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Things to Do in Colorado Springs (2026)
Begin your trip at Garden of the Gods, a free public park with towering red rock formations. Park at the main lot off 30th Street and walk the Perkins Central Gardenβ¦ ποΈ Start at Garden of the Gods
Begin your trip at Garden of the Gods, a free public park with towering red rock formations. Park at the main lot off 30th Street and walk the Perkins Central Garden Trail, an easy 1.5-mile loop. Arrive before 9 a.m. to beat the crowds and see the rocks glow in the morning light.
π‘ Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Take the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog train, for a 9-mile ascent to the 14,115-foot summit. The 3-hour round trip departs from 515 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs, with tickets around $60 per adult. Book ahead for 2026, as seats sell out weeks in advance, and bring layers because it's cold at the top even in summer.
π§ Cool Off at Seven Falls
Visit Seven Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls tucked into a narrow canyon near the Broadmoor. You'll ride a shuttle from the Broadmoor parking area or take the free shuttle from downtown Colorado Springs, then climb 224 steps to the top for panoramic views. Admission is $25 for adults, and the falls are illuminated at night during the summer months.
ποΈ Explore Old Colorado City
Wander the historic streets of Old Colorado City, once the territorial capital, now a district of boutiques and galleries. Stop by the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum at 215 S Tejon Street to learn about the area's past, then grab a coffee at The Perch, a local favorite on West Colorado Avenue. It's a quieter alternative to downtown and perfect for a morning stroll.
π Getting Around the Springs
The city's public bus system, Mountain Metropolitan Transit, runs several routes connecting downtown, Old Colorado City, and Garden of the Gods, with fares at $3 for a day pass. For more flexibility, rent a car from the airport or downtown, as many trailheads and attractions are spread out. Ride-sharing services are available but can be pricey for longer trips like to the cog railway depot.
π Local Eats and Brews
For a classic Colorado Springs meal, head to The Skirted Heifer at 111 S Tejon Street, known for its juicy burgers and quirky decor. Afterward, sample craft beers at Bristol Brewing Company, located in the historic Ivywild School at 1604 S Cascade Avenue. If you're in Manitou Springs, don't miss the famous Manitou Brewing Company, which pairs its ales with mountain views.
π Best Sunset Viewpoints
For a memorable sunset, drive up to the High Point Overlook at the top of Gold Camp Road, which offers sweeping views of the city and Pikes Peak. Alternatively, hike the short but steep trail to the top of Red Rock Canyon Open Space, where the rock formations catch the last light. Both spots are free and less crowded than Garden of the Gods at dusk.
βοΈ Seasonal Events in 2026
Plan your visit around the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, scheduled for late June 2026, when race cars and motorcycles speed up the mountain. In December, the city lights up for the annual Christmas in the Rockies parade, a tradition since 1915. Check the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau website for exact dates and ticket information.
Good list, and I'd echo the early start at Garden of the Gods. One thing the guide doesn't mention: the free shuttle from the visitor center runs every 15 minutes in summer, so if the main lot is jammed by 9:30, don't circle, just park at the visitor center and hop on. For a different meal, skip the tourist spots on Tejon and hit The Tilted Cow at 101 N Tejon, their green chile poutine is weird but it works, and the staff actually know the hiking trails if you ask. Also, if you're here on a Tuesday in summer, the Manitou Springs farmers market on Canon Avenue has live music and a guy selling honey from hives right off Barr Trail, worth the detour just for that.
The cog railway tip is spot on, book way ahead. I'd add that if you're short on time, skip Seven Falls and do the walk up to Helen Hunt Falls instead, it's free and you can actually swim in the creek at the bottom on a hot day. Also, the bus to Garden of the Gods is fine, but the 3 bus from downtown drops you at the visitor center, not the main lot, so you'll have a bit of a walk to the Perkins Trail. For food, if the Skirted Heifer line is out the door, walk two blocks to King's Chef Diner for their green chile breakfast burrito, it's a local institution that's been there since the 80s.
This guide nails the essentials, and I'd back the Garden of the Gods sunrise move, it's worth dragging yourself out of bed for. One thing I'd add: if you're in Old Colorado City, skip The Perch for lunch and grab a slice at Piglatin Pizzeria on 25th Street, their green chile pepperoni pie is the kind of thing you'll crave after a day on the trails. For the cog railway, don't just book a seat, book the earliest departure you can stand, the afternoon clouds roll in over the summit almost daily and you'll lose the view. And if you want a sunset that's actually quiet, the Barr Trail parking lot in Manitou Springs is a hidden gem, you get Pikes Peak right above you and the whole canyon goes gold without a single tour bus in sight.
3 Days in Colorado Springs: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip early at Garden of the Gods, which opens at 5 a.m. and is free to enter. Park at the main lot off Gateway Road and walk the 1.5-mile Perkins Central Gaβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Garden of the Gods
Start your trip early at Garden of the Gods, which opens at 5 a.m. and is free to enter. Park at the main lot off Gateway Road and walk the 1.5-mile Perkins Central Garden Trail for iconic rock views. By 9 a.m., the crowds grow, so arrive before then for a peaceful experience.
