12 Unique and Fun Things to do in Colorado Springs

Hello there! Colorado Springs is an incredible destination with so much to do and see! If you enjoy being outdoors and exploring nature, it is a fantastic place for you. This post details 12 unique and fun things to do in Colorado Springs during your trip, that you are sure to love!

There is something for all ages, and every type of traveler!

Ready to see what there is to do?

Keep reading for my Colorado Springs guide, and fun activity recommendations!

Fun Things to do in Colorado Springs

1: Drive (or take the cog) to the top of Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak is a 14,000 foot high peak in the Rocky Mountains, located about ten miles from downtown Colorado Springs. Visitors can drive to the top of Pike’s Peak, admiring the views along the way.

The views at Pikes Peak are absolutely stunning, and the drive is truly beautiful. I recommend arriving early to beat the traffic, as the 19 mile road is just one lane up and one lane down – not that you would want to pass on this type of road anyways.

Entrance into Pike’s Peak is paid at the entrance to the mountain road, and varies by the number of passengers in the vehicle.

A few things to know before visiting Pike’s Peak:

• Bring layers – even during the summer it is cold at the top! When I visited, the Colorado Springs temperature was around 75, but at the summit of Pike’s Peak the temperature was in the 30s.
• Only drive if you are very confident – at times the road does not have guardrails, and it is very steep, narrow, and curvy.
• From mile 16, you may need to take a shuttle to the peak – this depends on the weather, time of year, and the travelers in your vehicle. You will be alerted by staff if you will need to take the shuttle.
• Make sure you have good brakes – you will need them for the descent down the mountain.

If you would rather ride a train than take your car, look into the Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Manitou Springs! Tickets for the cog are $58, but definitely worth it for the incredible views and the three hour roundtrip experience. Be sure to book tickets in advance, they often sell out.

2: Visit the Cliff Dwellings Museum

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum is a great place to learn about Colorado’s history and past civilizations.

At the museum, visitors can view and walk through re-creations of the cliff homes of the Cliff Dwelling and Puebloans indigenous groups from almost 1,000 years ago.

In addition to the outdoor dwellings, visitors also have access to an indoor museum with more information about what life was like for the Cliff Dwellers who lived in the area.

This is a super interesting stop, and one that is great for both kids and adults!

3: Visit Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is probably the most famous site in Colorado Springs – and it’s free!

Garden of the Gods is a huge 1,300 acre park made up of red rock formations and hiking trails. You can drive your car through the park, stopping at the different pul-off and hiking points, or you can take the free shuttle bus.

We chose to drive our car, for maximum flexibility. While parking at pull-off points in some instances was a little difficult, it was definitely doable. You can spend as little or as much time in the park as you wish – but I would say that you need at least two hours. There is also a visitors center with a gift shop and informational movie that is worth checking out!

While all of the formations and viewpoints are cool to see, the top two I recommend are Central Garden Area, made up of thirteen formations including Tower of Babel and Cathedral Spires, as well as Balancing Rock (located near the park’s exit.

Lastly, if you’re interested in tours, there are a variety of paid options at Garden of the Gods including jeep tours, segway tours and trolly tours. These tours can only be booked on site, and they are first come first serve. No advanced reservations are permitted – so arrive early in the day to book your spot!

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4: Check out the Farmers’ Market

There are many farmers’ markets in Colorado Springs during the summer months, but I’m specifically referring to the Farmers’ Market that takes place on Saturdays in Old Colorado City. The market is in the town center, and you will find vendors selling everything from fresh produce, to homemade soaps, to flowers and fresh baked goods. If you’re staying in an AirBnb, this is a great place to do a little grocery shopping. Otherwise, there are also ready-to-eat options!

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5: Visit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Although there are Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factories all over the world, it is still cool to visit one in the state where they originated – Colorado! At Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory you’ll find a variety of delicious chocolate confections as well as chocolate and caramel covered apples. This is a sweet and delicious stop!

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6: Visit the North Pole Amusement Park

The North Pole Amusement Park is the perfect place to visit if you have kids! If you’re ever been to Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire, the parks have similar vibes. Entrance to the park itself is free, but you purchase bracelets to go on the rides!

