Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is a harmonious blend of natural wonders, historical treasures and vibrant culture. With a diverse and thriving economy, a growing arts and entertainment scene, and seemingly endless outdoor pursuits, the city is becoming a top destination for both residents and tourists alike. If you’re planning on making this fascinating region part of your next travel plans, keep reading and learn about our must do activities in Colorado Springs!
Must Do Activities in Colorado Springs
1. Visit Garden of the Gods
Renowned for its natural beauty, unique rock formations, and plethora of outdoor activities, Garden of the Gods Park is a nature lover’s paradise and the top of our must do activities in Colorado Springs. The park is open daily, free to the public, and located within city limits, making it not only a convenient place for regular outdoor recreation, but also the coolest city park we have ever seen!
A top attraction of Garden of the Gods are the towering red rock formations uniquely positioned across the park. Some of the more famous include Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels, and the Three Graces. Other attractions include horseback riding, bike trails, hiking trails, rock climbing, as well as jeep/segway/and e-bike tours. The tours are booked through third parties and are widely available. Wildlife viewing is a popular pursuit as well. On our most recent trip, we were even lucky enough to have front row seats as several bighorn sheep foraged for food along a rocky hillside.
As far as trails go, for first time visitors we’d recommend the Perkins Central Garden Trail. This trail is 1.5 miles, flat, and offers breathtaking views of the red rocks and Pikes Peak beyond. For those still looking for more hiking, the park offers 21 miles of trails ranging from easy to more advanced to choose from.
The park is very popular and parking can at times be problematic. If you can’t find parking at your trailhead, fear not. A free summertime shuttle leaves from the Visitor and Nature Center daily from 9AM-5:30PM with stops at the overflow parking lot across the street as well as numerous other locations throughout the park! The Visitor and Nature Center is also free and has a gift shop, cafe, and numerous informational displays.
Must Do Activities in Colorado Springs
2. Drive up Pikes Peak
With a summit of 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak is not only part of the Colorado 14ers (a prestigious list of Colorado’s highest mountains) but is perhaps the most prominent landmark of all Colorado Springs. Visible throughout the city and the surrounding region, Pikes Peak has long filled viewers with a sense of enticement, inspiration, and awe. The view from its summit in fact provided the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful.”
With the opening of the Pikes Peak Highway in 1916, the wonder and natural beauty of Pikes Peak became accessible to the masses. Now coined “America’s Mountain,” the highway is traversed by over 500,000 visitors annually making it unanimously one of our must do activities in Colorado Springs. For those looking for a different unique way to the summit, consider the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. This train ride from the Manitou Depot to the summit and back takes 3 hours and comes highly recommended for those looking to splurge a little.
For those driving, we recommend you budget about 3-4 hours for the experience. This will leave you time to stop for some photos and nature as well as time for the newly renovated Visitor Center at the summit. Other popular stops include the Crystal Reservoir Visitor Center and the Glen Cove Inn. Do note that there are no gas stations along the highway, thus, you should have at least a ½ tank of gas before setting out. Also note that although the mountain is open year round, a reservation is required from the end of May to the end of September. For reservations or other quick current facts about visiting Pikes Peak, you can view their website HERE.
A last important thing to know about Pikes Peak is that the weather is at times harsh and often unpredictable. At over 14,000 ft, the mountain is often snow capped even during the summer and a drive may start out dry and sunny and be cut short due to snow and ice storms at the summit (which is what happened on our most recent trip). When visiting Pikes Peak, it’s always advisable to check the weather and for road closures prior to setting out (you can check the website HERE or call (719) 385-7325 for current closures and weather conditions).
Must Do Activities in Colorado Springs
3. Experience Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is a popular tourist attraction near Manitou Springs just west of Colorado Springs. It’s one of our must do activities in Colorado Springs. The caves were formed millions of years ago due to erosion of the surrounding limestone rock. This erosion gave way to the stunning geologic marvels on display for visitors today.
