Colorado Springs Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Colorado Springs — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Colorado Springs

• Garden of the Gods Park. A free, 1,367-acre City Park and National Natural Landmark featuring towering red sandstone formations shaped over 300 million years — TripAdvisor's #1 U.S. park. The 21 miles of trails, rock climbing, and jeep tours make it the undisputed centerpiece of any Colorado Springs visit.
• Pikes Peak — America's Mountain. The iconic 14,115-foot summit that inspired 'America the Beautiful' can be reached by the world's highest cog railway, the Pikes Peak Highway, or the grueling 13-mile Barr Trail. The views from the top — and the legendary summit doughnuts — are worth every foot of elevation gained.
• Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The highest cog railway in the world has been climbing Pikes Peak since 1891, passing ancient Bristlecone pines estimated at over 2,000 years old on a roughly 3-hour round trip. A relaxed, accessible alternative to the highway drive or trail hike.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Consistently ranked among the top ten zoos in America, this AZA-accredited mountainside zoo at 6,714 feet lets visitors hand-feed one of the largest giraffe herds in the country. The elevated setting gives it a scenery edge no flatland zoo can match.
• The Broadmoor Seven Falls. Seven cascading waterfalls dropping a combined 180 feet through a dramatic 1,400-foot box canyon — the only Colorado waterfall on National Geographic's international list. An illuminated evening visit turns the scene into something genuinely magical.
• Manitou Incline. This legendary 2,768-step climb gains nearly 2,000 feet of elevation in under a mile along a decommissioned funicular railway bed — one of Colorado's most intense urban hikes. Free reservations through the City of Colorado Springs are required and open up to 8 weeks in advance.
• U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Colorado Springs is 'America's Olympic City,' and this architecturally striking museum at the foot of Pikes Peak tells the full story of Team USA across 12 galleries with deeply immersive, accessible exhibits. An emotional, world-class attraction that surprises even casual sports fans.
• Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. One of America's premier show caves sits at the mouth of Williams Canyon near Manitou Springs, offering underground tours ranging from family-friendly Discovery walks to muddy Expedition crawls. Above ground, the Terror-Dactyl free-fall ride and Frontier Zip Lines deliver pure adrenaline over a 200-foot canyon.

Best time to visit Colorado Springs

June through August for peak outdoor access; May and September for fewer crowds and similar weather. Summer offers the most reliable warm temperatures (highs 79–84°F), access to all attractions and events, and the full roster of seasonal events. Shoulder months of May and September offer lighter crowds, lower hotel rates, and comfortable temperatures (highs 65–72°F). Colorado Springs gets less snow than Denver and only 15–16 inches of precipitation annually, making it viable year-round

Colorado Springs weather by month

Getting to Colorado Springs

A rental car is strongly recommended — the city's most celebrated attractions (Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Cave of the Winds) are spread across a wide area with limited public transit service. The free downtown Zeb shuttle connects key downtown stops, and Uber/Lyft are reliably available in the city core, but the mountains require wheels of your own.

• COS Colorado Springs Airport — 15 min drive
• DEN Denver International Airport — 75 min drive

Where to stay in Colorado Springs

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Downtown Colorado Springs. The city's walkable core is a designated Creative District lined with galleries, craft breweries, and restaurants on and around Tejon Street. Guests can reach the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Weidner Field, and a free downtown shuttle (The Zeb) on… Good for: City explorers, foodies, couples, and visitors who want nightlife and culture without renting a car for every meal.
• Old Colorado City and the West Side. Colorado's first territorial capital retains its Victorian bones along West Colorado Avenue, now filled with art galleries, independent boutiques, and long-running restaurants inside 19th-century storefronts. It sits between the Garden of the Gods and… Good for: First-time visitors, history buffs, and anyone who wants Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs within minutes of their front door.
• Manitou Springs. A separate incorporated mountain town at the base of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs has its own distinct identity: mineral springs, Victorian-era architecture, a thriving arts scene, the Cog Railway depot, and direct trail access into the Rocky Mountains.… Good for: Hikers, nature lovers, and travelers who want an immersive small-town feel with immediate trailhead access.
• The Broadmoor Area. The southwestern residential foothills surrounding the historic Broadmoor resort offer the city's most upscale lodging environment, with proximity to Bear Creek Regional Park, North Cheyenne Canon, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.… Good for: Luxury seekers, honeymooners, and outdoor-recreation visitors who want top-tier amenities alongside serious hiking.

