Welcome to the Centennial State! It’s no secret that Colorado is filled with picturesque mountain towns, scenic landscapes, numerous hiking trails, alpine lakes, and plentiful camping opportunities. But if you’re in the market for a trip to Colorado, let this be your sign to include a visit to Colorado Springs!
While this is one of the biggest cities in the state, you can easily enjoy its highlights with just one day in Colorado Springs. Start your day with a local bakery, hike at Garden of the Gods, stroll around Old Town, and more.
Here are the best things to do in Colorado Springs in 1 day!
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links; we get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of them. Read our affiliate disclosure.
The Best Things to Do With 1 Day in Colorado Springs
- Provision Bread & Bakery
- Hike at Garden of the Gods
- Lunch at Colonel Mustard’s
- Optional Hike at Red Rock Canyon
- Dinner in Old Town
- Drinks at OCC Brewing
Morning
Breakfast at Provision Bread & Bakery
For the best pastries and breakfast sandwiches, paired with a latte or hot chocolate, head to Provision Bread & Bakery to start your day in Colorado Springs.
I recommend an assortment of pastries to enjoy as they have a great variety, and they’re seriously the freshest pastries I’ve ever had outside of Europe.
They’re cheese danishes with summer jams are delicious and perfect for a warm summer morning. Their savory pastries are also amazing!
Palmer, Upper Loop, and Central Garden Trail at Garden of the Gods
After you’ve filled up on pastries and breakfast sandwiches at Provision, it’s time to head to the iconic Garden of the Gods. Before I set my eyes on this natural wonder, I had high expectations. And let me just say, Garden of the Gods beat my expectations. This park is so gorgeous, you need to see it for yourself.
Plan to arrive as early as possible. The parking lots here fill up quickly, especially in the summer months. I recommend stopping by the visitor center to learn more about the history of the park. You can also stop by the bathrooms here.
Next, head to the main parking lot (P2) along Juniper Way Loop. Again, this lot fills quickly, so arrive as early as you can to beat the crowds and summer mid-day heat.
I recommend starting with the Palmer, Upper Loop, and Central Garden Trail Loop. This trail is 1.60 miles long with little elevation gain. It circles the upper part of the park, offering a great view of the main rock formations, and then leads you into the Central Garden so you can walk among the spires.
- Arrive as early as possible to snag a parking spot
- Palmer, Upper Loop, and Central Garden Trail Loop (1.6 miles)
- Bring plenty of water & wear a sun shirt/sun protection
Afternoon
Lunch Break - Picnic at the Park or Colonel Mustard’s
When it’s time for lunch, you can stick around Garden of the Gods and enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. Some more of the best trails in Garden of the Gods are the Siamese Twins Loop Trail, Niobrara Trail Loop, and the Strausenback to Balanced Rock Loop Trail.
If you’re ready to head out of the park, I recommend driving to Colonel Mustard’s Sandwich Emporium for a simple yet delicious lunch break. You have to try their mustard ice cream, it’s better than you’d ever imagine, and so is their potato salad.
Optional Post-Lunch Hike
If you’re still full of energy and want another adventure, I recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon Open Space and hiking the Mesa, Greenlee, and Red Rock Canyon Path Loop. This dog-friendly trail is 1.8 miles with about 260 feet of elevation gain.
For a real hiking challenge, head to the Manitou Incline trail. This trail is 4 miles long with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in half that distance. Note that the Manitou Incline is not dog-friendly.
Evening
Dinner in Old Town
After an adventurous day of hiking, head to Old Town Colorado Springs to slow down and enjoy the charm of the city. There are a plethora of restaurants in Old Town, and you can stroll down Colorado Avenue and see what piques your interest.
I highly recommend TAPateria for Spanish tapas and something slightly fancier, Base Camp Restaurant for a higher-end dinner, Slice 420 for pizza, or grab food at OCC Brewery for a laid-back meal and drinks.
P.S. Fellow vegans and vegetarians! If you enjoy a good vegan restaurant, try The Joint in downtown at the Avenue 19 food hall. It’s amazing!
Drinks at OCC Brewery
If you’re not already at OCC Brewery for dinner, I recommend stopping here to try some local craft beers. They have a great selection of beers; I recommend getting a flight to try several of them and see which is your favorite. Along with beer, they have delicious cocktails at OCC.
OR Ice Cream…Why not both?
If you’re more of a dessert over drinks person, grab a scoop or two from Colorado City Creamery right on Colorado Avenue. They offer staple ice cream flavors, along with some more unique options for those who like to try the unusual ones.
You can easily grab drinks from OCC Brewery AND get an ice cream from Colorado City Creamery. After all, if you’re only in Colorado Springs for one day, why not enjoy it all?
Colorado Springs Itinerary: FAQ/Tips
Is one day enough for Colorado Springs?
You can easily spend several days exploring Colorado Springs, as there is so much to do in downtown and Old Town, as well as many hiking and biking trails nearby. However, if you only have one day in Colorado Springs, you’ll still have enough time to enjoy some of the best parts of the city.
Try some of the best local restaurants, hike at the iconic Garden of the Gods, visit Red Rock Canyon or Manitou Springs, and savor some craft beer or local ice cream to end your one day in Colorado Springs.
What are the famous steps in Colorado Springs?
The famous steps in Colorado Springs are on the Manitou Incline trail. This hiking trail is about 4 miles long, and you will gain about 2,000 feet of elevation in half that distance. It’s a notoriously strenuous hike, but it’s a beautiful one, and worth it if you’re up to the physical challenge.
Does Colorado Springs have a walkable downtown?
While Colorado Springs is not considered a walkable city, there are parts of it that you can explore on foot. Downtown Colorado Springs is quite walkable; you can easily get to a plethora of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. once you’re in downtown. Old Town is smaller and also walkable.
How walkable is Colorado Springs?
You will need a car in Colorado Springs if you plan to go to the Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon, or Manitou Springs. Anywhere outside of downtown or Old Town will require a car to get to.
You can rely on rideshare or public transportation, but if you only have 1 day in Colorado Springs, I recommend renting a car so you can make the most of your time here and explore more of the city.
What should I bring with me to Colorado Springs?
Summer in Colorado Springs is hot and can get rainy towards the end of the season. Fall is generally cool, great weather for hiking, and winter can get very cold. Spring is also cool; you can get very cold days even into the spring months.
If you’re wondering what to pack for Colorado, read my monthly packing guide to learn what to pack for each season.
In Conclusion: Colorado Springs 1-Day Itinerary
Colorado Springs is one of the best places to visit in Colorado. There is a lot to do in the city itself, and it’s near tons of hiking trails. The food and coffee scene is surprisingly great in Colorado Springs, too!
This isn’t the most walkable city, as you really need a car to get from downtown to the Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs, etc. You could easily spend several days here, but one day in Colorado Springs will allow you to enjoy some of the best parts of the city.
Save this Colorado Springs itinerary for your own trip, or send it to s friend who is in need of an urban adventure getaway! Colorado Springs is the perfect blend of city and nature; you can make it the perfect trip for yourself, depending on what you enjoy doing.
