Best Tourist Spots in Colorado Springs

With over 55 world class attractions and activities to participate in Colorado Springs, this is a destination where you can hive away unforgettable memories. From Garden of the Gods to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, to United States Air Force Academy, to Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, to Old Colorado City – you’re in for a bewitching treat in the land of Colorado Springs. Whether you fancy watching world-class athletes in action or explore the elite military training academy or marvel fine arts, the city has it all.

Garden of the Gods

As convincing as the name sounds, the 1350 acre park, the Garden of the Gods is arguably the most ethereal attractions of the nation. The sight of the stunning red rock formations and the sandstone pillars, which are the magnificent creation of geological activity, magnify the delicate beauty of the garden. If you want to dig deeper about the garden's formation and more, stop by the Visitor and Nature Center has many beautiful exhibits and give away informative nature presentation daily. To fully explore the park, you can avail the guided jeep and van tours; or also a guided horseback tour or perhaps discover the beauty on your own.

Address: 1805 North 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904-1247
Website: www.gardenofgods.com
Park Hours: From May to October between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily
From November through April, between 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Visitor and Nature Center - From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m

Pikes Peak

Any visitors to the city cannot afford to miss a visit to the "America's Mountain" - Pikes Peak. A place to marvel at its extraordinary blend of geological and historic attractions and you can venture into the several adrenaline-pumping adventures. Natural beauty abounds, the pink granite mountains ooze richness and a view from there is so breathtakingly beautiful, that you will lose all sense of present. You can take off the beaten track for a great hike or hop on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for an historic exploration.

Address: Cascade, Colorado 80809
Website: www.coloradosprings.gov
Hours: Uphill gate – From 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the downhill gate upto 7 p.m. The summit stays open until 6 p.m., Access to Pikes Peak costs $12 for adults and $5 for children.

United States Air Force Academy

If speed and airplane thrill you, you ought to visit United States Air Force Academy. This elite military academy is a place to get a first hand view of the impressive plane maneuvers. The facility encompasses a Visitor Center, a functioning educational institution, the Honor Court, the Cadet Chapel and Falcon Stadium. Start your tour from the visitor center, that gives you an informative insights about the academy and from there you can take on to an amusing tour of the entire academy.

Address: 4102 Pinion Drive, Air Force Academy, CO 80840
Website: www.usafa.af.mil/information/visitors
Hours: Academy opens daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The visitor center opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*Admission is free.

United States Olympic Training Center

The 35-acre complex, United States Olympic Training Center, is a must-visit-venue in Colorado Springs. This is the US Olympic team's flagship training center and is a functioning headquarters of the United States Olympic Committee. The center offers about 15 guided tours daily, to let you admire the world class athletes in action and explore the premise that encompasses two Olympic-size swimming pools and several practice facilities for various sports. Stop by the center's massive Hall of Fame that is dedicated to honor some of the celebrated US athletes in Olympic History.

Address: 1 Olympic Plaza | Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Website: www.teamusa.org/About-the-USOC/Training-Centers-and-Sites/Colorado-Springs
Hours: The Olympic Training Center opens from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon to Saturday (summer) and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (winter) and tours frequency every 30 minutes.

Manitou Springs

This is a small historic town, hemmed in the foothills of Rocky Mountain. Manitou Springs is clustered with funky boutiques, art galleries and outdoor cafes. This district brings out the charismatic charm of the hippie era, where you an aimless stroll around become an adventure. In the heart of the town is the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade that houses around 250 ancient gaming machines. Beyond the shops and arcades, hit the hiking trails nearby for some outdoor fun.

Address: Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO
Website: www.manitousprings.org

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

A zoo outing is always an exciting one and even more entertaining in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This place is a big hit among kids and it gives a plenty of entertaining options. You can get a close up with over 800 exotic species and venture into a Moonlight Safari to get up close with the creatures. Kids get to hand feed the elephants and giraffes, which remain one of their favorite activities in the zoo.

Address: 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Website: www.cmzoo.org
Hours: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: $17.25 for adults and $12.25 for children

North Cheyenne Canon Park

This is a 1600 acres park, nestled at the base of a 1000 foot deep canyon. The park is a home to a wide range of wildlife, hiking trails, and creek for a refreshing swim. Start your park exploration from the Starsmore Discovery Center, which hosts several displays and renders lots of information about the park, hiking trails, wildlife and more. Some popular sites there include Seven Falls and Helen Hunt Falls.

Address: 3440 North Cheyenne Canyon Road | Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Website: www.coloradosprings.gov
Hours: From dusk to dawn daily. Starsmore Discovery Center daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.(hours vary seasonally)

Old Colorado City

Stash away some time to explore the original capital of the Colorado Territory, Old Colorado City. Dated back to 1859, it is located on the western part of the downtown area and is associated with many significant historical events. This historic area was once served as a bustling platform for activity and a hub for miners, farmers and ranchers. Today, the venue is adorned with several charming art galleries, trendy restaurants and eclectic shops, but still holding on to its 19th-century "wild west" feel.

Address: Old Colorado City, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Website: www.shopoldcoloradocity.com

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

This beautiful museum showcases old photographs and artifacts that is associated to the city's bygone eras. Dated back, the venue once served as the early 20th-century El Paso County Courthouse. This museum is an ideal place to discover the root of the city's evolution from a mining town to a thriving modern tourist spot.

Address: 215 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Website: www.springsgov.com
Hours: Tue - Sat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Admission free.

Red Rock Canyon

The Springs' scenic landscape is best captured in Red Rock Canyon. With its stunning dessert landscape, the Canyon is dotted with rosy rocks, anchoring many hiking and biking trails, the Canyon is an awesome getaway for outdoor nuts. This was once a mining area, owned by the Bock family. Today, the entire land area is owned by the City of Colorado. Beyond the hiking and biking expedition, you can relax amidst movie screenings and live entertainment that are hosted on the park's open air pavilion.

Address: 3550 W High Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Website: www.redrockcanyonopenspace.org
Hours: May through October, from 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.; else from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
*Admission Free

Mueller State Park

Another famous venue for outdoor enthusiasts is Mueller State Park. Spanning roughly 5,000 acres, this park garbs verdulous forest; rigged mountain peaks; several miles of biking and hiking trails; cross-country skiing and so forth. The park also encompasses a visitor's center, where you can relax and get some informative know-how of the park. If you love camping, look no further than Mueller State Park, which is a perfect camping spot. As the park is home to wide range of wildlife, the chance to bump into an animal is quite high, so avoid hiking alone.

Address: 21045 State Highway 67 | Divide, CO 80814-8902
Website: www.cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/Mueller
Hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Map Guide of the Best Tourist Spots in Colorado Springs