Northeast Colorado Springs is located just south of Briargate and is a bustling hub near the center of the city with a higher density of restaurants and businesses than its surrounding areas. Northeast Colorado Springs offers a wide range of amenities, such as the Center for the Arts, Austin Bluffs Open Space, and the Cottonwood Creek Rec Center, (one of our featured places for this Local Lineup). With so many choices, you may not know where to start, but check out our local favorites and continue to explore from there.
Things to do Outdoors in Northeast Colorado Springs
Austin Bluffs Open Space is a 584-acre park located in the heart of northeast Colorado Springs near UCCS. The open space’s most prominent feature is Pulpit Rock, a rock formation dating from the Eocene period. A moderately difficult 4.2-mile loop will take you to the top of the formation where you will enjoy beautiful views of the city and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
During spring, the fields around Pulpit Rock are bursting with wildflowers, and the park’s extensive trails ensure new opportunities to explore on every visit. The trails are best suited for hiking or mountain biking and are pet friendly. Parts of the hike are shaded, but you’ll still want to bring plenty of sunscreen and water for your trip.
Best Food in Northeast Colorado Springs
La Casita has three locations around the Springs, but their northeast location is conveniently located off of Woodmen Rd. near Union Blvd. La Casita’s buildings are all made of pink stucco, making this Mexican grill hard to miss. The grill’s casual dining room and outdoor patio provide a great environment to eat out with a group of family or friends. La Casita also features drive-through and carryout options.
La Casita serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring house-made tortillas, green chili, and a salsa bar, as well as other traditional Mexican favorites. If you’re hosting a group, check out their catering options or order tamales by the dozen or half-dozen.
Pets in Northeast Colorado Springs
All Breed Rescue & Training, located at the intersection of Fillmore and Nevada, is dedicated to saving the lives of dogs who would otherwise be euthanized. All Breed takes in dogs that are considered “unadoptable” due to behavioral or medical issues and rehabilitates them to be perfect companions. If you are looking for your next dog, All Breed will help you find the perfect fit for your personality and lifestyle.
All Breed’s amazing staff and trainers provide ongoing support to their adopters throughout the life of the dog and are always available to answer questions about training or behavior, and the shelter has an adoption success rate of 98%!
All Breed is also a great resource for any dog owners looking to improve their relationship with their pets or learn new skills. They offer classes that range from basic obedience to dog sports, such as agility, and their first priority is always to help you “have a nice dog.”
Drinks in Northeast Colorado Springs
Lost Friend Brewing Company takes its name from a number of lost dogs that the owner has found and returned to their families. This dog and family-friendly brewery is located on Montebello near Austin Bluffs Open Space. Their tables even have leash clips for your furry friend, leaving your hands free for beers and board games.
Lost Friend’s regular events are currently postponed for customer safety but watch for the return of their weekly trivia nights and educational series where they invite a member of the community to speak about their area of expertise.
Lost Friend brews high-quality, unique craft beers on-site, which you can buy canned or enjoy in their large, sunny taproom. They offer a range of flagship beers, including Porters, IPAs, and even a soured wheat. They also offer a few seasonal beers that are only available in their taproom. If you are looking for some great local food, the brewery also hosts a different food truck every night.
Things to do with Families in Northeast Colorado Springs
Cottonwood Creek Park is located off of Rangewood and is the perfect place to spend a nice summer or fall day with your family. Cottonwood Creek offers a number of amenities, such as picnic tables, playgrounds, and a number of sporting fields for soccer, baseball, tennis, and in-line hockey.
The park’s large trees and grassy fields make it a beautiful place to walk, run, or enjoy a game of disc golf. The Cottonwood Creek Recreation Center features an indoor water slide and wave pool, which are open to the public with the purchase of a day pass. In the winter, you can also bundle up and bring the kids out to enjoy the park’s sledding hill.
Check out our other Local Lineups for other parts of Colorado Springs.