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29 Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs
👉 Jump to: Things to Do | Outdoors | Museums & Culture
As the state’s second-largest city, Colorado Springs offers plenty to do. I’m a local to Colorado who can help you find activities that best suit your interests.
This guide overviews outdoor experiences, cultural attractions and historic museums, delicious food tours, and more. Along with popular sites like Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, I also share a few hidden gems that you won’t want to miss!
Want to spend more than a day exploring? Make sure to bookmark my guide on the best places to stay in Colorado Springs, too.
29 Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods
Explore the walking trails and admire stunning rock formations.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 634-6666 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm (May 1 – Oct 31); 5 am – 9 pm (Nov 1 – April 30) | Entrance: free | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
Garden of the Gods is one of the top landmarks in Colorado Springs. The park is full of fascinating rock formations in brilliant shades of red.
First, stop at the visitor and nature center to get the lay of the land. Here, you can learn about the area’s history and admire amazing views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.
You’ll find picnic tables and some of the best Colorado Springs hikes at this free park. Many of its trails are paved, so they’re stroller and wheelchair-friendly.
Pikes Peak
Visit the mountain that inspired a classic national song.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 385-7325 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm (Oct 1 – Thurs before Memorial Day); 7:30 am – 8 pm (Fri before Memorial Day – Labor Day); 7:30 am – 7 pm (Tues after Labor Day – Sep 30) | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
See the spot on America’s mountain that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful” more than 100 years ago. This summit is one of the most popular Colorado 14ers given its accessibility.
There are lots of ways to get to Pikes Peak. Those with the stamina can hike the iconic Barr Trail. You can also drive or take a Jeep tour up the highway, or climb aboard the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Catch a ride on the highest cog railway in the world.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 685-5401 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily | 👉 Pikes Peak Cog Railway & Garden of Gods Tour
Though I love many of the train tours in Colorado, the views on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak railway are hard to beat. Topping out at 14,115 feet above sea level, no other cog railway in the world climbs to a higher elevation.
The line begins from the Manitou Springs depot and travels through evergreen forest before ascending above treeline. Watch for elk, marmot, and one of the state’s largest bighorn sheep herds as you near the peak. From there, the surrounding mountain ranges are in full view.
I highly recommend a trip inside the summit visitor center. Its modern exhibits share the history and geology of Pikes Peak in a really engaging way. Not to mention, the center provides a nice break from the cold, blustery weather — and the cafe’s cinnamon donuts are a must.
– Abigail
Manitou Springs
Explore this historic mountain town just west of Colorado Springs.
📍 Google Maps | Website
In addition to the cog railway, this nearby mountain town is home to the famous Incline trail, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, and an incredible dining scene.
Whether you want a burger, pancakes, or an ice cream cone after a day of hiking and exploring, downtown Manitou Springs can suit your cravings! Stroll the quaint historic street and grab a seat at a sidewalk cafe.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Spend time at a mountain zoo.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 633-9925 | Website | Hours: vary seasonally (see webpage) | Entrance: $14.75 – $34.75 adults, $10.75 – $29.75 kids ages 3-11, 75¢ under 2
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is more than 6,000 feet above sea level, and is designed so guests can get nice and close to the animals. Feed a giraffe, watch the wild animals, and take in an animal demonstration at this unique zoo, which is one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs with kids!
Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center
Learn more about these majestic, mysterious animals.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 687-9742 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm Tues – Wed & Fri – Sun; closed Mon & Thu | Entrance: $20 – $25 adults, $15 kids ages 3-11
The Wolf & Wildlife Center offers tours to teach visitors about the importance of wolves, coyotes, and foxes in the ecosystem. It also helps guests understand the animals better, and work to promote the preservation and conservation of forests and other lands.
Tours of the property provide an up-close look at wolves. There is a special kids’ tour as well, but be aware that it discusses the fur industry, canned hunts, and other hardships these animals can endure. It’s not graphic, but you may want to call ahead to get a better idea of what will be shared if you have a sensitive child.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
Check out beautiful, sparkling waterfalls on this hike.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (855) 923-7272 | Website | Hours: vary seasonally (open spring – Nov, closed through winter) | Entrance: $20 – $23 adults, $14 – $17 kids ages 2-12 | 👉 Stay Overnight at The Broadmoor
Seven Falls is less than a mile from The Broadmoor, one of the best places to stay in Colorado Springs. It’s the only waterfall in Colorado on National Geographic’s list of “International Waterfalls.”
The 224 steps to the top of the falls are a challenge. But you’ll get cool views of the box canyon and a stream as you hike up, plus amazing views from the top.
Air Force Academy
See the picturesque training grounds for elite aviators.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 333-2025 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: free
The Air Force Academy has a striking campus up against the Colorado Rockies. There are several outlooks around campus where you can take in the rugged natural beauty of the area.
You can also pop into the visitor center, the planetarium, the Falcon Athletic Center, and other campus spots. The Space Age-looking Cadet Chapel is an unusual stop as well, but it’s being renovated until 2028 so you won’t be able to go inside.
