TheLittleStar Guidebook
Colorado Spring Tourism
This is a magnificent place to sight see. Whether you’re just going to drive into the park and stop for pics or go on a hike, you can’t beat the views. It’s easily the most popular tourist spot in the Springs.
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Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdThis is a magnificent place to sight see. Whether you’re just going to drive into the park and stop for pics or go on a hike, you can’t beat the views. It’s easily the most popular tourist spot in the Springs.
As the name suggests this park features seven natural waterfalls. It even offers a large stair case to climb next to the main waterfall. While the Garden of the Gods is the most visited spot, we feel the Seven Falls is the prettier of the two.
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The Broadmoor Seven Falls
1045 Lower Gold Camp RdAs the name suggests this park features seven natural waterfalls. It even offers a large stair case to climb next to the main waterfall. While the Garden of the Gods is the most visited spot, we feel the Seven Falls is the prettier of the two.
Known as “America’s Mountain” we’ve been to the top of the peak twice and it hasn’t disappointed either time. At 14,000+ feet, the air is thin. You can, though, grab a donut at the world’s most highly elevated donut shop. There’s plenty of views at the top, along with a gift shop. There are two ways to get to the peak: by foot or by car.
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Pikes Peak Summit House
Known as “America’s Mountain” we’ve been to the top of the peak twice and it hasn’t disappointed either time. At 14,000+ feet, the air is thin. You can, though, grab a donut at the world’s most highly elevated donut shop. There’s plenty of views at the top, along with a gift shop. There are two ways to get to the peak: by foot or by car.
For a small-ish city, Colorado Springs has an incredible zoo! Nestled into the side of Cheyenne Mountain, it's a breath-taking setting for a zoo with some pretty amazing views. Our personal favorite is the giraffe feeding experience! Be sure to bring cash if you want to feed them they don't accept cards.
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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdFor a small-ish city, Colorado Springs has an incredible zoo! Nestled into the side of Cheyenne Mountain, it's a breath-taking setting for a zoo with some pretty amazing views. Our personal favorite is the giraffe feeding experience! Be sure to bring cash if you want to feed them they don't accept cards.
Okay. So we haven't actually been to the Cave of the Winds. I asked a fellow Coloradan to write up a review for me. Aaaaand this is now on my list of things to do this summer! Here's his review:
"OMG, the Cave is really one of the hidden jewels in all of Colorado! We toured the cave for the second time a few years ago and the experience was epic - both times! I’ve been to many caves all around the country and this one was very unique from the scale of it to the history behind it. I think every bit of that had to do with our tour guide. She knew the history and the stories very well and had an amazing personality that kept the group entertained. Now, about the rides... I’m at a loss for words to describe them so just believe me when I tell you hands down the best in the state. WE’RE GOING BACK in 2020!!!!"
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Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
100 Cave of the Winds RdOkay. So we haven't actually been to the Cave of the Winds. I asked a fellow Coloradan to write up a review for me. Aaaaand this is now on my list of things to do this summer! Here's his review:
"OMG, the Cave is really one of the hidden jewels in all of Colorado! We toured the cave for the second time a few years ago and the experience was epic - both times! I’ve been to many caves all around the country and this one was very unique from the scale of it to the history behind it. I think every bit of that had to do with our tour guide. She knew the history and the stories very well and had an amazing personality that kept the group entertained. Now, about the rides... I’m at a loss for words to describe them so just believe me when I tell you hands down the best in the state. WE’RE GOING BACK in 2020!!!!"
Breakfast and Brunch
Perhaps (I won’t commit to it, though) our favorite brunch spot here in Colorado Springs - and we’ve been to many. It’s off the beaten trail and is most definitely a hole in the wall place, but the food and the service are top notch. You must try the French Toast, a six-egg omelette or the ginormous cinnamon roll.
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Sandy's Restaurant
6940 Space Village AvePerhaps (I won’t commit to it, though) our favorite brunch spot here in Colorado Springs - and we’ve been to many. It’s off the beaten trail and is most definitely a hole in the wall place, but the food and the service are top notch. You must try the French Toast, a six-egg omelette or the ginormous cinnamon roll.
I think we drove by “Wade’s” a few hundred times before we ever walked through the door. At least we know now how good it is. Listen, I could eat at Sandy’s, Jill’s or Wade’s any day of the week... just don’t ask me to pick my favorite. Wade’s is bigger but in a busier spot, so you should expect a wait.
This will sound odd, but my favorite thing at Wade’s is the hash browns. It’s come to our understanding that there’s a worker in the back who peels and shreds potatoes on the spot for breakfast every morning. They’re super fresh, light and cooked perfectly. Again, great food paired with great service makes Wade’s a stellar option for big morning appetites.
