This past weekend we were fortunate to head out to Colorado Springs for a quick trip. The city is nestled between the Rockies and the plains, and filled with adventure. While visiting Colorado Springs, we celebrated a friend’s wedding, dressed up in a favorite fall cardigan and explored a few places within the city.
Fall Cardigan
This oversized fall cardigan was a treat for the cooler temperatures at night. Once the sun set behind the mountain range it was chilly, with temperatures dropping down into the 40’s! I love the color play on this cardigan, as the reds, oranges and blues provide a rich and versatile palette. Affordably priced, this Amazon Prime special is a unique, statement piece that I love having in my wardrobe for fall!
A Weekend Visiting Colorado Springs
Having never been to Colorado Springs, our first stop was quite impressive – the Glen Eyrie Castle! My friend’s wedding was set just outside of the castle, which was created in the 1800’s using materials from European churches. We had hair and makeup on the day of the wedding up in the Queen’s Parlor, overlooking the property. Nestled amongst the mountains, the towering Glen Eyrie Castle painted quite the beautiful setting for a fall wedding!
While we were only in Colorado Springs for a couple of days, we LOVED the city! The scenery was gorgeous, the weather was perfect and the people were all so friendly! One of our favorite moments was watching a group of bighorn sheep mingling with turkeys! For being a smaller city, there is so much to do within Colorado Springs.
Most of our free time was on a Sunday when many places were closed, but we made sure to see as much of the town as possible in the limited amount of time we had available.
Places to See When Visiting Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods Park
This beautiful park is a registered National Natural Landmark. There are towering sandstone rock formations that rise into the sky about 300 feet, creating a stunning landscape! Within the park, there are options for hiking, biking, jogging or just driving around to soak in the views. Garden of the Gods also offers Jeep and Segway tours. It fills up on the weekends and can get a little toasty under that Colorado sun, so I recommend going early
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
Come see where athletes live and train in preparation for the Olympics! Walk around the campus or take a guided tour. We had limited viewing due to most of the campus being closed on Sunday, but I loved seeing the behind the scenes. On a Sunday, you are limited to the gift shop (which has a small museum behind it) and the outdoor sculpture garden. Even despite our limited experience, we had a great time and hope to go back!
U.S. Air Force Academy
One of the most beautiful and interesting campuses, it was fascinating to see the military from a different perspective. My Grandpa was a B-29 pilot in World War II, and it was an honor to learn more about the Air Force. Drive around the campus for fascinating views overlooking the athletic fields. Stop at the Visitor’s Center for an exhibit or to watch a short movie providing insight into the Academy. Visit the famous Cadet Chapel and area around Arnold Hall. Whether you have a loved one in the Air Force or a patriotic spirit, the Air Force Academy was a unique opportunity to get an insider view of our military.
While our trip was short, Colorado Springs is a place both of us hope to return to someday. I would love to go back and see each of these places again. And maybe even hike nearby Pike’s Peak?! Between Banff, Seattle and Colorado Springs, we have been very fortunate to get a head start on fall this month.
If you have been to Colorado Springs, I would love to hear any of your favorite places or things to do within the city!
Live your life joyfully so,
Ashley
