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Colorado Springs Attractions
Most of the attractions of the Pikes Peak region fit in two general categories: natural, such as Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Cave of the Winds; and historic/educational, including the Air Force Academy, Olympic Complex training center, museums, historic homes, and art galleries. There are also gambling houses in Cripple Creek.
If you visit Colorado from a sea-level area, you might want to schedule mountain excursions, such as the cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak, at the end of your stay. This will give your body time to adapt to the lower oxygen level at these higher elevations.
Top of the Charts -- Teacher Katharine Lee Bates (1859–1929) wrote the patriotic song “America the Beautiful” after an 1895 wagon trip to the top of Pikes Peak.
Especially for Kids -- In addition to the listings, children will probably enjoy the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, May Natural History Museum, and Ghost Town.
Historic Neighborhoods
Manitou Springs, which centers on Manitou Avenue off U.S. 24 W., is a separate town with its own government. It is one of the country’s largest National Historic Districts. Legend has it that Utes named the springs Manitou, their word for “Great Spirit,” because they believed that the Great Spirit had breathed into the waters to create the natural effervescence of the springs. Pikes Peak soars above the town nestled at its base.
Today, the community offers visitors a chance to step back to a slower and quieter time. It boasts numerous elegant Victorian buildings, many of which house delightful shops, galleries, restaurants, and lodgings. Manitou Springs is also home to many fine artists and artisans, whom you might spot painting or sketching about town. A small group of sculptors began the Manitou Art Project in 1992; it installed more than 20 sculptures in various locations downtown and in the parks, creating a large sculpture garden for all to enjoy. The works, which stay on display for a year, are for sale, with 25% of the proceeds used to purchase permanent sculpture for the city.
Visitors are encouraged to take the self-guided tour of the nine restored mineral springs of Manitou. Pick up the Manitou Springs Visitor’s Guide, which contains a map and descriptions to help you find each spring. It’s available at the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 354 Manitou Ave. (tel. 800/642-2567 or 719/685-5089; www.manitousprings.org), which is open daily.
Old Colorado City, Colorado Avenue between 21st and 31st streets, was founded in 1859, 12 years before Colorado Springs. The town boomed in the 1880s after General Palmer’s railroad came through. Tunnels led from the respectable side of town to this saloon and red-light district so that the city fathers could carouse without being seen coming or going -- or so the legend goes. Today this historic district has an interesting assortment of shops, galleries, and restaurants.
32 Results
- Cooking Class
Arcade Amusements
Among the West’s oldest and largest amusement arcades, this game complex just might be considered a hands-on arcade museum as well as a fun place for kids of all ages. Some 250 machines range from original working penny pinball machines to Pac-Man and Q*bert to modern video games,… - Tour
Cave of the Winds
Discovered by two boys on a church outing in the 1880s, this impressive underground cavern has offered public tours for well over a century. It provides a good opportunity to see the beauty of the underworld. The 45-minute Discovery Tour takes visitors along a well-lit 3/4-mile… - Zoo/Aquarium
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
On the lower slopes of Cheyenne Mountain, at 6,800 feet above sea level—making it the nation's highest—this medium-size zoological park is my top pick for families. The 700-plus animals, many in “natural” environments, include wolves, lions, leopards, red pandas, elephants, hippos,… - Performing Arts Venue
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
In 2007, when the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center significantly increased its footprint with an expansion, it was overshadowed by the expansion at the Denver Art Museum. But many architecture critics actually preferred the work by David Tryba to that of Daniel Libeskind in… - Museum
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Housed in the landmark 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, one of the defining structures downtown, the Pioneers Museum tells the intriguing history of the area, beginning as a gold-mining camp, then attracting tuberculosis patients seeking a cure, to its more recent military boom. The… - The Performing Arts
Flying W Ranch
This working cattle and horse ranch, just north of the Garden of the Gods, encompasses a Western village of more than a dozen restored buildings and a mine train. There are also demonstrations of Navajo weaving and horseshoeing. A Western stage show features bunkhouse comedy, cowboy… - Natural Attraction
Garden of the Gods
One of the West’s unique geological sites, the 1,300-acre Garden of the Gods is a giant rock garden composed of spectacular red sandstone formations sculpted by rain and wind over millions of years. Located where several life zones and ecosystems converge, the beautiful city-run park… - Theme Park
Ghost Town Wild West Museum
