Colorado Springs is a modern city with a small town feel. It is the home of several military installations including the Air Force Academy. Tourism is a very important part of Colorado Springs. Many of the abundant family friendly activities revolve around the outdoors and the amazing beauty surrounding the Colorado Springs area. If you are not fond of outdoor activities, you will still find plenty to do while in the Springs. Most of the activities are reasonably priced; in fact, some are even FREE!
Colorado Springs has a mild climate; it is classified as an alpine desert. Travel to the Springs during any of the four seasons and you will likely have a sunny day to enjoy outdoor activities. For the most part Colorado Springs offers low humidity and light amounts of precipitation. Colorado Springs averages 250 days of sunshine per year!
Here are some of our favorite family friendly attractions in Colorado Springs. Please be sure to call and verify times and rates as they are subject to change
AIR FORCE ACADEMY- Exit 156B on Interstate 25, Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.333.2025
COST: FREE
HOURS: Daily 9 am – 5 pm (chapel is closed to public on Sunday)
Learn more about the history of the Air Force and the Air Force Academy at the informative visitor’s center. Take a short walk along a path to the distinctive Academy Chapel. Watch for chipmunks and other wildlife along the way. There is a sandwich shop in the visitor’s center.
GARDEN OF THE GODS– 1805 N. 30 St, Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.634.6666
COST: FREE
HOURS: June 1 – Sept 1- 8 am – 8 pm, Sept 2 – May 31- 9 am – 5 pm
Drive or hike though the towering sandstone rock formations, including amazing balancing rock and shiprock. There are plenty of parking areas so you can get out and walk around. Many picnic areas. Visitor and Nature Center has an observation deck and interesting hands-on exhibits. There is a cafe at the center.
GHOST TOWN MUSEUM- 400 S. 21st St., Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.634.0696
COST: $6.50 Adult / $4 Age 6 – 16 (with Adult) / Under 6 Free
HOURS: June – Aug- Monday – Sat 9 am – 6 pm, Sun 11 am – 6 pm, Sept – May- Mon – Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun 11 am – 5 pm
Interesting look back at old pioneer towns of the West. Inside the building you can follow the boardwalk past displays including merchants, a Saloon and a Victorian home. Hands on fun includes old time arcade machines and panning for gold. Watch little ones closely since there are some areas which are display only and can not be touched.
MAGIC TOWN– 2418 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs Phone #:719.471.9391
COST: $3 Adult/ $1.50 Children
HOURS: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
This fun display is located in the Michael Garman Art Studio and Shop. The display shows life in a miniature neighborhood. Such amazing detail! The scenes change, thanks to the use of holograms and mirrors. Keep watching and you will see different areas totally transform. This kept the kids interested in watching in the windows for the scenes to change. This is really inexpensive entertainment! Be prepared to park a ways away and walk. This is located in a shopping area and parking nearby is limited. It is a nice area to walk through though, so don’t let that dissuade you.
MANITOU CLIFF DWELLINGS– Hwy 24, Manitou Springs Phone #: 719.685.5242
COST: $8.50 Age 12 and over / $6.50 Age 7 – 11 / 6 and under Free
HOURS: May – Sept- 9a m – 6 pm, Mar/Apr/Oct/Nov- 9 am – 5 pm, Dec – Feb- 10 am – 4 pm
Tucked under a red sandstone overhang are the 700 hundred year old Anasazi cliff dwellings called Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Climb around inside and truly experience these historical structures. The kids loved the fact they could actually touch the ruins and walk in them (unlike many areas where the ruins are hands-off). Often times there is Native American dancing in the summer months. Snack stand is available during the summer.
MONEY MUSEUM– 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs Phone #: 800.367.9723
COST: FREE; donations appreciated
HOURS: Tues – Fri 9 am – 5 pm, Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun 12 pm – 5 pm
Learn everything you’ve wanted to know about money! There is a large exhibit of rare currency. The facility hosts a variety of exhibits throughout the year so it’s a new adventure every time you visit. Some of our recent favorite exhibits were currency from around the world (kids got to ‘stamp’ a passport as they visited each country) and money errors (it was really interesting to see the types of errors that sometimes occur on currency). This is educational and fun!
NORTH POLE- 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy., Cascade Phone #:719.684.9432
COST: $15.95 Ages 2 – 59 / Over age 60 and under age 2 Free
HOURS: May 20 – June 16: Daily 10 am – 5 pm, June 17 – Aug 13: Daily 10 am – 6 pm, Aug 14 – Aug 20: Daily 10 am – 5pm, Aug 21 – Dec 24: Mon/Tues/Fri/Sat Sun 10 am – 5 pm
For generations families have enjoyed this Christmas-themed amusement park at the base of Pikes Peak. The rides are appropriate for a variety of age groups, from an antique carousel and mini roller coaster to the Scrambler and Tilt-a-Whirl. We like the fact that they put rides for young children next to rides for older children (and adults). This allows all of our children to enjoy a ride that is appropriate to their age and size. The lines are usually very short; oftentimes we have been there when there were no lines at all. Scattered throughout the village are shops and restaurants. There are goats to feed with feed from coin-operated dispensers. Moms and Dads will appreciate that they have hand sanitizer conveniently nearby. Be sure to visit Santa’s House to visit with Santa and stop by the ever frozen North Pole. One great feature of the park is that no cash changes hands inside the park. You pay admission at the gate and are given a purchase card for each person. All purchases (in the shops or restaurants) are logged onto this card. Then, you turn in all of the cards on the way out and settle your bill. They will also have packages taken to the front gate for you so you do not have to carry them around. This is truly one of our all-time favorite locations in Colorado Springs!
