What to see, do, and eat in Colorado Springs
Parks & Nature
This National Natural Landmark features beautiful, interesting rock formations. Stop in at the Visitor & Nature Center then do a self-guided drive through the park stopping along the way to appreciate the scenery and take pictures. Bring your walking shoes and a water bottle so you can take a nature walk on any of the marked trails. There are many fun opportunities in Garden of the Gods from Segway tours to horseback riding to rock climbing.
Our Experience: Robin’s secret place is hidden along Ridge Loop Trail.
Hint: Visit Garden of the Gods during the week to avoid traffic and crowds.
1169 íbúar mæla með
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdThis National Natural Landmark features beautiful, interesting rock formations. Stop in at the Visitor & Nature Center then do a self-guided drive through the park stopping along the way to appreciate the scenery and take pictures. Bring your walking shoes and a water bottle so you can take a nature walk on any of the marked trails. There are many fun opportunities in Garden of the Gods from Segway tours to horseback riding to rock climbing.
Our Experience: Robin’s secret place is hidden along Ridge Loop Trail.
Hint: Visit Garden of the Gods during the week to avoid traffic and crowds.
Pikes Peak
Don’t miss the opportunity to have a mountain top experience! Taking the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top comes with entertaining historical narration and stunning views.
Our Experience: Chris and our son, Ben, climbed Pikes Peak when Ben was in middle school. We drove to the top on a cloudy day and found ourselves above the clouds in brilliant sunshine!
Hint: Even Colorado residents feel the altitude above 14,000 ft. It’s not unusual to have a headache or experience a bit of tunnel vision. Stay well hydrated! And take a coat! It’s cold up there!
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Pikes Peak Cog Railway
515 Ruxton AvenuePikes Peak
Don’t miss the opportunity to have a mountain top experience! Taking the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top comes with entertaining historical narration and stunning views.
Our Experience: Chris and our son, Ben, climbed Pikes Peak when Ben was in middle school. We drove to the top on a cloudy day and found ourselves above the clouds in brilliant sunshine!
Hint: Even Colorado residents feel the altitude above 14,000 ft. It’s not unusual to have a headache or experience a bit of tunnel vision. Stay well hydrated! And take a coat! It’s cold up there!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Feeding the giraffes is only one of the many ways to enjoy this special zoo! Your admission price includes the opportunity to visit the historic Will Rogers Shrine. Enjoy the beautiful drive to these attractions above the city. .
Our Experience: We enjoyed the zoo’s light display at Christmas time!
Hint: The zoo includes hills that can be tough for little tykes and for parents pushing strollers. Remember the altitude! Take your time and keep hydrated.
569 íbúar mæla með
Cheyenne Mountain dýragarður
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdCheyenne Mountain Zoo
Feeding the giraffes is only one of the many ways to enjoy this special zoo! Your admission price includes the opportunity to visit the historic Will Rogers Shrine. Enjoy the beautiful drive to these attractions above the city. .
Our Experience: We enjoyed the zoo’s light display at Christmas time!
Hint: The zoo includes hills that can be tough for little tykes and for parents pushing strollers. Remember the altitude! Take your time and keep hydrated.
North Cheyenne Canon
Take a scenic winding drive through this beautiful park. Experience mountain driving on Gold Camp Road. Take a long shady hike. Or a shorter one to see Helen Hunt Falls.
Our Experience: After promising his mom that he wouldn’t take her on any scary roads, Chris took a wrong turn ending up on Gold Camp Road. She eventually forgave him.
Hint: If you’d like to say you’ve climbed an actual mountain, Mt. Cutler is a nice hike – not too long and not too easy.
114 íbúar mæla með
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
15220 S Cheyenne Canyon RdNorth Cheyenne Canon
Take a scenic winding drive through this beautiful park. Experience mountain driving on Gold Camp Road. Take a long shady hike. Or a shorter one to see Helen Hunt Falls.
Our Experience: After promising his mom that he wouldn’t take her on any scary roads, Chris took a wrong turn ending up on Gold Camp Road. She eventually forgave him.
Hint: If you’d like to say you’ve climbed an actual mountain, Mt. Cutler is a nice hike – not too long and not too easy.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
1045 Lower Gold Camp RdSee close-up why Colorado got its name "colored red" when you hike among the sandstone rock formations.
