Company
1604 S Cascade AveThe town's co-oldest brewery with a solid flagship lineup and good seasonals. Located at the Ivywild School near The Principal's Office and Axe and the Oak Distillery.
Great hazy IPA and solid beers all around. Usually a food truck on site.
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Goat Patch Brewing Company
2727 N Cascade AveGreat hazy IPA and solid beers all around. Usually a food truck on site.
Cute hipster bar, lavender martini and Brazilian coconut soup are famous.
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Shuga's
702 S Cascade AveCute hipster bar, lavender martini and Brazilian coconut soup are famous.
Take a drive up beautiful Ute Pass and enjoy a gorgeous view of the back side of Pikes Peak and try some truly interesting beers. Paradox specializes in funky barrel-aged blends.
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Paradox Beer Company
10 Buffalo CtTake a drive up beautiful Ute Pass and enjoy a gorgeous view of the back side of Pikes Peak and try some truly interesting beers. Paradox specializes in funky barrel-aged blends.
Good beer, cool space, amazing mountain views. Several food options from shipping container pop ups.
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Red Leg Brewing Company
2323 Garden of the Gods RoadGood beer, cool space, amazing mountain views. Several food options from shipping container pop ups.
High end whisky selection, excellent seasonal cocktails, cool dark moody atmosphere.
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District Elleven
218 N Tejon StHigh end whisky selection, excellent seasonal cocktails, cool dark moody atmosphere.
Vegan hipster dive bar. Cool space on the south west side of town.
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Burrowing Owl
1791 S 8th StVegan hipster dive bar. Cool space on the south west side of town.
1350 Distilling
520 East Pikes Peak AvenueClose to my house, good local spirits and often food trucks.
Started as a speakeasy, now rotates concept themes every few months or so. Located inside Wobbly Olive (next to Josh n John's ice cream).
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Allusion Cocktail Bar
323 N Tejon StStarted as a speakeasy, now rotates concept themes every few months or so. Located inside Wobbly Olive (next to Josh n John's ice cream).
Arts & Culture
Southewestern Art Deco architecture, very unique. Great traveling exhibits and permanent collection shows.
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Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
30 W Dale StSouthewestern Art Deco architecture, very unique. Great traveling exhibits and permanent collection shows.
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
215 S Tejon StUCCS Galleries of Contemporary Art
5225 N Nevada AveKreuser Gallery
125 E Boulder StSquash Blossom Gallery
2531 W Colorado AveAmerican Numismatic Association
818 N Cascade AveOpened in 2020, architectural beauty, super tech interactive experience
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U.S. Olympiske og Paralympiske Museum
200 S Sierra Madre StOpened in 2020, architectural beauty, super tech interactive experience
Meow Wolf Denver
1338 1st StIt's a closer drive than Santa Fe from here!
Very cute stationary shop with amusing/alternative, house-made cards and a well curated gift area of eclectic items. Super nice people.
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Ladyfingers Letterpress
113 E Bijou StVery cute stationary shop with amusing/alternative, house-made cards and a well curated gift area of eclectic items. Super nice people.
Food scene
I've been reviewing food and drink in the Springs for 15+ years for the Colorado Springs Independent. I've eaten almost everywhere in the city, so this is a well-curated list of some of my favorites.
Badass coastal Mexican tacos and great margs. Also check out their sister operation Dos Dos next to Acacia park.
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Dos Santos
70 E Moreno AveBadass coastal Mexican tacos and great margs. Also check out their sister operation Dos Dos next to Acacia park.
Frozen Gold
80 E Moreno AveGet the Samoa Samoa (vegan coconut milk ice cream!)
Big-ass biscuits and great bottomless coffee.
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Denver Biscuit Company - Colorado Springs
528 S Tejon StBig-ass biscuits and great bottomless coffee.
Largely organic, lots of vegetarian and vegan options as well as gluten-free. Great for breakfast lunch or dinner.
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Adam’s Mountain Cafe
26 Manitou AveLargely organic, lots of vegetarian and vegan options as well as gluten-free. Great for breakfast lunch or dinner.
Eat with your hands. Amazing food, vegan and gluten-free options. Slow food, go when not in a rush.
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Uchenna Ethiopian Restaurant
2501 W Colorado AveEat with your hands. Amazing food, vegan and gluten-free options. Slow food, go when not in a rush.
Amy's Donuts
2704 E Fountain BlvdCrazy donuts.
The French Kitchen
4771 N Academy BlvdPhenomenal French pastries and breads.
Piglatin Cocina
2825 Dublin BlvdAwesome Caribbean fusion with good drinks.
Big beers, authentic German food, amazing pastries too. Great patio in summer.
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Edelweiss German Restaurant
34 E Ramona AveBig beers, authentic German food, amazing pastries too. Great patio in summer.
Best breads in town. Amazing pizzas on Saturdays only at lunch.
