Kendra's Guidebook

Kendra
Kendra's Guidebook

Nature Sightseeing

Here are some beautiful areas to explore and enjoy!!
Garden of the Gods is a must-visit if this is your first time to Colorado Springs!! The red rocks with the mountain background is stunning! There is a visitor center with information, bathrooms, gift shop, coffee, and light food options. From there, drive through the garden and pull off at any spots you may like to explore more. There's plenty of trails to enjoy the gorgeous scenery! During peak season, parking may be challenging. There's a large overflow parking area at the entrance, where you follow the sidewalk to take you to the main viewing area or split off onto other trails. An early morning or evening drive is especially beautiful!
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa Rd
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods is a must-visit if this is your first time to Colorado Springs!! The red rocks with the mountain background is stunning! There is a visitor center with information, bathrooms, gift shop, coffee, and light food options. From there, drive through the garden and pull off at any spots you may like to explore more. There's plenty of trails to enjoy the gorgeous scenery! During peak season, parking may be challenging. There's a large overflow parking area at the entrance, where you follow the sidewalk to take you to the main viewing area or split off onto other trails. An early morning or evening drive is especially beautiful!
As you explore Garden of the Gods, make sure to stop by the Trading Post! It's such a cute place! There's a huge gift shop with all sorts of Colorado and nature-themed items, a delicious selection of ice cream, food available in their cafe with indoor & outdoor seating, and even free fudge & popcorn samples.
38 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Trading Post
324 Beckers Ln
38 locals recommend
As you explore Garden of the Gods, make sure to stop by the Trading Post! It's such a cute place! There's a huge gift shop with all sorts of Colorado and nature-themed items, a delicious selection of ice cream, food available in their cafe with indoor & outdoor seating, and even free fudge & popcorn samples.
This is right next door to Garden of the Gods and offers additional trails to explore and enjoy the beautiful red rocks!
430 locals recommend
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
3550 W High St
430 locals recommend
This is right next door to Garden of the Gods and offers additional trails to explore and enjoy the beautiful red rocks!
This is one of our favorite go-to places. Parking can be difficult at times, but there are beautiful trails, views, and also a waterfall. As you enter, you should see a stream on your left as you begin to drive up towards parking. My kiddos love to play in the water while we enjoy the views & outdoors. There's plenty of trail options, a mini gift & information center, porty-potties, and small parking pull-offs throughout. There's also a main parking area for Helen Hunt Falls. If you continue driving to the top, there's also another primary parking area for 7 Bridges trail. Enjoy!!
114 locals recommend
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
15220 S Cheyenne Canyon Rd
114 locals recommend
This is one of our favorite go-to places. Parking can be difficult at times, but there are beautiful trails, views, and also a waterfall. As you enter, you should see a stream on your left as you begin to drive up towards parking. My kiddos love to play in the water while we enjoy the views & outdoors. There's plenty of trail options, a mini gift & information center, porty-potties, and small parking pull-offs throughout. There's also a main parking area for Helen Hunt Falls. If you continue driving to the top, there's also another primary parking area for 7 Bridges trail. Enjoy!!
This is only 12 minutes away! Palmer Park offers miles of trails with views that overlook Colorado Springs. There's also a nice playground available for kids, volleyball court, baseball field, and picnic area.
176 locals recommend
Palmer Park
3344-3376 Paseo Rd
176 locals recommend
This is only 12 minutes away! Palmer Park offers miles of trails with views that overlook Colorado Springs. There's also a nice playground available for kids, volleyball court, baseball field, and picnic area.

