1. Roadside Restaurants
Before you start your journey from Kansas City to Colorado Springs, make sure your appetite is ready for the long drive. Swing by Joe’s Kansas City for some classic BBQ before starting your drive west on I70. Along the way, fuel up at one of the many roadside diners like Cracker Barrel in Junction City or the Brazen Bull in WaKeeney. If you can make it all the way to Colorado Springs, take your pick of one of the many downtown eateries like Black Bear Diner, the Purple Onion, or Saigon Tapioca.
2. Wineries
While no California, Colorado Springs is no stranger to good wine. If you’re shacking up on the west side of town, check out Vino Colorado Winery on Colorado Ave. With a fleet of reds, whites, fruits, and desserts, this fine establishment is sure to have something for every wino. They even have a wine club, so if you’re thinking of sticking around a while…More central to downtown and offering an upscale experience is Cork & Cask. Filled with exotic décor, and nearly every wine and whiskey you could be looking for, this high-class bar proves for an experience you won’t forget.
3. Museums
Colorado Springs is steeped in history, and it has the exhibits to back it up. Check out one or more of these amazing museums.US Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Get an up-close and inside look at the life of an Olympian. This museum has everything since the games first started in 1896. Peruse rotating galleries, interactive exhibits, medals, and hall-of-fame stories from the world’s greatest.National Museum WWII Aviation
Aircraft played a crucial role in the outcome of WWII. The National Museum of WWII Aviation is one of the only museums in the world to exclusively focus on it. Check out full-size restored airplanes, as well as many others in the process of being restored, along with vehicles, and international artifacts.Space Foundation Discovery Center
This is the region’s only space, science, and technological attraction. Take a galactic dive through the exosphere studying universal forces and interplanetary artifacts. Get up-to-date information on Mars rovers and current projects of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
4. Rafting
If you come to Colorado Springs in the summertime, this one’s a no-brainer. Just down the road in Canon City lies the Arkansas River, and with it, some of the country’s best boating. Such as Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting and thrill-inducing whitewater rafting in the Royal Gorge, this river has something for the entire family. Check out Arkansas River Tours; they’ll be able to set you up with the perfect itinerary.Here’s the basic rundown: if your party has young kids or seniors, the Cottonwood Family Float is your best bet. If your group is a bit more advanced, try Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Another great option is Brown’s Canyon. This full-day float travels through Brown’s Canyon National Monument, alongside a beautiful wilderness study area. All whitewater sections contain fun class III rapids, as well as stunning scenery to boot.
5. Fun on Arrival at Colorado Springs from Kansas City
If you’re like us, you like the outdoors, and it’s probably one of the reasons you’re reading this. Well, Colorado Springs has no shortage of outdoor recreation. For a luxurious place to stay with views that can’t be beat, check out Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Enjoy hiking, biking, and wildlife watching on nearly 30 miles of trail at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.If you haven’t heard of Seven Falls, look it up. Better yet, go for yourself and witness the beauty of a 180-foot waterfall sliding through rock cliffs in an impressive box canyon. For an added bonus, go there at night: the water is illuminated.For those looking for a physical challenge, put the Manitou Incline on your list. High up on Pikes Peak, this old cable car route has morphed into a popular workout for locals and tourists alike. While wildly beautiful, this is no walk-in-the-park.
The trail climbs nearly 2,000 feet in under a mile, and in some places, reaches a 68 percent grade! Call us crazy, but anything more than that is rock climbing. Getting to the top is well worth the effort, though, as you’ll be rewarded by sweeping views from below, along with the satisfaction of completing a hard mountain workout.
So there you have it, enough activities to stay busy for weeks, for even the best of planners. It’s time to drop what you’re doing and plan the Kansas City to Colorado Springs summer road trip. Colorado Springs awaits.
