Colorado Springs
4 Days in Colorado Springs: My Itinerary
Colorado Springs was one of those trips where the scenery kept making me stop and look around like, wait…this is just normal here?
We rented a car, which was definitely the right move because this is not the kind of place where I’d want to be stuck waiting around for a tour bus.
And then, for some reason, I also decided it was a good idea to get on the TERROR-dactyl swing.
Beautiful mountains.
Peaceful scenery.
Me voluntarily being launched over a canyon.
Very balanced trip lol.
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Day 1: Garden of the Gods + Manitou Springs
Garden of the Gods
This is the obvious Colorado Springs stop, but it absolutely earns it.
The red rock formations against the mountains are unreal, and this is one of those places where I would rather take my time than rush through trying to hit every viewpoint.
Walk around
Pull over when the view gets good
Take pictures
Let it be the main thing
Manitou Springs
Afterward, I’d head into Manitou Springs
It has a completely different feel from Colorado Springs and makes a good slower stop after Garden of the Gods
Walk around
Grab food
Check out the shops
And just let the day breathe a little
Day 2: Royal Gorge Train Ride
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
I would make the train ride the main event for this day
This is one of those experiences where the scenery is the whole point
You get to sit back and move through the canyon without having to focus on driving, which is nice after spending the rest of the trip behind the wheel
I would not overload this day with a bunch of other plans
Let the train ride be the experience
Canon City
Since you are already out that way, spend a little time around Cañon City before heading back
Grab food
Walk around
Take your time
No need to turn it into another checklist
Day 3: TERROR-dactyl + Cave of the Winds
TERROR-dactyl Swing
This was easily one of the most memorable things I did
And also one of those moments where I probably questioned my own decision-making right before it happened
The TERROR-dactyl launches you out over a canyon, and yes, it is exactly as dramatic as it sounds
If you like experiences that make you nervous before you do them, keep this one
Cave of the Winds
Since the swing is at Cave of the Winds, I’d actually spend more time there instead of just doing the ride and leaving
You can make it a full experience rather than just one adrenaline moment
💡 SHANE’S TIP
If you are doing TERROR-dactyl, do not spend the whole morning psyching yourself out
You already paid for it
You are already there
Just get on lol
Day 4: Pikes Peak + Final Scenic Drive
Pikes Peak
This is the biggest addition I’d make
If conditions are good, I would absolutely work Pikes Peak into the trip
It gives you that huge, elevated Colorado view and rounds out the itinerary really well after the red rocks, canyon, and thrill stuff
Depending on weather and road access, this is one I would check before heading out
April can still bring snow and changing mountain conditions, so I would not assume everything is automatically open or easy
Final Scenic Stops
Use the rental car and keep the rest of the day flexible
You could:
Stop at overlooks
Grab lunch somewhere with a view
Go back to Garden of the Gods if you loved it
Spend more time in Manitou Springs
Take one last scenic drive
Do absolutely nothing for a couple hours
Not every day needs another major attraction
What I’d Prioritize
If I only had four days again, I would make sure these stay:
Garden of the Gods
Royal Gorge train ride
TERROR-dactyl swing
Pikes Peak
Manitou Springs
At least one scenic drive with no strict agenda
That gives the trip a really good mix of:
Scenery
Adventure
Mountains
Red rocks
A little adrenaline
A slower town day
The Bottom Line
Colorado Springs is one of those places where the drive between things can be just as good as the thing you were driving to
Garden of the Gods gave us the views
Royal Gorge gave us the scenery
TERROR-dactyl gave me a reason to question my life choices lol
And having a car gave us the freedom to stop whenever something looked worth seeing
That is exactly how I would do the trip again
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