Think of museums as stuffy, static and boring? Think again. Colorado Springs is home to a rich collection of organizations and assemblages that bring to life history, science, technology, culture, sports, the arts and more. Now is a perfect time to get out and explore their exhibitions and special events. Consider this your tour guide and get going.
The Icons
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
One-hundred years old and counting, the FAC connects visual arts, performing arts and arts education like no other local institution.
2019 Tip: Museum free days happen the second Saturday and third Friday of every month.
30 W. Dale St., fac.coloradocollege.edu
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
This free museum resides in the fully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse and brings to life the city’s history, culture and people through a collection of more than 60,000 objects.
2019 Tip: Pop by for Food Truck Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through October 29, to grab lunch and take a “History in 10” tour.
215 S. Tejon St., cspm.org
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Walk through the Pikes Peak region’s earliest days, starting with the Ute people to founder General William J. Palmer, on the living history farm and museum.
2019 Tip: Don’t miss the Family Fourth (July 4) or the Labor Day Vintage Baseball Game.
3105 Gateway Road, rockledgeranch.com
UCCS Galleries of Contemporary Art
Regularly changing contemporary visual art exhibitions and special events at two different locations.
2019 Tip: Color Theory features paintings and sculptural installations that intersect color and mathematics, through July 27. And don’t miss wandering the Ent Center grounds and see sculptures that are part of AWOL: Art WithOut Limits.
GOCA Ent Center: 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.; GOCA Downtown: 121 S. Tejon St., #100; uccspresents.org
If You’re Into…
Bugs: May Natural History Museum
AKA “The Bug Museum,” May houses the largest private collection of creepy crawlies in the world.
710 Rock Creek Canyon Rd., coloradospringsbugmuseum.com
Dinosaurs: Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
Dino fossil skeletons, life-size sculptures and more on display, alongside a working fossil laboratory to observe.
201 S. Fairview St., Woodland Park, rmdrc.com
Fire Fighting: Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum
Tucked in the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s headquarters, this museum honors CSFD physician, Dr. Lester Williams, and preserves his large collection of memorabilia, including antique fire carriages and engines.
375 Printers Pkwy., williamsfiremuseum.com
Ice Skating: World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame
The only of its kind, this museum delves into the history, science and art of figure skating.
20 1st St., worldskatingmuseum.org
Military: 4th Infantry Division Museum
Home to the history of those who have served at Fort Carson, including a large collection of tanks, helicopters and other military vehicles.
6013 Nelson Blvd, Fort Carson, carson.army.mil/museum.html
Mining: Western Museum of Mining and Industry
More than 5,000 mining artifacts are on display, including fully operational steam engines.
225 North Gate Rd., wmmi.org
Money: American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum
America’s largest museum dedicated to all things related to the study and collection of currency.
818 N. Cascade Ave., money.org/money-museum
Rodeo: ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy
Learn about the history of rodeo and honor the legends of the sport.
101 Pro Rodeo Dr., prorodeohalloffame.com
Museums About Things on the Move
Penrose Heritage Museum
Permanent home for Pikes Peak International Hill Climb’s collection of historic race cars and memorabilia.
11 Lake Cir., ppihc.org
Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration Shop
Streetcar artifacts on display and trolleys under restoration, all housed in the 1888 Rock Island Railroad Roundhouse.
2333 Steel Dr., coloradospringstrolleys.com
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame
More than 75 restored vintage and antique Indians, Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs and more.
5867 N. Nevada Ave., themotorcyclemuseum.com
Starstruck? Give These Spots a Shot
Space Foundation Discovery Center
The region’s only museum completely focused on space, science and technology, with artifacts and interactive exhibits.
4425 Arrowswest Dr., discoverspace.org
Peterson Air and Space Museum
The state’s oldest aviation museum, dedicated to local space and aviation history, featuring a collection of historic aircraft.
150 E. Ent Ave., Peterson Air Force Base, petemuseum.org
United States Air Force Academy Planetarium
Recently refurbished and reopened in March, the USAFA Planetarium offers free shows on topics ranging from black holes and the aurora borealis to nature and flight.
2120 Cadet Dr., U.S. Air Force Academy, usafa.edu
Read more about spending a day to tour Denver museums, a Q&A with U.S. Olympic Museum CEO Christopher Liedel, the World of WearableArt, and the National Museum of World War II Aviation.
