Day Trip Flying Ideas

Same-day pilot getaway destinations β€” restaurants, museums, hot springs & more

Colorado Day-Trip Ideas

This resource collects CPA knowledge and member experiences for same-day pilot getaway destinations in Colorado and nearby states. Find lunch spots, museums, golf courses, and other fun morning flight destinations.

Additional resources: FlightSeek | NavBite

What You’ll Find

  • Restaurants – Beyond the classic “hundred dollar hamburger,” where Colorado pilots eat both on and off field
  • Recreation – Activities beyond typical airport dining
  • Transportation – Courtesy cars, rental cars, and bike-friendly options
  • Museums – Aviation-themed museums accessible by short flights
  • Natural Wonders – Geographic features best appreciated from the air

Suggestions welcome — send us a note, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

KBJC Sort by distance

Have a destination to add? Know a great airport restaurant, FBO, or business near a fly-in-friendly airport? Is your favorite airport missing from our list? Let us know β€” we love member recommendations, and we welcome airport businesses and communities to help us grow this resource for Colorado pilots.

Reach Colorado pilots

Run a business near a Colorado airport? Restaurants, lodging and things to do can be listed on the destination nearest you, where pilots planning the trip will actually see them.

CPA corporate members list their business on the site and carry a ★ Proud CPA Corporate Sponsor tag, alongside a logo in the sponsor rotation and a place on the Corporate Members page.

Membership also pays for CPA’s pilot training scholarships. The Walt & Terry Barbo and Emily Howell Warner awards go straight to the flight school, and put Colorado students into training every year.

Join as a corporate member → See who already has

43 destinations

Colorado (25 destinations)

Akron, Colorado
KAKO Akron 88 nm

Miss Bea Havin' Airport Cafe β€” 1201 North Cedar. Artisan pizza, sandwiches, salads, breakfast. Family-operated 6 generations, 70+ years. · Hayes Aviation FBO β€” 1201 North Cedar, 1-800-945-0161. Fuel, maintenance, paint & completions. Open 24/7, attended 6am-5pm Mon-Sat.

View details →
Buena Vista, Colorado
KAEJ Buena Vista 81 nm

Courtesy car available β€” airport manager monitors CTAF, brings warm vehicle to your aircraft. · Jan's Restaurant β€” 304 Hwy 24 S, 719-395-6940. Famous breakfast burrito smothered in green chili. · Simple Eatery & Spoon It Up β€” 402 E Main, 719-207-9400. American, bakery, ice cream.

View details →
Centennial, Colorado
KAPA Centennial 24 nm

The Perfect Landing Restaurant β€” upstairs in main terminal, panoramic views. Reservations recommended. theperfectlanding.com · Exploration of Flight Museum β€” 13005 Wings Way, 303-360-5360. 15-acre campus, future-focused aviation/space galleries. · TAC Air: 130.075, 303-790-2575

View details →
Colorado Space Port, Colorado
KCFO Colorado Space Port 28 nm

Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant β€” in terminal with ramp/runway views, 303-261-4025. Verify hours before arrival. · No FBO listed. Rental car TBD.

View details →
Colorado Springs, Colorado
KCOS Colorado Springs 69 nm

The Airplane Restaurant β€” 1665 N Newport Rd, 719-570-7656. Boeing KC-97 tanker built 1953, seats 42 inside aircraft. Aviation memorabilia, open cockpit. 10-min walk from FBOs. · Sandy's Restaurant β€” 6940 Space Village Ave, 719-651-0596. 4.1 mi, needs courtesy car. · Colorado JetCenter: 130.575, 719-591-2288. No-fee parking, crew cars.

View details →
Craig, Colorado
KCAG Craig 116 nm

Yampa Valley Golf Bar and Grill β€” 2179 Hwy 394, 970-824-0277, yampavalleygolf.com. 1/4 mi walk from ramp. · Yampa Valley Golf Club β€” 18-hole course adjacent to restaurant, 970-824-3673. · Lunch Bunch location (Bill Marvel). CPA Mountain Flying Course recommended.

