Any must do activities or must see things there?
Going to do a trip to see some family there, and don't want to miss anything good.
New Olympic Museum downtown.
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is a free historical museum on the south end of downtown and it’s pretty good.
Maybe go to the Broadmoor and walk around the campus. It’s really pretty, a lotta history there, and it’s very scenic (at the base of Cheyenne Mountain).
Maybe go to Manitou Springs and walk around downtown. Again, a lotta history, and quirky shops and eateries and places to wet your beak.
South Cheyenne Canyon is where Seven Falls is. It’s a very scenic canyon, and if you climb the stairs above the falls, there are some short trails up there that’ll provide you with some great views.
North Cheyenne Canyon is also very scenic, and you can hike the Columbine Trail that goes from the bottom to the top (or any part of the trail), or you can drive it. Helen Hunt Falls is in that canyon.
If you’re able to go to the top of Pikes Peak, I recommend driving instead of going via the cog railway; that way, you’re on your own time frame. And you can stop and get out along the way whenever you want, and take pictures or walk and/or climb around in some really beautiful country.
Hiking along the Templeton Trail at Palmer Park is pretty enjoyable and relaxing too, if the weather is good enough to do so.
An Airforce Academy Graduation is pretty cool to see.
Garden of the gods
Pikes peak cog railway and eat a donut at the highest elevation they can get them to rise.
Air force academy
My son in law took me to a barbecue place downtown Colorado Springs but I can't remember the name of it. I thought it was great ... some good suggestions above and lots of access to mountains, rivers, and hiking trails around CS and the surrounding areas....
Ride around in the neighborhoods taking in the wondrous smells.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate!!! 🤠
Ride around in the neighborhoods taking in the wondrous smells.
I loooollloololeddd a lot
Rocky Mountain Chocolate!!! 🤠
Ya’ know, the original is in Durango. And the very first franchise store to open afterwards is the one in Old Colorado City right there between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. I agree with ya’, it’s good stuff. Pricey, but really good.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate!!! 🤠
Ya’ know, the original is in Durango. And the very first franchise store to open afterwards is the one in Old Colorado City right there between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. I agree with ya’, it’s good stuff. Pricey, but really good.
Yep. My favorite CO town is Durango. Used to stay at a friend’s cabin over by Lake Valicito when mule deer hunting and elk hunting for Archery Season.
And also while Fly Fishing below Navajo Damn just over the NM line. Bought all my fly rods and fly gear at Duranglers there in Durango.
That’s where I first discovered Rocky Mountain Chocolate.
Haven’t been back in 3 or 4 years but we used to always eat at a great Steak House in Durango called Seasons.
I always hit up the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Co Springs when I visit family there every year.
If I ever hit the big Lotto, I’d buy a Ranch in the Durango area. 🤠. Damned expensive Real Estate. 😬
Any must do activities or must see things there?
Going to do a trip to see some family there, and don't want to miss anything good.
Gold Camp road and about 1/2 a day.
Gold Camp road and about 1/2 a day.
Shelf Road between Cripple Creek and Cañon City.
Phantom Canyon Road between Victor and Florence.
Gold Camp Road between Victor/Cripple Creek and Colorado Springs.
All three are good. But I recommend going ‘down’ on all three of em’. I came down Shelf about a month ago and came across a big bunch (about 40) bighorn sheep grazing along a creek-bed in a ravine. They were right there, within 20 yards of me.
This is a great place to bring your commie brother-in-law for a eye-opener.
I'd look up Lt Joe Kenda and find out where to stay away from before I'd start checkin' places out.
That Colorado Springs place sure has a lot of murders happenin', they even had like 8 seasons of Homicide Hunter on the TV.
Get you a good rocky mountain high as hell buzzy-wuzzy
Lesbos in Manitou Springs.
My sister lives there. I believe the zoo is rated in the top 10 in the USA. I'm sure your family members will have excellent suggestions.
