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Colorado Springs Travel Guide

Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.

Guide updated: United States Travel Guide

When to visit Colorado Springs: Summer is warm with cool mornings at altitude, great for hiking Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak before afternoon storms roll in

When is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?

Avg Temp

14–28°C

Rainfall

Moderate, ~75mm/month (afternoon thunderstorms)

Best Time

Summer is warm with cool mornings at altitude, great for hiking Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak before afternoon storms roll in

Packing Tips (4)
  • Layers for big day-night temperature swings
  • Sturdy hiking shoes for rocky trails
  • Sunscreen and a hat (high-altitude sun is strong)
  • Extra water, since the dry air dehydrates quickly

What does Colorado Springs cost?

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

Local currency: USD

Food & Drink

  • The Famous Steak House

    Steakhouse · $$$

    Long-running Colorado Springs steakhouse known for classic cuts and old-school hospitality since 1932.

  • Adam's Mountain Cafe

    American/vegetarian · $$

    Manitou Springs cafe known for creative vegetarian dishes and hearty weekend brunches.

  • Four by Brother Luck

    Contemporary American · $$$

    Chef Brother Luck's downtown restaurant serving globally inspired dishes rooted in his travels and Colorado ingredients.

  • Phantom Canyon Brewing Company

    American/brewpub · $$

    Downtown brewpub in a historic 1901 building serving house-brewed beer and pub fare.

  • The Broadmoor's Penrose Room

    Fine dining · $$$$

    Elegant fine-dining room at The Broadmoor resort with mountain views and a seasonal tasting menu.

  • Garden of the Gods Trading Post

    Southwestern · $$

    Historic trading post and cafe near the park entrance serving Southwestern fare and famous fudge.

  • Tejon Street bar strip

    Bar district

    Downtown Colorado Springs street lined with bars, breweries, and live music venues.

  • Bristol Brewing Company

    Brewery

    Established local brewery in the historic Ivywild School building, known for Laughing Lab Scottish Ale.

Culture & History

  • U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

    Sports

    Interactive downtown museum celebrating Team USA athletes, with hands-on exhibits simulating Olympic sports.

  • Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

    Art

    Art museum and theater complex with works by Southwestern and Native American artists.

  • Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

    Zoo

    America's highest-elevation zoo, known for its giraffe herd and mountain-set habitats.

  • Garden of the Gods Visitor Center

    Nature/geology

    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

    July

    Long-running summer rodeo event with bull riding and bronc riding at the Norris Penrose Event Center.

  • Colorado Springs Balloon Classic

    Labor Day weekend

    Hot air balloon festival with mass ascensions over the city skyline.

Nature & Outdoors

  • Seven Falls

    10 km from downtown

    Series of cascading waterfalls dropping through a narrow granite canyon south of the city, with a staircase to the top.

  • Pikes Peak

    25 km from downtown

    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

    10 km from downtown

    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

    Lake swimming · 5 km from downtown

    City park lakes with designated swim beach areas popular for cooling off in summer.

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