Things to Do in Colorado Springs
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But if you're looking for something specifically with FAMILIES, you're especially in luck. Because ALL of the attractions are family-friendly here in Colorado Springs.
We have several favorites, though, that really stand out as things to do with families. These have something the kids will love, and something the parents will love too. Win-win!
(If you are looking for entertainment specifically catered for kids, watch for our Things to Do in Colorado Springs with Kids list!)
Our choices for family activities focus on adventure and learning, experiences that always seem to have a bonding effect on a family. These activities also take up a few hours so you can fill the day with fun. And there is plenty to choose from...
PIKES PEAK
Driving the Pikes Peak Highway to the summit of Pikes Peak is the ultimate Colorado Springs family adventure. I mean, you are literally going up to the top of a 14,000 foot mountain in the family car! What kid or parent who doesn't like the sound of that? Plenty of places to stop along the way for overlooks, photographs, a picnic on the shore of a reservoir, or a snowball fight above treeline.
Don't Miss: the Bigfoot Crossing, doughnuts and hot cocoa at the Summit House, the Summit House elevation sign proving you all made it to the top.
Getting There: Take Hwy 24 west out of town, turn left at the lights in Cascade to the Pikes Peak Highway.
PIKES PEAK COG RAILWAY
If you parents would like to skip the drive but still want to enjoy a journey to the summit, take the family on the Cog Railway. There are only a handful of cog railways in the world, and this one is the highest, making the sheer novelty of this train trip worth the price of admission. Along the way you'll see massive boulders, waterfalls, snow pack, and maybe even some wildlife. The conductors are very entertaining, telling jokes along with local facts and history. Make sure you bring layers for everyone to wear, as the temperature changes dramatically and there's no heat or A/C on the train.
Don't Miss: the train when it leaves back down the mountain! They'll blow the whistle when it's time to go.
Getting There: Take exit #141 off I-25 to Hwy 24, go west 4 miles to Manitou Ave exit into Manitou Springs. Take Manitou Ave 1.5 miles to Ruxton Ave. Turn left and go to top of Ruxton Ave.
GARDEN OF THE GODS
This FREE city park is a wonderful place for families. It's free, you can bring the dog, you can walk, hike, run, climb, ride a horse, or just drive your car all through this park. And did we mention it's free? The spectacle of massive orange and white rock formations will keep everyone in awe for hours. Start out at the Visitors Center, where you can see maps and models of the famous rocks, watch a movie, grab a bite to eat, take a great photo, and get a souvenir. Once inside the park, make sure you check out Balancing Rock, the Keyhole inside Siamese Twins, and the Three Sisters.
Don't Miss: the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. They've got tons of hats, shirts, Native American art, walking sticks, flutes, and it's a great place for an ice cream break.
Getting There: From I-25, take Garden of the Gods Road west to 30th Street. Head south on 30th Street to the Visitors Center.
CAVE OF THE WINDS
In the off chance that there's bad weather here in Colorado Springs, we always recommend the Cave of the Winds. Families can have a spelunking adventure by winding underground on one of several cave tours. Parents will appreciate the beauty of the Williams Canyon overlook and kids can pan for gemstones and play in the subterranean play land.
Don't Miss: The new Windwalker Challenge Course--a collection of beams, ropes and ladders located on the rim of a 600-foot drop into Williams Canyon. Exciting!
Getting There: From I-25, take Exit 141. Go west on Highway 24 for six miles. The entrance is on the right.
CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO
I remember family trips to the zoo as a kid, but growing up in the Midwest I never saw a zoo on a mountain! The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo combines all the fun of wild animals with 6800 feet of elevation. When you've had enough of viewing the moose, gorillas, black bears, and mountain lions, try the Mountaineer Sky Ride, Carousel, Shongololo Choo Choo, or a Pony Ride.
Don't Miss: Feeding the giraffes. Buy crackers and hand-feed these prehensile-tongued, gentle creatures.
Getting There: From I-25, take exit 138 (Circle Drive), then go west to The Broadmoor Hotel.
Turn right at the hotel and follow the signs to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE & PARK
Located just south of Colorado Springs near Canon City is the Royal Gorge. This is a nice trip for families because the drive is scenic and not too long, the spectacle of the gorge is jaw-dropping, and there are fun things to do and see that will fill up several hours. It's more than just looking into the abyss and taking a photo! There's a wildlife park, a petting zoo, a water clock, a mountain man encampment, several rides (from a kid's carousel to the Royal Rush Skycoaster) and of course, the Royal Gorge itself.
Don't Miss: The Aerial Tramthe worlds longest!
Getting There: From Colorado Springs, take Hwy 115 south to Penrose, then Hwy 50 west to Canon City. Pass through Canon City and take a left on Co Rd 3a to the park.
MUSEUMS!
Some musuems are more family-friendly than others. We suggest checking out the John May Museum if you like insects and butterfly exhibitions, the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Research Center if you're into T-Rexes, the Starsmore Discovery Center if you have science & nature lovers in the family, the US Olympic Training Center if you're an athletic family, and there's always the Ghost Town museum! Check out our full list for some musuem fun.
PENNY ARCADE AT MANITOU SPRINGS
This old-school penny arcade has all the games parents loved as a kid like pinball, skeeball, and watergun horse racing. Toddlers will love the coin-operated kiddie rides. And older kids will love all the arcade-style video games. This is a mini Atlantic City in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Afterwards, stroll Manitou Avenue for shopping and food.
Don't Miss: All the natural springs in town. Drink seltzer water straight up from the ground!
Getting There: From I-25, take Colorado Avenue (Hwy 24) into Manitou Springs, where it turns into Manitou Avenue. Veer right on Canon Ave to find the Arcade, or just find a parking spot and stroll along the shops until you find it, right near Adams Mountain Cafe.
FLYING W RANCH
This real working ranch put together an attraction with families in mind. Here you can experience an authentic Western village, a Chuckwagon Supper, and a Western stage show. See blacksmiths and rug weavers in action, then chow down some BBQ, beans & biscuits, and enjoy the musical stylings of
the Flying W Wranglers.
Don't Miss: The Winter Steakhouse when it's not summertime.
Getting There: From I-25, go west on Garden of the Gods Rd, take a right on N 30th St, then left on Flying W Ranch Road. Take a left on Chuckwagon Dr all the way to the ranch.
WHITEWATER RAFTING
Nothing beats a Colorado whitewater rafting trip for family vacation memories. And while there aren't any river trips right in Colorado Springs, we are only 90 minutes from Buena Vista and Canon City, where there are plenty of trips to choose from. The beauty and excitement and teamwork of paddling down a rushing river together is hard to top. We highly recommend this if your kids are old enough.
Read about our River Runners experience, and also check out Echo Canyon.
Don't Miss: Bighorn sheep perched up on the canyon walls as you float downstream.
HIKING TRAILS
We always recommend hiking trails to everyone who visits Colorado Springs. The mountain views are stunning, and the exercise and sunshine is invigorating. And best of all, it's free! Families are plentiful on the trails out here, so bring the whole gang. See some of our favorites, whether you're an active group with older kids, or just want to take grandma out for a sunny stroll.
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