Where to eat in Colorado Springs

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Paravicini's Italian Bistro. Old Colorado City (West Colorado Avenue) · Classic Italian — Chef-owner Franco Pisani has run this Old Colorado City institution for over 26 years, earning more than a decade of consecutive 'Best…
• The Margarita at Pine Creek. South Colorado Springs · Contemporary French — Set inside a Pueblo Revival adobe surrounded by gardens, this destination-dining experience has offered prix fixe three- and four-course dinners for…
• Night Ramen. East Downtown (East Pikes Peak Avenue) · Japanese Ramen — A neon-lit ramen shop with a devoted following built around slow-simmered broth, inventive small plates, and desserts that make it worth…
• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. 7605 N Academy Blvd · 4.7★ (10,543 reviews)
• Edelweiss German Restaurant. 34 E Ramona Ave · 4.6★ (9,006 reviews)
• The Rabbit Hole. 101 N Tejon St · 4.5★ (6,071 reviews)
• 503W. 503 W Colorado Ave · 4.7★ (2,243 reviews)
• Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse & Tavern. 13021 Bass Pro Dr · 4.3★ (3,403 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar. Downtown (South Tejon Street) · Seafood — The first restaurant in Colorado certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, with fresh oysters and fish delivered daily. Culinary…
• Red Gravy. Downtown (South Tejon Street) · Italian-American — Chef Eric Brenner's casually elevated Italian-American bistro is celebrated for house-made pastas, St. Louis-style thin-crust pizzas, and the…
• Marigold Cafe and Bakery. Northwest (Centennial Boulevard) · French Bistro / Bakery — A beloved neighborhood anchor combining a full-service French bistro with one of the city's best in-house bakeries. The pastry case has…
• Adam's Mountain Cafe. Manitou Springs · Farm-to-Table / Global Vegetarian-Friendly — Operating on a clean, slow-food ethos in the heart of Manitou Springs since 1977, this beloved cafe is a haven for vegetarian and…
• Shuga's. Downtown (South Cascade Avenue) · Latin Fusion — A colorful, casual downtown fixture near Weidner Field known for its Spicy Brazilian Coconut Shrimp Soup and Cuban sandwiches, served alongside…
• Marigold Cafe & Bakery. 4605 Centennial Blvd · 4.7★ (3,518 reviews)
• Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery. 610 E Fillmore St · 4.7★ (2,627 reviews)
• Jives Coffee Lounge. 16 Colbrunn Ct · 4.7★ (2,114 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Four by Brother Luck. Downtown (North Tejon Street) · Southwestern / Contemporary American — Bravo Top Chef alum Brother Luck rotates a four-course seasonal tasting menu four times a year, drawing on the Four Corners…
• Mausam Indian Flavors. West Side (West Colorado Avenue) · Northern Indian — Led by Chef Dharam Singh, a three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree from his tenure at Tandoor Guangzhou, this West Side standout brings genuine…
• Melting Pot. 30 E Pikes Peak Ave Ste A · 4.6★ (3,233 reviews)
• MacKenzie's Chop House. 128 S Tejon St · 4.5★ (2,566 reviews)
• Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant. 733 Manitou Ave · 4.6★ (1,827 reviews)
• The Famous Steak House. 31 N Tejon St · 4.4★ (1,584 reviews)
• Peppertree Restaurant. 888 W Moreno Ave · 4.6★ (1,070 reviews)
• Cowboy Star Restaurant And Butcher Shop. 5198 N Nevada Ave #150 · 4.5★ (1,242 reviews)