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Wade's Cafe
3504 N Academy BlvdI think we drove by “Wade’s” a few hundred times before we ever walked through the door. At least we know now how good it is. Listen, I could eat at Sandy’s, Jill’s or Wade’s any day of the week... just don’t ask me to pick my favorite. Wade’s is bigger but in a busier spot, so you should expect a wait.
This will sound odd, but my favorite thing at Wade’s is the hash browns. It’s come to our understanding that there’s a worker in the back who peels and shreds potatoes on the spot for breakfast every morning. They’re super fresh, light and cooked perfectly. Again, great food paired with great service makes Wade’s a stellar option for big morning appetites.
Food scene
I’m not going to list chains in this section, as I think most people know what an Olive Garden or a Texas Roadhouse is like.
There are two “as seen on tv” spots to try in Colorado Springs. The first is a great spot downtown that boasts ambience coupled with intriguing cuisine. Brother Luck was a contestant on Bravo’s series called Top Chef and made it pretty far! He’s a nationally known chef and we’re lucky to have him here in our city. The pics of his food art speak for themselves.
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Four by Brother Luck
321 N Tejon StThere are two “as seen on tv” spots to try in Colorado Springs. The first is a great spot downtown that boasts ambience coupled with intriguing cuisine. Brother Luck was a contestant on Bravo’s series called Top Chef and made it pretty far! He’s a nationally known chef and we’re lucky to have him here in our city. The pics of his food art speak for themselves.
The second of our “as seen on tv” spots is The Skirted Heifer. Guy Fieri featured this burger joint on his Food Network series, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives”. There’s a good reason why Guy was here - unbelievable burgers! It doesn’t matter what kind of burger you get, just make sure you get it with "the skirt"! They also have what I consider to be the best fries in town.
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The Skirted Heifer
204 N Tejon StThe second of our “as seen on tv” spots is The Skirted Heifer. Guy Fieri featured this burger joint on his Food Network series, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives”. There’s a good reason why Guy was here - unbelievable burgers! It doesn’t matter what kind of burger you get, just make sure you get it with "the skirt"! They also have what I consider to be the best fries in town.
One of the best steakhouses in Colorado Springs. It's downtown-ish and a short drive to nightlife.
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Prime25
1605 S Tejon StOne of the best steakhouses in Colorado Springs. It's downtown-ish and a short drive to nightlife.
I’m not sure why Airbnb classifies this as a night club. It does sit next to, adjacent to, and across the street from different night clubs. While I’ve never been there, many people I know think they serve one of the best steaks in the city.
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Famous Steak House
31 N Tejon StI’m not sure why Airbnb classifies this as a night club. It does sit next to, adjacent to, and across the street from different night clubs. While I’ve never been there, many people I know think they serve one of the best steaks in the city.
Most Springers I think would admit that this is the best steakhouse in the area. As such, the prices reflect it. Get your reservation early as they likely won’t have a table if you’re calling for same-day reservations. It’s a really great date night location.
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The Steakhouse at Flying Horse
1880 Weiskopf PointMost Springers I think would admit that this is the best steakhouse in the area. As such, the prices reflect it. Get your reservation early as they likely won’t have a table if you’re calling for same-day reservations. It’s a really great date night location.
Enough with the steakhouses already, right?!? I’m a meat and potatoes man, so it’s what appeals to me. “The Chop House” is probably the lowest on a rating scale from the others I’ve listed, but that shouldn’t deter you from going. The food is spectacular!
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MacKenzie's Chop House
128 S Tejon StEnough with the steakhouses already, right?!? I’m a meat and potatoes man, so it’s what appeals to me. “The Chop House” is probably the lowest on a rating scale from the others I’ve listed, but that shouldn’t deter you from going. The food is spectacular!
Homemade, to order tortillas. Need I say more? Expect to pay about 50% more in price than what you’re used to for Mexican food, but when I say it’s worth it - that is an understatement. The service is better than excellent and the food is delicious. Try it for lunch and enjoy the lower prices. Yes, they have white queso!
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Hacienda Colorado
5246 N Nevada AveHomemade, to order tortillas. Need I say more? Expect to pay about 50% more in price than what you’re used to for Mexican food, but when I say it’s worth it - that is an understatement. The service is better than excellent and the food is delicious. Try it for lunch and enjoy the lower prices. Yes, they have white queso!
