Destination: Green Mountain Falls, CO
About: Nestled bellow Pikes Peak Green Mountain Fallas is a town of less than 800. Only 11 miles west of Colorado Springs after Manitou Springs and before Woodland Park. This town is a perfect weekend getaway without actually being too far away.
Route: I-25 S to US 24 W (directions)
Distance: 142 Miles
Time: 1h 30m
Pitstops: None
Nights: 2+
Sleeping: The Outlook Lodge (sponsored)

Before last weekend, I had never been to the Pikes Peak area. I had looked at going in the Fall and gushed over the cute rooms at The Outlook Lodge. So when they reached out in November, I was beyond excited! A weekend getaway for 2 – yes please!

We decided to go in December as a little Christmas getaway. Although, with so many trails and outdoor activities to do nearby I’m a little bummed we missed the warm weather. The snow in Colorado has finally started and last Friday’s showers made Green Mountain Hills into a beautiful little mountain now.

The Outlook Lodge is made up of tree buildings, The Main Lodge, Carriage House and Little Raven Inn. We had the upstairs Family Suite in The Main Lodge. The Main Lodge has 2 suites one up and down. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all shared by the guest. With no on-site staff, it feels a little like renting a shared space on Airbnb except 1000% nicer and well decorated.

Let me just say, hats off to whoever decorate this place – it’s perfect. Our upstairs suite had two little sitting areas. Both mornings we drank coffee and tea in the windowed room. Off of the main sitting room is two connecting bunk rooms. These rooms are so sweet, each bunk has its own tv! Childhood dreams come true!

The master is a cozy room with beadboard ceiling and walls, a built in desk and closet. With the 3 rooms comes 2 beautiful bathrooms. One with a bathtub and one with a walk-in shower. Again so well done! I love, love, love the subway tile with dark grout. Anywhere with complimentary face wipes get an A+ in my book, too! It is worth nothing the bathrooms are not connected to the bedrooms. While each bedroom has a locking door the sitting area that leads to the bathroom is open. As in anyone could walk up, ignoring the sign saying “Upstairs” guest only and walk in on you in your robe drinking tea.

It is worth nothing the bathrooms are not connected to the bedrooms. While each bedroom has a locking door, the sitting area that leads to the bathroom is open. As in anyone could walk up, ignoring the sign saying “Upstairs” guest only and walk in on you in your robe drinking tea.

Green Mountain Falls doesn’t even count as a one-stoplight town. However, this tiny town of 400 has everything you need as in a liquor store + 3 restaurants, one for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since we got in late Friday night we opted for Dinner at the Blue Moose Tavern, Friday night was karaoke night and basically everyone but us got up to sing. For breakfast, we went tried the very highly reviewed TPantry. Well, the rave reviews were right, this place is a gem. Cinnamon Roll French Toast – a must order.

On any of my trips I try and find a local cheese shop. Cherokees of Manitu hit the spot. This art gallery just started selling cheeses and fine foods this summer and is killing it. The owner made us a sample cheese platter to try a variety of cheese, meats and jams. We decided on a Tomme cheese and a very colorado goat cheese from Buena Vista soaked and aged in whiskey barrel before being pressed with a hemp leaf. Like I said, soooo Colorado.

We decided to explore Woodmont and Cripple Creek before spending the rest of the afternoon at the lodge relaxing. The drive to Cripple Creek is beautiful with some of the best views of the Rockies I have ever seen. But unless you like to Gamble, really no need to go to Cripple Creek. The town is very old timey and cute and looks like a ghost town until we walk inside a casino! And all of the casinos are connected so no need to walk outside. We were in and out and 2 dollars down on slots in less than 30 mins.

We stopped at Joanie’s Deli for a quick bite in Woodland Park. The sandwiches were on point, as was the service. Perfect spot for a meal after a hike! After lunch, we headed back to the Lodge where a cozy fire was there to great us. Time for the cheese plate!

For dinner we headed to The Loop in Manitou Springs for their Extra Large Margaritas – these things are big and strong – just how I like them!

Sunday, we packed up and said good by to The Outlook Lodge – hopefully not for the last time! On our way out of town we stopped at The Red Dog in Manitou for coffee and bagels to enjoy while we roamed around The Garden of The Gods. BTW, Red Dog’s is super cute coffee shop that was totally packed – definitely the place to be on Sunday morning. Garden of the Gods is always a treat but with near freezing temps we didn’t stay too long.

We loved our time The Outlook Lodge it’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway. I hope we can go back in the summer to take full advantage of all the outdooractivitiess the Pikes Peak area has to offer.

This post is sponsored by The Outlook Lodge, but all thoughts and opinions are my own