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Nightingale Bread
2727 N Cascade AveBest breads in town. Amazing pizzas on Saturdays only at lunch.
This is my good friends’ cooking school. Book as far in advance of your trip as you can. Classes fill up! But they are awesome and fun and you eat what you make at the end!
Gather Food Studio & Spice Shop
2011 W Colorado AveThis is my good friends’ cooking school. Book as far in advance of your trip as you can. Classes fill up! But they are awesome and fun and you eat what you make at the end!
Bingo Burger - Colorado Springs
132 N Tejon St
Front Range Barbeque
2330 W Colorado AveGo for the Sloppy Pig and a pint of craft beer.
Excellent fine dining, local food and drink. Great atmosphere.
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The Margarita at Pine Creek
7350 Pine Creek RdExcellent fine dining, local food and drink. Great atmosphere.
Great Italian fine dining. Or hit Paravicini's downstairs.
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Ristorante Di Sopra
4 South 28th StreetGreat Italian fine dining. Or hit Paravicini's downstairs.
Awesome all around. The freshest seafood flown in regularly.
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Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Colorado Springs
11 S Tejon StAwesome all around. The freshest seafood flown in regularly.
Great pizza with a cool story behind it. Not your average stoner fare.
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Slice420
2501 W Colorado AveGreat pizza with a cool story behind it. Not your average stoner fare.
Great Salvadoran food, all gluten-free and mostly organic. Full bar of tropical drinks. Vegan options and desserts.
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Monse's Pupuseria
115 S 25th StGreat Salvadoran food, all gluten-free and mostly organic. Full bar of tropical drinks. Vegan options and desserts.
Very close walking distance from my house. House made pasta, pizza (Roman style) and gelato.
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Stellina Pizza Cafe
749 East Willamette AvenueVery close walking distance from my house. House made pasta, pizza (Roman style) and gelato.
Sasquatch Cookies
1020 E Jefferson StDope cookies!
Traditional tea ceremony, pick a tea from a huge international selection and enjoy dumplings or other snacks.
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Yellow Mountain Tea House
2616 W Colorado AveTraditional tea ceremony, pick a tea from a huge international selection and enjoy dumplings or other snacks.
Fern's is a converted classic diner just below the toll booth for the Pikes Peak Highway (up to the top of the 14er!)
It's very stylish and cute, with a fully vegan menu that omnivores will love too. Great drinks ... and definitely get the tots poutine.
Fern's Diner & Drinkery
Fern's is a converted classic diner just below the toll booth for the Pikes Peak Highway (up to the top of the 14er!)
It's very stylish and cute, with a fully vegan menu that omnivores will love too. Great drinks ... and definitely get the tots poutine.
A rotating food hall. Current vendors Formosa Bites and Sivar are excellent. Drinks are well made here too.
The Well
A rotating food hall. Current vendors Formosa Bites and Sivar are excellent. Drinks are well made here too.
It's expensive but it's really good. Gorgeous presentations. More creative plating. Unlike any other sushi in the Springs.
Sushi Row
It's expensive but it's really good. Gorgeous presentations. More creative plating. Unlike any other sushi in the Springs.
Red Gravy
23 S Tejon StEasy American Italian - good every time.
Interesting blend of Caribbean/Italian. Close to my house and great happy hours.
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Rasta Pasta
405 N Tejon StInteresting blend of Caribbean/Italian. Close to my house and great happy hours.
Sightseeing
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
930 Manitou AveShuttle from the Broadmoor hotel. You can see them from a distance for free if you hike the Mt Cutler trail in Cheyenne Canyon.
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The Broadmoor Seven Falls
1045 Lower Gold Camp RdShuttle from the Broadmoor hotel. You can see them from a distance for free if you hike the Mt Cutler trail in Cheyenne Canyon.
Royal Gorge Bridge og Park
4218 Co Rd 3ABishop Castle
12705 Colorado 165ProRodeo Hall of Fame
103 Pro Rodeo DrGarden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdPikes Peak - America's Mountain
5089 Pikes Peak HwyColorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
4729 Twin Rocks RdBeautiful by night, with good restaurants, bars and a fine brewery located along the waterside. A 40 minute drive from C. Springs, worth a visit.
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Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
101 N Union AveBeautiful by night, with good restaurants, bars and a fine brewery located along the waterside. A 40 minute drive from C. Springs, worth a visit.
Many guests have inquired about horseback riding through Garden of the Gods, here's a place that organizes it:
https://www.academyridingstables.com/
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Academy Riding Stable
4 El Paso BlvdMany guests have inquired about horseback riding through Garden of the Gods, here's a place that organizes it:
https://www.academyridingstables.com/
Great ride on a scenic stretch of river. Good food/drink on the train. Amazing views.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
401 Water StreetGreat ride on a scenic stretch of river. Good food/drink on the train. Amazing views.
Hiking trails
Many options here. Mt. Cutler is a good quick one that overlooks Seven Falls and Mt. Muscoco from the same trailhead is longer with a great overlook.
