Friendships are timeless. There is nothing quite like the anticipation of spending an afternoon or evening with good friends.
Women, especially, benefit from this sacred time with their “soul sisters.” Good wine and good friends can dissolve the stress of work and home. So here are a few fun suggestions for shopping, hanging out, and having fun with your girlfriends in the greater Pikes Peak Region.
SALIDA & BUENA VISTA AREA
Shopping and exploring in Buena Vista and Salida is a great day trip or weekend getaway. Start your shopping adventure in Buena Vista then it’s a short drive over to Salida. With an overnight stay planned, you have a magical Girl’s weekend and plenty of time to enjoy the shops and cafes at a much more leisurely pace.
SALIDA
Drift & Amble (110 W. 1st St.) This shop is adorable! Even better, they print all their own apparel! Hats, tees, mugs, and cards. Very creative folks and great products.
Fabulous Finds (139 W. 1st St.) If you love resale, you will enjoy this boutique! I immediately noticed their incredible selection of Native American jewelry. Great brands, and like-new products.
J2 Softwear (136 F St.) Handcrafted fleece vests, jackets, dog beds. Owner Julie has her workshop set up right in the store. Everything is handcrafted and beautifully done. Her style and craftsmanship were impressive.
YOLO (100 F St.) I fell in love with this shop! The best merchandising and excellent products. Take time to browse the whimsical gifts, intoxicating perfume, and trendy clothes.
Opal Boutique (128 F St.) A contemporary and fun women›s boutique you don›t want to miss.
Mountain Spirit Winery (8046 W HWY 50) Finish off the day with a wine tasting and a lovely meal at this local, family-owned winery, shop, and grill.
BUENA VISTA
MADE Lifestyle Boutique and Studio, (900 South Main St.) I imagine discovering a boutique like this in Telluride, Jackson Hole, or other popular tourist towns, yet here is a bright, delightful and gorgeous boutique in a quiet mountain town. They have a great selection of apparel, scarves, and jewelry – all reasonably priced.
Rock Run Gallery (902 South Main St.) Artist-owned shop. A wide variety of jewelry, pottery, glass, textiles.
Sundance & Friends (111 River Park Rd.) A real local treasure! Nearly everything in the shop is made right here by the owners. Sheepskin and leather footwear, hats and accessories.
The Village (414 E. Main St.) Handcrafted and fair-trade goods in a historic brick commercial building.
The Trailhead (402 E. Main St.) Fun t-shirts, active gear, and active wear for hikers, climbers, skiers, boarders and outdoor enthusiasts of every ilk. A large, modern store that also features an eatery.
In between stores, relax at The Midland Stop for local, fresh-roasted coffee. In the mood for oven-fired pizza and beer? Across the street you›ll find, Eddyline Restaurant one of the best places for lunch or dinner!
CANON CITY AND PUEBLO
These two historic cities have experienced significant change in recent decades, expanding and improving visitor experiences. Shopping in the area, once strictly utilitarian has become diverse and exciting. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, an amazing multi-year project that has jump-started small businesses in the city’s historic downtown, has transformed Pueblo. This is a time of renewal and revival, of excitement and change. You’ll find wonderful stores, friendly people and exciting times in a city that many Colorado visitors overlook. Don’t be among them – Canon City and Pueblo are lot cooler than you think!
CANON CITY
Winery at Holy Cross Abbey (3011 E. US Hwy 50). An excellent start to the day is at the gift shop and tasting room of The Winery located on the beautiful grounds of Holy Cross Abbey. While you will miss out on the lush vineyards of the summer and fall, the shop is no less delightful – and busy! They offer an impressive selection of free tastings, plus additional premium wine tastings for only a $1/ea. Discover the rich history of the Abbey while you sip wine and shop. I recommend arriving first thing (they open at 10) as the tasting room gets quite busy.
The French Bakery and Coffeehouse (518 Royal Gorge Blvd.) is next on your stop. Enjoy French Pastries and coffee, or a light lunch. Converted from an old house, the bakery has a few cozy rooms perfect for catching up.
Tailored West (224 Main St.) Western chic boots and apparel, plus the best selection of layering pieces by Elietian. They also create designs specifically for their customers for truly one-of-a-kind clothing and even have a tailor’s shop located in the back of the store. Stop in to see their latest projects!
PUEBLO
Arrive hungry and enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar. Indian food with a fun atmosphere and awesome service. You won’t be disappointed!
Bellezza Design Boutique (102 S. Victoria Ave.) A design co-op and makers market. That means you never know what you’ll find, but it will be locally made!
Seabels Boutique (105 W C. St.) A fun and youthful store. Unique sports apparel for women, accessories, Free People clothing.
