Things to do in Colorado Springs
What to do in Colorado Springs beyond the trails: the top attractions, downtown and food scene, breweries, family attractions, sports, culture, day trips and the events calendar.
Beyond the trails
The outdoors is the headline (covered here), but Colorado Springs has a real menu of attractions, food and culture for newcomers to explore.
The top attractions
- Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak — the free red-rock park and America's Mountain, the must-sees;
- The US Olympic & Paralympic Museum — a striking downtown museum celebrating the Olympic movement (the city is a Team USA hub);
- The Broadmoor — the famous historic luxury resort, a destination even for a visit (its history);
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — America's highest-altitude zoo, built into the mountainside;
- Manitou Springs — the quirky arts town with mineral springs, the Cog Railway and the Incline (more on Manitou);
- Cave of the Winds, the Cripple Creek historic mining/gaming town and other regional draws.
Food, drink & downtown
- A revitalized downtown with a growing restaurant, brewery and bar scene;
- Craft beer: Colorado's beer culture runs strong here — a notable brewery scene;
- Diverse dining growing with the city, from casual to upscale;
- Old Colorado City & Manitou for character shopping and dining.
Culture & events
- Arts & music: the Fine Arts Center, local theater, galleries and live music;
- Events calendar: the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (the famous mountain motorsport race), festivals, farmers markets, and seasonal celebrations;
- Family-friendly attractions throughout — a genuinely family-oriented city.
Sports & spectating
Air Force Academy Falcons athletics (notably football) draw a real local following, and the city has a growing minor-league and collegiate sports scene alongside its Olympic-city identity — the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center hosts athletes across many sports beyond what's open to visitors.
Seasonal favorites
Summer brings farmers markets, outdoor concerts and festival season; fall brings the region's best hiking weather and seasonal events tied to the harvest and Halloween season; winter brings holiday light displays and nearby ski access; spring is quieter but a good time to beat the summer crowds at the major attractions. Check current event calendars, since specific dates and offerings change year to year.
With kids
Beyond Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, family-friendly options include the region's science and children's museums, easy-grade trails and playgrounds within the city's park system, and the many family-oriented festivals throughout the year. See getting settled for tips on building a routine once you've explored the highlights.
Day trips from the city
Colorado Springs is also a strong base for exploring the wider region: the Royal Gorge and its famous bridge, the mountain towns and hot springs further west, South Park to the northwest, and the historic gold-mining town of Cripple Creek (already a draw in its own right) are all realistic day or half-day trips. See surrounding towns for the closer-in options and getting around for the driving basics.