View details →
Delta, Colorado
KAJZ Delta 139 nm

Smiling Aviation FBO β€” 870 1575 Rd, 970-874-5181, smilingaviation.com. Fuel, oxygen, hangars, flight training, courtesy cars. · Ultimate Skydiving Adventures β€” 970-589-9490, ultimateskydivingadventures.com. Tandem jumps. · Devil's Thumb Golf Course β€” 1.8 mi via courtesy car, 970-874-6262, devilsthumbgolfcourse.net.

View details →
Fort Morgan, Colorado
KFMM Fort Morgan 65 nm

Skydive Orange Skies β€” 23101 State Hwy 52, 720-880-8930. April-December. Primary attraction. · No airport cafe or FBO listed.

View details →
Fremont County, Colorado
1V6 Fremont County 87 nm

Skydiving is the primary attraction. Two operators: · HIGH SKY Adventures: 719-598-5867, highskyadventurespc.com · Colorado Mountain Skydive: 719-285-4050, coloradomountainskydive.com

View details →
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
KGWS Glenwood Springs 104 nm

Courtesy car available. · 19th Street Diner β€” 1908 Grand Ave, 970-945-9133, 19thstreetdiner.com. Signature: Mospos potatoes with breakfast. · Lunch Bunch location (Bill Marvel). CPA Mountain Flying Course recommended.

View details →
Granby, Colorado
KGNB Granby 38 nm

Grand River Aviation FBO β€” courtesy car and rental cars available. 970-724-0611. · Rocky Mountain adventures. Review Chart Supplement for skydiving operations. Lunch Bunch location.

View details →
Greeley-Weld, Colorado
KGXY Greeley-Weld 39 nm

The Barnstormer β€” on-site airport cafe, 970-336-3020. Classic airport cafe with ramp access. Aviation memorabilia. · Courtesy car available (call FBO ahead). Fuel services available.

View details →
Hooper, Colorado
HooperPool Hooper 135 nm

Private airstrip β€” 2600x30 ft, hard-packed dirt with sandy areas. Landing at own risk. Suitable for low-wing and tricycle-gear. · Sand Dunes Pool & Hot Springs β€” fly in and take a dip! 1991 County Road 63, 719-378-2807, sanddunespool.com. · Mile Deep Restaurant near the main pool facility.

View details →
Kent Rominger (Saguache), Colorado
KRCV Kent Rominger (Saguache) 139 nm

RAF Pilot Shelter β€” impressive facility with WiFi, fridge, stove, restroom with shower. Campsites being developed for pilots and airplane campers. · No restaurants, FBOs, or ground transport listed. Review Chart Supplement for skydiving operations.

View details →
Kit Carson, Colorado
KITR Kit Carson 141 nm

Courtesy car available. Airport: 719-346-5352. · Kit Carson County Carousel β€” 815 N 15th St, 719-346-7666, kitcarsoncountycarousel.com. Hand-carved animals, 1912 Wurlitzer organ. · Old Town Museum β€” 420 S 14th St, 800-288-1334, oldtownburlington.com. 20,000+ objects from 1880s-1940s.

View details →
Kremmling, Colorado
20V Kremmling 58 nm

Grand River Aviation FBO β€” 450 Airport Rd, 970-724-0611, grandriveraviation.com. Fuel, hangars, instruction, rentals, WiFi, lounge, complimentary cookies. · Courtesy car and rental cars available via FBO. Part of Bill Marvel Lunch Bunch (western slope mid-week lunch group). CPA Mountain Flying Course recommended for Front Range pilots.

View details →
La Junta, Colorado
KLHX La Junta 134 nm

Courtesy car available. Airport manager Bill Jackson: 719-384-8407. · The Fairway Restaurant β€” 27696 Harris Rd, 719-363-1513, thefairwayrestaurant.com. "Real, Honest Food" β€” modern eclectic, locally-sourced. 0.5 mi walk from ramp. · La Junta Golf Club β€” same location, 719-384-7133. · Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site β€” 15 min by courtesy car, guided tours, nps.gov/beol.