A fun place to take the family, Ghost Town Wild West Museum is part historic attraction, part theme park. Made up of authentic 19th-century buildings relocated from other parts of Colorado, this “town” is sheltered from the elements in Old Colorado City. There’s a sheriff’s office,… - Museum
Manitou Cliff Dwellings Preserve & Museums
The cliff-dwelling ruins here are real, although originally they were located elsewhere. This put me off at first—they would be more authentic if they were in their original location—but the move here may have saved them. In the early 1900s, archaeologists, who saw such dwellings… - Historic Site
McAllister House
This Gothic cottage, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a good place for a quick look at the Colorado of the late 19th century. It was built in 1873, and the builder, an army major named Henry McAllister, decided to construct the house with brick when he learned… - Park/Garden
Memorial Park
One of the largest parks in the city, Memorial is home to the Mark “Pa” Sertich Ice Center and the Aquatics and Fitness Center, as well as to the famed 7-Eleven Velodrome, which is used for world-class bicycling events. Other facilities include baseball and softball fields,… - Museum
Miramont Castle Museum
Built in the 1890s with very few square corners, Miramont Castle is today a museum that showcases this one-of-a-kind structure. An unusual architectural specimen to say the least, it fuses Queen Anne, Romanesque, Tudor, and Gothic styles into an intriguingly satisfying whole. Tours… - Museum
Money Museum
Coin collectors will love this place, but this museum's exhibits will capture the attention of most anyone who has handled money. There are about one quarter million coins here, with specimens as old as money itself (about 4,500 years old, to be precise) in “The History of Money”… - Park/Garden
Monument Valley Park
This long, slender park follows Monument Creek through downtown Colorado Springs. At its south end are formal zinnia, begonia, and rose gardens, and in the middle are demonstration gardens of the Horticultural Art Society. Facilities include softball and baseball fields, volleyball… - Park/Garden
Mueller State Park
Somewhat like a junior version of Rocky Mountain National Park, Mueller contains over 5,000 acres of prime scenic beauty along the west slope of Pikes Peak. The 55 miles of uncrowded trails, designated for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers, provide great mountain views… - Park/Garden
North Cheyenne Cañon Park and Starsmore Discovery Center
A delightful escape on a hot summer day, this 1,600-acre park includes North Cheyenne Creek, which drops 1,800 feet over the course of 5 miles in a series of cascades and waterfalls. The heavily wooded park contains picnic areas and about 15 miles of hiking/biking/horseback riding… - Theme Park
North Pole/Santa’s Workshop
A Christmas-themed amusement park, Santa’s Workshop is busy from mid-May until December 24. Not only can kids visit shops where elves have some early Christmas gifts for sale, they can see Santa and whisper their requests in his ear. This 26-acre village features numerous rides,… - Park/Garden
Palmer Park
Deeded to the city in 1899 by Colorado Springs founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer, this 737-acre preserve offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding across a mesa overlooking the city. It contains a variety of minerals (including quartz, topaz, jasper, and tourmaline), rich… - Museum
Peterson Air & Space Museum
Aerospace aficionados won't want to miss this facility on Peterson Air Force Base on the southern fringe of Colorado Springs, but those without a particular interest should probably steer clear of this museum. The collection features more than 25 aircraft and missiles from the 1950s… - Ride
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
For those who enjoy rail travel, spectacular scenery, and the thrill of mountain climbing without all the work, this is the trip to take. The first passenger train climbed 14,110-foot Pikes Peak on June 30, 1891, and diesel slowly replaced steam power between 1939 and 1955. Four… - Hiking/Biking Route
Pikes Peak Highway
Perhaps no view in Colorado equals the 360-degree panorama from the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. Whether you go by cog railway, hiking trail, or private vehicle, the ascent is a spectacular, exciting experience—although not for those with heart or breathing problems or a fear of… - Museum
ProRodeo Hall of Fame & American Cowboy Museum
From animals like Descent, a bucking horse who was in the first class of inductees in 1979, to bareback rider Chuck Logue, a 2013 inductee, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame honors the legends of the rodeo. Also onsite, the American Cowboy Museum traces the history of rodeo from the late… - Zoo/Aquarium
Pueblo Zoo
More than 420 animals representing some 140 species live in this 25-acre zoo, listed on the National Register of Historic Places for several buildings and other structures (including a moat) that were constructed of native sandstone during the Depression by WPA workers. Attractions… - Historic Site
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Visitors can explore the history of three pioneer eras at this living-history farm, at the east edge of Garden of the Gods Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the ranch presents the rigors of the homestead era at the 1860s Galloway Homestead, the agricultural… - Natural Attraction
