9 Memorable Things to Do in Colorado Springs for Families

We just returned from spending time as a family in Colorado Springs and are so excited to share all of our best finds with you! As always, we aim to share not necessarily a comprehensive list of everything there is to do in Colorado Springs, but rather the top attractions that are actually worth visiting with your family!

Read on for the nine most memorable things to do in Colorado Springs (and the surrounding areas) with kids.

*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no cost to you. All opinions remain my own. 

1. Garden of the Gods

The Garden of the Gods is a gorgeous National Natural Landmark donated by Charles Perkins. Perkins requested that the public never be charged admission, and therefore it is completely free to visit.

Start your visit at the Nature Center, learning all about the geological formations, history, and wildlife of the area. The employees were so kind to our kids and answered all of their 420485 questions.

We hiked the Perkins Central Garden Trail, which is a 1.1 mile loop trail perfect for families looking for an easy, yet awe-inspiring hike. This trail is wide and completely paved, so feel free to pack your stroller for the little ones. There are also restrooms available at the trailhead- the most important thing for a family hike, am I right??

Your kids will love looking for unique formations such as “balanced rock” and “the kissing camels”. I would definitely recommend taking a portable tripod to make sure you can get a family photo in this beautiful area!

The best time to go is just after dawn or at sunset for the very best views. However, any time you go will be worth the trip! If you are interested in the other hikes available at the Garden of the Gods, check out all the options on All Trails.

There is even a Jeep Tour through the area that gets amazing reviews!

2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

When planning our trip to Colorado Springs, we went back and forth on if we should include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. We have a nice zoo that we frequent close to where we live, so we were unsure if we should spend our time in Colorado at another zoo. However, we are so glad we included the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in our Colorado Springs activities!

I would plan about a 1/2 day to spend exploring the zoo. Tickets must be purchased in advance on their website, and they occasionally do sell out, so planning ahead is ideal.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open from 9am-5pm daily. It is a bit hilly, so you might want to bring a stroller for little ones.

There are multiple feeding experiences which our kids loved! In our opinion, the giraffe feeding experience is the most fun. For only $3 you get a bunch of lettuce to feed the giraffes by hand! This was a highlight for our daughter who is a big giraffe-lover.

It seemed the animals are much more accessible and easy to see at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo than at some of the other zoos we have visited, which made the experience that much better.

We were looking forward to doing the Mountaineer Sky Ride (a chairlift-style ride up the mountain), however it was closed the day we visited due to storms in the area. It looked really fun and we would definitely attempt to ride it next time we visit.

One more highlight of the Cheyenne Mountain zoo is the views! There are several locations where you can get incredible views of the Colorado Springs area. Our favorite overlook was near the elephant habitat.

3. White Water Rafting

Did you know the Arkansas River in Colorado is the most rafted river in the country? After rafting it ourselves, I can see why! The views are stunning and the rapids are exhilarating! Don’t worry, there are plenty of lower class I and II rapids, perfect for families with younger kids.

We used Journey Quest (near the Royal Gorge) for our rafting adventure and had a great experience. Our guide was very knowledgable and you could tell that our safety was his #1 priority.

We did the 1/2 day family float, which had us actually on the water for about 2 hours. This float is for beginner rafters ages 3 and up. It was mild enough that it wasn’t scary for our kids, yet still had class II rapids, keeping it fun and ensuring we weren’t dry at the end of the trip. We even saw big horn sheep climbing the cliffs right near us!

3/4 of our kids said this was their favorite thing that we did during our stay in Colorado Springs! (And the fourth said it was his 2nd favorite.)

If you are up for even more adventure, go right down the road to the Royal Gorge Bridge, where you can walk across America’s highest suspension bridge and even zipline over the gorge.

4. Explore Downtown Manitou Springs

Just 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs in the Pikes Peak Region lies the cutest little mountain town of Manitou Springs. We spent a whole day here, and even returned another afternoon since we loved it so much.

This quaint town is filled with local shops, art displays and cafes, surrounded by soaring mountains.

Throughout the town, you will also discover 8 naturally-carbonated springs, each with its own unique taste! We took our own cups, however you can also purchase them for $2 at the Manitou Springs Visitor’s Center.

