Congratulations! Colorado Springs is an exciting, lively place to begin your homeownership adventure! With its recent and continuing economic growth, clean environment, and affordable cost of living, it is no surprise that Colorado Springs ranks #11 on US News’ “Best Places To Live” and a recent Realtor.com report found the city to have one of the hottest housing markets in the nation.
But those are pretty commonly known aspects about Colorado Springs; what are some of the city’s lesser-known secrets for new residents to enjoy?
Restaurants and Eateries
Starting with a real secret is Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street, a speakeasy-inspired bar, exclusively open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 pm to midnight. Brooklyn’s has a few ground rules though, including a rule barring men from “introducing themselves to ladies.” For new residents, it’s a good starting place for acclimating to the city and its people (and they have great drinks).
In the mood for another unique experience? Try heading to 101 N Tejon Street and visiting the Rabbit Hole. Located in the middle of the sidewalk, it’s hard to miss. Follow the door down and you’ll find yourself in an Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant, packed with scrumptious food, colorful drinks and beautiful art.
Let’s add some spice to these experiences. In your new hometown, you never have a reason to settle for an ordinary, franchise restaurant. Instead, try local favorites like The Green Line Grill, serving burgers proportional to the city’s altitude, or Narai Thai, which serves the span of Thai dishes with fresh ingredients and mouth-watering spices (for those defeated by Narai’s spices, don’t worry — their dessert menu includes fried ice cream).
Enjoy the Outdoors!
Full from fantastic food? Relax with a couple hundred of your closest friends at Colorado Springs’s own “Movies Under the Stars.” Held in Memorial Park, you’ll be encouraged to bring a comfortable seat, blanket and a snack to enjoy a family-friendly movie on a 40-foot screen.
Of course, with Colorado, there’s more than one way to enjoy the outdoors. When visiting Colorado Springs, most visitors will opt to go to the Garden of the Gods, an aptly named beauty, for their hiking delights. Others might start and end any athletically minded pursuits at the US Olympic Training Center. Fewer visitors will know to visit North Cheyenne Cañon Park, a 1,600 acre canvass of evergreens, waterfalls, hiking trails, rock formations, wildflowers, and wilderness. Only a short (and scenic) drive away from the city, North Cheyenne offers you the majesty that most Americans have to drive hours away from home to experience.
A nice compliment to Cañon is Cheyenne Mountain State Park, freshly established in 2006 and overlooking a lush sea of green. Cheyenne Mountain also offers residents 21 miles worth of mixed-use and moderate trails to tackle, as well as a campground for those who want to sleep under the stars just outside of their backyards.
Watch Exciting Action!
Those looking for a bit more action can head to the COS Rodeo, the city’s interactive rodeo entertainment venue, featuring live country music, western dinners, and most importantly, real bull riding. Only open select dates during the summer, COS Rodeo provides locals a rare, yet accessible summer excursion that isn’t widely visited by passersby. Whether you’re a new or old rodeo fan, preface COS Rodeo with a trip to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, a one-of-a-kind museum celebrating the traditions of America’s calf ropers and bull riders. Outside, you’ll find a life-sized statue of six-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s six-time champ, Casey Tibbs. Though rodeo isn’t part of daily life in Colorado Springs, it’s definitely part of the city’s culture, and you’re sure to make friends by diving in and appreciating it.
Sports Venues
If you want to spend more time outdoors, but prefer to be in the audience section, you can attend a Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC game. The Switchbacks are a relatively new soccer club and play at Weidner Field. With an average attendance of 2,937, as a new resident of Colorado Springs, you’ll be able to join the bandwagon early on and create a lifelong friend group in doing so.
More of a baseball fan? The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are the local minor league team. Though beloved by their local fan base, unfortunately, they’ll be leaving Colorado Springs and heading for Texas in two years time. Enjoy attending their games while they’re still here!
Indoor Activities
Colorado can get chilly, so instead foregoing outdoor adventures, take them indoors! In addition to the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, a classic, inexpensive date night spot, you can try out one of the city’s numerous rock-climbing gyms, escape rooms or the trampoline park.
Want More?
For those looking for more things to do in Colorado Springs, both the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Downtown Colorado Springs Creative District offers Latin American and American Indian art collections and public art galleries perfect for a monthly visit or date night.