A 7-Day Colorado Springs Plan

1. Day 1 — Red Rocks & First Impressions. Start your Colorado Springs visit at Garden of the Gods Park, exploring the dramatic red sandstone formations along the Perkins Central Garden Trail with iconic views of Pikes Peak in the background. Pick up a trail map at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, which is…
2. Day 2 — America's Mountain Summit. Board the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs for the breathtaking 9-mile ascent to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. The round trip takes about three hours and offers unmatched panoramic views of the Front Range and Great Plains. After descending,…
3. Day 3 — Wildlife, Wonder & Wild Animals. Spend the morning at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the only mountain zoo in the United States at 6,800 feet elevation. Don't miss feeding the African giraffe herd — one of the largest in North America — and the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit. After lunch at the zoo, drive a short…
4. Day 4 — Canyons, Caves & Underground. Drive about an hour southwest to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, where you'll walk across one of the world's highest suspension bridges — 956 feet above the Arkansas River. Ride the aerial gondola for a different perspective and explore the park's ziplines and via ferrata. Return…
5. Day 5 — Olympic Spirit & Urban Culture. Visit the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in downtown Colorado Springs — the nation's premier Olympic museum with immersive exhibits covering every Olympic and Paralympic Games, featuring athlete stories, medals, and interactive simulations. Explore downtown Colorado Springs…
6. Day 6 — Incline, Canon & Hidden Waterfalls. Tackle the legendary Manitou Incline, a historic trail that climbs 2,000 feet in under a mile along a former cog railway route — one of the most intense short hikes in the Rockies. Take the Barr Trail back down for a more gradual descent through pine forest. After…
7. Day 7 — Scenic Drives & Slow Goodbyes. Take a leisurely morning drive along Gold Camp Road through North Cheyenne Canon for sweeping mountain views, then circle back through Garden of the Gods one final time at golden hour light to photograph the formations you may have missed on Day 1. Visit the ProRodeo Hall of…

Events & festivals in Colorado Springs

• Pikes Peak International Hill Climb ('Race to the Clouds') (Late June (typically last Sunday of June; 2026 date: June 21)). Annual invitational hill climb up 12.42 miles and 156 turns from 9,390 ft to the 14,115 ft summit. Running since 1916 (America's second oldest motorsport event). Sponsored by The Broadmoor and presented by Gran Turismo.
• Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (Mid-July (2026: July 14–18)). PRCA-sanctioned professional rodeo running since 1937; founded by Spencer Penrose. Held at Norris-Penrose Event Center. One of the largest outdoor rodeos in the Rocky Mountain region. Proceeds support military families.
• Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off (formerly Colorado Balloon Classic) (Labor Day weekend (late August / early September)). Hot air balloon festival held since 1977 near Prospect Lake in Memorial Park. Described as the largest and longest-continuously-running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain region.
• Festival of Lights Parade (First Saturday of December). Annual lighted holiday parade through Downtown Colorado Springs on Tejon Street; now in its 42nd year and one of the largest holiday events in the Pikes Peak region.

Top-rated tours & activities in Colorado Springs

• Signature Fins Course Scenic Zipline Tour — 5.0★ (785 reviews)
• Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour — 5.0★ (375 reviews)
• Foothills, History, and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour — 4.9★ (625 reviews)
• Colorado Springs Sunrise Balloon Ride — 4.7★ (143 reviews)
• Pikes Peak Jeep Tour — 5.0★ (580 reviews)
• Ultimate Seven Falls Zipline Experience — 5.0★ (252 reviews)
• Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Old Stage Road Jeep Tour — 4.9★ (320 reviews)
• Cocktails & Tacos Tour in Colorado Springs — 4.9★ (94 reviews)

Colorado Springs travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?

June through August for peak outdoor access; May and September for fewer crowds and similar weather.

What are the top things to do in Colorado Springs?

Top experiences include Garden of the Gods Park, Pikes Peak — America's Mountain, Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, The Broadmoor Seven Falls.

Which airport is closest to Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is the nearest, about 15 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Colorado Springs?

Popular areas to base yourself include Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and the West Side, Manitou Springs, The Broadmoor Area.

How do I get around Colorado Springs?

A rental car is strongly recommended — the city's most celebrated attractions (Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Cave of the Winds) are spread across a wide area with limited public transit service.