Thea's Guidebook
Sightseeing
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
15220 S Cheyenne Canyon RdFree!
Seven Bridges Trail
North Cheyenne Canyon RoadFree!
This is a beautiful park that is not very crowded given how close it is to the city. You can also get up higher altitude if you’re looking for snow. It might be there in the winter.
52 locals recommend
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
410 JL Ranch Heights RdThis is a beautiful park that is not very crowded given how close it is to the city. You can also get up higher altitude if you’re looking for snow. It might be there in the winter.
Free! Visit the only 5 star hotel in Colorado! The western art collection on display here is fantastic. Choose from multiple venues to have a drink, a meal, or go dancing to live music. The grounds are stunning.
164 locals recommend
The Broadmoor Golf Club
1 Lake AveFree! Visit the only 5 star hotel in Colorado! The western art collection on display here is fantastic. Choose from multiple venues to have a drink, a meal, or go dancing to live music. The grounds are stunning.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
1045 Lower Gold Camp RdA stunning drive with beautiful spots to get out and explore. If you are looking for snow, you can use this highway to get up to a higher altitude and you’ll often find snow unless it’s late July or August.
139 locals recommend
Pikes Peak - America's Mountain
5089 Pikes Peak HwyA stunning drive with beautiful spots to get out and explore. If you are looking for snow, you can use this highway to get up to a higher altitude and you’ll often find snow unless it’s late July or August.
This is a nice spot to tour no matter the weather outside.
464 locals recommend
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
100 Cave of the Winds RdThis is a nice spot to tour no matter the weather outside.
This is a very special zoo. Allow plenty of time. I always leave wanting more.
569 locals recommend
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdThis is a very special zoo. Allow plenty of time. I always leave wanting more.
United States Air Force Academy
Free!
Old Colorado City History Center
1 S 24th StFree!
Manitou Springs
Free!
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
930 Manitou AveThis is a amazing place to visit, day or night! It is part of the International Dark Sky Association, and has a world class collection of insect fossils as well as petrified red wood tree stumps. Please check the weather before driving up there and do not go when there is a flash flood or heavy snow in the forecast. You will need to drive Ute Pass to get there, and that in itself is a gorgeous drive, but can be dangerous if there is precipitation.
I suggest eating at The Wines of Colorado on the way there or back!
140 locals recommend
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
15807 Co Rd 1This is a amazing place to visit, day or night! It is part of the International Dark Sky Association, and has a world class collection of insect fossils as well as petrified red wood tree stumps. Please check the weather before driving up there and do not go when there is a flash flood or heavy snow in the forecast. You will need to drive Ute Pass to get there, and that in itself is a gorgeous drive, but can be dangerous if there is precipitation.
I suggest eating at The Wines of Colorado on the way there or back!
Free! Great hiking trails and fantastic views of Garden of the Gods.
430 locals recommend
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
3550 W High StFree! Great hiking trails and fantastic views of Garden of the Gods.
Free! This is a great spot day or night…it is very nice for stargazing. It gets crowded during the day, so go early.
238 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods
1805 N 30th StFree! This is a great spot day or night…it is very nice for stargazing. It gets crowded during the day, so go early.
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Rdgroup activity
We love going to Fox Run to be in a snowy forest in the winter.
67 locals recommend
Fox Run Regional Park
2110 Stella DrWe love going to Fox Run to be in a snowy forest in the winter.
This is such a spectacular park accommodates all ages and activity levels. I personally like to hike the gravel trails.
238 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods
1805 N 30th StThis is such a spectacular park accommodates all ages and activity levels. I personally like to hike the gravel trails.
If there is not snow at the home, you may be able to find winter snow here-it is higher in altitude.
20 locals recommend
Black Forest Regional Park
4800 Shoup RdIf there is not snow at the home, you may be able to find winter snow here-it is higher in altitude.
This is an excellent, engaging museum in a breathtaking location!
150 locals recommend
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
200 S Sierra Madre StThis is an excellent, engaging museum in a breathtaking location!
National Museum of World War II Aviation
775 Aviation WayThis is just super cool.
Helen Hunt Falls
3440 North Cheyenne Canyon RoadFree!
This place is an experience. It’s a great place to be if you want an indoor activity.
14 locals recommend
SCHEELS
1226 Interquest PkwyThis place is an experience. It’s a great place to be if you want an indoor activity.
Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Course
900 E Espanola StThis is a nice shopping center to come to because it is up against some nice hiking trails and has some good restaurants.
21 locals recommend
University Village Colorado shopping center
5262 N Nevada AveThis is a nice shopping center to come to because it is up against some nice hiking trails and has some good restaurants.
This is a beautiful historic farm with animals and also homes from different historic periods. This is nice for young children, history buffs, or people who like to walk and hike. You can access some of the back trails into Garden of the Gods from here. Bring your camera!
41 locals recommend
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
3105 Gateway RdThis is a beautiful historic farm with animals and also homes from different historic periods. This is nice for young children, history buffs, or people who like to walk and hike. You can access some of the back trails into Garden of the Gods from here. Bring your camera!