Because you’ll be entering a military base, be sure to have a valid photo ID like a current driver’s license or passport. You may also be asked to share proof of insurance and vehicle registration and may want to have your car rental agreement on hand. Security personnel may also search the vehicle.
Olympic Training Center
Learn Olympic and Paralympic history and see where these athletes train.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 866-4618 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon – Sat; closed Sun | Entrance: $16 adults, $12 ages 5-12, free under 5
Colorado Springs is known as Olympic City, USA — come see where it got its nickname! The Olympic Training Center near downtown Colorado Springs has housing, dining, and extra-curricular activities for athletes training to be the best.
Up to 512 athletes can stay at the center at one time. One of the best Colorado Springs museums is also at the training center. It gives a great overview of the stars that have made up Team USA!
👉 Read Next: 61 Fun Things to Do in Denver, Colorado
Colorado Springs Food Tour
Check out the first craft brewery in the city, a celebrity chef’s restaurant, and more.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 322-5731 | Website | Tours: from $90 | 👉 Book a Food Tour on Viator
Rocky Mountain Food Tours offers two different food tours featuring local Colorado Springs restaurants and bars. The classic guided experience takes you to several great restaurants, while the “cocktails and tastes” tour shows you the boozy side of the city.
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Tour
Tickets: From $355 | 👉 Book Your Sunrise Ride Here
A sunrise balloon tour ranks among the absolute best experiences in Colorado. Take in incredible views of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the surrounding mountains. Sure, it’s a bit pricey — but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the truly adventurous!
What to Do Outdoors in Colorado Springs
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Hike, mountain bike, or climb among these striking rocks.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 385-5940 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily (May – Oct); 6 am – 10 pm daily (Nov – April) | Entrance: free
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a less crowded alternative to Garden of the Gods. It’s near Old Colorado City, a National Historic District.
You can hike, mountain bike, or climb with an outfitter or on your own on the craggy rocks. There are plenty of easy hiking trails to do with kids, along with more challenging hiking and biking paths.
Helen Hunt Falls
Take a short walk to this pretty waterfall.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 633-5701 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily (May – Oct); 5 am – 9 pm (Nov – April) | Entrance: free
There’s a very short walk to the Helen Hunt Falls overlook, or you can make it a longer hike to the top. You’re also near the Seven Bridges Trail, so if you’re up for more exploring, you can link up with that as well.
Florissant Fossil Beds
Visit one of the most diverse fossil deposits in the world.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Wed – Sun; Closed Mon & Tues (Nov 1 – May 22); see webpage for seasonal hour updates | Entrance: $10 adults, free for kids under 16
Experience Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, one of the best day trips from Colorado Springs! Hiking trails lead past massive petrified tree stumps, and the Geologic Trail provides insights into the very distant past.
You can also visit the Hornbek Homestead. Here, single mom Adeline Hornbek and her four kids turned their 1870s homestead into a thriving ranch.
👉 Read Next: Fun Things to Do in Boulder, Colorado
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Pull on your hiking boots and explore these technicolor rocks.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 520-7529 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 8 pm daily | Entrance: free
Paint Mines Interpretive Park gets its name from the colorful clay that Native Americans collected to make paint. The colors come from oxidized iron compounds, and vary from white to red to yellow and even green.
Spend plenty of time on the hiking trails through the park, taking in the ever changing light and color playing across the rocks.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Tour underground caverns for a close-up look at stalactites and stalagmites.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 685-5444 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily (Sept – May); 9 am – 7 pm daily (Memorial Day – Labor Day) | Tours: $29+ adults, $19+ kids ages 4-12, free under 4
Cave of the Winds has one of the highest show caves in the U.S. and was discovered in 1881. There are three different tours to choose from, all of which wind through the underground caverns.
You can also go on rides at the outdoor fun park, or try the climbing wall or via ferrata for an extra kick of adrenaline. The Wind Walker challenge course is especially a favorite among visitors!
Whitewater Rafting
Get your adrenaline rush!
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
Colorado is well known for its whitewater rafting opportunities. There are plenty of outfitters, though I recommend guided rafting trips with Journey Quest in Cotopaxi. This is the closest location to Colorado Springs and roughly 90 minutes away. Half and full-day adventures through Bighorn Sheep Canyon are suitable for all ages and abilities!
Manitou Incline
Test your mental and physical mettle on this lung-busting trek.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 685-5089 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 3 pm daily (Nov – April); 6 am – 6 pm daily (May – Oct) | Entrance: free
The trek up these stairs is less than a mile, but don’t let that fool you — this is one of the most difficult hikes in Colorado. The 2,744 stairs have up to a 68% grade and have been a challenge for military trainees, fitness gurus, and Olympians.
You’ll want to get plenty of exercise and be ready for the elevation before attempting to climb the Incline, and bring plenty of water. Most people can count on taking at least an hour or more to summit.
👉 Pro Tip: You’ll need to make a free reservation to climb the Incline. There is nearby parking starting at $1 an hour.
