Colorado Springs Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget meal$13.00
- Mid-range meal$32.00
- Cappuccino$4.50
- Domestic beer$6.50
- Taxi (per km)$2.20
- Public transport ticket$2.00
- Museum entry$15.00
- Mid-range hotel (night)$170.00
Food & Drink
- The Famous Steak HouseSteakhouse · $$$
Long-running Colorado Springs steakhouse known for classic cuts and old-school hospitality since 1932.
- Adam's Mountain CafeAmerican/vegetarian · $$
Manitou Springs cafe known for creative vegetarian dishes and hearty weekend brunches.
- Four by Brother LuckContemporary American · $$$
Chef Brother Luck's downtown restaurant serving globally inspired dishes rooted in his travels and Colorado ingredients.
- Phantom Canyon Brewing CompanyAmerican/brewpub · $$
Downtown brewpub in a historic 1901 building serving house-brewed beer and pub fare.
- The Broadmoor's Penrose RoomFine dining · $$$$
Elegant fine-dining room at The Broadmoor resort with mountain views and a seasonal tasting menu.
- Garden of the Gods Trading PostSouthwestern · $$
Historic trading post and cafe near the park entrance serving Southwestern fare and famous fudge.
- Tejon Street bar strip
Downtown Colorado Springs street lined with bars, breweries, and live music venues.
- Bristol Brewing Company
Established local brewery in the historic Ivywild School building, known for Laughing Lab Scottish Ale.
Culture & History
- U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Interactive downtown museum celebrating Team USA athletes, with hands-on exhibits simulating Olympic sports.
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Art museum and theater complex with works by Southwestern and Native American artists.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
America's highest-elevation zoo, known for its giraffe herd and mountain-set habitats.
- Garden of the Gods Visitor Center
Free museum and geology exhibit explaining the park's dramatic red sandstone rock formations.
- Kimball's Peak Three Theatre
Independent art-house cinema downtown showing foreign and indie films.
- Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Long-running summer rodeo event with bull riding and bronc riding at the Norris Penrose Event Center.
- Colorado Springs Balloon Classic
Hot air balloon festival with mass ascensions over the city skyline.
Nature & Outdoors
- Seven Falls
Series of cascading waterfalls dropping through a narrow granite canyon south of the city, with a staircase to the top.
- Pikes Peak
One of Colorado's famous 14,000-foot peaks, reachable by the Pikes Peak Highway or the historic cog railway, inspiration for 'America the Beautiful'.
- Garden of the Gods
Free public park with towering red sandstone rock formations against a Rocky Mountain backdrop, popular for hiking and rock climbing.
Active & Fun
- Colorado Springs Athletic Club
Full-service fitness club with pools, courts, and group classes near downtown.
- Prospect Lake / Quail Lake
City park lakes with designated swim beach areas popular for cooling off in summer.