Recommended Things to do in CO Springs?

[kentkel]

My family is in the stages of planning a summer vacation to Colorado - most of the time will be spent in Colo Springs. Any suggestions of MUST SEE/MUST DO things? Keep in mind, I am not a BIG spender due to my salary. We have saved up for this vacation, but I cannot afford helicopter rides or multiple big expense items. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[Cyclonetrombone]

Make it up to Royal Gorge, pretty cool stuff.
Things not to do: Feed the homeless.

 

[bpmdu]

How about the United States Air Force Academy and the World War II Aviation Museum? You can also ride the cog railway up Pike's Peak but it takes a really long time.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

Garden of the gods. Go walk around old Manitou Springs. Pikes peak. Just enjoy the outdoors. We always would do a rafting trip.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

If you have little kids santas workshop. And the zoo is really pretty cool. This coming from someone who has a Henry doorly zoo membership.

 

[CapnCy]

Olympic traing facility. Pretty cool to see...I believe it's free will donation

 

[mj4cy]

Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds

 

[twocoach]

My family is in the stages of planning a summer vacation to Colorado - most of the time will be spent in Colo Springs. Any suggestions of MUST SEE/MUST DO things? Keep in mind, I am not a BIG spender due to my salary. We have saved up for this vacation, but I cannot afford helicopter rides or multiple big expense items. Any help would be appreciated!!

A little bit of a drive of Colorado Springs but just east of Denver is a really vool Big Cat Sanctuary for rescued animals. Depends on how old your kids are.

http://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/

There is also an amazing water park in Denver:

http://www.waterworldcolorado.com/

For Colorado Springs, go through Garden of the Gods and down into Manitou Springs. There are also lots of nice hikes around the west side of the Springs and up into Manitou. The Air Force Academy is nice and the hike up to Stanley Canyon Reservoir on the AFA grounds is pretty as well. Like I said, depends on how big your kids are and what activities they like.

 

[Doc]

How about the United States Air Force Academy and the World War II Aviation Museum? You can also ride the cog railway up Pike's Peak but it takes a really long time.

Or you could drive it. Your family's screams will make for good entertainment.

 

[dmclone]

Weed?

 

[kentkel]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

 

[twocoach]

I believe that Seven Falls is closed for renovation after flood damage but Helen Hunt Jackson Falls might still be open up in Cheyenne Canyon and is a nice place for an afternoon stop.

 

[CyBroncos]

I concur with the recommendations for Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. I drove up Pikes Peak and was like never again ha ha

 

[Cycsk]

Right next door to Garden of the Gods is a conference center with a castle you can stay at. Lots of GOTG-like rock formations and even an eagle's nest on the grounds. It is called Glen Eyrie. We have stayed there even when not at a conference.

 

[cdekovic]

The Broadmoor, beautiful resort and golf course. Olympic Training Center. The Air Force Academy

 

[ketelmeister]

Don't spend all your time in Colorado Springs...go to Estes Park and try it for a few days, or even Breckenridge or Aspen. The Springs is one huge tourist trap, and not in the mountains. Just my two cents, we've been to Colorado many times. The minor league baseball games are fun there, but I much prefer other parts of Colorado.

 

[Cyclonesince78]

 

[ISUFan22]

Definitely AF Academy. Breweries in CO not far from Colorado Springs are also highly recommended.

 

[kentkel]

Just wanted to mention, again, how helpful this has been! Thanks all for your suggestions!

 

[ISUFan22]

Are there still events at Red Rock Ampetheater? We visited it, but didn't see an event there. Awesome area and a concert/event there in good weather would be awesome.

Made the drive ourselves up Pike's Peak and didn't think it was bad. Some great spots to stop at on level areas with great scenery.