SE Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO Area Guide

Dating back to the 1700s, the first inhabitants of Colorado Springs were various Native American tribes, including the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. It wasn’t until 1859, during the founding of Colorado Springs, when the region became the first settlement along Pikes Peak, home to miners seeking gold. Due to the gold explosion, the city became known as the city of millionaires. As of 2016, approximately 450,000 individuals call Colorado Springs home.

Culture and fine arts play an important role in the lives of those living in this neighborhood. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center boasts a large permanent art collection of over 20,000 pieces as well as seasonal performances and a variety of art classes for all ages. The center holds an annual event for filmmakers, which showcases work from independent filmmakers from around the region.

Visitors and residents alike have no problem getting around Alexandria. A grid-patterned layout of the city makes it pedestrian-friendly, and there are over 120 miles of bike paths and 60 miles of mountain bike trails for the recreational rider.

As far as public transportation in Colorado Springs goes, you can hail a cab in downtown or you can opt to schedule an Uber ride. Lyft provides another ride share alternative, but if you want a cheaper mode of transport, the Mountain Metropolitan Transit operates 22 bus routes through the city.

Personal automobiles remain the most popular mode of transport. Located within a few miles of Interstate 75 and highways 15 and 21, Colorado Springs reaches out to a variety of towns and cities nearby. The majority of the parking lots within the area charge a flat rate for parking. This fee ranges anywhere from $6 to $10, or you can opt for a monthly fee of around $80. On-street meters take coins, while the newer meters also accept credit cards.

Due to the beautiful scenery in the area, Alexandria comes through with plenty of outdoor spots for recreation and sightseeing.

The Garden of the Gods Park opens daily with free admission, and visitors can enjoy horseback riding, biking, trails and hiking, and even bird watching. Sign up for one of the guided walks, or meander through the trails on your own. Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they remain on a maximum six-foot leash. Another popular hot spot for hiking includes Pikes Peak. The Peak rises to 14,000 feet at its highest spot, and visitors come from all over to hike the challenging Barr Trail, which includes 12.6 miles of uphill climbing with an elevation gain of 7,500 feet. Admission to Pikes Peak costs around $12 for adults and $5 for children, or a car load gets in for $40.

For the kids, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo provides various programs throughout the year. Adventurous spirits enjoy the sky rides, while the Choo Choo, carousel, and pony rides deliver excitement for the little ones. The zoo boasts 14 animal exhibits. Adult admission is around $20 per tickets, children get in for around $5, and children under 2 get in for less than a dollar. The zoo does offer a variety of discounts throughout the year.

You’ll find many houses and apartments of varying sizes for rent in Southeast Colorado Springs, with the average one-bedroom costing about $1,1000, two bedrooms beginning around $1,500, and three bedrooms costing a little over $1,700. Houses for rent in Southeast Colorado Springs can go up to $3,000 a month. If you’re looking to buy, the median house price in Southeast Colorado Springs is approximately $400,00.

Whether you love browsing through a variety of high-end outdoor shopping areas or sampling the discount wares at a major mall, Colorado Springs has several shopping districts to please, including Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, the Monument, and downtown.

Fine jewelry gurus love the trendy fashions at Terra Verde Boutique. One of the well-loved boutiques in downtown, Terra Verde carries a fine selection in women’s clothes, gifts, home decor, books, and accessories. Choose something new for your upcoming wedding, or purchase a unique shower gift for that a new mom.

For groceries, Alexandria has a selection of national chains, including the Whole Foods Market, Safeway, and Mollica’s Italian Market, which provides a large selection of authentic and hard-to-find Italian items. The Colorado Springs farmer’s market runs from late May to early October in various spots throughout the city, including Acacia Park and Bancroft Park.