Colorado Springs is weird. I mean that in the best way possible, but if you just look at a generic brochure, you're going to think it’s all just red rocks and military bases. Honestly, most people show up, see the big mountain, walk through a gift shop, and leave thinking they "did" the city. They didn't. They missed the nuance.
The typical list of things to do Colorado Springs usually starts and ends with Pikes Peak. Look, Pikes Peak is great. It’s a 14,115-foot behemoth that inspired "America the Beautiful." But if you spend four hours in a car or on a train just to eat a high-altitude donut at the Summit House, you’ve basically ignored the soul of the Pikes Peak region. The city is a patchwork of Olympic dreams, gold rush history, and a weirdly high density of used bookstores and craft breweries that most tourists drive right past on their way to the Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods is Crowded for a Reason
Let's address the elephant in the room: Garden of the Gods Park. It’s a National Natural Landmark. It’s free. It’s also a chaotic mess of rental cars and people taking the exact same photo of "Kissing Camels."
If you want to actually enjoy it, don't go at noon. You’ll just end up circling the parking lot like a vulture. Go at 5:30 AM. The sunrise hits those Lyons Sandstone fins and turns them a shade of orange that doesn't even look real. It’s quiet then. You might actually see a mule deer or a fox instead of a tour bus. Most people stick to the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail, which is fine, but if you’ve got decent shoes, hit the Palmer Trail. It loops around the outer ridge and gives you a perspective of the park that actually feels like the wilderness.
The rock formations here aren't just pretty; they are a geological car crash. About 300 million years ago, this was all flat. Then the Ancestral Rockies pushed up, tilted these massive slabs of stone vertically, and left them there to erode into the jagged spires we see today. It’s a reminder that Colorado is constantly moving, even if it feels solid under your boots.
The Olympic Spirit Isn't Just Marketing
Colorado Springs is officially "Olympic City USA." That sounds like a gimmick, but it’s real. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center is here, and you can actually tour it. You’ll see athletes who are basically superhuman wandering around in tracksuits. It’s humbling.
But the real standout—and honestly, one of the best things to do Colorado Springs has to offer right now—is the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum downtown. This isn't some dusty hall of fame with old jerseys in glass cases. It’s one of the most accessible museums in the world. When you register, your "media tag" tracks your interests and accessibility needs. If you need high-contrast text or audio descriptions, the exhibits adapt to you as you walk up to them. It tracks the history of the games from 1896 to the present day. You can try your hand at digital archery or see how you'd fare in a 30-meter dash against a virtual version of a world-class sprinter. Spoiler: you will lose.
Old Colorado City vs. Manitou Springs
People get these two mixed up constantly. They are right next to each other, but the vibe is totally different.
Old Colorado City was the original capital of the Colorado Territory. It was a rough-and-tumble town for miners. Today, it’s a bit more refined—think art galleries and nice Italian food like Paravicini’s. It’s where you go for a "nice" afternoon.
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Manitou Springs? That’s where the weird lives. Manitou is built around natural mineral springs. Back in the day, people thought the water was magic. You can still do a "tasting tour" of the springs—each one has a different mineral content. Warning: some of them taste like straight pennies and sulfur. It’s an acquired taste. Manitou is also home to the Penny Arcade, which has machines from the 1900s that still work. It’s loud, it’s cramped, and it smells like popcorn and nostalgia. It’s perfect.
The Incline: Don't Be That Person
While we're talking about Manitou, we have to talk about the Manitou Incline. This is a rite of passage that many people regret halfway up. It’s an old cable car track that gains 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile. There are 2,744 steps.
- It is not a "stroll."
- There is a "false summit" that will break your heart.
- You need a reservation now. Don't just show up and expect to climb.
- If you aren't acclimated to the altitude, you are going to have a very bad time.
I’ve seen people try to do this in flip-flops with a single 12-ounce bottle of water. Don't be that person. The Incline is a serious physical challenge. Once you get to the top, you take the Barr Trail back down. Do not try to walk down the steps; it ruins the trail and your knees will never forgive you.
Exploring the "Other" Parks
If you want to avoid the crowds at Garden of the Gods, go to Red Rock Canyon Open Space. It’s right across the highway. It has the same red rock geology but feels way more rugged. It used to be a quarry, and you can still see the markings on the stones where they cut out blocks for buildings in Denver and the Springs.
Then there’s Cheyenne Mountain State Park. It’s on the south end of town. Most people just look at Cheyenne Mountain because that’s where the NORAD bunker is (yes, the one from the movies), but the park at the base is fantastic for spotting wild turkeys and black bears.
And for the love of all things holy, visit North Cheyenne Cañon Park. Drive up to Helen Hunt Falls, then keep going. The Gold Camp Road tunnels are up there. They are old railroad tunnels carved through the mountain. They’re supposedly haunted, but even if you don't believe in ghosts, the view of the city from the turnout near Tunnel 2 is unmatched.
The Military Influence is Everywhere
You can't talk about things to do Colorado Springs without mentioning the military. The Air Force Academy is here. The chapel—that famous mid-century modern masterpiece with the 17 spires—has been under renovation for years, but the campus itself is still worth a drive. It’s massive. It feels like a sci-fi movie set.
Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and Schriever Space Force Base are all here too. This means the city has a massive population of veterans and active-duty members. This influence shows up in the food scene. You’ll find surprisingly authentic Korean food near the bases and some of the best "hole-in-the-wall" BBQ joints in the state.
Where to Actually Eat and Drink
Skip the chains on Academy Boulevard. If you want a real Colorado Springs experience, head to Tejon Street downtown or the Ivywild School.
Ivywild is a literal elementary school that was converted into a multi-use space. You can get a beer from Bristol Brewing in the old gym, or grab a cocktail at The Principal’s Office. It’s clever, but the quality of the food and drink is what keeps people coming back.
For coffee, Loyalty Coffee or Switchback Roasters are the spots. The Springs has a serious third-wave coffee scene that often gets overshadowed by Denver.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
If you're actually planning to check out these things to do Colorado Springs, stop reading and do these three things right now:
- Check the Weather: It can be 70 degrees at noon and snowing by 4:00 PM. This isn't an exaggeration. Layers are your only protection.
- Hydrate Early: The altitude here is about 6,035 feet. If you wait until you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Drink twice as much water as you think you need starting 24 hours before you arrive.
- Book Your Reservations: Whether it’s the Manitou Incline, a tour of the Cave of the Winds, or a table at The Rabbit Hole (a literal underground restaurant), things fill up fast in the peak summer and fall seasons.
Colorado Springs isn't just a pit stop on the way to the ski resorts. It’s a high-desert playground that requires a bit of effort to truly see. Get off the main drag. Hike the trail that doesn't have a paved parking lot. Drink the weird mineral water. That’s how you actually experience the city.