430 íbúar mæla með
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
3550 W High StSee close-up why Colorado got its name "colored red" when you hike among the sandstone rock formations.
Arts & Culture
Rock Ledge Ranch
History lovers will enjoy Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Life in the Pikes Peak region is presented in four time periods from 1775 to 1907. See history in action as volunteers dressed in period costumes act as your guide. Take your time and stroll the peaceful grounds.
Our Experience: Our daughter, Jessi, volunteered at Rock Ledge Ranch as a docent for several summers when she was in middle school.
Hint: Scope out the grounds and sign up for tours as soon as you get there to make sure you get to do all of them.
41 íbúar mæla með
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
3105 Gateway RdRock Ledge Ranch
History lovers will enjoy Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Life in the Pikes Peak region is presented in four time periods from 1775 to 1907. See history in action as volunteers dressed in period costumes act as your guide. Take your time and stroll the peaceful grounds.
Our Experience: Our daughter, Jessi, volunteered at Rock Ledge Ranch as a docent for several summers when she was in middle school.
Hint: Scope out the grounds and sign up for tours as soon as you get there to make sure you get to do all of them.
Glen Eyrie
Don’t miss experiencing this English Tudor-style castle built in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, for his English wife. Enjoy a proper English tea in the Castle Music Room and take a tour of the castle and grounds. Plan to be inspired by the history and the beauty of this special place.
Our Experience: Robin and our young daughters enjoyed tea at Glen Eyrie dressed to the nines with the Victorian Girls Club.
Hint: Leave time to hike a trail or find a quiet, pretty place to sit and enjoy peace and quiet.
40 íbúar mæla með
Glen Eyrie Castle
Glen Eyrie
Don’t miss experiencing this English Tudor-style castle built in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, for his English wife. Enjoy a proper English tea in the Castle Music Room and take a tour of the castle and grounds. Plan to be inspired by the history and the beauty of this special place.
Our Experience: Robin and our young daughters enjoyed tea at Glen Eyrie dressed to the nines with the Victorian Girls Club.
Hint: Leave time to hike a trail or find a quiet, pretty place to sit and enjoy peace and quiet.
Learn about Colorado Springs' interesting history. Ride in the old-fashioned elevator and enjoy a display of genuine vintage toys.
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Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
215 S Tejon StLearn about Colorado Springs' interesting history. Ride in the old-fashioned elevator and enjoy a display of genuine vintage toys.
You will be amazed at how much there is to learn about money! Be sure to take the guided tour if possible.
13 íbúar mæla með
American Numismatic Association
818 N Cascade AveYou will be amazed at how much there is to learn about money! Be sure to take the guided tour if possible.
Mining was a fascinating and important part of Colorado's history. Learn about the tools, machinery and lifestyle of the miners who helped found Colorado.
55 íbúar mæla með
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
225 North Gate BlvdMining was a fascinating and important part of Colorado's history. Learn about the tools, machinery and lifestyle of the miners who helped found Colorado.
Sightseeing
Air Force Academy
The Airforce Academy has been a source of pride in Colorado Springs for almost 60 years! There is a lot to see and learn at the visitor center. Depending on the time of year, you might see cadets in training or a military parade.
Our Experience: Our son-in-law is a 2012 graduate of the Air Force Academy. He and our daughter, Annie, got married in the beautiful AFA chapel. He is now a pilot and has served three deployments. We’re proud to have an active service member in our family.
Hint: Avoid graduation time in May and parents weekend in September. Traffic will be thick after AF Home football games.
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Barry Goldwater Visitor Center
2346 Academy DrAir Force Academy
The Airforce Academy has been a source of pride in Colorado Springs for almost 60 years! There is a lot to see and learn at the visitor center. Depending on the time of year, you might see cadets in training or a military parade.
Our Experience: Our son-in-law is a 2012 graduate of the Air Force Academy. He and our daughter, Annie, got married in the beautiful AFA chapel. He is now a pilot and has served three deployments. We’re proud to have an active service member in our family.
Hint: Avoid graduation time in May and parents weekend in September. Traffic will be thick after AF Home football games.
Olympic Training Center
Take a guided tour of this active training center for U.S. Olympic team members. You might see an Olympic fencer, gymnast, weightlifter, swimmer or wrestler going through their paces. Learn about the state-of-the-art equipment provided for the athletes. Climb to the top of the tower to see the Olympic flame.