View details →
Leadville, Colorado
KLXV Leadville 69 nm

Highest airport in North America. Long runway in a valley. Airport: 719-486-0307, klxvairport.com. · Free courtesy cars + two 15-passenger vans. Fuel, hangars, tiedowns, GPU, lounge. · Several great restaurants and sights in town (details not specified). Lunch Bunch location. CPA Mountain Flying Course strongly recommended.

View details →
Limon, Colorado
KLIC Limon 77 nm

Out of The Blue Skydiving β€” 719-784-1166, outoftheblueskydiving.com. Primary attraction. · No airport restaurant. No courtesy car.

View details →
Longmont, Colorado
KLMO Longmont 15 nm

Flight Deck Grill β€” west of Elite Aviation, 229 Airport Rd, 303-682-8888. Mobile cafe, outdoor dining in plane view. 7:30-2:00 Wed-Sun, May-Oct. Breakfast burritos, burgers. · Mile Hi Skydiving β€” Hangar 34G, 303-702-9911, milehiskydiving.com. · No courtesy car. Review Chart Supplement for skydiving operations.

View details →
Meeker, Colorado
KEEO Meeker 128 nm

Free courtesy car available. Airport manager: 970-878-5045. · Meeker Hotel & Cafe β€” 560 Main St, 970-878-5255, meekerhotel.com. Historic 100-year-old hotel and cafe on Main Street. Old West heritage. · Trout-filled White River flows through town. Lunch Bunch location.

View details →
Pueblo, Colorado
KPUB Pueblo 101 nm

Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum β€” 31001 Magnuson Ave, 719-948-9219. 5-min walk from ramp. Two hangars, 85,000+ sq ft of military/space/civilian aircraft. Southern Colorado Space Museum. · Peter's In & Out β€” inside terminal, 719-582-7376. "Food FAST not FAST food." Daily lunch specials, patio. · Flower Aviation FBO β€” 31201 Bryan Cir, 719-948-3316 (24/7), 800-645-3987. No courtesy cars.

View details →
Rocky Mountain Metro, Colorado
KBJC Rocky Mountain Metro 0 nm

Blue Sky Bistro β€” main terminal ground floor, 11755 Airport Way, 720-628-5213. Hand crafted Panini sandwiches, Flatirons and runway views. · Sheltair: 131.475, 303-590-9654 · Signature Flight Support: 131.575, 303-466-2336

View details →
Sterling, Colorado
KSTK Sterling 95 nm

Courtesy car available β€” coordinate with Charlie May (airport manager), 970-522-0417. · Sky Ranch Golf Course β€” 18-hole, 72 par, 6,434 yards. 17408 Hwy 14, 970-522-2836, skyranchgc.com. Blue grass fairways.

View details →
Wray, Colorado
2V5 Wray 133 nm

Wray Golf Course β€” walk from the airport! 9 holes, designed by Frank Hummel (1962). Open year-round, semi-private with guest policy. 36357 US-385, 970-332-5934. Pro shop, driving range, cart rentals. · No airport cafe. Transportation details not documented.

View details →

Kansas (7 destinations)

Elkhart, Colorado
KEHA Elkhart 232 nm

Point Rock Golf Course β€” 1025 Morton St, 620-697-2157. "Park your plane, grab your sticks, walk across the street to golf!" · Pizza Hut β€” 460 US Hwy 56, 620-697-4555. Short walk from airport.

View details →
Garden City, Colorado
KGCK Garden City 237 nm

Napoli's Italian β€” 2215 S Air Service Dr, 620-271-1490, napolisitaliangardencity.com. In the main terminal. · Saker Aviation FBO β€” 800-539-5055, sakeraviation.com/gck/. Lounge, WiFi, courtesy vehicles, car rentals, conference rooms.

View details →
Goodland, Colorado
KGLD Goodland 161 nm

~1hr flight from Denver. · King Air Cafe β€” on-site, new ownership. Great breakfast, ~45 min service. Facebook page available. · Butterfly Aviation FBO β€” 785-890-7531, butterflyaviation.net. Call ahead for courtesy car.

