Where to Stay in Colorado Springs (Best Places & Areas)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Colorado Springs

When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Colorado Springs, it’s going to depend a lot on what you’re planning on doing. Check out this Colorado Springs map for reference. Some of the most popular neighborhoods to stay in are Garden of the Gods, Downtown, Air Force Academy area, Manitou Springs, Southeast Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Monument.

Let’s break it down further:

Garden of the Gods

👉 Best Area For Sightseeing | ✨ Best Garden of the Gods Hotels: Garden of the Gods Club & Resort • The Broadmoor • Cheyenne Mountain Resort

Garden of the Gods is a gorgeous Colorado Springs attraction, but it’s also near several other sights to see. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is nearby, and you’ll have beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains. If you’re headed to the area as a tourist, this is where you want to stay in Colorado Springs.

The Broadmoor Hotel is one of the best-known luxury hotels in Colorado Springs and has its own hiking trail to a beautiful waterfall. 

Pros of Staying in Garden of the Gods Neighborhood:

• Beautiful scenery
• Near lots of unique Colorado Springs attractions
• Great for tourists

Con of Staying in Garden of the Gods Neighborhood:

• You’ll need a car to get around
• Not close to downtown

Downtown

👉 Best Area For Museums | ✨ Best Downtown Hotels: Kinship Landing • Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown • The Mining Exchange

There are plenty of creative and cultural things to do in the Colorado Springs city center. Downtown is a designated Creative District in the state of Colorado, so there is lots of public art on display. Several museums, including the Pioneers Museum and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, are nearby and there are lots of shops and restaurants. 

Kinship Landing is a beautiful boutique hotel, and Hyatt Place includes an indoor swimming pool and free hot breakfast, which adds to the value of your stay there.

Pros of Staying in the Downtown Neighborhood:

• Shops and restaurants within walking distance
• Near parks, museums, and live music venues

Con of Staying in the Downtown Neighborhood:

• Seeing iconic Colorado Springs sights will require a car

Air Force Academy

👉 Best Area For Air Force Proximity | ✨ Best Air Force Academy Hotels: Great Wolf Lodge • The Lodge at Flying Horse • Drury Inn & Suites

Whether you’re visiting a cadet or just checking out the area on its own, there are several great places to stay near the Air Force Academy. Located on the northern side of Colorado Springs, the communities of Northgate and Briargate are near the academy and feature some great hotels, although there is limited public transportation here and you’ll need a car rental.

In particular, Great Wolf Lodge has so much fun, with a waterpark, a climbing area, and other attractions, that you may have trouble convincing the kids to leave the premises. Drury Inn & Suites has an indoor swimming pool and a free hot breakfast each morning, making it easier to get on your way. 

Pros of Staying in the Air Force Academy Neighborhood:

• Close to the academy
• Lots of hotels with family-friendly amenities

Con of Staying in Air Force Academy Neighborhood:

• Need a car to get around
• 15 min from sights like Garden of the Gods and downtown

Manitou Springs

👉 Best Area For Pikes Peak Access | ✨ Best Manitou Springs Hotels: Cliff House at Pikes Peak • Red Wing Motel • Villa Motel at Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is a quaint little historic town and a great place to stay in Colorado Springs for vacation vibes. The downtown area has plenty of ice cream shops, cafes, and souvenir stores, so you’ll be able to spend lazy days checking out what makes this area tick.

Manitou Springs is also the starting point for getting to Pikes Peak, so if that’s on your itinerary, then this makes a great base camp.

Pros of Staying in Manitou Springs:

• Quaint downtown with shops & restaurants
• Several interesting attractions in the city
• Starting point for getting to Pikes Peak

Con of Staying in Manitou Springs Neighborhood:

• Not many upscale amenities if you’re looking for a resort feel

Southeast Colorado Springs

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers | ✨ Best Southeast Colorado Springs Hotels: Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Colorado Springs-Airport • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs South

Southeast Colorado Springs is near the Colorado Springs airport, so it’s a great spot if you’re in town on business, especially if you’ll be arriving late or leaving early on a flight. Most hotels in this area feature free transportation to and from the airport but you may want a car if you plan to do some sightseeing. 