PIKES PEAK- 10 miles West on Hwy 24, Cascade Phone #: 719.385.PEAK
COST for the Pikes Peak Highway: $10 Adult age 16 and over / $5 Age 6 – 15 / Under 6 Free / Per Passenger Car $35
HOURS: Memorial Day to Labor Day 7 am – 7 pm, Labor Day – last day of Sept 7 am – 5 pm, Oct 1 – Memorial Day 9 am – 3 pm
Pikes Peak rises 14,100 feet above sea level. The view from the top is amazing though be ready for quite a temperature difference (dress appropriately!). There are three ways to reach the summit; the Pikes Peak Railway, Barr Trail and the Cog Railway. Pikes Peak Highway is a 19 mile long partially paved road which is open year round (weather permitting). Barr Trail is a 13 mile trail. The Cog Railway travels 8.9 miles up the mountain side. It is open April – December (weather permitting).
ROCK LEDGE RANCH- 30th St and Gateway Rd, Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.578.6777
COST: $6 Adult / $4 Seniors & Students / $2 Age 6 – 12 / Under 6 Free
HOURS: June 2 – Sept 4- Wed – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
This pioneer homestead is a living history museum. As you travel through the three distinct areas you will learn about the homestead and pioneer life from costumed staff who go about their day as the pioneers would have. This is a great way to learn about history in a fun, natural setting. The houses are toured with a guide so there is sometimes a wait for those. However, they have lawn games available to play while waiting (like croquet, hoops, and stilts). There is a picnic area.
SEVEN FALLS- 2850 S. Cheyenne Canyon Rd., Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.632.0765
COST: Day- $9.00 Adult (ages 16 and over) / $5.50 Children (age 6 – 15) / $8 Seniors, Military w/ ID and AAA travel club w/ ID Night-$10.50 Adult (ages 16 and over) / $6.50 Children (age 6 – 15) / $9.50 Seniors, Military w/ ID and AAA travel club w/ ID (There is a printable coupon on the website)
HOURS: Check Website for hours as they vary considerably
Often called the “Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado”, the falls flow 181 feet in seven distinct turns. For an amazing view (and exercise!) there are 224 steps that lead to trails at the top. We found the stairway to be scary and overwhelming for the children. They did love the mountain elevator though. Take it to the Eagle’s Nest which overlooks the falls and offers a spectacular view. The falls are lit at night (certain times of year) and are amazing. The kids enjoyed watching for fish in the stream, and there are plenty of them to see. Be warned the only restrooms are on the far side of the parking lot so be sure to use them before making the walk to the falls.
UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMPLEX- 1750 E. Boulder Street, Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.866.4618
COST: FREE (but donations are appreciated)
HOURS: June 1 – Aug 1: Mon – Sat 9am – 4 pm, Sun 11 am – 6 pm (Visitor Center and Olympic Pathway only– no guided tours), Aug 1 – May 31: Mon – Sat 9am – 4 pm. Call to make reservations for groups of 10 or more
Learn all about the training complex that hosts many of America’s finest Olympic level athletes. See training facilities and hear stories about some of the famous names who have trained here. The garden area has fun displays to keep the children interested. The tour moves along fairly quickly so the kids did not get bored on it.
WESTERN MUSEUM OF MINING & INDUSTRY– 225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.488.0880
COST: $8 Adult / $7 Military & AAA / $7 Seniors (Over age 60) / $6 Students (age 13 and over) / $4 Child (age 3 – 12) / Under 3 Free with paid adult (printable coupon available on the website)
HOURS: Mon – Sat 9 am – 4 pm (guided tours available twice per day, at 10 am and 1 pm)
This museum offers an interesting look at the history and impact of mining in America. There is a variety of displays, several are hands-on (including a dress-up area and gold panning). The staff was very friendly and willing to answer questions. Walk around the property to see larger equipment and pet the burros.
SOLO’S RESTAURANT– 1664 N. Newport Rd., Colorado Springs Phone #: 719.570.7656
Though this is a restaurant, we found it appropriate to include with tourist attractions due to its quirkiness. This aviation themed restaurant includes seating for 42 passengers inside a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker! Great aviation memorabilia on the walls. The kids will love visiting the cockpit! The menu ranges from sandwiches to steak and seafood. There is an extensive children’s menu.
Friendly smiling faces — a comfortable climate — abundant attractions, hotels and restaurants– Colorado Springs has lots to offer!