View details →
Hays, Colorado
KHYS Hays 279 nm

Hertz and Enterprise rentals at terminal. Uber/Lyft available. flyhays.com · No specific restaurant or FBO recommendations yet β€” suggestions welcome.

View details →
Johnson City, Colorado
KJHN Johnson City 211 nm

Prairie Pines Golf Course β€” 50 N Airport Rd, 620-492-6818. Walk across the street from the runway. · No restaurant or FBO details available.

View details →
KLBL Liberal 260 nm

Mid-America Air Museum β€” 2000 W 2nd St, 620-624-5263. 100+ aircraft, one of the country's largest air museums. · Lyddon Aero FBO β€” 757 Terminal Ave, 620-624-1646, lyddonaero.com. · Willow Tree Golf Course β€” 18 holes, 6,329 yards, par 72. 620-626-0175.

View details →
KSYF St. Francis 153 nm

100LL 24/7 automated. UNICOM 122.8. · Nutrien FBO β€” 785-332-2251. Courtesy car (call ahead). · St. Francis Motorcycle Museum β€” 110 E Washington St, 785-332-2400, stfrancismotorcyclemuseum.org.

View details →

Nebraska (6 destinations)

Alliance, Colorado
KAIA Alliance 166 nm

160nm from Denver metro. Heartland Aviation FBO β€” courtesy minivan (~7 people), heartlandaviationinc.com. · Carhenge β€” 38 vehicles arranged like Stonehenge! 2151 Co Rd 59, carhenge.com. 10-min drive. · Sky View Golf Course β€” short walk from airport, skyviewgc.com.

View details →
Grand Island, Colorado
KGRI Grand Island 317 nm

Afternooner's β€” inside terminal, 308-381-2986, flygrandisland.com. · Jackrabbit Run Golf Course β€” adjacent to airfield, 308-385-5340, jackrabbitrungolf.com. · Trego Dugan Aviation FBO β€” 308-382-5788, trego-dugan.com.

View details →
North Platte, Colorado
KLBF North Platte 215 nm

Lincoln Highway Diner β€” in terminal, ramp views, aviation memorabilia, 308-534-4340. · Trego Dugan Aviation FBO β€” 308-532-5864, trego-dugan.com. · Rentals: Thrifty 308-532-8014, Hertz 308-532-3765. No courtesy cars. Limited Uber/Lyft.

View details →
Oshkosh, Colorado
KOKS Oshkosh 154 nm

Short walk to food in town. No FBO or courtesy car. · Oregon Trail Campsite β€” RV park and camping, 402 W Ave A, oregontrailcampsite.com. Airport camping available.

View details →
Pioneer Village (Minden), Colorado
0V3 Pioneer Village (Minden) 285 nm

Courtesy car available β€” keys on bulletin board. · Pioneer Village Museum β€” comprehensive Americana 1830s-1980s. Half-day minimum. pioneervillage.com · Minden Country Club β€” 9-hole golf, driving range. golfminden.com

View details →
Scottsbluff, Colorado
KBFF Scottsbluff 137 nm

Roma Italian β€” inside terminal, opens 11am, 308-633-7662. · The Tangled Tumbleweed β€” 1823 Ave A, 308-633-3867. Pro chef, tapas, beer/wine. Brunch 2nd & 4th Sundays. · Flyover Brewing Co β€” 1824 Broadway, 308-575-0335. Open kitchen, pizza oven, brewery. Aviation-themed decor with 1940s charts.

View details →

Restaurants & the $100 Hamburger

Two community-maintained directories of airport restaurants β€” useful when you want somewhere to eat rather than somewhere to go.

Airport Restaurants Map

Maintained by the community. Missing a restaurant? Ask in the Facebook group and they will add it.

Fly2Lunch

A nationwide directory of airport restaurants, searchable by state, distance and identifier. If the panel below does not load, open fly2lunch.com directly.

Full Aviation Directory CPA Flying Hub
Corporate Sponsor
Summit Flight Training
Summit Flight Training
All Classifieds Post an Ad