Formulary 55 (423 W. 4th St.) If you happen to be in Pueblo the first Friday, this is worth a stop. Picture an old brick building where sweet smelling products for bath, face, body, and home are manufactured and sold.
COLORADO SPRINGS
The city’s rapidly reviving downtown is diverse, exciting and above all fun. There are dozens of cheerful boutiques to explore, art galleries to visit and bookstores to browse. It’s a polycentric community with many shopping destinations, ranging from Polaris Pointe on the city’s far north side to high-end shops in Briargate to cool little shops tucked away in neighborhood shopping centers. Here are a few examples.
DOWNTOWN COLORADO SPRINGS
Breakfast at Springs Orleans (123 E. Pikes Peak Ave.) Enjoy Eggs Etouffee or Bananas Foster French toast for a leisurely breakfast. Finish off with a mimosa and hit Tejon Street for shopping.
Cacao Chemistry (109 N. Tejon St.) No words necessary. Experience the velvety texture of the handcrafted chocolate creations. Created in-house. Free samples. I recommend the Elvis and Pear and Port flavors!
Hooked On Books I love this new used bookstore at 10 E. Bijou. Spend an hour enjoying the scent of old books and browsing among literary treasures.
Izzy’s Gifts (224 N. Tejon St.) Fairly new to downtown, they carry exclusive finds, like handcrafted fine jewelry by local artisan Kristin Haviland and collectible brands such as Nora Fleming, and Colorado-based Lollia.
Poor Richards (320 N. Tejon St.) A downtown staple. Bookstore, gift shop, cafe, wine bar, and kid’s store all rolled into one. It is a traditional Colorado Springs experience.
Halo Boutique (230 N. Tejon St.) Affordable, fashionable, contemporary and cool what’s not to like? Halo’s friendly, knowledgeable staff will leave you smiling. One of our absolute faves.
Rocky Mountain Soap Market (220 N. Tejon St.). Walk in, and you’re enveloped in the sweet fragrance of fresh, natural soaps and other customizable bath and beauty products. Sweet!
OCC & MANITOU SPRINGS
Old Colorado City was a rowdy little town that quickly grew up but was never boring. Today, OCC’s streetscape looks much as it did at he end of the 19th century, lined with restored three and four-story brick commercial buildings. Mantiou Springs offers plenty of locally-owned, unique shops. And, if you get tired of shopping, there plenty of welcoming coffee shops, wine bars and restaurants.
OLD COLORADO CITY
Barracuda Bazaar (2603 W. Colorado Ave.) One of the most popular boutiques in the city. Young, eclectic, whimsical. They also have the best window displays around town. The ladies who work there are loads of fun and just being inside the store makes you happy.
LUCY’S (1672 S 21st St.) is a vintage paradise! They have a great selection of dressy and casual clothing as well as a smaller selection of housewares, jewelry, shoes, and purses. There’s lots of little treasures in this fabulous little find.
Squash Blossom (2531 W. Colorado Ave.) The best selection of fabulous jewelry! They have been here since 1973 and always have the most unusual items.
Febra’s (2532 W. Colorado Ave.) Affordable fashion and unique local artwork. Whimsical and eclectic. Febra and her staff are so friendly and make you feel like part of the family.
Pink Cadillac is brand new. Located in a stand-alone building at 1635 W. Colorado Ave. Fresh looks with a vintage, western vibe.
Eve’s Revolution (1312 W, Colorado Ave.) is located in a free-standing, brightly painted Westside Victorian cottage. Owner Eve Carlson offers new and selected consignment pieces, as well as accessories. Eve’s sense of fashion and style is unmatched in Colorado Springs, so don’t miss her store!
2 South Wine Bar (2 South 25th St.) has the atmosphere for winding down after a long day. I recommend the Fromage Board to start, and if you happen to be out on a Wednesday, it is 1/2 off wine bottles.
MANITOU SPRINGS
Shops on Manitou Ave. open at 10 am. Feast your eyes on galleries galore, trinkets, and the inspirational.
Browse the Cotton Club Boutique (1 Ruxton Ave.) a staple in Manitou. They carry lines from Sea Breeze, Dairi, Parsley and Sage, and more.
Visit The Olive Tap (906 Manitou Ave.) for tastings of flavor-infused olive oil and vinegar. If you love to cook, a berry-infused vinegar will take you to the next level!
Piramide Clothing Co. (735 Manitou Ave.) & (2516 W Colorado Ave.) specializes in eco-friendly, fair trade apparel and accessories.
Swirl Wine Bar (717 Manitou Ave.) is always a fun diversion. If you have a group of friends, call Swirl ahead of time and schedule a wine tasting. It is fun, informative, and sometimes includes a tour of their wine-making facility.
