Must-SeeGarden of the Gods
Towering red sandstone fins against snowy Pikes Peak, in a free city park with an easy paved loop. Balanced Rock is the classic photo.
Colorado Springs
Red-rock towers at Garden of the Gods, a cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak, the Air Force Academy chapel and the US Olympic museum.
Pikes Peak, at 14,115 feet, inspired 'America the Beautiful' in 1893. At its feet lie the sandstone spires of the Garden of the Gods, a free city park.
The US Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel, with its 17 aluminum spires, and the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum make this a varied stop.
- Best Time
- May to October
- Time Needed
- 2–3 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Year-round
- Getting There
- About 75 minutes south of Denver, with its own airport.
The Short List
9 sights, 4 of them free. Tick off what you've seen and rise from Sailor to Captain of Colorado Springs.
Your Colorado Springs list0 of 9 visited
1 more place to become Sailor · tap “Been There” on any place you've visited
Must-See
Must-See
Must-SeePikes Peak
'America's Mountain', reached by road or a historic cog railway, up to 14,115 feet. It inspired the song 'America the Beautiful'.
Worth a Detour
Worth a DetourUS Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
Seventeen soaring aluminum spires of 1962, and one of America's great modern buildings, after a major restoration.
Worth a DetourUS Olympic & Paralympic Museum
A swirling aluminum building with interactive exhibits and Olympic history, in the hometown of Team USA's training center.
Worth a DetourManitou Springs and Cave of the Winds
An artsy mountain town with mineral springs, an old-fashioned arcade and the steep Manitou Incline, a hike of 2,744 steps.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
America's highest zoo, on a hillside at 6,800 feet, with giraffes you can feed and the Will Rogers Shrine above.
If You're Nearby
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
A canyon with a series of seven waterfalls, climbed on 224 steps, and owned by the elegant historic resort The Broadmoor.
If You're NearbyRoyal Gorge Bridge
One of the world's highest suspension bridges, 956 feet above the Arkansas River, with a thrilling zip line.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Clay gullies in bright bands of red, pink and purple, sacred to Native Americans, east of the city.
Neighborhoods
- DowntownThe Olympic museum, cafés and shops.
- Old Colorado CityHistoric buildings and galleries.
- Manitou SpringsSprings, arcades and hikes.
Getting Around
Downtown is walkable, but you'll need a car for most sights. Mountain Metro buses go to Manitou Springs, and a free summer shuttle runs up Ruxton Avenue to the Incline and Cog. Bustang buses link to Denver.
Plan Your Visit
- Day 1: Garden of the Gods and the Broadmoor Seven Falls. Day 2: Pikes Peak, then the Olympic museum. Day 3: the Air Force Academy.
Know Before You Go
- Summit altitude is serious: take it slow.
- Reservations are needed to drive up Pikes Peak in summer.
Where to Stay
Stay in Manitou Springs or downtown.
What to Eat
- Green chileA Colorado staple at Mexican places, like Paravicini's in Old Colorado City.
- Pikes Peak doughnutsFried at the summit, and sold only there.
- Colorado beer and Bristol BrewingLocal brews at the old school campus of Ivywild.
- Rocky Mountain trout and bisonOn many a menu, including at the Broadmoor.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Something wrong or out of date?
Traveler Reviews
Sign in and mark Colorado Springs as visited to write a review.
Go Next
If You're NearbyDenver
Colorado
The Mile High City and gateway to the Rockies, with Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the foothills.
Full Guide
If You're NearbyGreat Sand Dunes National Park
Colorado
North America's tallest dunes, 750 feet high, against the snowy Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with a seasonal creek to splash in.
Full Guide
Worth a DetourRocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Trail Ridge Road climbs above the tree line to alpine tundra, two hours from Denver. Elk are everywhere in fall.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Rocky Mountains list.