14 Things to do in Colorado Springs in 2023

What’s special about this place? 

The Arkansas River is famous for whitewater rafting. The river’s headwaters start in the Rocky Mountains near Leadville, dropping 5,000 feet in the first 125 miles. The most popular whitewater rafting sections run from Granite to Canyon City and include the Numbers, Browns, Bighorn Sheep Canyons, and the Royal Gorge.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Experienced rafting devotees and thrill seekers will enjoy rafting the Arkansas River.

What to do here?

Take a guided rafting tour on Class III to Class V rapids. The Arkansas River also has calm stretches where new rafting enthusiasts can practice their skills.

Best time to visit

Colorado’s whitewater rafting season runs from late April through mid-September. Early in the season, late May to late June, springtime mountain snowmelt churns the river, and there are fewer crowds.

Learn more about Arkansas River here!

What’s special about this place? 

Ancient seas and million-year-old sandstone formations litter the 1,300-acre area. Formed during the Pleistocene Ice Age, the Garden of the Gods even has its very own dinosaur.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The environmental diversity and wide open spaces will appeal to almost everyone. Individuals, families, and adventurous groups will find plenty of things to do throughout the Garden of the Gods.

What to do here?

Hike 21 miles of trails, or choose a direct route to see the 290 million-year-old Balanced Rock.

If you need to rest a bit, stay indoors for an hour or so and browse the Visitors Center exhibits, which chronicle the region’s geology and biodiversity and resurrect the 125 million-year-old Theiophytalia Kerri dinosaur, which is unique to the Garden of the Gods.

Best time to visit.

The Garden of the Gods is consistently busy from early morning to dinner time. The Visitor’s Center is open from 9 AM to 4 PM, and visitor traffic is steady. There are, however, more visitors over the weekend and on Mondays.

The Garden of the Gods entrance is at 1805 N. 30th Street. Colorado Springs, CO 80904 in West Colorado Springs.

Learn more about Garden of the Gods here!

What’s special about this place? 

Close to the Garden of the Gods, Uchenna serves authentic Ethiopian dishes. The menu also includes Red Sea and Mediterranean-inspired family-style meals – unique combinations that were childhood favorites of the owner Maya. Hand-prepared old-style in the family kitchen, vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diners will find delicious options made from organic ingredients.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The home kitchen atmosphere makes Uchenna one of the best places to experience international fare plate by plate. Dishes are best-served family style, with a little bit for everyone.

What to do here?

Meet Maya, the force and talent behind this one-of-a-kind Colorado Springs restaurant. Browse the beautiful authentic Ethiopian art that covers every inch of the restaurant. Enjoy personalized service and home-cooked meals. It is a great place to learn about the differences in language and culture throughout the country.

Best time to visit.

Uchenna is open daily, Tuesday through Saturday. Lunch and dinner reservations are available, with dinner always being a bit more crowded.

Uchenna is located in Old Town Plaza at 2501 W Colorado Ave Ste 105, Colorado Springs, CO 80904-3000. The restaurant is roughly two miles from the Garden of the Gods.

Learn more about Uchenna here!

What’s special about this place? 

The Archives Libations, literally an underground bar with a speakeasy vibe, sits at the bottom floor of Colorado Craft, a restaurant focused on local, responsibly sourced food. Private Alley entrances and dark wooded panels add to the unique mystique.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Archives is your go-to place if you want an intimate, eclectic location emphasizing authentic cocktails (don’t ever call them drinks).

What to do here?

Order one of the hand-crafted cocktails from days gone by while enjoying soft jazz. Blend with the other Archivists in this underground establishment. Grab a snack or dessert to round out the evening.

Best time to visit.

The Archives are open daily from dinner to Midnight. Mid-week brings a few visitors, the crowds don’t start until Friday and Saturday.

The Archives Underground Libations is located at 15 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, just south of downtown.

Learn more about The Archives here!

What’s special about this place? 

Colorado City was the original settlement in the Pikes Peak region in 1859 and is now a west Colorado Springs suburb. The Old Colorado City History Center, curated by the Old Colorado City Historical Society, preserves and celebrates Old Colorado City’s past

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Anyone interested in Colorado City and Colorado Springs area history and lore will enjoy the History Center. It is an excellent attraction for families, children, and solo travelers.

What to do here?

Browse the 19th Century artifacts and photography at the Old Colorado City History Center. Join a historical walking tour of the thriving town and learn about its part in supporting the Pike’s Peak and Cripple Creek Gold Rushes. Learn about the old city’s salons and bordellos and visit the nearby Fairview Cemetary.

