With our massive indoor water park, amazing attractions, complimentary daily events and activities, and delicious dining options, there’s no shortage of ways to play.
Colorado Springs has a lot to brag about. Nestled in the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, the city is home to some of the most celebrated natural scenery across the nation.
Once you're done having fun at the resort, take some time to explore the surrounding area. Our guests can enjoy hiking, biking, fly fishing, and other sorts of outdoor fun by heading just outside the city. Of course, no trip to Colorado would be complete without a trip to Garden of the Gods Park. There's also an annual Earth Day celebration, so plan your next vacation accordingly
We've decided to put together some must-see spots to help you navigate the journey. Check out the list below for more on the best things to do in Colorado Springs.
QUICK VIEW
Well, it's certainly hard to ignore any attraction with a name like that. The Garden of the Gods Park is located at the base of Pikes Peak (another attraction we'll get to later in this list). Visitors can explore its towering red rock formations via hiking trails, horseback riding routes, bike paths, Segway tours and more. Every month, the park hosts a series of presentations, classes, demonstration walks and hikes featuring top naturalists, interpreters, historians, and other special guests. There's also an annual Earth Day celebration, so plan accordingly! The park most certainly belongs on the list of best things to do in Colorado Springs. We promise, you won't want to miss out on this mountain experience.
2. Phantom Canyon Brewing Company
Colorado is home to more than 400 established beer breweries. 26 of those breweries are located in Colorado Springs, which makes it a pretty easy stop to incorporate into the itinerary. Phantom Canyon Brewing Company is the oldest brewery in Colorado Springs. Today, it functions as a community marketplace and local gathering spot. The place offers an impressive list of hand-brewed beers to enjoy. Of course, there's also an extensive food menu to explore. When on vacation, it never hurts to do as the locals do. Head into downtown Colorado Springs and have a drink!
Source: Phantom Canyon
Head on down to America's only mountain zoo! Located 6,714 feet above sea level, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers guests the ability to experience and explore over 30 species of endangered animals. It's important to note that this isn't your average zoo. At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, you can feed giraffes by hand and even explore the area in an open-air chairlift ride. There's also a carousel for the kids to enjoy! Originally built back in 1925, the structure serves as one of the zoo's most cherished features. Pack up the kids and head over for an experience you won't soon forget.
Source: CM Zoo
Located just outside of Colorado Springs, this resort town packs in a lot for visitors to enjoy. The area is known for its mineral springs and incredible mountain views. The historic downtown area offers tons of art galleries, street performances, restaurants, and boutique stores. Known as a true resort town, Manitou Springs offers no shortage of things to do. If you're already planning a visit to Colorado Springs, you'll want to carve out time to check out the town. It's one of Colorado's true gems.
Source: via Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak refers to the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Pikes Peak Region Attractions provides a way for tourists to enjoy this immense terrain. The park offers visitors several different ways to explore the incredible rock formations that populate the region, with hiking trails, jeep tours, and even hot air balloon rides! There's also horseback riding, river expeditions, and waterfalls to explore.
If heights are your thing, then you're going to love the next stop on our list. The Royal Gorge is a canyon of the Arkansas River. It's also home to the highest zip line in America. Of course, we can't forget about the suspension bridge that rests 956 feet above the water, either. There are also aerial gondolas, sky coasters and tons of other things to do while visiting this special corner of Colorado Springs.
Source: RoyalGorgeBridge.com
If you're looking for things to do just north of Colorado Springs, head over to the United States Air Force Academy. This military staple is open daily to tourists. There, you can enjoy self-guided tours along with exhibits designed to teach viewers about the military academy and how it works to prepare the men and women of the United States Air Force. The center ranks as one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Colorado.
Source: Academy Admissions
No list of things to do in Colorado Springs would be complete with mentioning Old Colorado City. Perfect for a family day trip, here you'll find history and modernity collide to form a quaint destination, lined with 19th-century buildings and filled with art galleries, jewelry stores, and even tattoo parlors. Experience the best of old and new in this classic Colorado town.
