There are many ways to get to know a city. For Samantha Wood, the journey begins with a plate, a good story and an adventure through the heart of town. Wood is the owner and president of Rocky Mountain Food Tours, an epicurean experience that invites visitors and longtime residents alike to discover Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs through food, history and culture.
“I love arranging these tours because it feels like meaningful work,” Wood says. “I enjoy the creative process and knowing that we’re investing in the local economy.”
For Wood, her work isn’t just about creating a memorable outing—her connection to the Pikes Peak region is personal. She grew up in Colorado Springs and attended the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and an MBA in innovation management. Wood founded Rocky Mountain Food Tours in 2010, inspired by a love for her community.
Each of the five unique tours typically last two to three hours and include between three and five tasting destinations. Public tours take place in downtown Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs, while private experiences can extend into Denver and Boulder. Rather than focusing on one type of restaurant, Rocky Mountain Food Tours partners with more than 20 local businesses, ranging from traditional restaurants and breweries to speakeasies, cafés, bakeries and artisan food shops.
A tour is designed much like a progressive dinner, with guests walking from one tasting destination to the next. Tastings build throughout the tour, generally ending with dessert and adding up to the equivalent of a full meal. On the Original Colorado Springs Food Tour, for example, guests may visit Phantom Canyon, Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub, Pikes Peak Lemonade, Pine & Pepper Spice Shop, Four by Brother Luck and Josh & John’s Ice Cream.
During each stop, tour leaders share stories about local history, art and the personalities behind the businesses along the route, helping guests understand not only what they are tasting but also the community surrounding it. Depending on the destination, restaurant representatives might also provide fun insights.
Select dietary restrictions can be accommodated when possible, and private or corporate experiences can include additional offerings such as transportation. Some tours also incorporate partnerships with local attractions. Through Rocky Mountain Food Tours’ collaboration with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, admission to the museum is included in the price of the tour ticket, creating an experience that blends Colorado Springs’ culinary scene with its identity as Olympic City USA.
Wood says that each tasting destination contributes something different, whether it’s a memorable dish, an interesting fact or the fascinating tale of the people behind a business. “We get to tell the story of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs through its food and drink,” she adds. Storytelling is the thread woven through each tour, allowing guests to see that it’s about more than what’s on a plate—it’s an invitation to explore and experience flavors of the region and the people who shape it.
Rocky Mountain Food Tours
719.322.5731
rockymountainfoodtours.com
“I enjoy the creative process and knowing that we’re investing in the local economy," Wood says.