Activities & Attractions

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been voted one of the best in North America! Since it's located on the side of a mountain, be prepared to walk on an incline as you visit all the animals. It's a beautiful area that also offers panoramic views of the city below. You will find restaurants, ice cream, carousel, gift shop, and can even pay to feed the giraffes and elephants!
569 locals recommend
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd
569 locals recommend
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been voted one of the best in North America! Since it's located on the side of a mountain, be prepared to walk on an incline as you visit all the animals. It's a beautiful area that also offers panoramic views of the city below. You will find restaurants, ice cream, carousel, gift shop, and can even pay to feed the giraffes and elephants!
Flying W Ranch offers a unique experience for the entire family! Enjoy a western Chuckwagon spread of smoked meats with all the trimmings, followed by a western stage show performed by the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers (the second longest-running western performance band in the world). The Ranch is open year-round for special events, parties, and gatherings, with the summer Chuckwagon operation beginning in May and running through September 30.  Special Christmas shows are featured in December.  Guests will find themselves surrounded by striking red rock formations, hiking trails, ranch animals, and historical Old West demonstrations including Navajo rug weaving, silversmithing, and horse shoeing.
42 locals recommend
Flying W Ranch
3330 Chuckwagon Road
42 locals recommend
Flying W Ranch offers a unique experience for the entire family! Enjoy a western Chuckwagon spread of smoked meats with all the trimmings, followed by a western stage show performed by the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers (the second longest-running western performance band in the world). The Ranch is open year-round for special events, parties, and gatherings, with the summer Chuckwagon operation beginning in May and running through September 30.  Special Christmas shows are featured in December.  Guests will find themselves surrounded by striking red rock formations, hiking trails, ranch animals, and historical Old West demonstrations including Navajo rug weaving, silversmithing, and horse shoeing.
Indoor rock climbing near us! (0.4 miles away)
6 locals recommend
Gripstone Climbing & Fitness
6220 Tutt Blvd
6 locals recommend
Indoor rock climbing near us! (0.4 miles away)
Super close! (0.3 miles away)
7 locals recommend
Legends Miniature Golf & Batting Cages
6655 Dalby Dr
7 locals recommend
Super close! (0.3 miles away)
Very close! (0.4 miles away)
Massage Heights
5925 Dublin Blvd
Very close! (0.4 miles away)
Fun indoor trampoline park for kids/adults of all ages!
12 locals recommend
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
1750 E Woodmen Rd
12 locals recommend
Fun indoor trampoline park for kids/adults of all ages!
Family owned dinner theater featuring old-fashioned comedic melodramas & hearty American eats! If you love live theater, silly antics, neat storylines and old school fun, you need to get yourself to the Iron Springs Chateau and discover the magic for yourself :) Call/Email for reservations - 719-685-5104 reservations@ironspringschateau.com
21 locals recommend
Iron Springs Chateau Dinner Theater
444 Ruxton Ave
21 locals recommend
Family owned dinner theater featuring old-fashioned comedic melodramas & hearty American eats! If you love live theater, silly antics, neat storylines and old school fun, you need to get yourself to the Iron Springs Chateau and discover the magic for yourself :) Call/Email for reservations - 719-685-5104 reservations@ironspringschateau.com
Cave of the wind mountain park will have activities to keep you entertained for hours! There's two cave tour options, a three story obstacle course, zip lining, rock climbing, and more! Adventure packages are available. Online reservations are required for certain activities.
464 locals recommend
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
100 Cave of the Winds Rd
464 locals recommend
Cave of the wind mountain park will have activities to keep you entertained for hours! There's two cave tour options, a three story obstacle course, zip lining, rock climbing, and more! Adventure packages are available. Online reservations are required for certain activities.
Adventures Out West offer Jeep & Segway tours, hot air balloon rides, biking tours down Pikes Peak, and more! Definitely plan to make reservations (online is recommended). Go experience Colorado!!
27 locals recommend
Adventures Out West
1335 Manitou Ave
27 locals recommend
Adventures Out West offer Jeep & Segway tours, hot air balloon rides, biking tours down Pikes Peak, and more! Definitely plan to make reservations (online is recommended). Go experience Colorado!!