ποΈ Day 1: Downtown and Museums
After the park, drive 15 minutes south to downtown Colorado Springs. Visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum at 215 S. Tejon St., open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission. Grab lunch at the nearby Ivywild School, a converted elementary school with food stalls and breweries.
π Day 1: Sunset at Pikes Peak
In the late afternoon, take the Pikes Peak Highway (toll $15 per person) or the Cog Railway (from $59) for a sunset summit view. The drive takes about 90 minutes from downtown, so leave by 4 p.m. to catch the golden hour. Dress warmly; temperatures at 14,115 feet can drop 30 degrees from the base.
π‘ Day 2: Manitou Springs Morning
Spend your second morning in Manitou Springs, just 10 minutes west of downtown. Ride the historic Manitou Incline (free, but reserve a time slot) for a challenging 2,744-step hike, or take the easier Barr Trail for views. Afterward, relax in the town's mineral springs at SunWater Spa, which costs $35 for a day pass.
π¨ Day 2: Art and Culture
Return to Colorado Springs for the afternoon and explore the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum at 200 S. Sierra Madre St., open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tickets from $20. Then walk to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at 30 W. Dale St., which features rotating exhibits and a historic theater. Both are within a 10-minute walk of each other.
πΊ Day 2: Brewery and Evening
End your day in the trendy Westside neighborhood, a 5-minute drive from downtown. Visit Bristol Brewing Company at 1604 S. Cascade Ave., open until 9 p.m., for a local IPA. For dinner, try the nearby Cerberus Brewing Co. at 702 W. Colorado Ave., which serves gastropub fare until 10 p.m.
ποΈ Day 3: Red Rock Canyon
On your final morning, head to Red Rock Canyon Open Space, just 5 minutes west of downtown. The park opens at 5 a.m. and offers free parking, with 7 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Take the Sand Canyon Trail for a moderate loop that showcases red rock formations and views of Pikes Peak.
π Day 3: Scenic Drives
After Red Rock Canyon, drive the scenic Gold Camp Road, a 20-mile gravel route that winds through old railroad tunnels and mountain meadows. The drive takes about 2 hours round-trip, so start by 11 a.m. to allow time for stops. Alternatively, head east to the United States Air Force Academy for a self-guided tour of the Cadet Chapel, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a well thought out plan, you've clearly done your homework. The only thing I'd tweak is Day 1's museum timing. The Pioneers Museum is a solid stop, but if you're there on a Friday, the downtown farmers market sets up right on Tejon Street by 4 p.m. Grab a bison brat from the local ranchers' stall and eat it while walking over to the Fine Arts Center, it's a better use of that gap before you head up the mountain.
For Day 3, I'd skip Gold Camp Road entirely if you're not in a high clearance vehicle. The washboards are brutal on a sedan and you'll spend more time dodging potholes than enjoying the views. Instead, take the short drive to the North Cheyenne CaΓ±on Park and do the Helen Hunt Falls trail, it's paved, takes 30 minutes, and the waterfall is actually running in summer. The parking lot fills by 9 a.m. though, so go right after Red Rock Canyon before the tour buses arrive.
One thing nobody mentions: the air is thin even at 6,000 feet downtown. If you're coming from sea level, don't plan anything strenuous for the first two hours after landing. Grab a coffee at the Switchback Roasters on Bijou Street and just walk the block around Acacia Park to acclimate before you hit the trails.
really nice breakdown, you hit the main spots without overloading it. the pioneers museum is a good call but heads up, it's more of a local history deep dive than a flashy exhibit, so budget an hour tops unless you're into railroad memorabilia.
for day 1, if you do the cog railway, book the first morning departure instead of sunset. afternoon trains get delayed by afternoon thunderstorms on the peak almost every summer day, and you'll end up staring at clouds from the station. also the gift shop at the summit is genuinely decent for postcards, cheaper than the ones in manitou.
day 3's air force academy detour is worth it but the cadet chapel is under renovation through most of 2026, so check before you go. the visitor center has a cool virtual tour setup if the chapel's closed, and the overlook near the planetarium gives you a killer view of the whole stadium without walking the full tour loop.
one thing you're missing: the rocky mountain chocolate factory tour on tejon street is free and takes like 20 minutes, weirdly fun for a break between museums. plus you get samples at the end, which beats paying for a snack downtown.
hey this is a really solid plan honestly, you've got the pacing down. one thing i'd swap: day 2's brewery run, bristol's cool but if you're already in manitou in the morning, hit the manitou brewing company taproom instead, it's right off ruxton ave and way less crowded than the westside spots. their winter mint stout is a local secret.
also for day 3, gold camp road is fun but that gravel can chew up a rental car's tires if it rained recently, check the el paso county road status page before you commit. if it's closed or muddy, just do the extra loop at red rock canyon, the mesa overlook trail gives you the same pikes peak framing without the washboard.
and if you've got any energy left after the incline, grab a breakfast burrito at the donut mill on 9th street in manitou before you leave, it's cash only and tiny but the green chile is the real deal, no tourist markup