Plan Your Next Vacation to Cañon City
Cañon City, located on the banks of the Arkansas River, is an ideal destination for romantic Colorado getaways. This cozy city, which retains a small-town Colorado atmosphere, is a premier getaway for all kinds of recreational activities and sights that couples will appreciate.
Here are the top reasons to go to Cañon City for a romantic weekend.
The Historic Abbey
One of the more unique features of Cañon City that makes it attractive to history buffs is the historic abbey that has operated since the turn of the 20th century. Previously, the nuns and monks who ran the abbey opened a boarding school as a means to finance their pious lifestyle. The school eventually closed, but another venture of the abbey crew, a winery, still runs to this day. The grounds now occupy a spot on the Registrar of National Historic Places.
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey has earned numerous awards for the quality and taste of its wines. Visitors can test different locally produced wines in the winery’s tasting room.
There, you and your partner can choose from a large menu of wines, including:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Apple Blossom
- Revelation
- American Riesling
- Merlot
Café 1230
Located inside the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park visitors center, Café 1230 is a perfect place to take a respite from outdoor exploring, enjoy a great meal, and snag some photos of the picturesque landscape. After dinner, stroll over to the highest suspension bridge in North America for a bonding experience over butterflies and more great photo opportunities.
Royal Gorge Bridge Bighorn Mountain Top Lodge
The Royal Gorge Bridge Bighorn Mountain Top Lodge is located in prime real estate overlooking the gorge.
Guests who stay at the RGB Lodge enjoy unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape that truly steal your breath, easy access to great food options like Café 1230, zip lining, Via Ferrata rock climbing, and other fun recreational options just a few minutes’ walk away.
Nearby Attractions and Towns
In addition to the local features of the gorge and adjacent Cañon City, you can easily slide over to nearby towns and parks that offer even more ways to enjoy your trip. Other destinations to consider for a daytrip include:
- Florence Mountain Park
- Florence, the state’s antiquing capital
- Pikes Peak
- Colorado Springs
- Pueblo Riverwalk
- Pueblo
Scenic Bicycle Routes
If you and your partner enjoy bicycle riding, Cañon City and its surrounding area is hands down one of the best regions of the state. Three highly reviewed bicycle paths offer ample opportunity to get some exercise while taking in the crisp air of the region.
The paths open to cyclists near Cañon City include the:
- American Discovery Trail
- TransAmerica Trail Bicycle Route
- Western Express Bicycle Route
The Bottom Line on Visiting Cañon City
With so much to do, great dining choices, a quaint lodge for rent on the edge of the gorge, and multiple historic sites, you have plenty of reasons to put Cañon City at the top of your bucket list for romantic weekend getaways.