Our Experience: This was a popular field trip for our homeschool group.
Hint: Take the time to interact with trainers or athletes if you get the opportunity. These are some very special people!
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U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
1 Olympic PlazaOlympic Training Center
Take a guided tour of this active training center for U.S. Olympic team members. You might see an Olympic fencer, gymnast, weightlifter, swimmer or wrestler going through their paces. Learn about the state-of-the-art equipment provided for the athletes. Climb to the top of the tower to see the Olympic flame.
Our Experience: This was a popular field trip for our homeschool group.
Hint: Take the time to interact with trainers or athletes if you get the opportunity. These are some very special people!
Shopping
Lots of unique shops! Don't miss CommonWheel, an artist's co-op, and the Mona Lisa, a fondue restaurant.
649 íbúar mæla með
Manitou Springs
Lots of unique shops! Don't miss CommonWheel, an artist's co-op, and the Mona Lisa, a fondue restaurant.
Lots of interesting shops. Don't miss Michael Garman's gallery and Mountain Shadows restaurant!
388 íbúar mæla með
Old Colorado City
Lots of interesting shops. Don't miss Michael Garman's gallery and Mountain Shadows restaurant!
Food Scene
Featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, our son, Ben, owned and ran this restauarant for many years. Try the giant cinnamon rolls, breakfast burrito, plate-sized pancakes, green chili or Kasie’s yummy baked goods.
71 íbúar mæla með
Meadow Muffins
2223 Colorado AveFeatured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, our son, Ben, owned and ran this restauarant for many years. Try the giant cinnamon rolls, breakfast burrito, plate-sized pancakes, green chili or Kasie’s yummy baked goods.
Italian chain serving grilled sandwiches, pasta & pizza, plus beer & wine, in a casual setting.
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Panino's Restaurant
604 N Tejon StItalian chain serving grilled sandwiches, pasta & pizza, plus beer & wine, in a casual setting.
Breakfast, sandwiches and award-winning breads in this family-owned establishment.
8 íbúar mæla með
Oliver's Deli
6602 Delmonico DrBreakfast, sandwiches and award-winning breads in this family-owned establishment.
Former elementary school turned marketplace of unique eateries like The Principal’s Office.
200 íbúar mæla með
Ivywild School
1604 S Cascade AveFormer elementary school turned marketplace of unique eateries like The Principal’s Office.
Fine dining establishment & wine bar featuring fondue & tabletop grilling in a refined setting. Allow several hours for the entire delicious experience!
44 íbúar mæla með
Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant
733 Manitou AveFine dining establishment & wine bar featuring fondue & tabletop grilling in a refined setting. Allow several hours for the entire delicious experience!
Fondue at its BEST! Mix and match menu items to create your own experience. Or enjoy the traditional sequence: cheese, meat and chocolate.
25 íbúar mæla með
The Melting Pot
30 E Pikes Peak AveFondue at its BEST! Mix and match menu items to create your own experience. Or enjoy the traditional sequence: cheese, meat and chocolate.
Several upscale restaurants offer amazing food amid stunning views. Stroll the beautiful grounds of this historic hotel complex.
155 íbúar mæla með
Broadmoor Hall
1 Lake CirSeveral upscale restaurants offer amazing food amid stunning views. Stroll the beautiful grounds of this historic hotel complex.
Salsa Brava adds a fresh twist to Mexican favorites featuring seasonal, Colorado-proud ingredients. Conveniently located less than a mile from our AirBnB
20 íbúar mæla með
Salsa on the Rock Fresh Mexican Grill
802 Village Center DrSalsa Brava adds a fresh twist to Mexican favorites featuring seasonal, Colorado-proud ingredients. Conveniently located less than a mile from our AirBnB
Drinks & Nightlife
Learn about the award-winning Whiskey you are drinking in this tiny, friendly bar. Call ahead to request a tour of the onsite distillery. Do the flight to sample the best and choose your favorite.
24 íbúar mæla með
Distillery 291
4242 North Nevada AvenueLearn about the award-winning Whiskey you are drinking in this tiny, friendly bar. Call ahead to request a tour of the onsite distillery. Do the flight to sample the best and choose your favorite.