What to Do In Colorado Springs
If you’re planning a trip to Colorado and wondering what to do in Colorado Springs, then look no further. We have some of the best things to see and do in the area right here! Colorado Springs is one of the most beautiful towns and areas in the entire country.
With the majestic, natural beauty of iconic spots like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods to museums like the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and the National Museum of World War II, Colorado Springs and the area surrounding it have so much to offer any travelers.
What to Do in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a prime destination for people who love adventure and the outdoors. It’s also a great spot for those who love history and entertainment, as well. Colorado Springs has something for everyone, with a variety of things to see and do that cater to almost any interest. And with such a beautiful backdrop, it’s not hard to see why so many people flock to the city every year.
Pikes Peak Tour
The highlight of our trip to Colorado Springs was taking a Pikes Peak Tour. At 14,115 feet, this iconic mountain is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, and it offers some of the best views you’ll find anywhere in the country.
It’s also only 12 miles west of Colorado Springs in the beautiful Pike National Forest, making it an easy and memorable spot to take in.
We toured with Rocky Mountain Ride, which offers a fantastic guided tour of Pikes Peak from base to summit. This 3.5 to 4-hour guided tour offers the best views of the mountain and the wildlife that call it home.
You’ll even get a glimpse of Bigfoot for a little family fun and excitement.
The peak is so high you’ll probably even see snow. We saw snow on the peak on July 5th, which we never imagined we would see.
An advantage of having a tour is you can look around and watch all the scenery and mountains. Sit in the front seat for even better views.
Did you know you you would see Santa’s North Pole?
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is tied with Pikes Peak as the most iconic spot in Colorado. This massive, 1,341-acre public park is just outside of Colorado Springs, and a full 862 acres of the park were designated a National Nature Landmark in 1971. That means that this park is essentially untouched by man. Read about the full visit HERE.
The hallmark of Garden of the Gods is its variety of geological formations. Lush greenery, open vistas, and massive rock formations form a landscape that is as visually interesting as it is beautiful.
Choose to take a guided tour or explore the park by vehicle on your own (like we did), bike, or Segway. The park also has tons of hiking and horseback riding trails, as well.
Air Force Academy
Although we didn’t get to visit, you can catch a glimpse of it. My niece and family had visited earlier that week and was in awe of the military precision they saw and the grounds of the academy.
I loved seeing it set against the backdrop of those majestic mountains.
US Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Time didn’t allow us to do a full tour, but just in the lobby has several exhibits making it worth a short stop. Find all the info HERE for the museum.
An interactive board had most of the most popular and noted Olympians in the lobby to learn a bit about them, or seek out your favorite.
Pat Summitt
Being a Pat Summitt and college basketball fan, I was so happy to see her. Did you know she was a player and a coach in the Olympics?
1996 Women’s Gymnastics Team
Although we attended the games in Atlanta, seeing Men’s Basketball Dream Team (couldn’t find a photo of them there) and Men’s baseball, the Women’s Gymnastics Team was the darling of the games. We didn’t see them in Atlanta, but they were all here a little later in an exhibition.
Some of My Favorite Olympians
Who thought Mark Spitz was such a great looking guy?
Honorable Mentions – So Many Places to Visit
Although our most recent trip included the above places as our main focus, there’s so much more to see and do in Colorado Springs. Use the following list as a jumping-off point for your next trip.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- Red Rock Cayon Open Space
- Cave of the Windes Mountain Park
- The Broadmoor Seven Falls
- Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- National Museum of World War II
- The Broadmoor
- Western Museum of Mining & Industry
- Fine Arts Center
- Ghost Town Museum
- Old Colorado City
- Palmer Park
- Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
- Glen Eyrie Castle
- ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy
- Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
- Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
- Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
- The Promenade Shops at Briargate
- May Natural History Museum
- Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource
- The Airplane Restaurant
- McAllister House Museum
- Gold Mine Tours Inc
I’m ready to book another trip to Colorado Springs – what about you?
So Much to See and Do in Colorado Springs
From natural beauty to history, science, the arts, and more, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Colorado Springs. If you’re planning a trip to the area, this list of what to do in Colorado Springs is the perfect starting point to help you plan your trip. Of course, there’s so much more to find nestled in corners of the city and its surroundings. Mom-and-pop shops and restaurants, and so much more are waiting. So, plan your trip with the big stuff, but leave time for exploration!
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Happy Travels,
Rosemary
So many things to see and do, I’m very impressed. I love unique museums so they are top of my list followed by the Big Foot X-ing.