My first visit to Colorado Springs was in the summer of 2000 as part of a several weeklong road trip with my parents. When I saw the United States Olympic Committee Training Center, I immediately knew I wanted to intern there in a future summer. As luck would have it, I was offered a coveted internship the following summer. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity which I’m so grateful for. Between the mountain views, outdoor adventures, Olympic energy, and fun colleagues I met as part of my internship, it was an unforgettable summer.
But there’s more to Colorado Springs, than the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) internship program. When I first visited, coming from Indiana, I was struck by looking to the downtown as I was in the car and seeing beautiful mountains right there. That feeling has stuck with me each time I’ve visited there. Quite frankly, I think Colorado Springs is highly underrated. It’s a place you can spend the morning hiking through the red rocks at the Garden of the Gods, the afternoon exploring Olympic history, and the evening sitting on a patio enjoying a fine Colorado beer.
If you’re planning a trip, here’s everything I recommend doing in Colorado Springs. I’m also including practical travel tips, where to stay and how much time you’ll need.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Colorado Spring?
You can hit the major attractions in 2-3 days, but I’d recommend a few extra days to enjoy the city without rushing. You can spend at least an entire day taking part in outdoor activities and hiking. You can also use Colorado Springs as a base for a day trip to places like Cripple Creek or Canon City. And, if you like adventurous activities like whitewater rafting, you might want to allot an extra day.
Do you Need a Car in Colorado Springs?
Absolutely. Colorado Springs is very spread out, and while there is some public transportation, it’s not a city I’d recommend visiting without your own wheels. Many attractions are 15-30 minutes apart, and the scenic areas outside the city are much easier to access on your own schedule with your own car. The good news is parking is generally much easier and cheaper than larger cities.
Flying into Colorado Springs
The local airport is the Colorado Springs Airport, and if the prices are reasonable, and it has the flight options you want, I’d recommend choosing it over Denver. It’s much smaller and easier to navigate than Denver International Airport. Security lines are manageable, the rental car pickup is straightforward, you’re in town quickly. They’ve also been doing a lot of modernization efforts and it shows. Denver can sometimes be cheaper for flights, but then you’re adding 1.5-2 hours driving depending on traffic and the airport is further out from town.
Best Areas to Stay in Colorado Springs
Near the Broadmoor
This is the area I like. The south side near The Broadmoor Hotel is gorgeous and feels more upscale and scenic. The area works well if you want resort-style accommodations, prefer quieter surroundings, and will be visiting Cheyenne Mountain, the zoo, or Seven Falls.
Downtown Colorado Springs
This area is great if you want restaurants, walkability, coffee shops and nightlife. Just know that most hotels charge for parking. The Springhill Suites, which is co-located with the Element, is clean, well-located, and has a lovely rooftop bar. I stayed there without a car when I was there for a short meeting and it was very walkable to things downtown. The Element shares facilities. I can’t speak to the rooms, but it is usually more expensive. The Springhill Suites was modern and very nice and the complimentary breakfast was decent.
North Colorado Springs
There are many chain hotels near the freeway and around the Air Force Academy area. This area is often more affordable, has easier parking and is convenient for families. There are many options here.
There are also options along Powers Blvd. to the east as well. Honestly, Colorado Springs is drivable, so I’d focus more on finding a property you like at the right price point rather than obsessing over being central. One area I personally would avoid is the stretch of older motels along Nevada Avenue. I’m also not a fan of the Manitou Springs “motels” either.
Best Time to Visit Colorado Springs
Late spring through early fall is ideal. My favorite times are May, June, September and early October. Summer has good weather (sometimes a little hot), but it’s also busier. Fall is gorgeous with cooler temperatures and changing leaves in the mountains. Winter can be beautiful but snow and icy roads can affect mountain attractions. Remember through it’s Colorado so it could be warm one day and cold the other or even stormy.
Things to Do
Tour the Olympic Training Center
Because of my internship with the USOC, this place will always be special to me. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center gives visitors a chance to see where elite athletes train, and even if you’re not a huge sports fan, it’s fascinating. You’ll learn about Olympic training programs, athlete life, Team USA history, and see various sports facilities. You might event spot some Olympians in training.
Allot 1-2 hours. The cost is $16 for adults. Discounts for kids and members of the military. Tours are not available on Sundays. Find out more.
Visit the Olympic & Paralympic Museum
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is genuinely one of the best sports museums I’ve visited. The medal displays from different Olympic Games were one of my favorite parts, and the interactive exhibits are really well done. This is another place you don’t have to be a huge sports fan to enjoy. Allow 2-3 hours to visit. Tickets are about $30 on peak days. Discounts are available for kids, first responders and members of the military. Note that they have free guided tours available too. I didn’t do any of these, but would in the future. Learn more and buy tickets here. One thing to note, if you do drive, they have a paid parking lot.
Hike at the Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods is the iconic Colorado Springs experience. It’s probably the most recognizable visual of Colorado Springs. The red rock formations are stunning, and the hiking ranges from easy paved walks to more challenging trails. Even if you’re not a serious hiker, it’s absolutely worth visiting. One thing to note in warmer months, they do have rattlesnakes. Stay aware on the trails and don’t let dogs wander into brush areas. Always keep your dog leashed. Allow 2-5 hours depending on how much hiking you want to do. It’s free to visit. There is also a Visitor’s Center. Parking can get crowded. I recommend going early if you can.
