Things to do in Colorado Springs
Late spring and early fall offer mild days and clear views of Pikes Peak. Summer brings warm days with afternoon thunderstorms; winter is cold and bright with snow on the peak.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Colorado Springs
Garden of the GodsDo not miss
Towering red sandstone formations against the backdrop of Pikes Peak, free to enter, with easy paved trails.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.9
Cheyenne Mountain ZooDo not miss
America's only mountainside zoo, where you hand-feed giraffes on a slope with sweeping city views.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.8
Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature CenterDo not miss
A balcony cafe and exhibits with the single best framed view of the red rocks crowned by Pikes Peak.
Viewpoint · 1.1 hr4.8
Pikes PeakDo not miss
Drive or ride the cog railway to a 14,115-foot summit, the view that inspired America the Beautiful.
Day Trip · 6.5 hr4.8
United States Olympic and Paralympic MuseumDo not miss
A striking, highly interactive museum celebrating Team USA in the country's Olympic City.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.7
Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog RailwayDo not miss
The highest cog railway in the world climbs from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak.
Activity · 3.5 hr4.5
Royal Gorge Bridge and ParkDo not miss
Walk America's highest suspension bridge 956 feet above the Arkansas River, with gondola and zipline.
Day Trip · 5.5 hr4.5
Manitou InclineDo not miss
A brutal, legendary mile of nearly 2,800 railroad-tie steps gaining 2,000 feet, with a huge payoff view.
Activity · 2.8 hr
Manitou SpringsDo not miss
A quirky, walkable artist town at the foot of Pikes Peak with mineral springs, arcades, and cafes.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
Old Colorado CityDo not miss
The 1859 founding townsite, now a National Historic District of galleries, boutiques, and bistros.
Historic Site · 1.5 hr
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
A dramatic granite canyon of trails, waterfalls, and overlooks just minutes from downtown.
Park · 2.3 hr4.9
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Guided cave tours plus cliffside ziplines and a coaster above Williams Canyon.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.8
Helen Hunt Falls
A pretty roadside 35-foot waterfall in North Cheyenne Cañon with a short trail to an upper view.
Nature · 53 min4.8
Penrose Heritage Museum
A free Broadmoor museum of antique carriages and Pikes Peak Hill Climb race cars.
Museum · 1 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- The city sits at 6,000 feet and Pikes Peak tops 14,000; acclimate before high-altitude hikes and drives.
- A car is essential here; the major sights are spread across the foothills west of downtown.
- Garden of the Gods and the Manitou Incline are best at sunrise to beat crowds and afternoon storms.
- Pikes Peak Highway and the Cog Railway often require timed reservations booked well ahead.