Colorado Springs Colorado
Gondolas gliding over Royal Gorge at sunset
Garden of the Gods Park’s red rocks await hikers
Shopping local boutiques lining the quaint streets of Manitou Springs
A guided bike ride down Pikes Peak Highway
Ziplining over the tree tops and canyons
A view of downtown at dusk
The striking exterior of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad passing through the scenic granite cliffs
Pikes Peak, the most visited mountain in the USA
Photographing some of the pieces at Art111 Gallery & Art Supply downtown
- Major Airports:
- Colorado Springs (COS)
- Denver (DEN)
- States:
- Colorado
Home of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Exploring the Pikes Peak Region
Pikes Peak, known as America’s Mountain, is the second most-visited mountain in the world – after Mount Fuji in Japan. Also unique to the area, two historic trains – Royal Gorge Route Railroad and Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad – offer scenic rides around the region. Visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, one of the most accessible and interactive museums in the world. Other favorite attractions include the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in North America; Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the country’s only zoo in a mountain setting; and the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center, a sanctuary for wolves, coyotes and foxes. The new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center and the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway are now open, offering more exciting ways to experience Pikes Peak.
Recreational Opportunities from Tame to Extreme
Just minutes from the city, foothills and mountains offer recreational opportunities, including beginner and advanced hiking and cycling trails. Don’t miss the towering red sandstone rock formations in Garden of the Gods Park, a National Natural Landmark, which you can tour by car, Jeep, Segway, trolley or horseback. Go whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River and hike through Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to see fossils and petrified redwood tree stumps. Hike up and see the beauty of The Broadmoor Seven Falls and zipline above the pine forest. Explore historic gold mines – Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine and Mollie Kathleen Mine are great choices – or take a lantern tour in Cave of the Winds. Relax with a slow-paced stroll to the various mineral springs of Manitou Springs, then take a challenging hike on the Manitou Incline trail above town. Cycling enthusiasts can ride down Pikes Peak, and those seeking even more adventure can climb via ferrata routes at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park or Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.
Local Culture and Accommodations
Stay in the city for arts and culture experiences at various museums, galleries, shops and more. Learn how the region became known as a wellness destination at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, follow a dynamic guide at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and see tools of the trade at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy. Take time to walk quaint city streets enjoying fabulous shopping, dining and craft beverages in downtown Colorado Springs and the historic districts of Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City. In downtown Colorado Springs, take a self-guided tour of Art on the Streets exhibits, an outdoor sculpture gallery that started 22 years ago.
You’re sure to find the perfect place to stay when choosing from unforgettable options like The Broadmoor, The Mining Exchange Hotel and Garden of the Gods Club & Resort, as well as many other hotels, motels and quaint bed & breakfast inns. Families will enjoy the indoor water park at the Great Wolf Lodge resort, adventurers will love the dude ranches, and outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home in nearby cabins or at a campground or RV park.