What a great atmosphere at this restaurant. The wait can be long but worth it. The service is top notch and the food is excellent. Servers keep our drinks full which to us is a key part of our experience as I can drink a pitcher of tea at a sitting! ;-)
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Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
7605 N Academy BlvdWhat a great atmosphere at this restaurant. The wait can be long but worth it. The service is top notch and the food is excellent. Servers keep our drinks full which to us is a key part of our experience as I can drink a pitcher of tea at a sitting! ;-)
Bars and Breweries
Great spot! The food is excellent, tasty and reasonable for the quality. The drinks are on a self serve tap (there's 60 or 70 varieties at one time!) accessed with a special card you get when you check in. The environment is great with spacious tables and outdoor seating surrounded by fireplaces.
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Beasts and Brews
7 Spectrum LoopGreat spot! The food is excellent, tasty and reasonable for the quality. The drinks are on a self serve tap (there's 60 or 70 varieties at one time!) accessed with a special card you get when you check in. The environment is great with spacious tables and outdoor seating surrounded by fireplaces.
This is one of the larger bars in Colorado Springs! It's great place to chill at a bar. I prefer the downstairs bar area because it's smaller, and has more of a relaxed atmosphere. The drinks are always good and they have a large selection of Colorado-based brews. The food is hit or miss. You should definitely try the corn bread with cheddar and jalapenos with a side of honey butter, though. It's one of the better appetizers in Colorado Springs!
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Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
118 N Tejon StThis is one of the larger bars in Colorado Springs! It's great place to chill at a bar. I prefer the downstairs bar area because it's smaller, and has more of a relaxed atmosphere. The drinks are always good and they have a large selection of Colorado-based brews. The food is hit or miss. You should definitely try the corn bread with cheddar and jalapenos with a side of honey butter, though. It's one of the better appetizers in Colorado Springs!
This is a great Irish pub with a downtown experience! Good food, great atmosphere and reasonable prices. We really enjoyed the live music.
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Jack Quinn's Irish Pub and Restaurant
21 S Tejon StThis is a great Irish pub with a downtown experience! Good food, great atmosphere and reasonable prices. We really enjoyed the live music.
This is a great little local place. It is definitely an experience destination. The food is nicely done; although it is a little pricey. The staff is friendly and helpful and they work at making your visit fun. The live piano music and "bee accents" are a nice touch.
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The Golden Bee
1 Lake AveThis is a great little local place. It is definitely an experience destination. The food is nicely done; although it is a little pricey. The staff is friendly and helpful and they work at making your visit fun. The live piano music and "bee accents" are a nice touch.
While we've only been here once, it was a great evening we had with another couple. We shared a couple of small plates, appetizers and dessert, coupled with drinks. This is bar food folks, and perhaps the best, most interesting bar food you'll ever eat. The inside is small, but we enjoyed sitting at a group table. We are looking forward to going back on a summer evening and sitting on the patio!
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Piglatin Cocina
2825 Dublin BlvdWhile we've only been here once, it was a great evening we had with another couple. We shared a couple of small plates, appetizers and dessert, coupled with drinks. This is bar food folks, and perhaps the best, most interesting bar food you'll ever eat. The inside is small, but we enjoyed sitting at a group table. We are looking forward to going back on a summer evening and sitting on the patio!
Things to do... less than 3 hours away
Park offering summer activities such as biking & disc golf, plus tubing & skiing in the winter. We went a few winters ago to do "snow tubing" with our kids (24 and 9 years old). "Oh, this will make for a nice day," I thought. I had no idea what I was in for. This is legit snow tubing! They have 8 different lanes that offer different experiences. And it's super fast going down! We had a ball!
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Frisco Adventure Park
621 Recreation WayPark offering summer activities such as biking & disc golf, plus tubing & skiing in the winter. We went a few winters ago to do "snow tubing" with our kids (24 and 9 years old). "Oh, this will make for a nice day," I thought. I had no idea what I was in for. This is legit snow tubing! They have 8 different lanes that offer different experiences. And it's super fast going down! We had a ball!
We have been on the R.R. twice and already have plans to get back to the Royal Gorge in late spring of 2020 for a third time. This is a very relaxed narrated journey through the Royal Gorge. The sights you'll see are incredibly beautiful. Your ticket gets you access to a RR car, but if you want to immerse yourself into the gorge, there are open air cars that have rails, and the windows and ceilings is the gorge itself as you can turn 360 degrees and see the gorge from every angle.