Explore Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City is one of my favorite areas to wander. It has local boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and historic western charm. I especially remember a quirky little shop filled with vintage minatures and tiny collectible displays. It’s called Magic Town created by Michael Garman. Learn more here.
This area is perfect for a slower afternoon. I spent quite a bit of time there during my summer perusing the boutiques. The area often has events too. Allow 1-3 hours.
Visit Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs has a totally different vibe from Colorado Springs. It’s artsy, quirky, and fun. Some things to do include tasting the natural mineral springs, browsing local shops, visiting the penny archade, walking around and just admiring the architecture and popping into shops. Parking can be a hassle during busy weekends so go earlier if possible. Allow 2-4 hours.
Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
I strongly recommend taking the train instead of driving. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is scenic, relaxing, and lets you actually enjoy the views instead of stressing over mountain roads. The ride up Pikes Peak is beautiful. I’ve done it several times. You’ll get good commentary and gorgeous views. You might even spot some yellow-bellied marmots. There is the opportunity to spend time at the top and get some photos, use the restroom, and visit the gift shop. Be sure to try the high altitude donuts.
There are multiple departures daily and tickets start at $67 for adults. Learn more.
Visit The Broadmoor
Even if you don’t stay there, The Broadmoor is worth seeing. The pink hotel is set with the mountains in the background and a lake. It’s iconic. Walk the grounds, eat at the restaurant, enjoy the lake area, and have drinks with mountain views.
Visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is consistently ranked among the best zoos in the country. The mountain setting makes it unique. They also are well-known for the number of giraffes they have there and I absolutely love giraffes. Fun fact: Certain days of the year, they have Dog Days where you can buy a ticket and bring your well-behaved pup. What an experience for them. Check out Ellie’s experience here. Allot 3-4 hours. Tickets start around $34 for off-peak times for adults.
Tour the Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy campus is beautiful, and the chapel area is especially interesting. There are scenic drives, visitor areas, and sporting events throughout the year. Find out more about visiting here.
Visit the World Figure Skating Museum
The World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame is small but interesting, especially if you follow the sport at all. As a former figure skater, I definitely geeked out. Allow an hour or two. More information is available here.
Visit the National Museum of World War II Aviation
The National Museum of World War II Aviation is excellent and very underrated. The aircraft collection is impressive, and aviation history fans could spend hours here. Staff is very friendly. They offer guided tours or you can explore the various exhibitions on your own. They were extraordinary. Very well done. I loved seeing the aircraft, but I also thought the artifacts and explanations were equally as fascinating. We were able to go through a quick walk-through of the Westpac hangar thanks to volunteer Phil. That was really something to see. Wow! This is one of those attractions to check out, especially if you are interested in aviation.
Go Hiking
Colorado Springs is a fantastic hiking city. Some areas I like include Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Ute Valley Park, Garden of the Gods and trails around Manitou Springs. There are hikes for every skill level, and yes, many are dog-friendly. My pup loved Ute Valley Park.
Dog-Friendly Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is surprisingly dog-friendly. A lot of breweries and patios welcome dogs, they are welcome at the Garden of the Gods, on many hiking trails, and even some days at the zoo! There’s also a huge dog park locals use called Bear Creek Park. It has a lot of area for dogs to roam and play, but I distinctly remember thinking it smelled absolutely terrible in the summer and Ellie hated it. (To be fair, she hates dog parks.)
Wander Downtown Colorado Springs
Downtown has local restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and small boutiques. I enjoyed walking and driving around Colorado College too because there are beautiful historic homes throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.
Take a Day Trip to Cripple Creak
Cripple Creek is about an hour/hour and a half from Colorado Springs depending on the traffic and weather. It’s an old mining town turned casino destination with mountain scenery and that Wild West history. In addition to visiting the casinos, you can check out the mining museum, take a historic train ride, and visit the local shops and restuarants.
Visit the Royal Gorge
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is worth the drive to Canon City. It’s about an hour from Colorado Springs. The massive canyon and suspension bridge are incredibly dramatic in person. You can ride the gondola, walk across the bridge and even zipline. Allow 4-6 hours including driving.
Go Whitewater Rafting
Colorado Springs can serve as a base for rafting trips. There are a variety of tours including full and half day. I did a half day tour near Canon City that was a lot of fun. I was younger and more daring then though.
Sports in Colorado Springs
Of course being Olympic town USA, sports are everywhere. You’ll find soccer matches, running events, cycling events, Air Force Academy sports and Olympic sports. The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is the soccer team that plays downtown. Friends tell me its a great activity, and I’m looking forward to going in the future.
Plan Your Visit
Colorado Springs blends outdoor adventure with interesting attractions. For me, it’s tied to a memorable chapter in my life. Spending a summer there during my internship gave me an appreciation for the city beyond the tourist spots. And, the many times I’ve been back, I still enjoy it. It works well for families, sports fans, outdoor enthusiasts, dog owners, and road trippers.