Pros of Staying in Southeast Colorado Springs Neighborhood:

• Close to the airport
• Plenty of food and bars in the area
• Free airport transportation

Con of Staying in Southeast Colorado Springs Neighborhood:

• Farther from sights and attractions

📚 Related Reading: 11 Best 14ers in Colorado

Old Colorado City

👉 Best Area For Historic Charm | ✨ Best Old Colorado City Hotels: Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast • Old Town GuestHouse B&B • Carriage House

Old Colorado City is a small historic area in El Paso County, just outside of Colorado Springs. It has plenty of cute boutiques, bars, bistros, and a sizable number of art galleries. Old Colorado City was a main industrial hub in the late 1800s, and as such was a quintessential Wild West Town. 

It’s a charming place to situate yourself while you explore the Colorado Springs area, and you’ll have a blast diving into the history.

Pros of Staying in Old Colorado City Neighborhood:

• Quaint, walkable streets
• Lots of B&Bs and vacation homes to stay in

Cons of Staying in Old Colorado City Neighborhood:

• Not many hotels
• Need a car to get around

Monument

👉 Best Area For Getting to Denver | ✨ Best Monument Hotels: Rogers Inn The Pines • Monument Retreat • Fairfield Inn and Suites

Monument is north of Colorado Springs, along I-25 on the way to Denver. This makes it a great choice if you’d like to visit both cities, although it’s much closer to Colorado Springs. In fact, it’s about 50 miles from Denver and only 20 miles from Colorado Springs.

Nearby Palmer Lake and the Pike National Forest provide plenty of space for outdoor activities. If you want to get out of the city feel and crowds, Monument may just be your place.

Pros of Staying in Monument Neighborhood:

• Quiet
• Lots of outdoor activities nearby

Con of Staying in Monument Neighborhood:

• 20-minute drive to Colorado Springs

📚 Related Reading: 8 Best Train Rides in Colorado (By a Local)

Tips for Staying in Colorado Springs

Rent a Car

While there are some cities in Colorado that you can visit and not need your own wheels, if you want to do any exploring in Colorado Springs then you’ll want a rental car. 

The exception to this is if you’re traveling to town for business. Hotels in Colorado Springs near the airport usually offer free airport shuttle transportation and you can find places to eat and drink at your hotel or nearby. 

🚗   Pro Tip: Discover Cars is a great place to look for a Colorado Springs rental car.

Drink Lots of Water

You’ll want to drink lots of water while you’re in Colorado Springs, or anywhere in the state. Staying hydrated will help your body to better deal with the challenges of higher altitudes. Also, if you’re out exploring, you’ll likely be using a lot of energy and will need to make sure you stay hydrated for that reason as well.

Always Wear Sunscreen

The high altitude can also do a number on your skin. Make sure you apply sunscreen liberally and often. This is another one of those things it’s easy to forget in the winter months but the reflection from the snow makes it even more important to protect yourself. 

Sunscreen for sensitive skin like La Roche-Posay Sunscreen Milk works great for the face, with a sport sunscreen for arms and legs. 

Spend a Day Acclimating

Don’t plan to summit Pikes Peak the day after you get to Colorado Springs. Spend a day or two doing some easy sightseeing – strolling the cute historic streets or visiting a Colorado Springs museum. Let your body adjust for a bit before tackling more strenuous outdoor activities.  

Plan Your Trip

From Colorado Springs area hikes to cultural sites and taking tea at an actual castle, there’s a lot to do in Colorado Springs. Check out my picks for the 28 best things to do in Colorado Springs.

Be Prepared

Not sure what to pack for a trip to Colorado? Check out this Colorado packing list, which includes the items many people frequently forget or wish they had thought of when they’re visiting.

📚 Related Reading: 22 Fun Day Trips from Colorado Springs

FAQs About Where to Stay in Colorado Springs

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Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Colorado Springs! Check out my guide to where to stay in Colorado for more Colorado trip planning advice.