Things to Do In and Around Colorado Springs
Best Attractions | Within Walking Distance | Activities for Kids | Sports Attraction | Hikes | Outdoor | Half-Day Getaway | One Hour Drive | Live Music
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
US Airforce Academy
North of town off I-25, 18,500 acre Cadet Training Center.
Visitor Center opens 9 AM – 5 PM daily.
Cadet Chapel open 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday thru Friday.
ALL guests are to use the North Gate.
No charge.
Pikes Peak Highway Toll Road
West of town off US 24. Nineteen mile scenic drive ascends to the summit of 14,110’ Pikes Peak.
Hours: Open 9 AM – 3 PM daily, weather permitting.
Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway-CLOSED FOR 2018
Highest Cog railway in the world ascends to summit of 14,110’ Pikes Peak.
Located at 515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs. For reservations go online or call 685-5401.
Garden of the Gods Park
West of downtown on Colorado and turn right onto 30th Street.
1,368 acre park with red sandstone formations, some as high as 300’.
Visitors Center- Winter Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Summer Hours: 8 AM – 7 PM (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Park Winter Hours: 5 AM – 9 PM (Nov. 1st – April 30th)
Summer Hours: 5 AM – 11 PM (May 1st – Oct. 31st)
No charge.
Cave of the Winds
Choose from three enjoyable tours for three different perspectives of the geological wonders of Colorado. Also choose from additional attractions including the Terror-Dactyl ($50/person), Bat-a-Pult and Wind Walker.
Please call Cave for a full description of each tour 685-5444.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
America’s only mountain zoo. Will Rogers’ Memorial on site (included in entrance fee)
9 AM – 5 PM daily, year round.
Seven Falls
It has been called the “Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado.” Located just minutes from downtown via The Broadmoor shuttle. Seven Falls cascades 181 feet in seven distinct steps down a solid cliff of Pikes Peak granite.
Hours:
Royal Gorge Bridge
Take Colorado 115 South to the town of Penrose (approx. 25 miles), go west on US 50 through Canyon City and follow the signs.
Hours: 7 AM – Dusk. Rides and Attractions open at 10 AM
BEST ATTRACTIONS WITH IN WALKING DISTANCE
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
History of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region.
215 S. Tejon Street
Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (Tuesday – Saturday), 1 PM – 5 PM (Sunday)
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Native American and Hispanic art and cultural objects, Charles M Russell Gallery, 450 Seat Theater, summer restaurant.
30 W. Dale Street, 15 minute walk each way from Hotel.
Hours: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM, Fridays and Theater Nights 10 AM – 7:30 PM
American Numismatic Museum
The Museum Collection consists of over 400,000 objects encompassing the history of numismatics from the earliest invention of money to modern day.
Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM (Monday – Friday), 10 AM -4 PM (Saturday), 12 PM – 4 PM (Sunday)
BEST ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop
Since the 1950’s, the North Pole-Santa’s Workshop has been entertaining children and encouraging them to be on their best behavior. They have animals, an arcade, many places to eat, shop and explore! They also have 25 rides and a spot to talk to Santa any time of the year
5050 Pikes Peak Highway
May Natural History Museum
With over 7,000 species of beautiful butterflies, moths, bizarre beetles, giant spiders, deadly scorpions and more! Known as the “Bug Museum” to many children and families around the area, the May Natural History Museum is a fun place for bug enthusiasts, scientists and anybody wanting to explore the creepy and crawly!
710 Rock Creek Canyon Road
Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM Daily, May 1st – September 30th
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
Old-fashioned arcade with a large collection ranging from vintage pinball to modern video games.
Hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
BEST SPORTS ATTRACTION
U.S. Olympic Training Center
Olympic training center and sport facilities.
Unique Olympic gift shop, tours of facilities, which hosts as many as 17,000 athletes a year.
Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (Monday – Saturday), 10 AM – 4 PM (Sunday)
Olympic Complex tour and events hotline (recording) 578-4644
BEST HIKES
Mount Cutler Trail
Located in North Cheyenne Canyon. Park near trailhead on the canyon road. Hike to the top overlooks Seven Falls and a little further affords a wonderful view of the BROADMOOR Hotel, the city and eastern Colorado Plains. Carry your own water.
Natives think this hike is easy, but flatlanders may want to take it slowly.
Manitou Incline
The incline is a difficult straight uphill hike. Parking is best done in the Barr trail parking lot ($5/day). The trail head is situated just above the Cog Railway parking lot.
Catamount Trail
Located in Green Mountain Falls, CO. Trailhead is located by the catamount Falls at the west end of town. Take either the steep Hondo or Belvidere Avenue to access the trailhead.
This 3 miles long trail provides a way to hike the Pikes Peak North Slope recreation area located 1,430 feet above the town. Recreation area includes S & N Catamount Reservoirs and great views of Pikes Peak. Trail features views of the Catamount Falls and the picturesque
Garden of Eden with its seasonal wild flowers.
BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
White Water Rafting
American Adventure Expeditions 800-288-0675
www.americanadventure.com
Arkansas River Tours 800-321-4352
719-942-4362
www.arkansasrivertours.com
Buffalo Joe River Trips 800-356-7983
719-395-8757
www.raftatjoes.com
Wilderness Aware Rafting 800-462-7238
719-395-2112
www.inaraft.com
Hot Air Ballooning
Adventures Out West 800-755-0935
Balloons, Jeeps, Zip lines, Segways & Rodeo www.advoutwest.com
Camelot Balloons 800-785-4743
www.camelotballoons.com
Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon 303-939-9323
www.fairwindsinc.com
Fantasy Balloons 303-478-3531
www.fantasy-balloons.com
Life Cycle Balloon Adventures 800-980-9272
303-216-1990
www.lifecycleballoons.com
Public Golf Courses
Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Course 719-385-6963
www.SpringsGov.com.
Kissing Camels Golf Course 719-636-2520
www.Gardenofthegodsclub.com
Valley Hi Golf Course 719-385-6911
www.valleyhigolfcourse.com
Broadmoor Golf Club 719-577-5790
www.broadmoor.com
Academy Riding Stables
Experience the year-round pleasure of horseback riding in the spectacular Garden of the Gods Park.
BEST HALF-DAY GETAWAY
Cripple Creek
A historic gambling and mining town that’s one of the most dynamic and scenic tourism destinations in Colorado. The grandly restored Old West brick buildings along Bennett Avenue, surrounded by majestic mountains, boast nine unique state of the art casinos, as well as great restaurants and shops. Head west on Hwy 24 to Divide; go South on CO-67.
Check with hotel for bus information
Phantom Canyon Road
A detour off the popular Gold Belt Scenic and Historic Byway, features green-spotted canyon walls and twisty turns lying on top of what was once a powerhouse railroad (the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad) connecting the lucrative 1800s mining districts of Cripple Creek, Canon City and Florence.
BEST ONE HOUR DRIVE
North Cheyenne Canyon Loop
Head South on Tejon until it curves into Cheyenne Boulevard.
Continue west up Cheyenne Canyon.
Proceed past Helen Hunt Falls to a 3-way intersection.
Take Lower Gold Camp Road back into town
BEST LIVE MUSIC
Jack Quinn’s Irish Alehouse & Pub
Gaelic and Traditional American music.
21 S. Tejon Street, 719-385-0766
Southside Johnny’s
Local band flavor splaying Friday and Saturday nights.
$5 cover charge. 528 S. Tejon Street, 719-444-8487
The Ritz Grill
Eclectic variety of music every Thursday – Saturday 9:30 PM to close.
15 S. Tejon Street, 719-635-8484
The Famous Steakhouse
Ken Janzen on the Piano singing a variety of tunes.
31 N. Tejon Street, 719-227-7333