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Royal Gorge Route Railroad station
South 3rd StreetWe have been on the R.R. twice and already have plans to get back to the Royal Gorge in late spring of 2020 for a third time. This is a very relaxed narrated journey through the Royal Gorge. The sights you'll see are incredibly beautiful. Your ticket gets you access to a RR car, but if you want to immerse yourself into the gorge, there are open air cars that have rails, and the windows and ceilings is the gorge itself as you can turn 360 degrees and see the gorge from every angle.
So, you want to ski, huh?!?!?
Admittedly, we're not much into skiing. I know... I know. BUT, beginning with Breckenridge, here are EIGHT ski resorts (in order of distance) within 2.5 hours of The Little Star.
1. Breckenridge - we go here quite often, though. But we generally go in the fall for the food scene and to see the Aspen trees in all their golden color.
2. Eldora Mountain - it’s one of Colorado Springs closest. Eldora would be a good option from Colorado Springs if you’re looking for a smaller family mountain with reasonable pricing, while also wishing to detour by Denver.
3. Loveland Ski Area - I'm told the above treeline scenery at Loveland is among the best in Colorado skiing.
4. Keystone - I've been to Keystone in the "off season" four times and it's beautiful! During the winter, though, fun on the mountain can be had in a variety of ways over 3,148 acres. Keystone Resort also showcases the largest night skiing in the state, available on select nights throughout the winter. There’s also a tubing hill on mountain, and a couple of ice skating lakes, one of them being massive.
5. Monarch Mountain - A personal fave of my buddies who ski. 800 acres might not sound like a lot compared to others on the list, but it’s sufficient enough to burn your legs out on new trails all day long. Monarch has a healthy vertical of 1,652 feet and a hikable summit for the expert powder stashes.
6. Arapahoe Basin - Situated in Summit County, this locals’ favorite is loved for its epicly long season and totally chill vibes.
7. Winter Park - This resort has two interconnected mountains, Winter Park and Mary Jane. The former is amazing for families and those learning the ropes, while Mary Jane boasts bowl skiing and glorious glades.
8. Copper Mountain - I'm told the skiing here is the best of all on this list. Copper has a few base villages that its trails wind down to: East, Central and West. The main one, Central Village, has all the restaurants, shops and lodging you’d expect at a big resort, just lacks the historic downtown and real city feel of some others like Breckenridge.
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Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 Ski Hill RdSo, you want to ski, huh?!?!?
Admittedly, we're not much into skiing. I know... I know. BUT, beginning with Breckenridge, here are EIGHT ski resorts (in order of distance) within 2.5 hours of The Little Star.
1. Breckenridge - we go here quite often, though. But we generally go in the fall for the food scene and to see the Aspen trees in all their golden color.
2. Eldora Mountain - it’s one of Colorado Springs closest. Eldora would be a good option from Colorado Springs if you’re looking for a smaller family mountain with reasonable pricing, while also wishing to detour by Denver.
3. Loveland Ski Area - I'm told the above treeline scenery at Loveland is among the best in Colorado skiing.
4. Keystone - I've been to Keystone in the "off season" four times and it's beautiful! During the winter, though, fun on the mountain can be had in a variety of ways over 3,148 acres. Keystone Resort also showcases the largest night skiing in the state, available on select nights throughout the winter. There’s also a tubing hill on mountain, and a couple of ice skating lakes, one of them being massive.
5. Monarch Mountain - A personal fave of my buddies who ski. 800 acres might not sound like a lot compared to others on the list, but it’s sufficient enough to burn your legs out on new trails all day long. Monarch has a healthy vertical of 1,652 feet and a hikable summit for the expert powder stashes.
6. Arapahoe Basin - Situated in Summit County, this locals’ favorite is loved for its epicly long season and totally chill vibes.
7. Winter Park - This resort has two interconnected mountains, Winter Park and Mary Jane. The former is amazing for families and those learning the ropes, while Mary Jane boasts bowl skiing and glorious glades.
8. Copper Mountain - I'm told the skiing here is the best of all on this list. Copper has a few base villages that its trails wind down to: East, Central and West. The main one, Central Village, has all the restaurants, shops and lodging you’d expect at a big resort, just lacks the historic downtown and real city feel of some others like Breckenridge.
So, we may not be into skiing, but we LOVE to whitewater raft. Noah's Ark is our personal choice when we go. They do a great job at story telling, navigating and fun poking while cruising through Brown's Canyon - which is Colorado's #1 stretch of whitewater!
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Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting
23910 US Hwy 285So, we may not be into skiing, but we LOVE to whitewater raft. Noah's Ark is our personal choice when we go. They do a great job at story telling, navigating and fun poking while cruising through Brown's Canyon - which is Colorado's #1 stretch of whitewater!