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 Pikes Peak Center.

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 Colorado Springs Pioneers 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 Broadmoor Golf Club and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Broadmoor
El Pomar Carriage Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Colorado Springs

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

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
The price is $83 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$83 total
per night
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (1,018 reviews)
"The hotel was clean and the lobby was nice but the hallways and upper floors"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gods

Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gods

2.5 out of 5
555 W Garden Of Gods Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is $98 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$98 total
per night
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,379 reviews)
"I’ve stayed in pricier hotels recently that weren’t nearly as clean and comfortable. The staff at check in was super friendly and helpful despite the very late hour, which was very appreciated."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gods
Hotel Polaris

Hotel Polaris

4.5 out of 5
8989 N Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is $177 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$177 total
per night
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (286 reviews)
"Polaris was a wonderful hotel, the room was spacious and the individual thermostat actually worked. The restaurant Pamela’s was great for breakfast, albeit greatly overpriced- the breakfast burrito with chorizo was more potato than anything - for almost $20. The rooftop bar, The Aviator- is awesome, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2025

Hotel Polaris
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 and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions First & Main Town Center and iT'Z are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Colorado Springs Boho Home Review
"It was a great experience overall! As the other review and site description states the owner of the house who is really nice lives in the basement and has seperate entrance something to keep in mind. This was not an issue for us.The lack of air conditioning is very noticeable in these hotter months. ..."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Colorado Springs Home. Cozy 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom BOHO Inspired escape.
The Best VRBO In Colorado Springs.  Our Reviews Prove It.  Near All The Venues

The Best VRBO In Colorado Springs. Our Reviews Prove It. Near All The Venues

Colorado Springs
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (218 reviews)
Golf Trip
"We had a wonderful stay and the owner was very communicative and accommodating. The property has plenty of amenities and is in close proximity to a lot of entertainment."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

The Best VRBO In Colorado Springs. Our Reviews Prove It. Near All The Venues
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! (267 reviews)
"Perfect get away a short distance from Manitou. Beautiful mountains. The cottage had everything we needed, quiet, clean and easily accessible. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on Jul 23, 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

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