Location: Colorado Springs
Top Things to do in Colorado Springs
- 1. Garden of the Gods
- 2. Manitou Springs Adventures, High Country Excursions
- 3. Colorado Wolf Adventures
- 4. National Museum of World War II Aviation
- 5. Pikes Peak
- 6. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- 7. Penrose Heritage Museum
- 8. United States Air Force Academy
- 9. North Cheyenne Canon Park and Starsmore Discovery Center
- 10. Red Rock Canyon
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Top 10 Things to do in Colorado Springs, United States
A crossroads for historians, sportsmen, architects, artists and gourmands, Colorado Springs offers a delightful mix of Western charms. Sunny skies and crisp mountain air make it a perfect place for a golf outing, extreme sports or a picnic in one of the many, many well-maintained parks.
Restaurants in Colorado Springs
1. Garden of the Gods
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Located at the base of Pikes Peak, this National Natural Landmark and popular park features stunning geological formations, rock climbing, nature trails and the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.
Reviewed By KARIN D
I have been visiting this wonderful place since I was a child. Back in the 70's, you could actually climb the Ship Rock across from the Balancing Rock. The various trails are wonderful to explore and you can even take your "POOCH" along with you--that's the best kind of hike, as far as I'm concerned. Check out the Trading Post and shop till you drop! They have all kinds of wonderful gifts and jewelry--all locally hand made by the American Indians. It is a bit expensive, but beautifully crafted and worth the price.
2. Manitou Springs Adventures, High Country Excursions
Overall Ratings
5 based on 104 reviews
Manitou Springs Adventures High Country Excursions will take you on a personalized Jeep tour of the Colorado Back Country and High Country around the Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek! We now include tours to the summit of Pikes Peak, Cripple Creek and the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center! We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel close to Manitou Springs! We are open 7 days a week all year round! Snacks, Beverages, and FUN are provided on each tour - Beautiful Scenery and good times is a certainty. Specialty and Private tours are always available.
Reviewed By Kpaula01
I’m so glad I booked this trip for Pikes Peak! My husband and I had a great time! Amanda made our trip memorable. She brought us on spots of the mountain where we can take perfect photos. We didn’t have to worry about anything. All...MoreThank you for your review!! We don't always get to the summit, but we sure try, and have fun doing it. Thank you for taking time to review us, we really appreciate it!
3. Colorado Wolf Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
Just a few of the Adventures: •Wolf Walks We offer exclusive educational Wolf Walks in the Pikes Peak region. We will stop along the trail to take photos of you with the wolves. The scenery is breathtaking with the towering Red Rock and Pikes Peak as your backdrop.
Reviewed By traveler_dac - Alexandria, Virginia
One of the most amazing experiences of my life! Let me caveat that I'm a wolf-lover and can still remember my first ever report for school about wolves. I love their approach. Walking through the garden of the gods is awesome already and to do it with wolves and people who can share a great deal of information is just incredible. They take a couple hundred photos and really ensure that you have an amazing and personal experience. Great team with a great philosophy.
4. National Museum of World War II Aviation
Overall Ratings
5 based on 696 reviews
The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10AM to 4PM. Tours are at 10AM, NOON and 2PM. Visitors can walk around the museum on their own or take a historical tour with a docent. Hourly docent led tours are also available to visit WestPac Restoration where WWII aircraft are actively being restored to flying condition.
Reviewed By tpf96555 - Huntsville, Alabama
The facilities are first-rate and the location is great. The dedication, knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm of the staff is unmatched. Not only do they restore historic aircraft to flying condition - often starting with only a twisted piece of rotting junk - but they work to pass on their knowledge and passion to the next generation of aviation engineers and technicians coming up the ranks. Not content to restore 70 year old aircraft so they look and perform like they just rolled off the assembly line, their machine shops contain functional equipment that themselves belong in museums. All in all a fantastic place to spend a few hours and visit with old friends.
