Directions

From Denver and Northern Colorado using I25:  Take I25 south. When entering Colorado Springs, exit at Garden of the Gods Road. Turn left at the light, heading east (away from the mountains). Garden of the Gods turns into Austin Bluffs parkway. Continue on Austin Bluffs up the hill. UCCS is located on the left immediately after you crest the hill.

From Pueblo and Southern Colorado using I25:  Take I25 north. Continue through Colorado Springs and exit at Garden of the Gods Road. Turn right at the light, heading east (away from the mountains). Garden of the Gods turns into Austin Bluffs parkway. Continue on Austin Bluffs up the hill. UCCS is located on the left immediately after you crest the hill.

From Kansas and Eastern Colorado using I24:  Take I24 west. Follow the signs to I25. Head north on I25. Continue through Colorado Springs and exit at Garden of the Gods Road. Turn right at the light, heading east (away from the mountains). Garden of the Gods turns into Austin Bluffs parkway. Continue on Austin Bluffs up the hill. UCCS s located on the left immediately after you crest the hill.

From South Park and Western Colorado using I24:  Take I24 east. Follow the signs to I25. Head north on I25. Continue through Colorado Springs and exit at Garden of the Gods Road. Turn right at the light, heading east (away from the mountains). Garden of the Gods turns into Austin Bluffs parkway. Continue on Austin Bluffs up the hill. UCCS is located on the left immediately after you crest the hill.

Various Distances to UCCS:

Alamosa CO, 172 mi, 1.75 hours
Albuquerque NM, 385 mi, 5.5 hours
Amarillo TX, 371 mi, 6.5 hours
Arvada CO, 75 mi, 75 minutes
Aspen CO, 162 mi, 3.75 hours
Aurora CO, 62 mi, 55 minutes
Breckenridge CO, 111 mi, 2.5 hours
Canon City CO, 52 mi, 70 minutes
Castlerock CO, 37 mi, 35 minutes
Centennial CO, 53 mi, 54 minutes
Durango CO, 321 mi, 6.0 hours
Kansas Border, 163 mi, 2.5 hours
La Junta CO, 112 mi, 2.0 hours
Limon CO, 70 mi, 80 minutes
Littleton CO, 63 mi, 60 minutes
Montrose CO, 238 mi, 4.75 hours
Parker CO, 57 mi, 58 minutes
Pueblo CO, 51 mi, 54 minutes
Raton NM, 155 mi, 2.5 hours
Santa Fe NM, 332 mi, 4.75 hours
 

Google Maps:   Click Here for A Big Google Map

Hotels

There are a variety of newer hotels near UCCS including several suite and extended stay hotels. As of September 4, 2010, many were advertising rates on Travelocity (www.travelocity.com)  from $38-$77 per night. Since we live in Colorado Springs, we don't normally stay at these hotels, but some of the ones you might consider are:

Amerisuites: 503 Garden of the Gods Road (1.8 mi W)

TownePlace Suites by Marriott: 4760 Centennial Blvd (3.0 mi W)

Hyatt Summerfield Suites: 5805 Delmonico Drive  (2.2 mi NW)

Crestwood Suites: 6210 Corporate Center Drive (2.1 mi NW)

Embassy Suites: 7920 Commerce Center Drive (3.2 mi N)

Microtel Inn: 7265 Commerce Center Drive (3.2 mi N)

Staybridge Suites: 7130 Commerce Center Drive (3.2 mi N)

Extended Stay America: 5855 Corporate Center Drive (3.0 mi NW)

La Quinta Inn: 4385 Sinton Road (1.6 mi W)

Days Inn: 4160 Rusina Road (1.7 mi W)

Fairfield Inn North: 7085 Commerce Center Drive (3.2 mi N)

Hampton Inn North: 7245 Commerce Center Drive (3.2 mi N)

Residence Inn by Marriott: 3880 N. Academy Blvd (2.3 mi E)

Candlewood Suites: 6450 N. Academy Blvd (2.3 mi NE)
 

Restaurants

UCCS Food Services will be offering a selection of lunch and snack items at the competition for reasonable prices, but for an evening meal near UCCS, we suggest:

Zio's Italian Kitchen: 6650 Corporate Center Drive. American/Italian. Reasonable prices. Cute interior. Kids menu.

TGI Fridays: 7061 Corporate Center Drive. American. Reasonable prices. Loud and lively. Kids menu.

Outback Restaurant: 7065 Corporate Center Drive. Steak house. Moderate prices.

Ruby Tuesday's: 1340 Garden of the Gods. American. Reasonable prices. Kids menu.

Senior Manuel's: 4660 N. Nevada. Mexican. Reasonable prices. Great salsa and chips. Food can be hot! www.senormanuel.com/

Bigg City Family Fun Center: 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd. Pizza/Buffet. Very kid friendly. Can handle larger groups. Go Karts, Lazer Tag, Mini Golf, Inflatables, Bowling, Video Games. www.becooldoright.com/ 

Academy Boulevard is the main drag in Colorado Springs with a variety of different restaurants. Leave UCCS heading west (toward the mountains) on Austin Bluffs / Garden of the Gods. Take I25 north and exit at Academy Boulevard. Head south and you'll find (in order):

Red Robin: Burgers. Very kid friendly.
Salt Grass Steakhouse: Chain steakhouse.
Souper Salad: Salad bar. 
Taco Bell: Fast food tacos and burritos.
Chapel Hills Mall Food Court: Variety of fast foods with large eating area.
Pizza Hut: Sit down Pizza at Chapel Hills Mall.
On the Border Mexican Grill: Moderately priced Mexican food.
Elephant Bar: American and Asian. Casual atmosphere. 
Fat Burger: Higher end fast food.
Rumbi Grill: Hawaiian and Asian fast food.
Panera Bread: Sandwiches and Soup.
Pei Wei: Moderately priced Asian fast food.
 

And if you're willing to travel a little farther, here are a couple of Colorado Springs classics:

Fargo's Pizza: 2910 E. Platte Av. About 20 minutes away, but a great place for kids. Old fashioned pizza palace with player piano, salad bar and arcade. Watch for your order number in their 'magic mirrors'. Pizza.   www.fargospizza.com.

Giuseppe's Depot Restaurant: 10 Sierra Madre Street. About 15 minutes away, but great for train lovers. Dine in the old Colorado Springs Railroad station while watching various trains go by. American/Italian. http://www.giuseppesdepot.com/   

Various Fast Food on Garden of the Gods west of UCCS.

Attractions

Colorado Springs is a famous tourist site. You can find tons of things to do here at the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors site at http://www.visitcos.com/, but here are a few of our favorites:

Garden of the Gods: Beautiful rock formations including Kissing Camels and Balanced Rock. Great hiking. www.gardenofgods.com.

United States Air Force Academy: Explore the beautiful grounds, famous chapel and USAF Falcon Stadium. See a B-52 bomber and several fighter jets up close. www.usafa.af.mil.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: The only zoo located on the side of a mountain. Feed giraffes and get close to gorillas and lions. Over 750 different animal species. www.cmzoo.org.

Manitou Springs Penny Arcade: Pinball, video games and old fashioned penny arcade machines along with funnel cakes and junk food. About 20 minutes from UCCS. Mostly outdoors, so keep an eye on the weather.

The North Pole:  About 30 minutes from UCCS, you can visit Santa and his reindeer at the North Pole (almost). Enjoy whirlwind rides, candle shops, Christmas shops and funnel cakes at this cute little amusement park on the side of Pike's Peak. Mostly outdoors, so keep an eye on the weather. www.santas-colo.com.