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
15220 S Cheyenne Canyon RdGreat rock formations and less trafficked that Garden of the Gods and others.
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Palmer Park
3344-3376 Paseo RdGreat rock formations and less trafficked that Garden of the Gods and others.
Red Mountain
Cool Manitou Springs overlook.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
3550 W High StBasically an extension of Garden of the Gods
Several ways to reach but one good way is thru Green Mountain Falls trailheads.
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North Catamount Reservoir
Several ways to reach but one good way is thru Green Mountain Falls trailheads.
Hot Springs
Two are within an hour’s drive. Many more are 2+ hours drive.
Closest to C Springs. Rustic with good hot water. Clothing optional most days.
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Dakota Hot Springs
1 Malibu BlvdClosest to C Springs. Rustic with good hot water. Clothing optional most days.
Only about 10 minutes more drive away than Dakota, this has a cool greenhouse feature and a little more landscaping for charm.
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Desert Reef Hot Spring
1194 Co Rd 110Only about 10 minutes more drive away than Dakota, this has a cool greenhouse feature and a little more landscaping for charm.
SunWater Spa
514 El Paso BlvdHot pools in Manitou Springs plus sauna, yoga, etc.
Yeah, it's a drive to Denver and not cheap, but fun.
Here's what I wrote about it:
https://www.csindy.com/food_and_culture/food_and_drink/the-beer-spa-lets-you-soak-in-brewery-ingredients-while-sipping-suds-as-if-you/article_ee0923b4-c857-11eb-96b5-4fa687cc56f7.html
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The Beer Spa
3004 N Downing StYeah, it's a drive to Denver and not cheap, but fun.
Here's what I wrote about it:
https://www.csindy.com/food_and_culture/food_and_drink/the-beer-spa-lets-you-soak-in-brewery-ingredients-while-sipping-suds-as-if-you/article_ee0923b4-c857-11eb-96b5-4fa687cc56f7.html
Coffee Shops
Starbucks, Dutch Bros and all that are everywhere, but these are our town's best craft/third-wave spots.
Tiny indoor space, nice outdoor patio. Excellent drinks. Try the buzzy bee cold brew made with local honey.
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Frankly Coffee
727 1/2 W Colorado AveTiny indoor space, nice outdoor patio. Excellent drinks. Try the buzzy bee cold brew made with local honey.
Six blocks from my house - hip vibe, great coffee, go for the lavender-honey latte.
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SwitchBack Coffee Roasters
330 N Institute StSix blocks from my house - hip vibe, great coffee, go for the lavender-honey latte.
A tiny house located in Acacia Park downtown. Excellent coffee. Sea salt caramel latte FTW!
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Story Coffee Company
120 E Bijou StA tiny house located in Acacia Park downtown. Excellent coffee. Sea salt caramel latte FTW!
Located in the cool Lincoln Center (near Goat Patch Brewing and Nightingale Bakery). It's got great coffee and good pastries.
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Building Three Coffee
2727 N Cascade AveLocated in the cool Lincoln Center (near Goat Patch Brewing and Nightingale Bakery). It's got great coffee and good pastries.
The most hipster of the hipster local coffee shops. Snazzy design, superb coffees.
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Loyal Coffee
408 S Nevada AveThe most hipster of the hipster local coffee shops. Snazzy design, superb coffees.
For fans of darker roasts. Cool, open space. Huge pastry selection. Good food menu too. Great space to work from.
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The Exchange
526 S Tejon StFor fans of darker roasts. Cool, open space. Huge pastry selection. Good food menu too. Great space to work from.
Also near my house, within walking distance (about 10 minutes). Quality craft coffee and beer/wine/spirits for an early evening drink.
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Good Neighbors Meeting House
505 Columbia StAlso near my house, within walking distance (about 10 minutes). Quality craft coffee and beer/wine/spirits for an early evening drink.
A good option in Old Colorado City. Try the Old Fashioned Latte
with orange and cherry syrup, espresso, and steamed milk topped with bitters and a twist of lemon.
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Carnelian Coffee Co
2428 W Colorado AveA good option in Old Colorado City. Try the Old Fashioned Latte
with orange and cherry syrup, espresso, and steamed milk topped with bitters and a twist of lemon.
If you happen to be out east on Powers Boulevard, this is the only craft shop in the area.
Dynamo Coffee Roasting and Community
4029 Tutt BoulevardIf you happen to be out east on Powers Boulevard, this is the only craft shop in the area.
For a local drive-thru option. Try the white espresso (lightly roasted beans, also called zombie coffee, packs a caffeine punch and has a peanut buttery flavor naturally).
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Humble Coffee
2103 Templeton Gap RdFor a local drive-thru option. Try the white espresso (lightly roasted beans, also called zombie coffee, packs a caffeine punch and has a peanut buttery flavor naturally).
Kangaroo Coffee
Great neighborhood spot near Prospect Lake for paddleboarding in summer.