Mueller State Park
Watch for wildlife at this scenic park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 687-2366 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $10 per vehicle
Mueller State Park is one of the most underrated state parks in Colorado. It has elk, bears, deer, and a variety of birds, plus beautiful scenery and sweeping mountain views. Discover hikes for all skill levels, bring your gear to fish, or go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Museums & Cultural Attractions
Glen Eyrie Castle
Visit an attraction on the National Register of Historic Places.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 634-0808 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Tour Entrance: $14 per person
This castle was built by the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer, for his family. It is now owned by the evangelical Christian group the Navigators, who use it for events.
It’s also open to the public for tours, afternoon tea reservations, and visits to the book store and coffee shop. You can even spend the night at the castle and check out the beautiful trails on or near the property.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
See reconstructed Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 685-5242 | Website | Hours: varies seasonally, see webpage | Entrance: $12.75 + tax adults, $8 + tax kids ages 4-11, free under 4
In the early 1900s, the cliff dwellings in Manitou Springs were relocated from southwest Colorado, not far from Mesa Verde National Park. The ruins traveled by train and horse-drawn wagons to their current spot. When they reconstructed the ruins, the builders used concrete mortar instead of adobe mud or clay so the buildings are sturdy enough to tour.
Rock Ledge Ranch
Walk back in time at this living history museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 578-6777 | Website | Hours: grounds open sunrise – sunset; living history program open 10 am – 5 pm Wed – Sat; 1 – 5 pm Sun; closed Mon & Tues (June – Aug) | Entrance: grounds free; tours $8 adults, $4 youth ages 3-17, free under 3 | 👉 Rock Ledge Ranch & Garden of the Gods E-Bike Tour
Rock Ledge Ranch is a living history museum with demonstrations and historical reenactments. It offers family-friendly fun, along with an educational opportunity. There are blacksmith demonstrations, farm animals, a garden, and other activities showing Colorado life from hundreds of years ago.
You can experience the occupation of the Camp Creek Valley by the Utes in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Victorian life in 1875 is overviewed at the Chambers Family Rock Ledge House, as is early 20th century life in the Edwardian Orchard House.
Colorado Climbing Company
Tackle ice, rocks, and more at this climbing school for outdoor enthusiasts.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 209-6649 | Website | Full Day Tour: from $369 | 👉 Guided Rock Climbing at Garden of the Gods
Colorado Climbing Company offers ice climbing tours, as well as ski tours. However, its rock climbing tours are the most popular. Climb at Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Open Space, as well as North Cheyenne Cañon Park in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Learn about the culture and history of the Colorado Springs area.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 385-5990 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tues – Sat; closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: free
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in downtown Colorado Springs displays examples of early pioneer art like quilting, pottery, and painting.
It also has exhibits on the history of the area, along with art celebrating Native American crafters. Other exhibits celebrate the area’s time as an early health resort, and more recently as a military training center.
ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy
Celebrate Colorado’s Wild West heritage with a trip to a rodeo museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 528-4764 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wed – Sun; closed Mon & Tues (Sept – April); 9 am – 5 pm daily (May – Aug) | Entrance: $12 adults, $7 ages 6-12, free under 6
Don’t miss the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy! You’ll learn about the history of rodeo and see exhibits about famous rodeo stars of past and current times.
The Peterson Air & Space Museum
Tour Colorado’s oldest aviation museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 556-5543 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Wed – Fri; closed Sat – Tues | Entrance: free
Colorado Springs has long been associated with aviation. Learn all about the city’s ties to flying, military fighting, and space at this Air and Space Museum.
The museum is built on the site of Colorado Springs’ first municipal airfield and you’ll see vintage planes, rockets, and other aircraft while you tour the area.
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
Discover Colorado Springs’ mining history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 488-0880 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon – Sat; closed Sun | Entrance: $14 adults, $9 students ages 13+, $7 ages 4-12, free under 4
The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is a must for history buffs! Here, you can learn about the city’s impact on mining and ranching.
You can walk through a replica mine shaft, check out a 1895 Corliss steam engine, and view a rescue pod used to save the Chilean miners. You can also see other machines used throughout the history of mining.
Penrose Heritage Museum
See one historic family’s impact on Colorado Springs.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 577-7065 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 12 pm & 1 – 4 pm Tues – Sat; closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: free
The Penroses were a wealthy Colorado Springs family that made their money in mining. Spencer Penrose was responsible for the construction of the Pikes Peak Highway, The Broadmoor, and other landmarks in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.
See how this wealthy family lived in the early 20th century and view 30 carriages and 15 race cars, among other artifacts.
National Museum of World War II Aviation
Learn about military aviation during WWII.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 637-7559 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed – Sun; Closed Mon & Tues | Entrance: $17 – $19 adults, $13 – $14 kids ages 4-12, free under 4 & WWII vets
At this museum, you’ll learn about the huge leaps in aviation technology that happened during World War II, along with the stories of those who built and flew these planes. There are 28 restored aircraft at this site, plus plenty of artifacts and documents sharing the history of the war.
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For more insights, see my guide to the best time to visit Colorado Springs next. Happy exploring!