Seven Falls
This is a good choice for those who have not yet gotten their fill of Colorado's spectacular mountain scenery. A picturesque 1-mile drive through a box canyon takes you between the Pillars of Hercules, where the canyon narrows to just 42 feet, ending at these cascading falls. Seven… - The Performing Arts
Star Bar Players
Each year, this resident theater company presents several full-length plays, ranging from Greek comedies to modern murder mysteries. Recent productions have included Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tickets are typically $10 to $15. - Landmark
The Broadmoor
This famous Italian Renaissance–style resort hotel has been a Colorado Springs landmark since Spencer Penrose built it in 1918. Pick up a walking tour brochure from the front desk, and make a point of stopping at the free El Pomar Heritage Museum, featuring Penrose’s carriage… - Park/Garden
The Nature and Raptor Center
A major recreation and education center, this area provides access to more than 36 miles of paved biking and hiking trails along the Arkansas River and around Lake Pueblo. There are also a 150-foot fishing dock, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, an amphitheater, nature trails,… - Tour
United States Air Force Academy
Located 12 miles north of downtown, Colorado Springs’ pride and joy got its start in 1954 when Congress authorized the establishment of a U.S. Air Force Academy and chose this 18,000-acre site from among 400 prospective locations. The first class of cadets enrolled in 1959, and each… - Tour
United States Olympic Complex
So you think your local fitness center is state of the art? Check out the 35-acre United States Olympic Complex, a sophisticated center where thousands of athletes train each year in a variety of Olympic sports. Free guided tours, available daily, take about 45 minutes, and include a… - Museum
Western Museum of Mining & Industry
This is the best mining museum in Colorado outside of Leadville. There are thousands of artifacts on the 27-acre campus, ranging from antique hand tools to a monstrous 1928 steam shovel to Nugget, and Chism the donkeys who serve as mascots for the museum. Special exhibits have… - Museum
World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame
From inaugural inductees like Dick Button and Peggy Fleming to Denise Biellman, the champion Swiss skater elected in 2014, this attraction honors all of the ice-skating greats. The museum side has exhibits detailing the history, art, and science of the sport. Allow 30 minutes to an…
Colorado Springs Shopping
Five principal areas attract shoppers in Colorado Springs. The Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City neighborhoods are fun places to browse for art, jewelry, arts and crafts, books, antiques, and other specialty items. The Chapel Hills and Citadel malls combine major department stores with a variety of national chain outlets. Downtown Colorado Springs also has numerous shops.
Mall lovers have their pick of Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd. at North Academy Boulevard and I-25 (tel. 719/594-0110; www.chapelhillsmall.com); the Citadel, 750 Citadel Dr. E. at North Academy Boulevard and East Platte Avenue (tel. 719/591-5516; www.shopthecitadel.com); and the Promenade Shops at Briargate, 1885 Briargate Pkwy. (tel. 719/265-6264; www.thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com).
Commonwheel Artists Co-op -- There are artists galore in Manitou Springs, and this co-op showcases works from a good many of them. Of the galleries dotting the streets, this is the best place to start. 102 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs. 719/685-1008. www.commonwheel.com.
Michael Garman’s Museum and Gallery -- Michael Garman has made a name for himself with his sculptures of down-and-out types, cowboys, and blue-collar everyday joes. Stop here for a great selection of his work, but the can't-miss attraction is Magic Town, a room-sized city with so many details it's hard to take them in in less than a half-hour. Entry to Magic Town is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 7 to 12, and free for younger kids. If you feel like really exploring, get a scavenger hunt card from the cashier. 2418 W. Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City. tel. 800/731-3908 or 719/471-9391. www.michaelgarman.com.
Van Briggle Pottery & Tile -- The late Artus Van Briggle took Far Eastern techniques of matte glaze to locally sourced clay starting in 1899, and his Art Nouveau results are the thing of legend. The kilns are still active today, and you can see artists in action. 1024 S. Tejon St. tel. 719/633-7729. www.vanbriggle.com.
Books -- There are numerous chain bookstores around the city, including Barnes & Noble, 795 Citadel Dr. E., just east of the Citadel Mall (tel. 719/637-8282).
Sporting Goods -- In business since 1968, the independent Mountain Chalet, 226 N. Tejon St. (tel. 719/633-0732; www.mtnchalet.com), sells camping gear, outdoor clothing, hiking and climbing gear, and winter sports equipment. Another good source for all sorts of outdoor clothing and equipment is Sports Authority, with stores at 7730 N. Academy Blvd. (tel. 719/532-1020) and 1409 N. Academy Blvd. (tel. 719/574-1400).
Western Wear--
Lorig's Western Wear -- For cowboys real and faux, Lorig's has long been the place to get your duds for work, play, or a night on the town. 15 N. Union Blvd. tel. 719/633-4695. www.lorigscolorado.com.
