Our Old Colorado City Guidebook
Outdoor recreation
Want an amazing workout and challenge with a gorgeous view at the top? The Incline is 2,700+ steps taking you over 2,000 feet in vertical ascent. DISCLAIMER: it is extremely challenging, and requires caution and thorough planning. It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to get up, and the three miles down Barr Trail are rocky and icy during the winter months. I recommend that you carry a water source and a cell phone, and consider how strenuous the challenge can be for humans and pets alike. Dogs are technically not allowed on The Incline. All of that being said... it's definitely an experience! Free reservations are currently required and more information on reservations and parking/bus availability can be found at https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/manitou-incline
228 locals recommend
The Incline
The InclineWant an amazing workout and challenge with a gorgeous view at the top? The Incline is 2,700+ steps taking you over 2,000 feet in vertical ascent. DISCLAIMER: it is extremely challenging, and requires caution and thorough planning. It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to get up, and the three miles down Barr Trail are rocky and icy during the winter months. I recommend that you carry a water source and a cell phone, and consider how strenuous the challenge can be for humans and pets alike. Dogs are technically not allowed on The Incline. All of that being said... it's definitely an experience! Free reservations are currently required and more information on reservations and parking/bus availability can be found at https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/manitou-incline
Easy natural beauty, right near Old Colorado City. You can walk, run, hike, bike, or drive your way around the Garden of the Gods. The Visitor and Nature Center has several informative displays and great views of the entire Garden from across 30th Street. The High Point Overlook inside the Garden on Ridge Road has amazing views of both the entire Garden and Pikes Peak.
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdEasy natural beauty, right near Old Colorado City. You can walk, run, hike, bike, or drive your way around the Garden of the Gods. The Visitor and Nature Center has several informative displays and great views of the entire Garden from across 30th Street. The High Point Overlook inside the Garden on Ridge Road has amazing views of both the entire Garden and Pikes Peak.
Pikes Peak is Colorado's most accessible of the over 14,000 foot peaks. Starting at the end of May 2021, a brand new Visitor's Center will be open at the top (and the peak is closed from March-May as they finish construction). In the warmer months, you can drive east on I-24 until you hit the signs for Pikes Peak and pay a few bucks to take the Toll Road up to the top. There are guided bicycle tours available (they drive you up and you ride down), and the even more adventurous folks can hike up to the top. Barr Trail (the east slopes route) is 12 miles each way, starting in Manitou Springs and with a camping area half way up at Barr Camp. You can even reserve a spot for spaghetti dinner and a pancake breakfast while there! It's not easy to knock out 24 miles in one day, so I would consider splitting up the trip or just hiking up and then coordinating a ride back into town from the top of Pikes Peak. Set this one up ahead of time with friends or a non-hiking member of the party - there aren't any dedicated services, taxis, or ride shares available for that purpose. The Crags Trail (northwest slopes route) starts approximately 45-60 minutes via car outside Colorado Springs and is 14 miles round trip - it can be completed within a day safely. If hiking round trip, make sure to start early enough to be down past treeline by about one o'clock and avoid any unexpected storms. Carry plenty of water, snacks, and remember that you won't have reliable cell phone service. Bring a buddy and make sure that somebody knows where to look for you if you don't get back on time.
For more information about the toll road, visit:
https://www.pikes-peak.com/about-pikes-peak/
For more information about the bike tours, visit:
https://www.pikespeakbybike.co/
For more information about the hiking routes, visit:
https://14ers.com/routelist.php?peak=Pikes+Peak
For more information about Barr Camp, visit:
https://barrcamp.com/about-us/
681 locals recommend
Pikes Peak Summit House
Pikes Peak is Colorado's most accessible of the over 14,000 foot peaks. Starting at the end of May 2021, a brand new Visitor's Center will be open at the top (and the peak is closed from March-May as they finish construction). In the warmer months, you can drive east on I-24 until you hit the signs for Pikes Peak and pay a few bucks to take the Toll Road up to the top. There are guided bicycle tours available (they drive you up and you ride down), and the even more adventurous folks can hike up to the top. Barr Trail (the east slopes route) is 12 miles each way, starting in Manitou Springs and with a camping area half way up at Barr Camp. You can even reserve a spot for spaghetti dinner and a pancake breakfast while there! It's not easy to knock out 24 miles in one day, so I would consider splitting up the trip or just hiking up and then coordinating a ride back into town from the top of Pikes Peak. Set this one up ahead of time with friends or a non-hiking member of the party - there aren't any dedicated services, taxis, or ride shares available for that purpose. The Crags Trail (northwest slopes route) starts approximately 45-60 minutes via car outside Colorado Springs and is 14 miles round trip - it can be completed within a day safely. If hiking round trip, make sure to start early enough to be down past treeline by about one o'clock and avoid any unexpected storms. Carry plenty of water, snacks, and remember that you won't have reliable cell phone service. Bring a buddy and make sure that somebody knows where to look for you if you don't get back on time.
For more information about the toll road, visit:
https://www.pikes-peak.com/about-pikes-peak/
For more information about the bike tours, visit:
https://www.pikespeakbybike.co/
For more information about the hiking routes, visit:
https://14ers.com/routelist.php?peak=Pikes+Peak
For more information about Barr Camp, visit:
https://barrcamp.com/about-us/
Bars & Breweries
Mother Muff's has a lively positive atmosphere and plenty of screens to watch the big game. The brunch is solid, and the food will definitely tide you over throughout the rest of the day.
74 locals recommend
Mother Muff’s Kitchen and Spirits
2432 W Colorado AveMother Muff's has a lively positive atmosphere and plenty of screens to watch the big game. The brunch is solid, and the food will definitely tide you over throughout the rest of the day.
Sightseeing
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is an incredible experience featuring wildlife from all over the world in a family-friendly setting. Reservations and tickets are required.
For more information, see:
https://www.cmzoo.org/
569 locals recommend
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdThe Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is an incredible experience featuring wildlife from all over the world in a family-friendly setting. Reservations and tickets are required.
For more information, see:
https://www.cmzoo.org/