Spring Break is nearly here and we have a brave proposition for those of you seeking adventure in your week away from the grind of school and responsibility. Skip that cliché beach trip full of overcrowded shores and sand in uncomfortable places and try something completely different this year. We want you here (and if you live here, we want you out and about), playing in our crisp mountain air, riding on our gorgeous trails, dining in our awesome restaurants and hanging at some of the coolest attractions in the country. Don’t waste another vacation on the same old activities, venture to colorful Colorado and discover why so many people fall in love with this beautiful state. Here’s a sample of what you could do on your Spring Break visit.

Rent a Bike and Explore Colorado Springs

If you prefer your adventure on two wheels, Colorado Springs offers miles of trails and bike lanes to explore — and you don’t need to BYOB (bring your own bike). Places like Colorado Kite and Ski and Colorado Springs Bike shop will rent you a ride for the day and a helmet, too. For those who like tamer trails, we suggest you pick up a hybrid bike and cruise along the Midland Trail, which runs through historic Old Colorado City and ends up in Manitou Springs. You’ll pass by breweries, great restaurants and several cool places to stop and rest or snap a few photos. If you’re super into bicycles, Colorado Springs is also home to Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, which has in-room bike racks and sits right off the aforementioned Midland Trail.

If you’re into mountain biking, Red Rocks Open Space has tons of trails for you to (safely, politely) feel the rush of Rocky Mountain riding. It also boasts a cycling course that’s super fun and a few gentler trails for those who need a bit of a break from the altitude.

Boost Your Adrenaline with Local Thrill Rides

We really enjoy flinging our guest off cliffs here in the Pikes Peak region, as evidenced by two of our most popular attractions. Cave of the Winds is one of them and it was honestly rad before it decided to add thrill rides. After you take a cavern tour (we suggest the Caving 101 2-hour tour), you can head outside and cruise 1,200 feet across Williams Canyon at a breezy 40 m.p.h. on the Bat-a-Pult.  If you prefer to have your adventure in your own hands, try their new Via Ferrata Canyon Tour and scurry like a gecko across the canyon walls. Or if you want to really turn it up a notch, ride the Terror-dactyl, which launches you 150 feet into the air at up to 100 m.p.h. Both are guaranteed to make your heart race and your respect for solid ground increase.

Photo by @javiie507

A little further from Colorado Springs, you’ll find the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, which has its own special cliffside fun. After you’ve played along the bridge and checked out the sights, climb on to the Cloudscraper Zip Line, which sends you flying a whopping 1,200 feet over the Arkansas River. Or, take a ride on the Royal Rush Skycoaster, which swings you face-down in a freefall at 50 m.p.h. — over the side of the cliff.

Hike the Purple Mountains Majesty (Easy and Difficult Options)

Photo by Cassie Clement

There are many ways to hike here in Colorado Springs. If you’re looking for tamer trails where there’s easy access to civilization and no real way to get lost, we highly recommend Garden of the Gods or Seven Falls. Garden of the Gods features paved walking trails and a few off-the-beaten path trails that weave amongst its giant rock formations and offer signs with cool facts about the flora and fauna of the region. It’s conveniently close to the Garden of the Gods Trading post, where you’ll find such civilized trappings like lattes and French fries. Seven Falls is another fun and easy destination, with the added benefit of a breathtaking waterfall that crashes right beside you as you climb the 224 steps to the trails. (There’s a zip line up there, too. See our previous note about flinging guests from precipices).

Photo by IG user 🐼Ⓐ Ⓝ Ⓝ Ⓐ🐼

For those who want a more challenging hike, we suggest you (if you’re properly prepared with water and appropriate clothing) visit Cheyenne Canyon and try out Columbine Trail. It’s a steady climb that takes you right to Helen Hunt Falls. It will take you a few hours to complete, depending on your level of fitness and clocks in at around 8 miles roundtrip.

Honestly, we could write a book on all that there is to do here during Spring Break (and many people have). But you don’t want to listen to us gush all day about how great Colorado is, you want to live it for yourself, right? If you’re excited to learn more, we’ve got some fun itineraries to inspire you. Hope to see you soon!