Restaurants (Super Close)

If you're looking for food close by, these restaurants are all super close to our home!
6 locals recommend
Colorado's Rib & Chop House
5935 Dublin Blvd
6 locals recommend
146 locals recommend
The Skirted Heifer
204 N Tejon St
146 locals recommend
11 locals recommend
Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill
5925 Dublin Blvd
11 locals recommend
Pizza, subs, & salads
11 locals recommend
Dion's
6385 Source Center Point
11 locals recommend
Pizza, subs, & salads
Local favorite!
53 locals recommend
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
5915 Dublin Blvd
53 locals recommend
Local favorite!
Kanpai Japanese Restaurant and Sushi
5935 Dublin Boulevard
85 locals recommend
Urban Egg a daytime eatery
5925 Dublin Blvd
85 locals recommend
20 locals recommend
MOD Pizza
13461 Bass Pro Dr
20 locals recommend
Firehouse Subs
5915 Dublin Blvd
7 locals recommend
Birdcall
6510 Tutt Boulevard
7 locals recommend
9 locals recommend
Chick-fil-A
3710 Bloomington St
9 locals recommend
Burger King
6365 Source Center Point
6 locals recommend
Taco Bell
5650 N Academy Blvd
6 locals recommend
Pita Pit
6445 Source Center Point

Coffee (Super Close)

Coffee places super close to us!
Local Favorite!! (0.2 miles away)
44 locals recommend
Dutch Bros
301 E Colorado Ave
44 locals recommend
Local Favorite!! (0.2 miles away)
0.4 miles away
10 locals recommend
Dunkin'
5915 Dublin Blvd
10 locals recommend
0.4 miles away
0.5 miles away
16 locals recommend
Starbucks
1605 Briargate Pkwy
16 locals recommend
0.5 miles away
Our favorite local coffee house! (0.8miles away)
20 locals recommend
Wayfinder Coffee Co.
6140 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
20 locals recommend
Our favorite local coffee house! (0.8miles away)

Shopping

Cute shops and places to eat! 21st - 28th Street on, Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
6 locals recommend
Old Colorado City! Shop. Dine. Discover. Stay.
Colorado Avenue
6 locals recommend
Cute shops and places to eat! 21st - 28th Street on, Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Upscale open-air shopping & dining with beautiful mountain views!
110 locals recommend
The Promenade Shops at Briargate
1605-1925 Briargate Pkwy
110 locals recommend
Upscale open-air shopping & dining with beautiful mountain views!
Sprawling center with numerous major brand stores, plenty of dining, and entertainment. 3650 New Center Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80922
15 locals recommend
First & Main Town Center
3305 Cinema Point
15 locals recommend
Sprawling center with numerous major brand stores, plenty of dining, and entertainment. 3650 New Center Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80922
Downtown Manitou Springs is a quaint historic town offering shopping and creek-side dining.
649 locals recommend
Manitou Springs
649 locals recommend
Downtown Manitou Springs is a quaint historic town offering shopping and creek-side dining.

Playgrounds & Kid Fun

Closest playground for kids! It's an easy walk from our home - right down Balsam St. (0.4 miles away)
Fred McKown Park And Field
5035 Balsam Street
Closest playground for kids! It's an easy walk from our home - right down Balsam St. (0.4 miles away)
Another close park with stunning mountain views! There's a large playground, huge grass field, and tennis & basketball courts (1.7 miles away).
18 locals recommend
Cottonwood Creek Park
7040 Rangewood Dr
18 locals recommend
Another close park with stunning mountain views! There's a large playground, huge grass field, and tennis & basketball courts (1.7 miles away).
Fantastic playground in a gorgeous location! There's also a water-pad that's active during summer and a fun sand area for little ones. There are also large pavilions with picnic tables (3.4 miles away).
26 locals recommend
John Venezia Community Park
3555 Briargate Pkwy
26 locals recommend
Fantastic playground in a gorgeous location! There's also a water-pad that's active during summer and a fun sand area for little ones. There are also large pavilions with picnic tables (3.4 miles away).
Lovely playground for kids a little older (3-10). There's not much equipment suitable for toddlers 2 or younger. Swings accommodate all ages (1.3 miles away).
Snowy River Park
6152 Snowy River Dr
Lovely playground for kids a little older (3-10). There's not much equipment suitable for toddlers 2 or younger. Swings accommodate all ages (1.3 miles away).
Free indoor play area for kids! Try their super fun huge slide. There are also puppets and a stage for your kids to put on an entertaining show :) They have an entire room just for babies & young toddlers. Complete your trip with treats from Adventures in Odyssey's ice cream shop!
29 locals recommend
Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Dr
29 locals recommend
Free indoor play area for kids! Try their super fun huge slide. There are also puppets and a stage for your kids to put on an entertaining show :) They have an entire room just for babies & young toddlers. Complete your trip with treats from Adventures in Odyssey's ice cream shop!
Indoor playground for ages 1-8. They also have an inflatable bounce house.
Little Monkey Bizness - Colorado Springs
1015 Kelly Johnson Blvd
Indoor playground for ages 1-8. They also have an inflatable bounce house.