7: Have Lunch at the Broadmoor

Located about ten miles outside of Colorado Springs you will find the beautiful Broadmoor Resort. The resort is lovely, and makes a great place to have lunch and walk around.

We had lunch at the Hotel Bar and it was really enjoyable. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s a lovely place for a meal.

If you’re looking to splurge on accommodations, or if it’s a special occasion, staying at the Broadmoor would also be an incredible experience. It’s a gorgeous hotel and is a destination itself!

8: Hike the Seven Falls Trail

The Seven Falls is a group of stunning waterfalls that travelers can visit! This is a wonderful place to spend time in nature, and there are picnic locations, walking trails and great views.

Once arrived at Seven Falls, visitors have the option of viewing the falls from an elevator accessible platform, or climbing up a series of stairs to view the falls from the top. Additionally, the falls are viewable from the ground – no climbing or elevators required.

If you are in reasonably good shape, and are not afraid of heights, I definitely recommend climbing the stairs, the views are incredible.

Important information to know before visiting Seven Falls:

• Do not put “Seven Falls” into your GPS – there is no parking at the actual park entrance. Instead, put in the parking address (1045 Lower Gold Camp Road.) This is where you will get on the shuttle to the park entrance.
• You buy tickets at the park entrance, there are no advance reservations.
• Arrive to the shuttle pick-up spot early! The park opens at 10am, and the first shuttle picks up around 9:30am. We arrived around 9am, and there was already a line. When we returned back to the parking lot at 12pm, the line for the shuttle was five times longer than when we left. There is no shade in the parking lot to wait in while in line.
• Tickets are $16.50 for adults, $13.75 for seniors and $10.50 for kids. Senior tickets also include an additional shuttle ride to the falls themselves, so there is no strenuous walking required once inside the park.

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9: Explore Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is a small town just outside of Colorado Springs. It is a lovely place to walk around, shop and eat. There are two main streets with a large variety of shops and restaurants, and it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening.

10: Drink the healing waters around Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is known for its “healing waters” and you can sample these waters in public fountains around the town!

There are eight fountains in total, and the mineral make-up of the water makes them taste different from the “normal” water we’re used to drinking. This water, on the other hand, it faintly carbonated and some even taste lightly of soda. Be sure to bring a water bottle if you’d like to sample the healing waters!

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11: Check out the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade

The Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs is another huge attraction, and one that is perfect for families. There are so many different types of games in the penny arcade (pinball, racing machines, skeeball, etc), and the cost of each ranges from $0.01 -$1.50. The penny arcade really feels like stepping back in time, and it’s a place that can keep visitors of all ages occupied for hours!

12: Hike the Incline

Sadly, I wasn’t brave enough to hike the 2,774 step incline up the side of Pikes Peak. However, on my next trip to Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs I am definitely doing it!

Although the hike is less than a mile long, it’s very strenuous and steep. Be sure to prepare before your hike and bring lots of water. During this hike, you will gain more than 2,000 feet in elevation – which does promise excellent views!

This is an extremely popular hike, so in order to hike the incline, visitors need to make free reservations online. The number of hikers allowed on the trail at a time is limited.

To learn more about hiking the incline, and what you need to do to prepare for your hike, click here.

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Hotel Recommendations in the Colorado Springs Area

Below you will find our hotel recommendations at a variety of price points in the Colorado Springs area!

• Gold King Mountain Inn – $
• Little Beaver Inn – $
• The Outlook Lodge – $
• SCP Hotel Colorado Springs – $$
• Kinship Landing – $$
• Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs  – $$ on-site waterpark, great for kids
• Garden of the Gods Club & Resort  – $$$

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I hope you found my guide to 12 unique and fun things to do in Colorado Springs to be helpful! If you have any questions, or anything to add to this list, let me know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow and DM me on Instagram – @twosistersabroad!

Lastly, share this post with someone you know who is visiting (or should visit) Colorado Springs!

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♡Kate

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