Top Attractions in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs enjoys one of the most dramatic settings of any American city, nestled at 6,035 feet where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The 14,115-foot Pikes Peak towers over the city, and the red sandstone spires of Garden of the Gods rise from the landscape like natural cathedrals. With over 300 days of sunshine, a strong military presence, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, the Springs attracts adventurers, athletes, and nature lovers year-round.
Garden of the Gods
This free city park is one of the most visited natural attractions in the West. Towering red sandstone formations, some reaching 300 feet, were pushed upright by geological forces over millions of years. Paved trails at Garden of the Gods wind between the formations with Pikes Peak as a backdrop. The Balanced Rock and Kissing Camels formations are iconic. Rock climbers can register at the visitor center to climb designated routes on the sandstone walls.
Pikes Peak
The mountain that inspired "America the Beautiful" is accessible by car via the Pikes Peak Highway, by cog railway on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway (the highest cog railway in the world), or on foot via the grueling 13-mile Barr Trail. The newly rebuilt summit house at 14,115 feet offers world-famous high-altitude donuts and panoramic views stretching to Kansas on clear days.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
Colorado Springs is the headquarters of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the training center offers free guided tours where you can watch elite athletes preparing for international competition. The visitor center features Olympic memorabilia and interactive exhibits celebrating American athletes.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
America's only mountain zoo sits at 6,800 feet on the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo giraffe feeding experience is the most popular activity, and the zoo's mountainside setting provides stunning views of the city below. The Sky Ride chairlift takes visitors to the top of the zoo for panoramic mountain vistas.
Food & Dining Scene
Colorado Springs' food scene has grown rapidly, with a focus on craft beer, farm-to-table dining, and the influence of its diverse military and outdoor communities.
Must-Try Local Foods
- Green chile — Colorado has its own green chile tradition distinct from New Mexico's; try it smothered on burritos at Coquette's Bistro or The Rabbit Hole
- Craft beer — With over 30 craft breweries, the Springs is a serious beer town. Bristol Brewing, Cerberus Brewing, and Phantom Canyon Brewing are local favorites
- Rocky Mountain trout — Fresh trout from nearby mountain streams appears on menus across the city; The Warehouse Restaurant prepares it beautifully
- Bison burgers — Colorado ranch-raised bison is leaner and more flavorful than beef; try one at Edelweiss German Restaurant or The Mason Jar
Old Colorado City, the original territorial capital, has become a charming dining and shopping district along West Colorado Avenue. The Ivywild School, a converted 1916 elementary school, now houses Bristol Brewing, a restaurant, and artisan shops in a creative adaptive reuse project.
Outdoor Activities
Colorado Springs is one of the most active cities in America, with the Rocky Mountain Front Range providing an endless playground.
Hiking
The Incline is the city's most famous hike — a nearly vertical climb up 2,768 railroad tie steps gaining 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile. It is brutal and beloved. For something more scenic, the Red Rock Canyon Open Space offers trails through red sandstone formations similar to Garden of the Gods but with far fewer crowds. North Cheyenne Canon Park features waterfalls and forested canyon hikes minutes from downtown.
Mountain Biking & Road Cycling
The Palmer Park trail system provides miles of singletrack riding within the city limits. Captain Jack's Trail in North Cheyenne Canon is a classic ride through pine forest with technical terrain. Road cyclists tackle the challenging climb up Pikes Peak Highway or the Gold Camp Road, a converted railroad grade offering mountain views.
White Water Rafting
Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River are within an hour's drive, offering class III-V rapids through dramatic canyons. Multiple outfitters in the area provide half-day and full-day guided trips from May through August.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Downtown Colorado Springs and the Tejon Street corridor form the nightlife center. Axe and the Oak Whiskey House is a local distillery with a tasting room and cocktail bar in a beautifully restored space. The underground speakeasy-style Shame + Regret serves creative cocktails below street level. For live music, The Black Sheep hosts touring indie and punk acts, while Lulu's Downstairs brings jazz, folk, and Americana to a cozy basement venue. The Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts hosts the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and touring Broadway shows.
Hidden Gems
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Located about 35 miles east of the Springs in Calhan, these colorful clay formations look like something from another planet. Bands of purple, orange, white, and yellow paint-like deposits create an otherworldly landscape that changes color throughout the day. The area was used by Native peoples for over 9,000 years to gather pigment materials.
Manitou Springs
This quirky little mountain town at the base of Pikes Peak features naturally carbonated mineral springs you can taste from public fountains throughout town. Each spring has a different mineral composition and flavor. Manitou Springs also has excellent art galleries, the penny arcade, and some of the best independent restaurants in the region.
Seven Falls
A series of seven cascading waterfalls in a narrow box canyon, accessible via a paved path and illuminated at night with colored lights. A staircase of 224 steps climbs alongside the falls, and a hiking trail at the top leads to a panoramic overlook. The canyon setting is dramatic and intimate, and the nighttime lighting creates a magical atmosphere.