9 Fun Things to Do in Colorado Springs as Recommended by Locals 

Located at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs (or “the Springs”) is known for its stunning natural beauty and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. For example, the Springs is home to Pikes Peak, one of the most famous mountains in the US (and the inspiration for “America the Beautiful”). At 14,115 feet, the peak is the highest summit of the southern front range of the Rockies. The panoramic views from the summit are breathtaking and offer a fantastic perspective of the city. It’s no wonder the area is a hub for climbers, hikers, photographers, and snow-sport adventurers! 

In addition to Pike’s Peak, Colorado Springs is home to Garden of the Gods, a magnificent red rock formation also popular with photographers, hikers, and rock climbers. The city also boasts over 9,000 acres of parkland to explore.  

3,500-year-old artifacts found at the Garden of the Gods show the Ute people first lived in the area, then American settlers populated the land during the Pikes Peak gold rush in 1850 and called it Old Colorado City. The area was later established as Colorado Springs in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer and earned the nickname “Little London” because of the large influx of English immigrants back in the 1870s.  

Gold mining and the railroad brought prosperity to the city, and wealthy families built large mansions, churches, libraries, and hotels to welcome visitors and new residents looking to take advantage of the area’s prosperity, impressive scenery, and clean mountain air. 

Today, the Springs is a modern hub for a variety of activities. It’s often referred to as Olympic City because the first US Olympic training center was built there, and it’s now home to the Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It’s a thriving center for art and culture, hosting a variety of festivals, galleries, live music, top-notch cuisine, and more.  

With so much to do (both indoors and out!), we had trouble picking the must-see tourist destinations in Colorado Springs, so we enlisted the help of the locals for suggestions. Here are some of the recommendations they gave us.  

1. Relax in the hot springs before you enjoy some local art and culture  

Jon Wade of the Steamboat Group Real Estate shared some suggestions for how to relax and recharge in the city:  

“Checking out local hot springs is always my first recommendation in any Colorado city,” says Wade. “Colorado Springs is fortunate to have a few true hot springs within a 60 to 90-minute drive: Dakota Hot Springs, Desert Reef, and Indian Hot Springs. Folks who want to stay in town will enjoy SunWater Spa, which sources water from a mineral spring. The water is heated on-site, but it’s every bit as relaxing as the true geothermal experience Colorado is famous for.” 

2. Spend a night out in Old Colorado City 

“I also enjoy the Old Colorado City neighborhood,” says Wade. “It has walkable shops and restaurants, but it’s outside of downtown, giving it a more “hometown” feeling. It’s definitely artsy, too. They have an Art Walk every first Friday, frequent craft classes, and lots of live music.” Old Colorado City also hosts an exciting farmer’s market from June through October with fresh produce stands, local food vendors, crafts, and flowers. 

3. Immerse yourself in history at the World War II Aviation Museum 

John Henry, communications rep for the National Museum of WWII Aviation, gave us the deets on one of the Springs’ most fascinating attractions:  

“A unique thing to do in Colorado Springs is seeing World War II-era planes that fly, and more than 100 displays, videos, and artifacts that tell the story of American aviation in WWII,” he said. “The National Museum of World War II Aviation at Colorado Springs Airport has a “Best of the Best” rating from Tripadvisor, which ranks the museum #2 of 255 things to do in Colorado Springs. During your visit, you’ll see how the pressures of war prompted rapid advances in aeronautical technology and the production of 300,000 aircraft in a few short years.” 

“You’ll have a fun chance to test your piloting skills in a simulator that was once a WWII pilot-training aircraft, and you’ll get an up-close look at our aircraft restoration facility,” Henry said. “No-longer-needed parts and pieces from the restoration process become one-of-a-kind items like earrings, clocks, and art that are sold in the museum’s gift shop. The museum also conducts fly days during warm weather months, at which one or more of our 29 aircraft are flown.” 

Good to know: The museum is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. Tours are self-guided, but they do offer guided tours as well.  

4. Talk to the animals at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 

This mountaintop zoo with stunning city views is home to over 750 animals, many of which you can get up close and personal with! You can book a meet-and-greet with the animals and the keepers who love them, get some fantastic behind-the-scenes selfies, and even commission artwork created by the animals as you watch. Most of them are ok to feed with guidance from the keepers, but with a couple of exceptions, most aren’t available for petting. Regardless, it’s a magical experience for animal lovers of all ages! 

Good to know: The zoo is typically open from 9 am-5 pm on most days, but scheduling may vary depending on the zoo’s calendar of special events. Visit https://www.cmzoo.org for information, a schedule of upcoming events, and to purchase tickets. 

5. Visit the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center 

If you stroll through the Colorado College campus and notice a striking red sandstone building with a blend of Art Deco and Pueblo revival architecture, you’ve found the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The museum houses 15 galleries featuring diverse works by regional artists, Native American art, and contemporary pieces.  