Best time to visit

The Center is closed Sundays and Mondays. During the week, mid-day provides plenty of uncrowded space for browsing. Saturday mid-morning to mid-afternoon is the most popular.

Old Colorado City History Center is located west of the city at 1 South 24th Street in Colorado Springs, CO 80904, about 15 miles northwest of the airport and 70 miles south of Denver.

Learn more about Old Colorado City History Center here!

What’s special about this place? 

It began as an expansion of the Broadmoor Art Academy and is now a vital part of Colorado College. The 132,286-square-foot Art Deco building complex provides a museum, theater, and art school to serve and inspire the Pikes Peak community.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Both children and adults will enjoy the numerous works in the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

What to do here?

Enjoy classical collections as well as contemporary traveling installations that promote Indigenous perspectives. View the permanent collection of over 20,000 objects highlighting the cultures of the Southwest and the Americas.

Attend an annual season of musicals, comedies, and dramas produced by the F.A.C.’s in-house acting company. Or, enjoy the Museum’s self-guided tour with a mobile guide for a self-paced afternoon. And before you leave, visit LadyFingers Shop for hand-made, locally-sourced items that are perfect for souvenirs.

Best time to visit.

The best time to visit the Museum is Wednesday. Foot traffic is heaviest Friday – Sun from opening until mid-afternoon. And it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Most visitors spend about two hours browsing the galleries.

The Colorado College’s Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is located just north of downtown at 30 W Dale St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Learn more about Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center here!

What’s special about this place? 

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is a 20,000-square-foot museum highlighting North America’s animals and organisms of the Late Cretaceous Period when the Rockies had just formed, and the North American continent was split by the Western Interior Seaway of North America.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Museum is for dinosaur lovers of all ages. There is also a separate children’s section and a unique Senior tour.

What to do here?

Guided tours of the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center are available and last about one hour. Visitors can tour the Museum’s authentic and replica fossils. Or learn about new evolutionary theories.

Watch fossil extraction and casting techniques. Children can experience first-hand archeology, brushing off fossils in the interactive dig box.

Best time to visit.

The Museum is open daily. Monday is the best day to visit, with the weekend being the busiest.

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is at 201 S Fairview St, Woodland Park, CO 80863. Woodland Park sits about 20 miles northwest of Colorado Springs

Learn more about Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center here!

What’s special about this place? 

The historic Royal Gorge train route parallels a former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad path first used in 1879, opening up the area to settlement. The gorge’s 1000-foot vertical granite cliffs overlook the Arkansas River.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Royal Gorge Route Railroad is ideal for couples, families, and train fans who want to experience sweeping views and an unparalleled dining experience riding a train through the Colorado Rockies.

What to do here?

Take a daily two-hour dining excursion for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The trains depart up to four times daily from the Santa Fe Depot and run 24 miles round trip through the Royal Gorge.

Each meal is locally sourced and freshly prepared on board the train.

In addition to scheduled meals, there are specialty runs, including Murder Mystery Dinner Trains, First Class Lunch, and Wine and Dinner Trains, offering an intimate multi-course culinary experience.

Best time to visit.

The train runs year-round; however, sometimes, unexpected snowfall blocks the track. Since it rarely snows from March through December, these are the best months to visit. There are four departure times daily. Many of the evening trips will be in the dark during the winter, limiting the panoramic views.

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad departure point is in Cañon City, Colorado, at Santa Fe Depot South at 3rd Street & Hwy 50, 401 Water St, Cañon City, CO 81212. This is roughly 36 miles from downtown Colorado Springs

Learn more about Royal Gorge Route Railroad here!

What’s special about this place?

The Springs’ hottest nightspot is a multi-action industrial complex that combines a craft brewery, second-story bars, and seven restaurants.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

COATI is the perfect place for anyone looking to enjoy the Springs’ diversity. From Anju -meaning the food you eat when you’re drinking, to gourmet sandwiches. The hardest part of the Uprise is making a choice.

What to do here?

Grab a craft beer for happy hour before eating at one of seven restaurants, ranging from street food to fine dining. Or order dessert and an after-hours cocktail to enjoy on the open-air balcony.

Best time to visit.

If you want to minimize the crowds, try lunch any day of the week. Not surprisingly, the groups get bigger as the workweek winds down, with the busiest times on Friday and Saturday evenings.

CO.A.T.I. is located just south of downtown Colorado Springs at 15 S. Tejon St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Learn more about CO.A.T.I-UPRISE here!

What’s special about this place? 

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, set at an elevation of 6,714, covers roughly 146 acres. Over 750 animals, including several endangered species, are divided into natural habitat zones such as the African Rift Valley or the Primate world. An open-air Sky Ride, the Mountaineer Sky Ride, passes over several habitats on its trip to the Summit.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

From toddlers to seniors, all ages will enjoy the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

What to do here?