7 Results
- Bookstores
Barnes & Noble
Five miles east of downtown near the Citadel Mall, 795 Citadel Dr. E. ([tel] 719/637-8282) offers a wide selection of books and magazines. - Arts & Crafts
Commonwheel Artists Co-op
There are artists galore in Manitou Springs, and this co-op showcases works from a good many of them. Of the galleries dotting the streets, this is the best place to start. - Fashion
Lorig's Western Wear
For cowboys real and faux, Lorig's has long been the place to get your duds for work, play, or a night on the town. - Arts & Crafts
Michael Garman’s Museum and Gallery
Michael Garman has made a name for himself with his sculptures of down-and-out types, cowboys, and blue-collar everyday joes. Stop here for a great selection of his work, but the can't-miss attraction is Magic Town, a room-sized city with so many details it's hard to take them in in… - Sporting Goods
Mountain Chalet
In business since 1968, the independent store has everything you need for a hike or overnight camping trip, as well as a nice array of mountain-centric Colorado souvenirs. - Bookstores
Poor Richard's Bookstore
The best used bookstore in Colorado Springs is the tip of the iceberg for the Poor Richard's complex, with everything from toys to coffee to tapas as well. - Arts & Crafts
Van Briggle Pottery & Tile
The late Artus Van Briggle took Far Eastern techniques of matte glaze to locally sourced clay starting in 1899, and his Art Nouveau results are the thing of legend. The kilns are still active today, and you can see artists in action.
Colorado Springs Nightlife
The Colorado Springs entertainment scene spreads throughout the metropolitan area. Pikes Peak Center, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, City Auditorium, Colorado College, and various facilities at the U.S. Air Force Academy are all outstanding venues for the performing arts. The city also supports dozens of cinemas, nightclubs, bars, and other after-dark attractions. Downtown is the major nightlife hub, but Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs also have their fair share of interesting establishments.
Weekly entertainment schedules appear in the Friday Gazette. Also look at the listings in the Independent, free entertainment tabloids. A good online resource for information on events and nightlife is www.peakradar.com.
Tickets for many major entertainment and sporting events can be obtained from Ticketmaster (tel. 719/520-9090; www.ticketmaster.com).
The Performing Arts
Among the major venues for performing arts is the 8,000-seat Colorado Springs World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., at I-25, exit 138 (tel. 719/477-2100; www.worldarena.com). The area’s newest entertainment center, it presents big-name country and rock concerts and a wide variety of sporting events.
Other major facilities include the handsome Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave. (tel. 719/520-7469 for the ticket office, or 719/477-2100; www.pikespeakcenter.org), a 2,000-seat concert hall in the heart of downtown that has been acclaimed for its outstanding acoustics. The city’s symphony orchestra and dance theater call the Pikes Peak Center home, and top-flight touring entertainers, Broadway musicals, and symphony orchestras appear here as well.
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St. (tel. 719/634-5581 for general information, or 719/634-5583 for the box office; www.csfineartscenter.org), is a historic facility that includes a children’s theater program, a repertory theater company, dance programs and concerts, and classic films. Recent productions have included The Producers and An Ideal Husband. At the historic City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St. (tel. 719/385-5969; www.springsgov.com, follow links), you can often attend a trade show or big-name concert -- Willie Nelson has performed here -- or drop in at the Lon Chaney Theatre for a dramatic production. There are also several active performing-arts venues on the campus of Colorado College (tel. 719/389-6606; www.coloradocollege.edu) in Armstrong Hall and other buildings.
Symphony, Theater & Dance
Colorado Springs Dance Theatre -- This excellent company stages several productions from fall to spring at several venues in Colorado Springs. The style runs the gamut from classical to contemporary. tel. 719/630-7434. www.csdance.org.
Colorado Springs Philharmonic -- The well-regarded civic orchestra plays at numerous venues and events all year long, including outdoor concerts in the summer and “The Nutcracker” come December. tel. 719/575-9632 or 719/520-7469 for tickets. www.csphilharmonic.org.
Dinner Theaters
The beloved Flying W Ranch was completely destroyed by a ferocious wildfire in 2012, but the owners have pledged to rebuild. Check the website (www.flyingw.com) for up-to-date information.
Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama -- It's cowboys in white hats versus stereotypical mustachioed villains at this longstanding Manitou Springs theater. Quirky titles like “Danger Ranger Granger” and “The Pigskin Perils of Old P.U.” are preceded by a hearty dinner.
444 S. Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs. tel. 719/685-5104. www.ironspringschateau.com. Reservations required. Dinner and show $29.50 adults, $28 seniors, $16.50 children 12 and under; show only $15.50 adults, $14.50 seniors, $9.50 children. Opens Tues–Sun 6pm; show at 8pm. Closed winter.