The museum is designed not only for guests to view the galleries but also to showcase the behind-the-scenes work of how conservators store and care for the objects, art used in the college’s academic curriculum, and pieces used for research projects. The museum’s experts are available to educate you about the many conservation projects they’re working on, preserving priceless cultural items through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).  

The center is also home to a well-known and long-respected performing arts program with thrilling musical, theater, and dance productions for patrons to enjoy. If you’re looking to explore the creative side of Colorado Springs, this place is a must-see destination! 

Good to know: Museum hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 am-5 pm, on Friday from 10 am-8 pm, and it’s closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The museum offers self-guided and special tours upon request.  

6. Get fancy at the Historic Glen Eyrie Castle 

Built in the late 1800s by none other than Union General and Colorado Springs founder William Jackson Palmer, this Tudor-style castle is seriously a sight to behold. It features towering turrets, stone walls, and intricate woodwork and is surrounded by 700 acres of stunning red rock formations and lush forests right next to the Garden of the Gods.   

The castle now serves as an idyllic venue, retreat center, and hotel for visitors looking for a truly unique experience to relax and reconnect with nature. You can stay in one of the beautifully restored rooms inside the historic castle or in one of the many cabins and lodges scattered throughout the property.  

In addition to enjoying the luxe accommodations, visitors can take afternoon tea in the castle music room and library, explore the extensive hiking trails on the property for some wildlife watching, or simply relax on the grounds among the mountains. The castle also offers tours and has a shop where visitors can purchase unique souvenirs and gifts. 

Good to know: Tea is served Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Castle tours are offered Monday through Saturday at noon and at 2 pm, and only at 2 pm on Sunday. 

7. Get your cowboy on at The Flying W Ranch 

If you’re in the mood for something a little more rustic, the Flying W Ranch offers a ton of fun activities for visitors to channel the Old West. The biggest draw is the chuckwagon dinner and the Flying W Wranglers western stage show, but there’s much more to this ranch than great grub and entertainment! 

For example, the ranch hosts Native American Dancing exhibitions, cattle roping exhibitions, horseback riding, and plenty of hiking trails around the breathtaking grounds from which you can soak in the mountainous scenery.  

You’ll learn how the horses are shoed, the cattle are milked, and the ranch animals are cared for. There’s an axe throwing and archery range, horseshoe pits, cornhole boards, yard games, and even hat branding, so you’ll never lose your cowboy hat.  

This place is definitely a day-trip-worthy endeavor you’ll be talking about long after you’ve gotten back home! 

8. Be inspired by the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum USOPM 

If you’re a sports fan, history buff, or just love to watch those moving stories about the athletes during the Games, this museum is the place for you! While Colorado Springs has been home to the US Olympic and Paralympic committees for decades, the museum opened in July 2020 to rave reviews about its exhibits and interactive experiences.  

The museum is dedicated to honoring the history and achievements of Team USA athletes who have competed in the games through their stories of dedication, perseverance, and triumph in the face of adversity. And there’s a ton of stuff to do and see!  

It features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to test their sporting abilities in track and field, swimming, and wheelchair basketball. Immersive displays and multimedia presentations teach the history of the Games, but one of the highlights is the Hall of Fame paying tribute to the legendary athletes who’ve made such an impact on the Olympic and Paralympic movements. You’ll see exhibits dedicated to iconic athletes like Jesse Owens, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and many more.  

Good to know: The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Guided and self-guided tours are available. 

9. Go back in time at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM) 

Located in the restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, this fascinating museum has won national awards for its excellent exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents telling the story of the history and culture of the Springs.   

You’ll find collections of items honoring the history and culture of the Ute, Colorado Springs’ first inhabitants, telling the stories of the first African American settlers who came to Colorado Springs looking for a new start after the Civil War, and showcasing the history of Colorado Spring’s women’s suffrage movement in the 1800s. 

The museum also houses a permanent exhibit displaying objects related to the area’s founding families and early American settlers. Here, you’ll find period clothing, household items, tools, and other artifacts that provide insight into the daily lives of the pioneers who helped shape the city.  

An interactive children’s exhibit, “Beads, Blankets, and Buffalo,” allows kids ages 2-10 to explore a realistic tepee, trade counter, carpenter’s shop, kitchen, and Santa Fe Trail wagon to get an idea of what life was like for Coloradoans back in the day.    

Good to know: The museum is currently closed while they do some much-appreciated HVAC renovations just in time for summer and exhibition expansions. It will reopen in the summer of 2024. In the meantime, the CSPM annex is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, at the Plaza of the Rockies. Check in with their website at https://www.cspm.org to stay tuned for updates.  

Commune with nature in Colorado Springs! 

The fresh mountain air, idyllic scenery, and delightful residents make the Springs a pretty magical place. We hope these suggestions have given you some ideas for where to go and what to do in this beautiful city, although once you get there, the locals will be happy to direct you to many more hidden gems around every corner. Once you’ve found your way, you might just want to stick around Colorado Springs and call it home!