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Garden of the Gods Park
Free red-rock walks and big Pikes Peak views. Go early, then let Old Colorado City handle lunch rather than adding another major attraction.
Best for: red-rock-park, Garden of the Gods and Westside, Outdoors
Destination guide
Things to do in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has enough to fill a trip without trying to cover every corner. Start with the places that fit the way you want to spend the day, then keep nearby choices together.
Places to put on the list in Colorado Springs
Build around a few anchors, then choose nearby additions that match your pace. The main Colorado Springs guide has itinerary ideas if you want help putting those pieces in order.
Start here
Pikes Peak Highway and Summit
A high-altitude summit day with pullouts and real weather exposure. Check road conditions and give it its own morning.
Best for: scenic-mountain-drive, Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, Outdoors
Start here
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
A hands-on downtown museum that works especially well for a weather-proof afternoon or an arrival day with kids.
Best for: museum, Downtown and South Tejon, Indoor
Garden of the Gods and Westside
A car-friendly base for Garden of the Gods and Old Colorado City, with quieter evenings than central downtown.
Garden of the Gods Park
Free red-rock walks and big Pikes Peak views. Go early, then let Old Colorado City handle lunch rather than adding another major attraction.
Best for: red-rock-park, Garden of the Gods and Westside, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Early Morning$
Visit official site 
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
A less crowded red-rock walk with trails and views close to Garden of the Gods.
Best for: open-space, Garden of the Gods and Westside, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Early Morning$$
Visit official site Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak
Best when Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds, and a slower small-town rhythm outweigh downtown convenience.
Pikes Peak Highway and Summit
A high-altitude summit day with pullouts and real weather exposure. Check road conditions and give it its own morning.
Best for: scenic-mountain-drive, Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, Outdoors
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Early Morning$Reserve ahead
Visit official site 
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
A compact, family-friendly cultural stop that fits with Manitou Springs when mountain weather is not cooperating.
Best for: history-museum, Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Early Morning$$
Visit official site 
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
A cave tour with outdoor thrills available around it. The underground portion makes it A bad-weather anchor.
Best for: cave-tour, Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, Outdoors
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Early Morning$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Downtown and South Tejon
Choose this area for restaurant evenings and a walkable first day, rather than a red-rock view outside the room.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
A hands-on downtown museum that works especially well for a weather-proof afternoon or an arrival day with kids.
Best for: museum, Downtown and South Tejon, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Midday$
Visit official site 
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
A free downtown history museum in the former courthouse, best used as a real stop rather than a token indoor backup.
Best for: history-museum, Downtown and South Tejon, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Midday$$
Visit official site 
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
A reliable family-friendly experience that gives visitors a different pace and weather-flexible option. Build it into the day when this is the part of Colorado Springs visitors would otherwise miss.
Best for: Families, Rain-safe
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site Broadmoor and Cheyenne Canyon
A south-side base for Seven Falls and the zoo, suited to travelers who want resort-adjacent nights.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
A steep, view-rich mountain zoo that earns a half-day. It is much more physical than a flat urban zoo.
Best for: zoo, Broadmoor and Cheyenne Canyon, Outdoors
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Early Morning$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site 
Broadmoor Seven Falls
A timed canyon attraction with waterfall views and stairs. Reserve ahead and do not pretend it is a quick stop after Pikes Peak.
Best for: waterfall-canyon, Broadmoor and Cheyenne Canyon, Outdoors
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Early Morning$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site 
North Cheyenne Cañon and Helen Hunt Falls
A shaded canyon drive and waterfall stop that feels good as one deliberate easy-outdoors block.
Best for: waterfall-trail, Broadmoor and Cheyenne Canyon, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Early Morning$$
Visit official site Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City
A compact historic shopping district for browsing, coffee, lunch, and a gentler afternoon after a big landscape morning.
Best for: historic-district, Old Colorado City, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Early Morning$$
Visit official site Plan the rest of your Colorado Springs trip
See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.
Hours, tickets, seasonal access, and reservation policies can change. Check the official source before you go. Last destination review: 2026-08-23.