Several different tours of the caves are available. The Discovery Tour is the most popular option and the one we chose on our most recent trip. It is a guided 45-60 minute walking tour through 15 different sections of the cave. Along the route, your guide will teach you about the fascinating history and geology of the cave as well as point out some of the more beautiful cave formations. The other two tour options are the Haunted Lantern Tour (super dark) and the most adventurous Expedition Crawling and Spelunking Tour. Current prices and tour options can be found HERE.
Outside of the cave, the grounds bustle with several different Mountain Activities you can enjoy as well. These activities include a ropes course, ziplines, and panning for gemstones. Visitors are also welcome to peruse a replica of a Pioneer Village with historic buildings and artifacts. The Pioneer Village is where our tour met and left from.
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The region around Cave of the Winds Mountain Park complex is also quite impressive. From the Visitor Center, outdoor seating allows visitors to relax and enjoy expansive views of the surrounding mountains and Williams Canyon below. There is a gift shop and food court in the main Visitor Center building as well.
Must Do Activities in Colorado Springs
4. Explore Manitou Springs
As first time visitors to the region, Manitou Springs was a surprise addition to our must do activities in Colorado Springs. Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs is a charming and active resort town located just 6 miles west of downtown Colorado Springs. The town is named for the mineral rich springs on which ground the town has blossomed. There are still several free public springs scattered throughout the town for passersby to try as well.
Top attractions in Manitou Springs include the Manitou Cliff Dwellings (museum dedicated to Native American cliff dwellings), the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, a large vintage penny arcade, and the famed Manitou Incline. This test of endurance is an uphill monster of a climb gaining 2000ft in less than 1 mile. Shocker that my wife Nikki vetoed this activity lol.
For those looking for a little more rest and relaxation, Manitou Springs has you covered as well. The well preserved historic district of Manitou Springs boasts Victorian style architecture, quaint shops, and a vibrant arts scene with numerous galleries and public art installations sure to satisfy all palates. We found street parking alongside Soda Springs Park and we recommend you head for that area to find parking as well.
Must Do Activities in Colorado Springs
5. Peruse Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City is a fascinating and historic neighborhood often touted as one of the must do activities in Colorado Springs. Founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of the 1850s, Old Colorado City is one of the oldest settlements in the region and as thus is steeped in history. One of the best places to capture this historical allure is at the Old Colorado City Historical Society and History Center. The Ghost Town Museum and numerous outdoor informational displays along Colorado Ave provide additional historic context as well.
Other than history, Old Colorado City is flush with countless cultural and culinary enticements. The main stretch along Colorado Ave is home to seemingly endless shops, restaurants, cafes, and art galleries. OCC Brewing and Restaurant was a cool spot we enjoyed in particular. The neighborhood is also home to regular live music and entertainment so check local listings when preparing your trip. Old Colorado City also annually hosts several different festivals such as the famous Territory Days held over Memorial Day weekend.
Must Do Activities in Colorado Springs
BONUS!
Interested in more things to do? The listings above only scratch the surface of the must do activities in Colorado Springs. On our tight schedule touring Colorado, we didn’t have the time to experience all the top attractions this fantastic city has to offer. Some of those popular attractions include the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, the Broadmoor Seven Falls hike, and touring the Glen Eyrie Castle.
Another FREE and interesting attraction to consider is the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. This museum is located right in downtown Colorado Springs and is a great quick addition to an itinerary exploring the downtown area. The museum showcases the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region. It features a diverse collection of artifacts and information pertaining to local Native American tribes, the gold rush, pioneer times, and the development of Colorado Springs into the city it is today. The museum is set in a large beautiful building formerly used as the courthouse of El Paso County. Visitors are still able to explore these former chambers of government and even ride a fascinating 1917 Birdcage Style elevator between floors! After your visit, we would recommend live music, drinks, and food at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.
Interested in learning more about Colorado? Click HERE for more of our posts and information on this awesome state!
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