Exploring Colorado Springs from Garden of the Gods Resort

I stayed at Garden of the Gods Resort, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Breakfast each morning came with a full view of the red rock formations, and the mountain backdrop in the evenings never got old. It’s a relaxing, convenient home base for exploring the area.

One of the first things I’d recommend is renting fat‑tire e‑bikes from the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Mike helped us get checked in and oriented, and the whole process was quick and easy. If you plan to rent bikes, reserve ahead and complete the paperwork online—it saves time.

The two‑hour ride ended up being my favorite experience of the trip. Riding through the park lets you stop whenever you want, take photos, and really appreciate the scale of the formations. We spotted deer along the way and found some of the best views of the entire trip.

The next day, we took the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. One thing to know: not all seats face the same direction. Some passengers ride forward, others ride backward, and everyone rides in reverse on the way down because the train doesn’t turn around at the summit. We were on the left side during the ascent and really enjoyed the views from that side. Even in June, it was much cooler at the top, so I was glad I packed a jacket. You get about 45 minutes at the summit—plenty of time to explore and take in the views.

Throughout our stay, locals kept recommending White Pie, so we finally went—and I’m glad we did. The pizza absolutely lived up to the hype and ended up being one of our favorite meals outside the resort.

• If your schedule allows, consider visiting Colorado Springs during the week. Popular attractions, viewpoints, and restaurants generally feel less crowded than on weekends.

• For Garden of the Gods, I found early mornings and later afternoons to be the most comfortable times to visit. Temperatures were cooler, there were fewer people on the trails, and it was easier to stop for photos.

• One thing I noticed on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is that not all seats face the same direction. Some passengers ride forward while others ride backward, and everyone rides in reverse on the return trip since the train does not turn around at the summit. We particularly enjoyed the views from the left side during the ascent.

• Garden of the Gods Resort is very family-friendly and attracts a mix of couples, families, and active travelers. The views are exceptional, though dining on property is noticeably more expensive than many local restaurants in the area.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Colorado page.