Nestled in some of America’s most beautiful mountains, Colorado Springs offers year-round experiences at amazing heights.
Groups will be enchanted by Colorado Springs’ mountains and more when they venture to the Rockies for an exhilarating time. Start the trip with a bus ride up Pikes Peak. Active groups can spend a day skiing, snowboarding or sledding, then relax in cozy cabins, rental homes and nearby hotels. Groups are also encouraged to bike or hike the area’s 25 other parks, which are home to exquisite flora and fauna. Walk through the popular Garden of the Gods Park, filled with postcard-worthy views of the red-rock formations. Or go rafting along the Arkansas River.
Colorado Springs CVB – Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Although the Colorado Springs area is prized for its snow-capped mountains, groups will find may other pleasures. Take in the vibrant fine arts community at several stops, including the Cottonwood Center for the Arts downtown. Encounter dozens of colorful paintings and interact with artists as they teach you how to create your own masterpieces or lead art walks. Find more local art at the Arati Artist Gallery, where 20 of Colorado’s finest artists display landscape paintings, pottery and glass fixtures inspired by the mountains. Whereas the Cottonwood Center and Arati Artist Gallery celebrate abstract and natural beauty, respectively, the Michael Garman Museum & Gallery houses sculptures, paintings and intricate displays of the state’s rich history, all crafted by Garman himself.
Manitou Springs
Speaking of history, Colorado Springs’ interesting past is not to be ignored. Once the site of American Indian tribal lands, the area honors their culture in Historic Downtown Manitou Springs, where visitors will find outdoor art galleries and attend cultural festivals. Check out the Manitou Mineral Springs, eight natural springs once thought to radiate healing powers. Another must-see attraction is the Manitou Springs Incline, a walking trail that elevates to 2,000 feet in less than a mile. If you’re interested in our planet’s evolutionary past, then the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience is the place for you. This attraction boasts life-sized versions of all your favorite dinos and gives you the chance to get up-close-and-personal with them. Ride on the Royal Gorge Railway for a scenic adventure around the dino land and the rest of the Colorado Rockies.
Miramont Castle Museum
Colorado Springs runs on no shortage of museums, so be sure to tour at least a few on your next trip. The National Museum of WWII Aviation will elevate your visit with aircraft that served the nation. The Peterson Air and Space Museum also showcases aircraft, displaying nine missiles and 16 planes. The Miramont Castle Museum features restored Victorian architecture that dates back to 1895. Visitors usually frequent the Queen’s Tea Parlour Room and neatly groomed gardens.
At the U.S. Air Force Academy, guests may visit the Cadet Chapel, Field House, Arnold Hall and Honor Court. The striking chapel, with its 17 spires, is a campus landmark. The visitor center presents a short film about cadet life at the academy.
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center celebrates art in all forms with several permanent collections between the 1800s to present. Included in these exhibitions are Haitian pieces and modern sculptures from Hispanic artists. Enjoy a night of entertainment at the Fine Arts Center’s theater. Groups can arrange to see musicals or concert performances by student actors and professionals—all are guaranteed to impress.
Colorado Springs Rooftop Dining
Complete your trip with some retail therapy and delectable food in Colorado Springs. Old Colorado City will expose you to multitudes of charming boutiques and shops. Chapel Hills Mall, conveniently located near I-25 at exit 50, abounds with more 100 modern stores, plus a grand movie theater. Foodies can get their fix at fine food stores that specialize in gourmet treats, such as Cacao Chemistry for all things chocolate and Cole’s Gourmet Popcorn & Treats for its colorful selection of flavored popcorn. Pikes Peak Lemonade Company switches things up by adding exotic flavors to traditional lemonade.
Colorado Springs offers all this and more, stretching beyond the traditional visitor experience to deliver an unforgettable one.
