There’s more here than what meets the eye!
Vacationing in Colorado Springs soon? You’ll no doubt drive through Garden of the Gods, take the cog up to the top of Pikes Peak, and marvel at the base of Seven Falls. We highly recommend these attractions as they are well worth your time!
But what if you’d rather get off the beaten path or are here for an extended stay?
We’ve identified 10 things to do in Colorado Springs that are lesser known but still awesome. Have fun, and go explore!
1. Rocky Mountain Food Tours
Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5pm | Downtown Colorado Springs
Ok, shameless plug here. We’ve been around for seven (7!!) years and yet many people are still unfamiliar with food tours. Have you taken a food tour yet? If not, we invite you to change that by attending your first food tour in Colorado Springs! On your tour, you will visit five culinary destinations as you taste and sip your way through historic downtown. Not available during our public tour times? Book a private tour for your group!
2. Seven Bridges Trail
1.6 Miles One Way | Cheyenne Canyon
Too many vacations are go, go go…don’t forget that the purpose of a vacation is to RELAX! Carve out time in your schedule for a therapeutic and scenic hike in the wooded Cheyenne Canyon. After parking at the trailhead on Gold Camp Road, walk about a half mile to the trail marker. The hike itself is about 1.6 miles, and along the way, you’ll cross over the seven famous bridges. It’s an easy hike, so no need to feel intimidated. Click here for driving directions.
3. Starr Kempf’s Metal Sculptures
2057 Pine Grove Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (private residence)
Starr Kempf (1917-1995) was an American artist who is best known for his enormous and majestic kinetic wind sculptures. His goal in constructing these towering masterpieces was to display through art the graceful movement of the wind. Today, you can view the family’s private collection of these steel sculptures, each over 50 feet tall, from the street (either Pine Grove Ave. or Evans Ave.). If your adventure takes you to the Seven Bridges Trail, make sure to add this unique sightseeing activity as it is near Cheyenne Canyon.
4. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
1401 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
This working ranch and museum is conveniently located at the entrance of the Garden of the Gods. As a “living history farm,” the 220-acre grounds depict the lives of those who homesteaded, hunted, and lived in the area from the late 1700’s to the early 1900’s. See an American Indian tipi, a one-room log cabin, a restored apple orchard from the 1880’s, and an Edwardian Dutch Colonial country estate. Rock Ledge Ranch is a non-profit, so your admission goes back to preserving local history!
5. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
3606 Barnes Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80922
For an adrenaline rush, head out to watch Colorado Springs’ newest professional sport team compete on their home turf. The Switchbacks FC are part of the United Soccer League (USL). Games are incredibly fun and suitable for families, and the season lasts from March until October. The City of Colorado Springs has committed to building a future sports arena in the heart of downtown where the team will eventually call home.
6. Miramont Castle
9 Capitol Hill Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Originally built in 1895 for Catholic priest, Father Jean Baptist Francolon, this Victorian-style castle in Manitou Springs boasts 42 fully furnished rooms and lush gardens. Be sure to make advance reservations for either High Tea or Light Victorian Tea in the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room! Relive this regal pastime with fresh scones, tea sandwiches, salads, and of course a large variety of teas before or after your self-guided tour of the castle grounds.
7. World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame
20 First St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Along with being the home of the United State Olympic Committee, did you know that Colorado Springs is also home to the only figure skating museum in the world? From sequined costumes to the science behind those axels and triple Salchow jumps you watched during the winter Olympics, this museum pays homage to some of the best figure skating athletes from around the world. In fact, induction into the hall of fame is the greatest honor they can receive!
8. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Launches from South Park Valley
Take advantage of Colorado’s 300+ days of sunshine by heading up into the clouds for an aerial view of the city including the Front Range and Garden of the Gods. After your flight, enjoy a home-cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, French toast, mimosas, and more. The flight season is from May through October, and though there are a few companies to choose from, we recommend Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides due to their reputation and reviews.
9. Space Foundation Discovery Center
4425 Arrowswest Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Explore the great unknown at the Space Foundation Discovery Center. This interactive museum allows adults and children alike to learn everything from how space suits really work to how to grow food on the moon. While you’re there, walk into the original Spacelab that made its debut in space in 1983, operate a robot on Mars-like terrain, and try your hand at the AGI Space Missions Simulation Lab. Check out their long list of events as well, which includes the occasional adult-only happy hour.
10. McAllister House Museum
423 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
This restored house is located in the Old North End and was one of the first houses built in Colorado Springs, or what was originally known as Fountain Colony. The house predates 1875, just four years after the city was founded. While other wooden homes collapsed under strong wind, Henry McAllister made sure that his home, which features marble fireplaces and intricate woodwork, was made of brick. This home is a well-preserved look into the life and time of early wealthy pioneers.
We hope you get off the beaten path, because there is definitely more than what meets the eye! From food tours to hot air balloon rides to castles, you’ll never run out of things to do in Colorado Springs.
Cheers, Your Rocky Mountain Food Tours Team