I'd look up Lt Joe Kenda and find out where to stay away from before I'd start checkin' places out.
That Colorado Springs place sure has a lot of murders happenin', they even had like 8 seasons of Homicide Hunter on the TV.
My wife and I enjoyed that show.
Things to Do in Colorado Springs
Residents generally start with the big three when making recommendations to tourists. They are:
1. U.S. Air Force Academy - spectacular example of campus planning and the unique chapel. It's easy to be impressed by those young people so try to talk to some of them.
2. Pikes Peak either by the Cog Railway or drive the road, which is now paved most of the way.
3. Garden of the Gods - nice stroll through spectacular rock formations and picnic with the family.
Other attractions include:
+ If there are any young children involved and the weather is warm, take them to Acacia Park to play in the Uncle Wilbur fountain.
+ Seven Falls - spectacular waterfalls, best seen at night when lighted
+ Specialty Sports (gun store)
+ Sportsmens Warehouse (sporting goods)
+ Pioneers Museum (if you're into museums)
+ The Fine Arts Center (pretty good art collection including excellent southwestern art)
+ Colorado Springs Zoo - they claim they are the only mountain zoo in the world.
+ The Cave of the Winds is located just up Ute Pass next to highway 24, north of Manitou Springs.
+ You can take a short hike to see Helen Hunt Falls.
+ You can do some easy day hiking in Palmer Park, which is an urban wilderness park located right in the middle of town, where you can see some spectacular views of the city.
+ Speaking of views, you can drive up the Old Stage Road just pass the intersection with Gold Camp Road and see a view of the city and plains to the east, so expansive that you can see the curvature of the earth.
+ The Pikes Peak Incline Railroad closed a long time ago and now the tracks are climbed by hikers to get a good workout. The city took over control, and bureaucrats ruined the experience.
+ Take a free tour of the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
+ The U.S. Olympic museum is located downtown by the railroad tracks, not at the USOC Center.
+ You can drive Rampart Range Road to Rampart Reservoir, which is stocked with rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. It’s also a good place for some day hiking or canoeing.
+ The Broadmoore Hotel has a five-star rating. It offers a thirty-six hole golf course and gourmet dining.
My Favorite Dining Places include:
+ The Flying W Ranch is famous for live western music and ranch style food served in a music hall. It's a good night of family entertainment. It was burned to the ground in a forest fire and rebuilt, has recently reopened. I haven’t been there since it reopened.
+ The Juniper Valley Restaurant is a genuine old adobe ranch home turned into a family restaurant where everything is served family style. The place oozes ambiance and character, about ten miles south of town on highway 115.
+ The Margarita at Pine Creek restaurant is southwestern style gourmet restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere with live minstrels playing on the weekends.
Good places for the wife to shop include:
+ Old Colorado City
+ Manitou Springs - If you go to Manitou Springs then you ought to check out the Mountain Man store. It offers lots of black powder and fur trappers rendezvous type stuff.
Attractions within reasonable driving distance:
+ Cripple Creek is pretty much overwhelmed by the gambling casinos, but it's still an interesting place because they have tried to preserve the historical character. The City of Victor is just around the corner and it still looks like the genuine old mining town it is. In fact, there is a big mine that's still operating. It had closed for a while but reopened when the price of gold rose. Attractions in the area include the Molly Kathlene Mine tour and the narrow-gauge train between Cripple Creek and Victor.
+ It’s about an hour and a half drive to see the Royal Gorge.
+ A half-day raft trip on the Arkansas River is a lot of fun.
+ Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located about an hour west of Colorado Springs just south of highway 24.
Do try and take in the zoo. Warning............Very steep walking so if you are a flat lander drink water and take your time. Well worth the admission price!!!
Good info, KC, we did make it to 7 Falls, gotta plan a return trip now knowing what we missed
I've heard about this "beer". Is it good?
I've heard about this "beer". Is it good?
I’ve been told it’s very good. God’s way of telling us he loves us….or something.