Colorado Springs, CO

Travel Guide

Photo provided by VisitCOS.com
Colorado featuring hiking or walking, a gorge or canyon and desert views
Photo provided by VisitCOS.com
Western Museum of Mining and Industry which includes a small town or village
Photo provided by VisitCOS.com

This sunny mountain city offers a diverse and dramatic landscape, a wide variety of outdoor activities and a pioneer heritage to explore.

Much of the appeal of Colorado Springs lies in its scenic surroundings, which include the towering Rocky range and the unique red rock formations of the Garden of the Gods park. A great place to start a visit to Colorado Springs is at Pikes Peak, one of the area’s most popular attractions. The famous mountain is closely linked to the nation’s early history and was a famous symbol of the 1859 gold rush to Colorado. Hike up the popular Barr Trail to Pikes Peak’s 14,115-foot (4,302-meter) summit. Or, from March through December, catch the Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a leisurely ride to the top. After you descend the mountain, stop into the Garden of the Gods city park. This park sits at the foot of Pikes Peak and is known for its jagged red rock cliffs. Other outdoor leisure activities include golf and white-water rafting on the nearby Arkansas River. This part of the Rockies is also home to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a favorite destination for families.Delve into the frontier heritage of the area at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum or at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, both located in the city.Finding your way around Colorado Springs is relatively simple. The city is built on a grid system, and buses and taxis are plentiful. Many visitors choose to drive, as parking and roads are good and many of the top sites, such as the Garden of the Gods, are only accessible by car. Colorado Springs is generally mild and sunny, as the mountain range protects the city from harsh weather. However, there is still plenty to do if you need to stay indoors. Stop by the United States Air Force Academy, where you can see the striking modernist Cadet Chapel, or enjoy art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Where to stay in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs which includes a park, outdoor art and a fountain

Central Colorado Springs

3.5/5(308 area reviews)

While visiting Central Colorado Springs, you might make a stop by sights like U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.

Central Colorado Springs
Downtown Colorado Springs featuring signage and a statue or sculpture

Downtown Colorado Springs

4.5/5(239 area reviews)

Travelers come to Downtown Colorado Springs for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Pikes Peak Center and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum while you're in town.

Downtown Colorado Springs
El Pomar Carriage Museum featuring interior views

Broadmoor

5/5(28 area reviews)

While visiting Broadmoor, you might make a stop by sights like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Broadmoor Golf Club.

Broadmoor
El Pomar Carriage Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Colorado Springs

While visiting Southwest Colorado Springs, you might make a stop by sights like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Broadmoor Golf Club.

Southwest Colorado Springs
Glen Eyrie Castle featuring a garden, heritage architecture and chateau or palace

West Colorado Springs

While visiting West Colorado Springs, you might make a stop by sights like Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie Castle.

West Colorado Springs
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum

Northeast Colorado Springs

If you're spending some time in Northeast Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs House of Bounce and Pulpit Rock Park are top sights worth seeing.

Northeast Colorado Springs
Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
2.5 out of 5
7245 Commerce Center Dr, Colorado Springs, CO
$76 nightly
The price is $83 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$83 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Good stay
"Great stay for the price. Good room, sufficient for 1-night stay."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
Hotel Polaris
Hotel Polaris
4.5 out of 5
8989 N Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO
$196 nightly
The price is $216 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$216 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Western Museum of Mining and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (218 reviews)
Great Getaway
"One of the best stays we ever had. Everything you need is on site. Clean and friendly! Will use again. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hotel Polaris
Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport
Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport
3.5 out of 5
1645 N Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
$130 nightly
The price is $143 total per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
$143 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
All in all a good stay (5 nights)
"This was for a group event. A bit further from places to see than I would have liked (hotel was picked by organizers) but trip from and to the airport were super smooth and staff was always nice. Not a wow hotel, but nothing bad to say, just a smaller hotel that is not pretending to be 5 stars, but ..."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Colorado Springs Home. Cozy 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom BOHO Inspired escape.
Colorado Springs Home. Cozy 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom BOHO Inspired escape.
Colorado Springs
Stay at this vacation home in Colorado Springs. Enjoy laundry facilities, in-room jetted tubs, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Pikes Peak Center ...
Whole house
"It wasn’t a problem but we were under the impression that we had the entire house. We didn’t realize someone was in the basement until the second night."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Colorado Springs Home. Cozy 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom BOHO Inspired escape.
Hot Tub Cozy Cottage in Colorado Springs
Hot Tub Cozy Cottage in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs
Stay at this vacation home in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
Secluded Gem
"We were pleasantly surprised to find that the cottage was located in a private, fenced in space. Parking in a lot was a perk, especially so close to downtown. The apartment itself was basic, with plenty of room. It was perfect for my dog. The owner was communicative, neighbors were quiet, and overall ..."

Reviewed on May 7, 2025

Hot Tub Cozy Cottage in Colorado Springs
Cottage Next to the Creek in Historic Cascade Canyon At The Foot Of Pikes Peak
Cottage Next to the Creek in Historic Cascade Canyon At The Foot Of Pikes Peak
cascade
Stay at this cottage in Cascade. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (260 reviews)
Tranquil & Tucked Away
"We loved the location and layout of this tiny cottage. Falling asleep to the sounds of the babbling brook made for pleasant sleeping. The stairs weren’t as big a challenge as we feared, but could be an issue for some."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Cottage Next to the Creek in Historic Cascade Canyon At The Foot Of Pikes Peak
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Colorado Springs

The primary form of public transit in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area is the Mountain Metro Transit, a bus network with routes that cover the city and out to nearby towns like Manitou Springs and Widefield. The best way to get around in Colorado Springs, though, is to rent a car, as many of the most popular tourist attractions are natural sites, like Pikes Peak, which aren’t always reachable by bus. Visit the Mountain Metropolitan TransitOpens in a new window website.Browse Colorado Springs rental cars.

Best time to visit

Colorado Springs sees mild temperatures from the spring to the fall. The height of summer is the busiest and most expensive time to visit, so you may prefer to visit in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall when you’ll get more of the place to yourself and temperatures are a little easier to deal with. However, festival spirit is definitely in the air during the summer months.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Colorado Springs

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2020
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
1429
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
292
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
39
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
23
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Fun places to eat in downtown Colorado Springs. We could have eaten at the Grille but chose a little cheaper version. Visit to Royal Gorge a must.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

It just felt fake all around

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Amazing time and plenty to see, even if tou just hang out in the hotel all day. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It is a nice area to visit. Our visit was during the Covid crisis and almost no one was wearing masks so it was uncomfortable.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful beautiful city! Love the mountains

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice geographical location with interesting sites to visit. We do not find the city particularly interesting.

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