The Ultimate Guide to Colorado Springs’ Attractions

Beautiful Colorado Springs sits at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and retains many of its small-town charms.

Natural attractions, such as the dramatic Pikes Peak and the vertical sandstone towers of the Garden of the Gods, are the main draw here. However, Colorado Springs’ delightful neighborhoods make it feel like the cozy mountain outpost it has always been. After time in the city, you’ll surely want to head into the foothills to find amazing hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor adventures. Therefore, here are the best things to do in Colorado Springs.

Channel a Frontier Vibe in Old Colorado City

History aficionados will love the neighborhood known as Old Colorado City, where the original town was founded in 1859. This historic district was the first capital of the Territory of Colorado, and its former Wild West dens of vice now host restaurants, art galleries, and souvenir shops. The area has a friendly vibe and maintains its 19th-century ambience.

You may want to download the Old Colorado City Walking Tour app before you go to add context to your wanderings. For those who prefer physical artifacts, there’s the Old Colorado City History Center museum and bookstore located in a former Baptist church, along with a small historical display in leafy Bancroft Park in the center of the area.

Admire the Divine Rock Formations at the Garden of the Gods

The Garden of the Gods public park is an absolute must-see for visitors to Colorado Springs. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971, the gorgeous vein of red sandstone at the park is about 290 million years old, and its mountain backdrop is particularly striking. Explore the network of paved and unpaved trails, enjoy a picnic, and watch climbers test their nerve on the sometimes flaky rock. However, please note that scrambling up the rocks is prohibited, and a permit is required for climbing and bouldering.

Those interested in the lives of Native Americans and 19th-century homesteaders in the region will find Rock Ledge Ranch to be a fascinating living history museum near the park entrance.

Experience the World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame

Fans of the graceful sport of figure skating should stop by the World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame. It is the only institution of its kind in the world, celebrating the greatest names in skating. If you’ve ever wondered how they perform those gravity-defying jumps, you can learn about the intricacies of blades and edges.

The Hall of Fame includes distinguished skaters such as Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Dick Button, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Sergei Grinkov, and Scott Hamilton. Visitors can check out their skates and outfits while viewing stills and video footage of some of the greatest routines ever performed.

Feed the Giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Children will love seeing the largest collection of Somali giraffes in the world at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, located high up on Cheyenne Mountain. This large private zoo is dedicated to conservation and is proud of its comprehensive giraffe-breeding program, as well as its educational programming. Visitors will also find play areas for children, and a chairlift-style ride provides a bird’s-eye view of the entire enclosure.

Climb Pikes Peak and Experience the Thrill

Pikes Peak is the most famous of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners”—peaks that rise more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Each year, more than half a million visitors reach the summit of what the Ute call “Mountain of the Sun.” You can make the demanding 13.5-mile hike straight up the mountain, or, if you’re less ambitious, take a scenic drive to the top along the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway. Moreover, the 127-year-old Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway reopened in May 2021 after renovations, offering a wonderful way to enjoy vistas during the ascent. A new Pikes Peak Visitor Center features an elevated pathway and overlook for breathtaking views.

Explore the Space Foundation Discovery Center

This interactive and immersive science-and-technology center offers a great place for families to spend a few hours. Astro-enthusiasts will love exploring space artifacts and interactive exhibits while absorbing fascinating information on the universe, technology, and space exploration. Moreover, visitors can explore the history of humans in space, program robotic rovers to complete mission objectives on simulated Martian terrain, and check out scale model rockets and space suits worn by astronauts to protect them from extreme conditions.

Indulge in Colorado’s Craft-Beer Culture

Colorado Springs provides an abundance of options for craft beer enthusiasts. Centrally located Phantom Canyon Brewing occupies a former warehouse building saved from the wrecking ball in 1993, serving pints in a casual atmosphere. Although it’s a bit out of the way, Bristol Brewing Co is worth seeking out for its Laughing Lab Scottish ale and delectable pub grub. Furthermore, the eco-friendly Trinity Brewing Co focuses on artisan beers and serves its creations in a taproom repurposed from two barns featuring a recycled glass bar top and industrial wheel tables.

Watch the Balloons Ascend at the Labor Day Lift Off

The skyline around Memorial Park fills with hot air balloons each Labor Day weekend. Formerly called the Colorado Springs Classic, the Labor Day Lift Off is a festive three-day celebration complete with musical entertainment. Running for over 40 years, the event features both amateurs and professionals launching colorful hot-air balloons into the sky—early-morning balloon launches and the Saturday evening “balloon glows” are highlights not to be missed. Adventurous visitors may also enjoy balloon rides from one of the launch sites within town.

