There are so many reasons Colorado Springs draws millions of visitors each year and millions of reasons locals love living here. From iconic hikes to hidden gems, this city blends outdoor adventure with cultural experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a lifetime, these 10 activities deserve a spot on your Colorado Springs bucket list.
1. Climb the Manitou Incline
The Incline is a legend. The vertical hike tests your grit but rewards you with sweeping views back down over your accomplishment and the city below. Tackle the Incline’s 2,768 steps that rise 2,020 feet in about a mile — and savor the bragging rights when you conquer this Colorado classic.
2. Touch the Top of the Pikes Peak Summit
America’s Mountain is literally the Springs’ biggest icon and sentinel. At a towering 14,115 feet, the mountain is visible from all around the city, calling you to its summit — and offering a wide variety of ways to reach it. Drive the scenic highway. Hike Barr Trail or the Crags trail. Or ride the rails to the clouds on the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway. (Here are our insider tips.) Enjoy that donut at the top and soak in those majestic Rocky Mountain views stretching all around.
3. Visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
More than just a home for a wide range of animals, this is the Mountain Zoo, and 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Perched on a mountainside, the zoo offers wild encounters with a view. If you have kids, an annual pass is well worth it for ongoing fun and discovery. Grownups can enjoy special evening events such as Moonlight on the Mountain. Feeding giraffes is a favorite for all ages, and the newly renovated giraffe exhibit debuts this year. Don’t miss the Mountaineer Sky Ride for a bird’s-eye perspective of Colorado Springs and beyond.
4. Visit the U.S. Air Force Academy
Explore the U.S. Air Force Academy’s beautiful campus, where precision meets tradition. It’s inspiring to watch cadets train or feel the power of those fighter jet flyovers at Falcons football games. The stunning new General Bradley and Zita Hosmer Visitor Center will be a must-see when it opens in May. And for a bonus, take the stick of an F-16 jet or a 737 MAX at Hotel Polaris for a rare chance to feel the thrill of flying — pure adrenaline, zero turbulence.
5. Experience the Spirit of Olympic City USA
Celebrate Team USA and its athletes past, present and future. The world-class U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum offers interactive exhibits, inspiring stories and cutting-edge design that immerses you in the spirit of the Games. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center lets you peek behind the curtain where elite athletes train for glory. Take a tour to see the state-of-the-art facilities and tomorrow’s legends in training. This is a Games year, so watch for special events like Downtown Winterfest to celebrate.
usopm.org and teamusa.org
6. Catch a Concert at Ford Amphitheater
Catch A-list live music under the stars at Ford Amphitheater, paired with incredible sunset views over Pikes Peak and the Front Range mountains. Get tickets in a fire pit suite for the full luxury concert experience. Here are our other insider tips.
7. Hike the Paint Mines
Head east of Colorado Springs to discover this geological hidden gem sculpted by time. Wander through pastel-colored spires and hoodoos that look straight out of a dream. The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a photographer’s paradise and a serene escape. Consider it nature’s art gallery.
8. Explore Garden of the Gods
It was the greatest gift in Colorado Springs history when the Perkins family granted their 480 acres to the city, ensuring that it would remain a free, public park forever. Garden of the Gods is a must-visit for every Springs local and visitor. Stroll the universally accessible walkways around the towering red rock formations or venture deeper into the surrounding networks of more hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding trails. Learn more at the Visitor Center or on guided hikes and tours. However you choose to experience it, Garden of the Gods is a natural wonder.
9. See the Bug Museum
Discover the fascinating world of insects at this quirky, educational spot. The May Natural History Museum, aka the Bug Museum, is a long-time Colorado Springs original featuring more than 7,000 species of perfectly preserved butterflies, moths, bizarre beetles, giant spiders and more. You can’t miss the statue of Herkimer the giant Dynastes Hercules beetle marking the entrance.
From dazzling butterflies to creepy crawlies, t turns curiosity into awe. Perfect for families and science buffs, it’s a reminder that even the tiniest creatures play a big role in nature’s grand design.
10. Discover Starr Kempf’s Kinetic Sculptures
The late Starr Kempf was one of Colorado Springs most enigmatic and unique artists, and his kinetic sculptures are like no other. The giant metal creations are mesmerizing as they move with the wind. You can admire them for free at the Ent Center for the Arts, Creekwalk Colorado Springs and outside his former home (just be respectful passing by the residence).
