There are loads of things to do in Colorado Springs. Last summer, we weren’t able to manage a week-long vacation, but my husband and I did take the kids south to Colorado Springs for an overnight “vacation” they still talk about. It might not sound like the best destination, but the truth is, there are lots of great things to do in Colorado Springs that are vacation worthy, fun, educational and affordable. If you’re in the area, here are my top picks of fun things you simply can’t miss.
1 Olympic Training Center
The Olympic Training Center is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Colorado Springs. Tours are free and you get an inside glimpse of how athletes train for their sport. There’s a pool, gymnastics room, weight room, shooting range and lots more. The tour takes you across the campus and your guide will give you all sorts of fun facts and information about life as an Olympic athlete. The flags and statues all over the place are also fun to check out.
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2 Garden of the Gods
Aptly named, this park is breathtaking. Not only can you see the wonderful rock formations spread throughout the park, but there are lots of great trails and places for the kids to climb around and burn some energy. Take a picnic and make a day of it. Don’t forget your camera because there are lots of photo opportunities you won’t want to miss.
3 Cave of the Winds
This is a great tourist attraction because they have something for everyone. There are tours meant for small kids and a really cool lantern tour that involves crawling around on your belly through dark, narrow passages. There are lots of natural cave formations to see and photograph. It’s cold down there, even in the summer, so don’t forget a sweatshirt. Hit the gift shop on your way out and grab a souvenir of your foray into spelunking.
4 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
This zoo is surprisingly diverse for a smaller town. You can see a broad range of animals, including an up close look at rhinos as well as exhibits featuring giraffes, birds and grizzly bears. There are lots of fun events and attractions for kids, so this is a great place to add to the agenda if you’re traveling with little ones.
5 Air Force Academy
This was one of my favorite places in Colorado Springs. You can take a free walk around the campus, including a visit to the iconic chapel on the hill. We were lucky enough to visit on new recruit day so we got to watch some of the soldiers in action while we were there. There’s an epic gift shop for Falcons gear and the entire area is loaded with stunning views and great photo opportunities.
6 Manitou Springs
Nestled within Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs is an old-timey small town that has tons of great shopping, mountain views and yummy food. This is a great place to go if you want an ice cream cone or some authentic Colorado souvenirs. There’s a great park for kids and plenty of diversity when it comes to the shops and restaurants. It’s a fun place to stroll through for the afternoon. Just up the mountain from the main strip are a set of ancient Anasazi Indian ruins that are absolutely fascinating.
7 Ghost Town Museum
If you’re a history buff, this is a fun museum to visit. My kids loved it too. The museum is set up to mimic an old west town’s main drag. There are a variety of buildings set up to look like they might have during the Wild West. That includes a grocery, saloon, jail, hotel and even a funeral parlor. Each is decked out with mannequins and artifacts that make it look authentic. It’s cheap to get in and there are plenty of hands-on activities for kids.
Have you ever been to Colorado Springs? Does my list make you want to check it out? Let me know what you think!
