When searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day get away, Colorado was the obvious choice. Although Colorado Springs is only a 1.5 hour flight from Dallas, I had only been to Denver and Northern Colorado.
Colorado Springs is home to five different ecosystems which offer a wide range of outdoor activities. During this trip, my main focus was outdoor activities involving the mountains.
Here is where the itinerary will take you:
- Royal Gorge Train
- Monarch Snowmobile Tours
- Bambino’s Urban Pizzeria
- Adventures Out West Jeep Tour
Day One (Canyon Springs & Monarch Mountain)
Although I love the snow, I had never driven in snowy weather conditions before. Cautiously, we made the drive from Colorado Springs to Canyon City to ride the Royal Gorge Train.
Royal Gorge Train
The 2 hours on the 24 mile route are a must see. Rushing waters and snowcapped mountains come together to make a once in a lifetime experience.
We booked the Vista Dome seats, which offers a comfortable way to get a full view of the gorge while keeping warm in booth style seating. The Vista Dome has direct access to one of the open-air cars for up-close views of the gorge.
Depending on the departure time, you can elevate your train experience by ordering from the full breakfast or lunch menu. We took the 9 am train, so we tried out the bottomless mimosas and pancakes. I would highly recommend checking out the Royal Gorge Train as the views and service are unmatched.
Monarch Snowmobile Tours
After the Royal Gorge, we drove through the beautiful mountains on Highway 50 to Monarch, Colorado. The drive was beautiful, but I must admit my nerves grew as we got closer to Monarch.
I have never ridden on a snowmobile, but the tour advertised for all ages and skill levels. As soon as I met Shep, our tour guide, I was at ease. He instantly made me feel comfortable asking questions and offered to have me ride with him if I got scared at any point.
It takes a moment to get used to the throttle on the snowmobile, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a thrilling experience. We went up 12,000 feet through the San Isabel National Forest while stopping at historic sites. If you have ever wanted to try snowmobiling, a guided tour with Shep at Monarch Snowmobile Tours is a must!
Bambino’s Urban Pizzeria
If you haven’t noticed, there is a lack of food suggestions in this itinerary. Not to say that Colorado Springs lacks good food, but my inadequate hydration resulted in mild altitude sickness. I am also the type to grab sandwiches and snacks from a local deli to maximize the activities and locations I can go to while on quick trips.
Despite my killer headache, we made a stop at Bambino’s Urban Pizzeria once we got back to Colorado Springs. Located in the downtown area, Bambino’s offers a wide range of pizza options. I went with a Neoplotian “Unleash the Beast”. This pizza was classic red sauce, shredded mozzarella, bacon, Italian sausage, and pepperonis.
Day Two (Cheyenne Canyon & Garden of the Gods)
On the final day, we took a jeep tour through Cheyenne Canyon and Garden of the Gods with Adventures Out West.
Adventures Out West Jeep Tour
The 2.5 hour tour through the mountains and historic areas of Colorado Springs are a great way to see the Pikes Peak region. A cowboy, yes a fully dressed cowboy, will pick you up from your designated location in a heated Jeep.
My favorite part of the tour had to be the Shortline Railroad through 100 year old tunnels. If you are My favorite part of the tour had to be the Shortline Railroad through 100 year old tunnels. If you are afraid of heights this may not be the tour for you, but if you can brave through the views are definitely worth the journey. Throughout the tour, the guide will stop to allow you to get out and walk around to take photos.
Another noteworthy stop was The Garden of the Gods. If you are researching a trip to Colorado Springs, I am sure you have seen this come up on every list. The park has gorgeous trails and red rock formations. I enjoyed stopping to get photos and marveling at the scale of the formations, but I would highly suggest taking a separate trip to walk around the park at your own pace.
Our tour guide was knowledgeable, and I learned the most about Colorado Springs while on this tour. Adventures Out West offers different routes on their Jeep tours and has a wide range of activities such as hot air balloon rides and zipline tracks.
Have you ever been to Colorado Springs? What is your favorite time of year to visit?