Painting with a Twist
115 N Tejon StSmall theater-I’ve been to a really good guitar concert here
14 locals recommend
Stargazers Theater and Event Center
10 S Parkside DrSmall theater-I’ve been to a really good guitar concert here
Electric biking in the Garden is super fun!
https://gardenofgods.com/things-to-do/things-1/biking
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdElectric biking in the Garden is super fun!
https://gardenofgods.com/things-to-do/things-1/biking
Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center
4425 Arrowswest DrThis zoo never ceases to amaze me it’s in a beautiful setting both for the location as well as the views. The animal habitats are first rate and allow for animals to be their wonderful selves while guests observe.
Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdThis zoo never ceases to amaze me it’s in a beautiful setting both for the location as well as the views. The animal habitats are first rate and allow for animals to be their wonderful selves while guests observe.
We went up the Cog Railway when we first visited the Springs. The tour guide was a good storyteller and the sights were spectacular! It is easier than driving to the top of Pikes Peak!
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
We went up the Cog Railway when we first visited the Springs. The tour guide was a good storyteller and the sights were spectacular! It is easier than driving to the top of Pikes Peak!
Hillside Gardens & Event Center
1006 S Institute StFood trucks, drinks, live entertainment
Switchbacks Stadium
Free! Beautiful playground and park. Great water park to cool off in.
26 locals recommend
John Venezia Community Park
3555 Briargate PkwyFree! Beautiful playground and park. Great water park to cool off in.
Uncle Wilber Fountain
North Tejon StreetGood place to cool off downtown
Julie Penrose Fountain
Beautiful playground and park as well as water park
You can get day passes to the largest indoor water park in Colorado. Super fun!
12 locals recommend
Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs
9494 Federal DriveYou can get day passes to the largest indoor water park in Colorado. Super fun!
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
4729 Twin Rocks RdAcademy Riding Stable
4 El Paso BlvdMobility Challenge Accessible
These activities may be more accessible than others for people who have mobility challenges.
The grounds of this historic castle are amazing! Enjoy a warm drink and a tour if you like!
71 locals recommend
Glen Eyrie Castle
3820 N 30th StThe grounds of this historic castle are amazing! Enjoy a warm drink and a tour if you like!
Free! If you have mobility challenges, our county has a Terrain Hopper that can be reserved for free at Bear Creek Nature Center. Look up “El Paso County Trailability Program” to reserve a spot!
41 locals recommend
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek RdFree! If you have mobility challenges, our county has a Terrain Hopper that can be reserved for free at Bear Creek Nature Center. Look up “El Paso County Trailability Program” to reserve a spot!
Vegetarian Options
The Exchange
526 S Tejon StBurrowing Owl
1791 S 8th StFood scene
My favorite breakfast and brunch restaurant! There are several locations in town
Urban Egg a daytime eatery
My favorite breakfast and brunch restaurant! There are several locations in town
Pho King Wing
The most amazing wings ever! Great pho.
Eim Thai
1466 Garden of the Gods RdGreat authentic Thai food
Dozo Sushi and Bar
1606 S 8th StOur favorite sushi place
Samich Shack
COATI
514 S Tejon St
ViewHouse Eatery, Bar & Rooftop
7114 Campus DrGreat views! Good food!
Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery
610 E Fillmore StThis bakery is voted “Best in the Springs”
Marigold Cafe & Bakery
4605 Centennial BlvdAmazing pastries and cakes! Great dinner food
Lily Donuts & Drinks AKA Donuts & Noodles
7607 North Union BoulevardAmazing doughnuts
Penrose Room
1 Lake AveHighly recommended for a special event
Broadmoor Hotel
There are lots of good restaurants at the Broadmoor
The Rabbit Hole
101 N Tejon StVery good food
The Golden Bee
1 Lake AveGreat food and live music
In-N-Out Burger
Great value, great burgers
Bonefish Grill
5102 N Nevada AveGood food
Traveler advice
What to pack
Bike helmet
Bring a bike helmet if you want to use our bike rentals https://www.pikeride.org
Getting around
Bike rental
Several rental spots around the downtown area. https://www.pikeride.org
Don't miss
Respect the Weather
The dry air here means the temperature can change dramatically. I recommend using cotrip.org when there is precipitation in the forecast. Be extra cautious during cold weather months, what starts as a late afternoon rain can become slick ice in a short period of time.
Don't miss
Flash Flood
If you are going to be around creeks, learn about flash floods. https://coloradosprings.gov/office-emergency-management/page/flash-flooding
Don't miss
Professional Photo Shoot
Jen is fantastic! http://jenlintsphotography.com
Book before you go
Altitude Sickness Prevention
If you are traveling from lower altitudes or plan to do activities like hike The Incline, please be aware of how to prevent altitude sickness. https://www.healthline.com/health/acute-mountain-sickness#symptoms
Don't miss
Burn Restrictions
https://www.coswildfireready.org/uploads/b/2721af80-1003-11ec-bf67-0310173bc1c8/7e0ebda0-f3dd-11ec-af89-29c871d8511e.pdf
Getting around
Trail Accessibility
Our county has invested in some Terrain Hoppers that can make trails more accessible. Look up “El Paso County Trailability Program” to sign up to use one of our Terrain Hoppers for free!