Wander the habitats and individual animal yards, or book a custom animal experience and a behind-the-scenes tour. Ride the Mountaineer Sky Ride for a unique view of the animals in their homes. Feed the giraffes or learn about the newest babies in the park.

View and purchase animal art made by one of the many residents of the zoo. Giraffes, orangutans, and elephants are regularly taught art skills. And a few, like the turtles, paint just for fun.

Best time to visit

All visitors to the zoo, including children and toddlers, require a timed e-ticket. This process controls crowds and coordinates resources. Open daily. Attendance is steady. And visitors usually spend between two and four hours at the zoo.

America’s only mountain zoo is located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Learn more about Wander Cheyenne Mountain Zoo here!

What’s special about this place? 

Ephemera is one of Colorado Spring’s authentic urban culinary experiences, experimental dining, in an upscale industrial setting. Chef-curated menus serve the unexpected. Ephemera is also located on the upper floor of the Springs’ hottest nightclub – CO.A.T.I.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

If you are into new and innovative culinary experiences, Ephemera is the perfect place.

The home kitchen atmosphere makes Uchenna one of the best places to experience international cuisine plate by plate. Dishes are best-served family style, with a little bit for everyone.

What to do here?

Experience an epicurean adventure through one of Ephemera’s tasting menus – with or without wine pairings. While waiting for up to seven courses, check out the art show by Colorado artists. On display throughout the eatery.

Best time to visit.

Ephemera is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. Multiple seatings are offered by reservation each night, with the least crowded early in the evening. Saturday is usually the busiest day.

Ephemera is located just a few blocks south of downtown Colorado Springs, at 514 S. Tejon St., Suite 250A, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Learn more about Ephemera here!

What’s special about this place? 

Pike’s Peak was formed by the Laramide Orogeny, which shaped most of the Rocky Mountains. It is the easternmost of the significant peaks, roughly 14,115 feet, in the Rocky Mountain chain.

Pike’s Peak gained fame in 1859 as the slogan for the Gold Rush – “Pikes Peak or Bust.” This pink granite peak inspired “America the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates.

Pike’s Peak is the only drivable Summit complete with brake checks by the park rangers before your descent.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A drive-up Pike’s Peak is an excellent adventure for the entire family. However, whether in a car or taking in the panoramic views as you hike, the air is thinner at elevation, making it harder to breathe.

If you are hiking the Summit, this long and challenging route is recommended for advanced hikers.

What to do here?

Pike’s Peak also has hiking and mountain biking trails. Hiking to the Summit usually takes about seven hours. Driving the 19-mile paved road takes about two to three hours.

Enjoy the sweeping views from over 14,000 feet. Once on the Summit, grab a bite at the Summit House, an all-day diner.

Best time to visit.

If you are hiking or driving to the Summit, early morning is better and cooler. The drive becomes more congested as the day progresses. The highway is open daily from roughly 7 AM to 6 PM, depending on the season and time of sunset.

Learn more about Summit Pikes Peak here!

What’s special about this place? 

Finished in 1891, the Cog Railway climbs over 8,000 feet up Pike’s Peak to the Summit at 14,114 feet. These unique locomotive cars explicitly built for steep slopes use a cogwheel in a toothed central rail to provide traction. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the world’s highest cog railroad.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Train riders of all ages will enjoy the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. However, the extreme altitude may cause health issues for the very young, very old, or those with chronic health problems.

What to do here?

Take the cog railway, a 3.5-hour round trip to Pike’s Peak Summit.

Enjoy spectacular views as you grab a coffee or snack at the Summit House, a donut cafe at the top of the mountain.

As you descend, wave as you pass the bicyclists that are still on their way up.

Best time to visit.

Weekdays mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the least crowded, while weekends are a bit congested. The busiest time is around Noon daily.

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway station are located six miles east of Colorado Springs, at 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Learn more about Pikes Peak Cog Railway here!

What’s special about this place? 

Red Rock Cayon is an outdoor playground. Stunning views and ancient formations dominate this valley.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Red Rock Canyon Open Space’s many activities.

What to do here?

Red Rock Canyon is a non-stop adventure. Visitors can hike or mountain bike the seven trails, including the off-leash dog trail loop.

There is horseback riding. And 85 rock climbing routes have been established — ranging from 4th Class to 5.13 — with a permit.

Paragliding is also available in the canyon.

Best time to visit.

Visitors to the Canyon are steady. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. The busiest times are mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

The Red Rock Canyon Open Space entrance is located along Highway 24 at 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Learn more about Red Rock Canyon Open Space here!