Are you thinking of moving to Colorado Springs? A visit to the Pikes Peak region can give you a chance to check things out and get acquainted with the area. And now is the perfect time to plan your trip. Tuesday, Jan. 25 is National Plan for Vacation Day, powered by the U.S. Travel Association. The day is dedicated to encouraging Americans to plan their time off for the entire year.
“Visit Colorado Springs celebrates National Plan for Vacation Day every year,” said Doug Price, President & CEO of Visit COS. “We encourage our staff to map out their entire year of vacation days, so it’s more likely they’ll actually be used.”
Data from the U.S. Travel Association found that Americans leave 768 million vacation days unused annually. Of course, the U.S. has experienced nearly two years of fewer opportunities to travel amid pandemic stress and fatigue. American workers are reporting extreme levels of exhaustion, with more than 80% feeling moderately or extremely burned out, according to Destination Analysts.
While some may not be ready for a lengthy trip yet, planning shorter staycations and road trips is also important. Any time off work to focus on family, rest and rejuvenation is beneficial for workers’ mental health.
“We ask all businesses to consider setting aside some time next Tuesday for employees to consider their vacation days and start planning,” said Price. “Join us in prioritizing time off and its wonderful mental health benefits.”
For those eager to explore a trip to the Pikes Peak region during their time off, here are some recommendations from Visit COS for things to do in Colorado Springs in 2022.
- Catch a Switchbacks FC game at Weidner Field and a Rocky Mountain Vibes game at UCHealth Park.
- Take The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway up Pikes Peak and visit the Summit Visitor Center.
- Starting Feb. 1, get your tickets for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo this July and celebrate its inaugural year as the NFR Open with a million dollars in prize money.
- Take a family road trip to nearby Cañon City and visit the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, Skyline Drive and more.
Check out more information about National Plan for Vacation Day.