Museums

Manitou Cliff Dwellings is where you have the opportunity to explore fascinating architecture of the ancient Anasazi Indians. You can enter, explore, and touch these ancient homes that have been preserved. There are also two museums featuring cultural displays. I would recommend planning about an hour to see everything.
288 locals recommend
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
10 Cliff Rd
288 locals recommend
Manitou Cliff Dwellings is where you have the opportunity to explore fascinating architecture of the ancient Anasazi Indians. You can enter, explore, and touch these ancient homes that have been preserved. There are also two museums featuring cultural displays. I would recommend planning about an hour to see everything.
Western history comes to life with interactive exhibits, knowledgeable and entertaining docents, Gold Panning and more.
55 locals recommend
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
225 North Gate Blvd
55 locals recommend
Western history comes to life with interactive exhibits, knowledgeable and entertaining docents, Gold Panning and more.
Do you love rodeos, cowboys and the spirit of the Wild West? Then, add this museum to your list! ProRodio preserves the legacy of the cowboy contests, the heritage and culture of those original competitions, and the champions of the past, present and future.
57 locals recommend
ProRodeo Hall of Fame
103 Pro Rodeo Dr
57 locals recommend
Do you love rodeos, cowboys and the spirit of the Wild West? Then, add this museum to your list! ProRodio preserves the legacy of the cowboy contests, the heritage and culture of those original competitions, and the champions of the past, present and future.
Affectionately known as the “bug museum," and boasts one of the largest private insect collections on the planet. Over 8,000 insects, arachnids, beautiful butterflies, and beetles await you!
11 locals recommend
May Natural History Museum
710 Rock Creek Canyon Rd
11 locals recommend
Affectionately known as the “bug museum," and boasts one of the largest private insect collections on the planet. Over 8,000 insects, arachnids, beautiful butterflies, and beetles await you!
This is an interactive, museum-quality destination that advances space-based science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in the exciting context of space exploration, development, and utilization.
36 locals recommend
Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center
4425 Arrowswest Dr
36 locals recommend
This is an interactive, museum-quality destination that advances space-based science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in the exciting context of space exploration, development, and utilization.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is a one-of-a-kind tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. It features 12 galleries that takes guests through Team USA athlete's journey.
150 locals recommend
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
200 S Sierra Madre St
150 locals recommend
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is a one-of-a-kind tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. It features 12 galleries that takes guests through Team USA athlete's journey.
Crank a butter churn. Try your hand at the shooting gallery. Play antique arcade games. Pan for real gold in the summer! Here, authentic artifacts were rescued from the Pikes Peak region and have been preserved indoors for generations to come.
43 locals recommend
Ghost Town Museum
400 S 21st St
43 locals recommend
Crank a butter churn. Try your hand at the shooting gallery. Play antique arcade games. Pan for real gold in the summer! Here, authentic artifacts were rescued from the Pikes Peak region and have been preserved indoors for generations to come.
Miramont Castle is a 14,000 square foot National Historic Landmark built in 1895 as a private residence. The Castle features nine styles of architecture ranging from English Tudor to Byzantine, all crafted from locally quarried greenstone. Miramont Castle is dedicated to preserving the Victorian heritage of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak region.
63 locals recommend
Miramont Castle Museum
9 Capitol Hill Ave
63 locals recommend
Miramont Castle is a 14,000 square foot National Historic Landmark built in 1895 as a private residence. The Castle features nine styles of architecture ranging from English Tudor to Byzantine, all crafted from locally quarried greenstone. Miramont Castle is dedicated to preserving the Victorian heritage of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak region.