The Bar Scene
Cowboys -- Line dancers, country karaoke stars, and bowlers form the trifecta here, with a hopping dance floor on the main floor and a bowling alley upstairs. 25 N. Tejon St. tel. 719/596-1212.
Golden Bee -- This is the real deal, built in the 1800s in Great Britain and taken apart, shipped to Colorado, and put together again in 1961 at The Broadmoor. The place saw a significant expansion in late 2012 that tripled the square footage and added a rooftop deck. There's a great ham and cheddar on a pretzel roll, burgers, and other British pub fare like chicken curry masala and bangers and mash. After dinner, the piano player leads the bar in old standards and more contemporary hits as the staff deftly flings bee-shaped stickers at the shirts of guests. The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Circle. tel. 719/577-5773.
The Keg Bar & Grill -- For drinks or dinner, this fun neighborhood hangout on the main drag in Manitou is a reliable pick, serving burgers, steaks, and a good berry salad. 730 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs. tel. 719/685-9531.
Meadow Muffins -- This is one of those spots where everything but the kitchen sink hangs from the rafters, and it somehow seems to fit. The burgers and beer are the specialties here, and it's typically the busiest bar in Old Colorado City. 2432 W. Colorado Ave., in Old Colorado City. tel. 719/633-0583.
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. -- This landmark brewpub downtown is part of the empire of the Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, and it produces similarly scintillating variety of beers on-site, with a solid menu to match. 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave. tel. 719/635-2800.
Tony’s -- Green Bay Packers fans overrun this Badger State-loving bar on game days, but this downtown bar is more than memorabilia and fried cheese curds. It's got a friendly vibe and harks back to neighborhood bars of decades past. 311 N. Tejon St. tel. 719/228-6566.
The Underground -- This is one of the longest lasting gay bars in the Springs area, with drag shows and other entertainment most Friday nights. 110 N. Nevada Ave. tel. 719/578-7771.
13 Results
- The Performing Arts
Colorado Springs Dance Theatre
This excellent company stages several productions from fall to spring at several venues in Colorado Springs. The style runs the gamut from classical to contemporary. - The Performing Arts
Colorado Springs Philharmonic
The well-regarded civic orchestra plays at numerous venues and events all year long, including outdoor concerts in the summer and “The Nutcracker” come December. - Bars & Pubs
Cowboys
Line dancers, country karaoke stars, and bowlers form the trifecta here, with a hopping dance floor on the main floor and a bowling alley upstairs. - Bars & Pubs
Golden Bee
This is the real deal, built in the 1800s in Great Britain and taken apart, shipped to Colorado, and put together again in 1961 at The Broadmoor. The place saw a significant expansion in late 2012 that tripled the square footage and added a rooftop deck. There's a great ham and… - The Performing Arts
Iron Springs Chateau
It's cowboys in white hats versus stereotypical mustachioed villains at this longstanding Manitou Springs theater. Quirky titles like “Danger Ranger Granger” and “The Pigskin Perils of Old P.U.” are preceded by a hearty dinner. - Bars & Pubs
Meadow Muffins
This is one of those spots where everything but the kitchen sink hangs from the rafters, and it somehow seems to fit. The burgers and beer are the specialties here, and it's typically the busiest bar in Old Colorado City. - Bars & Pubs
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
This landmark brewpub downtown is part of the empire of the Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, and it produces similarly scintillating variety of beers on-site, with a solid menu to match. - The Performing Arts
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is another great performing arts venue in the downtown area. Located at the excellent art museum of the same name, productions include theater aimed at kids as well as adults, and it's also a top venue for fundraisers and culinary events. - The Performing Arts
The Colorado Springs World Arena
The Colorado Springs World Arena is the city's largest indoor venue, featuring ice skating as well as national touring bands and other well-known entertainers. - Bars & Pubs
The Keg Bar & Grill
For drinks or dinner, this fun neighborhood hangout on the main drag in Manitou is a reliable pick, serving burgers, steaks, and a good berry salad. - The Performing Arts
The Pikes Peak Center
The Pikes Peak Center is home to a symphony orchestra and dance theater. Touring productions also often perform here. - Gay & Lesbian Bars
The Underground
This is one of the longest lasting gay bars in the Springs area, with drag shows and other entertainment most Friday nights. - Bars & Pubs
Tony’s
Green Bay Packers fans overrun this Badger State-loving bar on game days, but this downtown bar is more than memorabilia and fried cheese curds. It's got a friendly vibe and harks back to neighborhood bars of decades past.