Source: Shop Old Colorado City
Colorado is home to a lot of history. And if you fall into the superstitious crowd, you'll know that where there's history, there's haunting. If you want to check out some of the most notorious haunted spots in town, head over to the Evergreen Cemetery. It's known as one of the spookiest things to do in Colorado Springs. The area dates back to even before the town was formally founded in 1871. Cemetery workers and tour guides alike have reported sightings of "dark figures" and mysterious forces moving through their bodies. The place has even been featured on Biography Channel's My Ghost Story.
Source: Oakland North
History buffs, look no further. Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum is here to help you appreciate the past. The destination houses over 60,000 artifacts, including, pottery, paintings quilts and more. Its exhibits explore Native American history, the founding of Colorado Springs and the area's rich history as a mining town and center for military operations. The institution is housed in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso Country Courthouse.
Source: CSPM
Well, it doesn't get more American than that. Head over to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy to get a sense of Colorado's history as part of the Wild West. The Museum features one of the most comprehensive collections on the subject in the United States, with over 120 photographic prints taken between 1919 and 1957, otherwise known as "the golden years of rodeo." The idea is to educate the public about the history of rodeo in Colorado and its contribution to Western culture.
Source: Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
It's impossible to visit Colorado and not take in its exquisite landscape. Though we will warn you, Barr Trail is one of the most difficult hikes located within the Pikes Peak region. If you're looking for a challenge, head over to this part of Colorado Springs and start in on a 12+ mile hike to the Pikes Peak Summit. The average time it takes to complete the trek falls somewhere between 6 and 10 hours. Advanced hikers only.
Source: BarrTrail.net
If you're looking for more things to do in Colorado Springs with regards to the natural world, think about checking out the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. The center is located about an hour outside of Colorado Springs. The peace and quiet of this mountain setting make for a perfect home for the wolves, coyotes, and foxes that reside in the large wooded sanctuaries the center provides. Visitors can meet all the residents and learn about their history and how they came to be part of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center Family.
Source: Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Located just minutes from downtown Colorado Springs is Glen Eyrie Castle, the original estate of the city's founder, General William Jackson Palmer. The 800-acre property is adorned with towering rock formations, lush lawns, gardens, and wildlife. Guests can choose to stay in any one of the 17 rooms located within the property. If you can't spend the night, you can at least enjoy an afternoon tea in the castle's music room, or library. Take in one of Colorado's most beautiful attractions and one of it's most impressive estates. This former residence easily tops the list of most sophisticated things to do in Colorado Springs.
Source: Glen Eyrie
With our massive indoor water park, amazing attractions, complimentary daily events and activities, and delicious dining options, there’s no shortage of ways to play.
With our massive indoor water park, amazing attractions, complimentary daily events and activities, and delicious dining options, there’s no shortage of ways to play.
There are so many things to do in Colorado Springs, visitors to the region often aren’t sure where to start. But there’s one that literally towers over the rest: The Rocky Mountains. There are a variety of ways to experience them, from guided tours to hiking trails. But Colorado Springs is also a city bursting with culture, including the Pioneer Museum and Old Colorado City. With such a convenient combination of outdoor splendor and big-city entertainment, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Colorado Springs.
Any list of “Colorado Springs Things To Do” will contains many sights and experiences that can only be found in a visit to the Centennial State. Sure, there’s the obvious destination—the sprawling Rocky Mountains are host to numerous national parks and sightseeing tours—and no visit to the region should miss it. But there are an abundance of family-friendly options, whether you’re looking for things to do in Colorado Springs this weekend or planning a later trip. Of course, any visit should include a stay at our Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs—click here to learn more.
There are many things to do in Colorado Springs with kids outside of Great Wolf Lodge. These include popular attractions, historical landmarks, famous tourist stops, and more. There are also plenty of things to do near Colorado Springs. See our list, “Things To Do In Colorado Springs,” for a longer list of options.
A number of the most fun things to do in Colorado Springs can be found on our list above. From a visit to Manitou Springs, to the natural beauty of the Royal Gorge, to the numerous parks, trails, and other travel destinations in surrounding regions, Colorado contains many popular attractions for tourists and families.
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