In addition, you won’t want to miss the Penny Arcade! These throw-back arcade games evoke a sense of nostalgia the moment you enter. Games range from one penny up to $1.50, with most being around $.25.

For those of you who love adventure, check out the Manitou Incline. This climb of 2,744 steps ends in stunning views that are worth the hike.

Manitou Springs is also the place you can board the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which takes you to the top of Pikes Peak in just a little over one hour. We decided to not ride the Cog Railway this time, since this was the first time our kids have been at this altitude and we didn’t want to take the chance of them experiencing altitude sickness. However, if you hydrate well before-hand and give it a try, you will see stunning views of the Rocky Mountains from the top.

For more details, check out our complete round-up of the best things to do in Manitou Springs!

5. Hike the Paint Mines

A mere 40 minute drive from Colorado Springs is home to, in my opinion, the best-kept secret in the area. Paint Mines Interpretive Park boasts vibrant clay formations, which range in color from white, to gold, to pinks and reds.

With nearly four miles of easy to moderate hiking trails, the towering geological formations are sure to inspire awe and keep your kids entertained with all there is to explore. We stayed for about two hours and were able to see most of the park.

For even more details, check out our blog post with the full guide to visiting the Paint Mines.

Other popular family-friendly hiking locations in Colorado Springs include: Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Canyon and Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

6. Seven Falls

The Broadmoor Seven Falls boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado, including seven cascading waterfalls.

You will need to purchase tickets in advance on their website, and will be shuttled from the parking area to the entrance of the Seven Falls. From there, you will have a scenic .8 mile walk to the waterfalls. This walk is completely paved, so you could easily take a stroller. 

Once you arrive at the end of the trail, you will be able to take an elevator to an overlook (view shown in the image below), or climb the stairs to reach the top of the falls. There is also a nice (but pricey) place to eat called Restaurant 1858.

To add to the adventure, check out the Seven Falls zipline tour!

There are a few restrooms along the trail, and you can take snacks if you wish. Just make sure to use the bear-safe trash cans for any wrappers or leftover food.

7. Flying W Ranch

I went to the Flying W Ranch as a kid and knew I wanted to take our kids here as well! Located just north of the Garden of the Gods, the Flying W Ranch features a chuckwagon dinner and live western stage show.

Gates open 1.5 hours before dinner which allows you time to explore all the family-friendly activities at the ranch. Our kids loved bottle-feeding baby goats, riding a little train, axe throwing, archery, a carriage ride, and watching Native American dancing.

Following the opening activities, dinner is served. I wasn’t expecting the meal to be all that great since they have so many people to feed, however it was absolutely delicious! You will be served mouth-watering “cowboy food” such as chicken, baked beans, baked potato, homemade applesauce and more. Our kids all loved it as well which is always a win.

Just after dinner, the western stage show begins. The country-western music lasts about one hour and features three, four and even five part harmonies. Our kids now ask Alexa to play the “Flying W Wranglers Music”. I guess you could say they liked it!

To attend the kid-friendly Flying W Ranch, you will want to purchase tickets in advance, as they do occasionally sell out.

8. Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park has so much to offer for the families who love a little adventure!

First up, book your cave tour! While there are more intense tours if you wish, we chose to do the Discover Tour, which is ideal for families with young kids. This is a 45 minute tour which runs every 20-30 minutes in an easy-to-maneuver section of the cave. You will have the opportunity to learn about the geology and history of the cave with a fun, informative guide.

Make a day of it with additional Cave of the Winds attractions including a ropes course, zip line, “Bat-a-Pult” sky ride, and panning for gemstones.

9. Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are Ancestral Puebloan ruins that date back nearly 1000 years. Our kids loved exploring inside the ancient dwellings. This is a great educational trip for families!

Apart from meandering through the dwellings, there is also a museum of historic artifacts from the time of the cave dwellers as well as a gift shop.

The Cliff Dwellings are open seven days a week and you can purchase tickets in advance online or at the gate.

Colorado Springs is truly a treasure trove of family adventures, from hiking to hands-on educational experiences. Our kids loved this trip and we hope our guide to the best things to do in Colorado Springs with kids inspires you to make your own family memories in this gorgeous region of the United States!

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