Sophia May
What To Do In Colorado Springs Area – Nestled in the shadow of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a city that boasts the best of all worlds.
As Colorado’s second most populous city, Springs has plenty of local attractions, whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, an epicurean stroll through downtown, or a day at the art or history museums. And if you’re looking for free things to do in Colorado Springs, the list below will help you out.
What To Do In Colorado Springs Area
Here are some of the top free things to do in and around Colorado Springs for adventurers on a tight budget.
Colorado Travel Guide: Things To Do In Colorado Springs And Denver
Not for the faint of heart, the Manitou Incline is a lung-burning, leg-burning climb that draws Olympic athletes and hiking enthusiasts alike. Noted for being steep and challenging, the climb gains nearly 2,000 feet in elevation in just under a mile.
Although you will have to pay for parking, all 2,768 steps of the slope are free and open to the public (although you must make online reservations in advance). From the top, take a breath and enjoy expansive views of the foothills and eastern plains.
The red rock spire and impressive sandstone formations of the Jardim dos Deuses are not to be missed. Pick up a map from the Visitor Center to hike the 21 kilometers of trails and take in some of the park’s best views up close.
Remember to bring your camera. On clear days, the park’s red rocks make a postcard-worthy picture against a backdrop of Pikes Peak. And for added fun, stop by the Nature and Visitor Center and Museum to see free interactive exhibits and experience the Geo-Tracker Theater.
Colorado Springs Hotels
History buffs and automotive enthusiasts will love a visit to the Penrose Heritage Museum. The public museum displays the personal collection of philanthropists Spencer and Julie Penrose.
Fenrose left his mark on the Springs in many ways, from the construction of the Pikes Peak Highway to the establishment of the Broadmoor Hotel and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The free museum has 30 carriages and 15 classic racing cars, among many other Western cultural artifacts, on display.
The Old Colorado City Historical Society and History Center, located right off Main Street in Old Colorado City, is open year-round and offers a variety of museum tours, monthly lectures and a Saturday craft fair, as well as a gallery of Historical artifacts on display. .
Admission is free, and if you’re a history buff, you could easily spend an entire afternoon exploring this piece of Old West history. You can time your visit to attend one of the society’s lectures or lectures for even more historical information. Even if you’re not into museums, it’s still worth a quick stop while walking down the street in Old Colorado City.
Things To Do In Colorado Springs In 24 Hours
If you can’t get enough of Colorado’s fresh air and blue skies, Red Rock Canyon Open Space is another free play area located just south of Garden of the Gods. Not to be outdone by the neighboring park, this open space features equally impressive red sandstone.
You can hike, bike or walk your dog on the trails of this city park. Or if going vertical is more your style, the park also has about 80 climbing routes. Just get a Garden of the Gods Visitor Center permit before entering security.
Although the park can still get busy, especially on weekends, you can avoid headaches if you’re willing to pay for premium parking at Jardim dos Deuses. If you can, try to get there early or go mid-week.
Feeling up for an adventurous ride? The Old Stage Road to Gold Camp Road follows the route of an old railroad in the foothills above Colorado Springs. Old Stage Road is initially paved but soon turns into a dirt road.
Palmer Park (colorado Springs)
Be prepared for washboard sections and the occasional pothole, but otherwise this dirt road is in good condition and should be passable by most vehicles with medium ground clearance. During the journey, you will get views of the mountains from the pine and poplar forest slopes. Weather it right in the fall and you can catch aspen turning golden.
On the way, the road passes through some old railway tunnels, which are said to be haunted. Spooky or fabulous? Or both? You must decide! Bring a torch if you plan to explore. While a road trip is one of the best free things to do in Colorado Springs, you’ll want to buy food and snacks to eat along the way.
Even if you can’t afford the five-star price of this lavish resort, it’s still worth the free stroll through the gardens to check into the lovely hotel. In addition to its spectacular location at the foot of Pikes Peak, The Broadmoor also has an interesting history, dating back to the early 1900s.
Known as the “Grande Dame of Rocky Mountain,” this luxurious resort is centered around a 10-acre lake and features several intriguing pink stucco buildings with European flair. As well as strolling through the public areas of the magnificent buildings, you can also stroll through the manicured gardens. And be sure to stop by the various art galleries and boutiques to browse.
Free Things To Do In Colorado Springs, Co
8. View Street Art View this post on Instagram
This free annual art exhibition celebrates the power of art in public spaces. For 2021, seven sculptures and five newly commissioned murals are on display for public display.
Since its inception in 1998, Art on the Streets has displayed over 300 artworks on the streets of Colorado Springs and supports over 50 permanent art installations downtown. You can choose to explore at your own pace for a fun art treasure hunt, or download the free mobile app to get in-depth artist commentary for a deeper exploration.
Located within the city limits, this 545-acre family-friendly regional park is a great place to take the kids or spend an afternoon. With tennis courts, playgrounds, an archery range, a horseshoe arena, and volleyball and basketball courts, you can bring your sporting equipment for a fun-filled afternoon.
Reasons To Move To Colorado Springs
And don’t forget to bring a fridge for snacks or picnics in one of the park’s pavilions. The park has 10 miles of multi-purpose nature trails if you want to walk, run or bike. And you can even bring your pup, who will love some leashed play at Bear Creek Dog Park. It is completely surrounded by a 25-acre dog park that even has a splash area and a fenced-in area for agility training.
If you’re on the south side of Colorado Springs, plan a stop at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Admission to this marshy oasis is free. You can wander around the various ponds, swamps, meadows and forests at your leisure. Keep your eyes peeled for waterfowl and great blue herons, along with other wildlife. If birding is your thing, grab a guide and you’ll be on your way to one of the best free things to do in Colorado Springs.
When you’re done wandering and taking in the scenery, visit the Visitor Center to learn more about the local flora and fauna of the Cattail Marsh Wetland area, which is a great stop for young or old ecologists.
Sign up for Weekend Wanderer, our free email newsletter that brings epic travel ideas to thousands of readers every week.
Colorado Springs Attractions
Kristen Arendt is a creative writer and lover of the outdoors. When she’s not playing with words or planning her next adventure, she’s probably searching for a trail in the mountains of her home state of Colorado. She has edited and written content for several online publications and enjoys exploring issues at the intersection of entertainment, leadership, compassion and caring in the West and around the world. Follow him on Instagram.
You’ll find single-family condos and cabins on this list, including several properties from renowned superhosts Jack & Jerrod.
Colorado really lives up to its hype with its abundance of hot springs, dramatic sandstone formations and majestic mountains.
From the top of the northern panhandle to the Snake River in the south, Idaho’s camping scene features many wonderful lakes, large and small.
The Fascinating History Of Colorado Springs: A Timeline
There is no better way to experience the natural beauty of the state than to stay in a yurt in Montana.
With parks, trails, mountains, great food, breweries and a trendy art scene, Colorado Springs is a great destination for locals and tourists alike and a prime location for your home-away-from-home vacation. If you are a resident of the beautiful state of Colorado, you already know that it is by far the best place in the country to live. However, if you’re not from here, you might be wondering what it is about the Centennial State that keeps it at the top of the charts once again. We think the pictures below speak for themselves, however
What to do in colorado springs co, houses for sale in colorado springs area, what to do in colorado springs, real estate in colorado springs area, area rugs colorado springs, best area to stay in colorado springs, colorado springs area map, things to do in colorado springs area, hotels in colorado springs area, briargate area colorado springs, land for sale in colorado springs area, homes for sale in colorado springs area