RECREATION
Colorado Springs is a city set along the front range of the Rocky Mountains at an altitude of nearly 7,000 feet and home to the famous Pikes Peak. This gorgeous location allows easy access to trails, streams and lakes which accomodate all sorts of outdoor activities. On top of the scenic nature, Colorado Springs is a family-friendly city with tons of things to do in-town. The mild weather allows nearly year-round activities possible as well. There's truly something for everyone in this scenic locale.
Benefits of Colorado Springs Living:
- Ranked #5 in the best place to live in the US list
- 310 days of sunshine every year
- Family-friendly community
- Lot’s of outdoor sports and recreational opportunities
- Low pollution since most of our economy is in the High Tech sector
- Ranked #5 best city in the US for allergies by the AAFA
NATURE, PARKS & TRAILS
COLORADO SPRINGS
Pikes Peak
Drive the Pikes Peak Highway to the 14,115-ft. summit of Pikes Peak. Enjoy spectacular views along the way and at the summit. Summit house has gift shop, restrooms and snack shop with delicious home-made doughnuts to enjoy on the ride down.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Since 1891, millions have taken this epic trip to 14,115-ft. summit of America's mountain! Sit back, relax and enjoy the splendors of Colorado: steep canyons, panoramic vistas and wildlife abound. Reservations highly recommended.
Cave of the Winds
Join us for a day of family fun and adventure. Choose between three adventurous cave tours or enjoy the thrill of our Outdoor Attractions! Lots to do for the whole family at Cave of the Winds!
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
The Trail's End visitor center holds boundless resources, educational exhibits, and souvenirs and refreshments. Relax by the stone fireplace and the wall of windows. With an amazing 2701 acres, you can explore nature's diversity with prairie-to-peak ecosystems on 20 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Garden of the Gods Nature Park
Explore Colorado Springs' paradise in one magical stop. The Visitor Center is the most visited attraction in the region.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
During the summer, Native American dancers also wait to reveal secret rites and ceremonies that have been passed down for hundreds of years. So be sure to include Manitou Cliff Dwellings during your visit to the Pikes Peak region. The magic and mystery of the Native American culture is sure to delight you.
Manitou Incline
If you like views and want a challenge, this one-mile climb up 2,744 steps is the ticket. This trail is rated "extreme" and gains over 2,000 feet in elevation, so it's not for the feint of heart, but tourists and locals alike come to tackle it.
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tours
Descend 1,000 feet underground in America's only vertical shaft gold mine tour. Experience the old west as it was for hard rock gold miners of The World's Greatest Gold Camp, Cripple Creek Colorado.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Open on a daily basis and bigger, better and more awe-inspiring than ever before. This natural wonder is just an hour away from Colorado Springs and boasts spectacular views as well as breathtaking rides.
Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours
Get ready to take to the skies with the Royal Gorge regions newest outdoor adventure! 9 zip lines, spanning over a mile of exhilarating adventure with over a half mile of beautiful, informative scenic hikes. See our listing under Outdoor Adventure!
Santa Fe Trail
Full List of Colorado Springs Parks and Trails
With so many parks and trails scattered all around, the city of Colorado Springs has put together a helpful and exhaustive list.
Rock Climbing
If you have gear and a permit, there are many locations and courses around Colorado Springs available for your next rock climbing adventure.
COLORADO STATE
The Colorado Springs area is amazing, but there's more to do in the state as well!
Rocky Mountain National Park
With majestic mountains, tundra wildflowers, abundant wildlife, Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in the US), and over 350 miles of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is spectacular!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Experience this diversity through hiking, sand sledding, splashing in Medano Creek, wildlife watching, and more!
Colorado State Parks
Along with the several national parks and forests, Colorado is home to over 40 state parks, several of which are within the Colorado Springs area.
Ouray, CO
Nicknamed the Switzerland of America, Ouray is home to famous sulfur-free hotsprings and the Jeeping Capitol of the World, Ouray is nestled in the San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains in Southwest Colorado—just five hours from Colorado Springs.
Ski Resorts
Just a few hours away from Colorado Springs is Summit county, home to some of the top ski resorts in the nation. Fresh powder and amazing alpine locales make for great weekend trips.
White Water Rafting Tours
Colorado is famous for its white water rafting and several options are available close to Colorado Springs as well as deeper into the Rocky Mountain range.
CITY LIFE
COLORADO SPRINGS
The Broadmoor
Bike rental, hair and nail salon, fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming, outdoor hot tubs, summer Bee Bunch childrens program for ages 3-12 are all available at the resort. Horseback riding is available nearby as well as the world class golf course.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
No visit to the Pikes Peak region is complete without a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - America's only mountain zoo! Experience unforgettable adventures with breathtaking mountain scenery and more than 900 animals from around the world.
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Home to the Taylor Museum of Art, Bemis School of Art and SaGaJi Theatre. Featuring traveling exhibitions and permanent collections including Dale Chihuly glass.
Focus on the Family
Call ahead for tour times. Free kid's entertainment and play area with 3-story slide. Ice cream parlor with tasty treats great food - bookstore and visitor center too.
Glen Eyrie Castle
Bask in peaceful retreat, majestic beauty and rich history as you discover one of the best-kept secrets in all of Colorado.
National Museum of WWII Aviation
Providing unique educational experiences that promote a deeper understanding of the historical importance of American aviation in World War II and its role in shaping the world in which we live.
North Pole - Santa's Workshop
Santa's Workshop/North Pole is a family-oriented Christmas theme amusement park nestled at the base of world-famous Pikes Peak. This 27 acre alpine village was established in the township of Cascade, Colorado, in 1956.
ProRodeo Hall of Fame
The colorful history and equally colorful legends of professional rodeo live on at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy. Celebrating 35 years of preserving professional rodeo, its history, and the legends who have made rodeo what it is today!
Space Foundation Discovery Center
The Space Foundation Discovery Center is an interactive, museum-quality destination advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the exciting context of space exploration, development and utilization.
US Air Force Academy
The Academy welcomes all visitors to one of our country's National Historic Landmarks.
US Olympic Training Center
See where Olympic Dreams Begin! Make plans to take a guided tour and visit the U.S. Olympic Shop - your one-stop shopping venue for Olympic-related apparel and gifts!
DENVER
Just an hour and a half north of Colorado Springs is the metropolis of Denver with even more to explore.
The Botanic Gardens
One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city, offering year-round events, Mordecai Children’s Garden, lifelong learning opportunities and research to preserve Colorado’s precious natural resources.
Elitch Gardens Themepark and Waterpark
Elitch Gardens is America's Only Downtown Theme and Water Park - celebrating 126 years of fun!