Teach the Kids Some History at Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

The small, free-to-enter Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about the city’s rich history. Housed in the former El Paso County Courthouse, the museum’s collection of around 60,000 pieces illustrates the region’s past through historical photographs and artifacts.

The museum features a particularly strong Native American collection, showcasing hundreds of items from the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho nations. While history lovers will appreciate tracing Colorado Springs’ evolution from a mining town, the museum is also an excellent choice for young visitors due to its interactive and child-friendly exhibits.

Embrace Outdoor Activities at Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Located along Highway 24, Red Rock Canyon Open Space is an excellent destination for hiking, running, mountain biking, rock climbing, cycling, and horseback riding. Rock climbers will find over 80 bolted climbing routes at their disposal; for a unique experience, you may even be tempted by paragliding. A family picnic area includes wheelchair-accessible picnic sites, and the 789-acre park provides numerous trails of varying difficulty, including the Section 16 trail, which leads out of the southwestern corner of the park on a pleasant 6-mile loop.

Meet Tomorrow’s Mavericks at the US Air Force Academy

Visit one of the highest-profile military academies in the country for a glimpse into the lives of elite cadets. The US Air Force Academy visitor center provides an overview of the academy while allowing access to the dramatic Cadet Chapel, showcasing its beautiful high-modernist architecture.

Visitors can embark on a driving tour of the expansive grounds and see the Honor Court and Falcon Stadium. During football season, we highly recommend attending a game, as cadets perform push-ups for every point scored. Reserving tickets for the graduation ceremony in May, famous for its spectacular airborne displays, is also a great option.

Celebrate the Spirit of the Wild West at Territory Days

The popular three-day Territory Days street festival is held every Memorial Day weekend in historic Old Colorado City, celebrating the spirit of the Old West. Admission is free to the festival, which has evolved from humble beginnings four decades ago into a vibrant event featuring over 180 food and craft booths, alongside a children’s play area.

Visitors can enjoy educational displays, patriot tributes, live music on four stages, performances by Native American dancers, Wild West gunfight re-enactments, and incredible blacksmith demonstrations.

Zoom Indoors at Overdrive Raceway

Kids and adults alike will have a ball at Overdrive Raceway, the first two-story indoor racetrack in the US. Its zippy electric go-karts make circuits of the downstairs “arrive and drive” track, while a more intensive “speed” track caters to experienced drivers. The track also features go-karts with hand controls available for the mobility-impaired. An onsite sports bar provides a selection of Colorado craft beer and whiskey, along with a food menu to help visitors unwind after the thrill of racing.

Score Some Finds at the Colorado Springs Flea Market

The Colorado Springs Flea Market offers a family outing, particularly for those who enjoy the thrill of bargaining. This flea market runs every weekend year-round on a 30-acre site, hosting up to 500 vendors selling a wide range of items, accompanied by a variety of food trucks. Operating for over 30 years, the market is completely accessible and features an inflatable slide, Ferris wheel, and canoe rides for families and children, along with live music to add to the vibrant atmosphere.

Enjoy the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s Superb Collection

This expansive museum and 400-seat theater at Colorado College opened in 1936 and specializes in Native American, Latin American, and Spanish Colonial art. Great rotating exhibits draw from the 20,000 pieces in its permanent collection.

The most renowned piece here is Richard Diebenkorn’s stunning abstract painting Urbana No 4. Don’t miss the collection’s Mexican clay figures, woodcut prints by social-justice artist Leopoldo Mendez, and Native American basketry and quilts, along with abstract works from local artists like Vance Kirkland and Floyd Tunson.

Get Inspired at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum

The newly opened United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum highlights stories and experiences designed to inspire the next generation of athletes and fans. Here, Team USA athletes take center stage, while the 12 galleries within the 60,000 sq ft building follow a narrative arc that captures the teams’ journeys using state-of-the-art technology that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity. Visitors can customize tours based on sport preferences and accessibility needs, and then unwind at the Flame Café.

Explore Wonderful Parks in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs boasts a wide variety of parks, including Austin Bluffs Open Space, characterized by distinctive rock formations from the Eocene period. Walking and hiking trails traverse both the park and the nearby Pulpit Rock Park, featuring a 4.4-mile loop trail that suits adults and kids in good general fitness.

Families will appreciate the expansive lawns and ball fields of Memorial Park, the city’s largest. In addition, Acacia Park is home to the beloved Uncle Wilbur’s Fountain, which boasts over 200 water jets, with 52 designating a supervised play area for children.

This article was first published on May 31, 2021, and updated on June 18, 2022.