5. Pikes Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
There are many things to see and do on our mountain including experiencing spectacular views as you ascend to 14,115 feet, encounter Mother Nature on our hiking trails or watch for wildlife such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep or yellow-bellied marmots. You may even spot the elusive Bigfoot during your visit. The 19 mile journey on the fully paved road to the summit begins in Cascade, Colorado, just 15 minutes west of downtown Colorado Springs. From the entrance, at an altitude of 7,800 feet (2377m) begin to explore the Pike National Forest and the natural beauty of Colorado.Along the way, you'll discover the North Slope Recreation Area, Crystal Reservoir Gift Shop, Historic Glen Cove Inn, and the Summit House. There are three lakes for fishing, picnic areas, hiking trails, and breathtaking views. Stop and watch one of our "Meet the Ranger" Interpretive Programs and learn about the history, myths, flora and fauna on the mountain. All offer visitor services and basic necessities to make your day both enjoyable and memorable.
Reviewed By mrsrouleau - Palm Bay, Florida
One of the scariest drives I have ever been on but the views make it worth the trip. Be prepared for very, very cold temperatures and high wind. Be sure to stop at Crystal Reservoir! And, don't forget to get some awesome donuts at the summit.
6. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Colorado Springs is home to America’s ONLY mountain zoo. Located at 6,800 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers breathtaking views of the city and of its 750 animals. The unique design of the Zoo’s animal exhibits gets guests closer than ever before. Hand-feed one of the largest reticulated giraffe herds in the world, watch grizzlies swim with trout, hop next to red-necked wallabies and get hands on with some of the Zoo’s smaller residents in The Loft. Have a WILD adventure at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – see the animals, ride an antique carousel, eat a gourmet lunch at the Grizzly Grill and ride the Mountaineer Sky Ride to the Zoo’s summit. Visit 365 days a year for family fun at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Reviewed By Susan R - Colorado
This is really a must see activity! We had the ability to feed giraffes, elephants, and got a special behind the scenes visit with wallabies (set up ahead of time)! We went 3 times during our two-week stay in the Springs. Ask for Beth Rizzo for an excellent tour, especially of the animals in The Loft!
7. Penrose Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By ManitouExpert - Manitou Springs, Colorado
We had visited the Penrose Heritage Museum in the past but that was before they expanded the building and graciously added the Pikes Peak Race Car Museum. So today we took a trip over to the Broadmoor Hotel and stopped into the free museum. The museum is so well designed. They built a structure in the room which portrays the mountain and highway. You walk up the highway and see vintage and more recent race cars and motorcycles displayed to each side of the walkway. Clothing from famous race drivers and garage equipment donated by racers and their families. Tip; park next door in the underground parking garage which is paid parking. Admission to the museum is free.
8. United States Air Force Academy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Visitors can tour this modern sprawling campus that includes the Academy, Falcon Stadium, a chapel and Arnold Hall, a museum honoring Air Force personnel.
Reviewed By emhmds - Canfield, Ohio
Amazing that this is a school. Seeing the chapel took our breath away even from the observation points before arriving at the main campus. Yes we had to show our driver's license but this is clearly a military facility and it did not bother me. The young man was very respectful. After visiting the chapel and all of the different worship venues we were delighted to observe a sample of military training as a group of paratroopers exited a plane overhead and landed on a designated spot in the field between the body of gathered cadets in attendance in formation. Filled us with pride in our nation and the young people who are being trained to serve.
9. North Cheyenne Canon Park and Starsmore Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 322 reviews
Reviewed By Lisa A
We spent a morning hiking with our 7 and 8 year old children. We hiked Seven Bridges (to the 7th bridge but I believe it goes beyond there), Silver Cascade Falls Trail, and the Mt. Cutler Trail. A few areas of Mt. Cutler were a little unnerving for a mom hiking with her kids, but it was a short, very doable hike for kids and the view was great from the top.
10. Red Rock Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 910 reviews
Reviewed By DORDubai - Dubai
Our long hiking trip in Colorado after 20 hours trip started here as we needed few days to get climatized before the hikes in Pikes Peak etc.... we had a whole day trek - took wonderful pictures... parking may be a problem if you arrive late... early mornings and late afternoons would be easier.. The park has hogbacks and eroded canyons, a continuation of the same sandstone rocks of the Fountain Formation that make up Garden of the Gods a few miles to the north...
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