Our trip to Colorado Springs with kids provided enough adventure, beauty, and fun for all ages. For the first time traveler to Colorado Springs, find an easy and hassle-free guide to your perfect trip.
Getting There
As always, we flew to Colorado Springs with kids. The COS airport is small and convenient. We were so thankful we easily got through the airport and into our rental since it was late and we were tired!
The car rental is on-site, no shuttling around. There are only a few gates, so it’s an easy walk from TSA to your gate. Right after we got through security, my kids loved the small chairs painted with different animal faces and patterns while I gathered my belongings (and had my bags searched due to an undisclosed package of baby wipes).
Day 1 To the Top of the World and into the Depths of the Earth
Garden of the Gods
The first stop you must make in Colorado Springs with kids is Garden of the Gods. This is a free park with absolutely incredible views and sights. Grab a map to locate the different places you can walk to. Completely stroller friendly with paved trails going around the red rocks.
Get there early! The park opens at 5:30 am, so if you have jet-lagged or early rising kids, get there as soon as possible. Parking fills up!
Park in the smaller north lot rather than the main lot. This is near all the sights you will want to see.
The road is one way, so if you don’t find a parking spot, you’ll be forced to keep driving for several miles before you get back to the main lot near the visitors center.
Visit the Visitors Center last. There is a movie if you are interested. The sights from the outdoor patio are incredible.
Make sure you show your kids Pike’s Peak because that is where you’ll be next!
Grab some lunch and be on the long, windy drive up Pike’s peak.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is 14,000 feet above sea level. One of the tallest mountains accessible by car.
Be aware that the price is $15 for every adult in the car. Kids 6-15 are $5. Our family of 6 was $45. (toddler was free). Or it is $50 for the whole car (if you have more adults).
We have a child that gets motion sickness, so we drove slow and steady. We didn’t stop at all, but checked out and made a note of all the places we wanted to explore on the way down.
Most cars have to stop at a parking lot and shuttle to the summit. Since we had a 5-point carseat, we were allowed to drive to the top ourselves. One car had a dog in it and they also got a pass to drive to the top themselves.
It was incredible to move from the Mountain, Alpine and Summit elevations and see the landscape change dramatically. The peak is very cold (and we were there in late July… I can’t imagine how cold it is other times!) Have a jacket and pants for exploring. Luckily the visitors center is warm (albeit crowded).
On the way down, we stopped to climb giant boulders, play with snow, chase some marmots and gawk at all the views.
Cave of the Winds Discovery Tour
All the details of the fun and educational adventure in Know Before you Go |Cave of the Winds Discovery Tour blog post. Cost is $22 for adults over 13 and $16 for kids 6-12.
Since we were so close, we headed back to Garden of the Gods to see the balanced rock we missed the first time around.
Day 2 Manitou Springs
Manitou Incline
The Manitou Incline is 3,000 steps straight up a giant mountain. It cost $10 to Park and begin your hike. With my young kids, we didn’t make it far. Others said they did get a bit of altitude sickness, or have trouble getting enough breath, but what a challenge to achieve. I would definitely do this early as there is very little shade covering.
Penny Arcades
Its pretty much a requirement if you are in Colorado Springs with kids to take them to the largest collection of arcades I’ve ever seen, the Penny Arcades. Ok, so it doesn’t actually cost pennies, but still pretty cheap with most of the arcades being 25 or 50 cents. This arcade area is right behind main street in Manitou. They have a free parking area with a shuttle to take you into town.
I found parking on the main street and was worried it might be expensive, but it was only $1/ hour. For me, that is worth having my car close!
The arcades are a mix of old and newer arcade games scattered throughout 6-8 buildings. It was a bit difficult to keep track of my kids as they scattered to find games. I soon learned to enter a building, set a time limit and not let them leave until we were ready.
All the ride-on toys are out in the open air (but plenty of shade). My toddler just loved climbing in and out of them until she learned they actually moved. There are hundreds of rides, so if they want to make all of them move you may be out a pretty penny. I gave each kid $5 worth of quarters, told them to spend it wisely and we spent 1 ½ hours playing games. They each won a few tickets (only some games produce tickets) so we redeemed them for prizes.
We loved checking out the shopping toy store, candy shop and other kid-friendly venues in the area.
Soda Springs Playground
Right behind the bathroom area near the Penny arcades is a small, free playground. Eat lunch and play here for a while.
7 Water Springs
Manitou Springs gets its name from the natural Water Springs in the area. You can get a map to the different springs flowing freely for you to dip your head or hands into (or bring a cup to look a bit more civilized).
Each spring has a different flavor since it has different minerals in it. We tried 2 springs. The one on the main street near Patsy’s Candy shop tasted minerally. But just stop at the candy shop to try the key lime pie ice cream… you will not be disappointed.
The other fountain nearby is across the street behind the bathrooms (opposite direction of the main street). It was SODA water… naturally carbonated. It was fascinating. My kids hated both the fountains, but I really wanted to try all of them.
You can walk to all the springs if you use this map.
Manitou Spring City
Manitou Springs also offers other attractions. You may want to try the Art museum, shopping on Main Street and Pikes Peak Cog Railway (opens May 2021) near the Incline hike.
If you are interested in Native American’s, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are the place to be. These are ancient Anasazi Ruins that date back 800 to 1000 years old. There is also a pueblo dwelling on sight.
You’ll find a small museum and a large gift shop to explore. Pottery, jewelry and artifacts are on display, as well as informational displays about farming, babywearing, eating and other ancient American customs.
Adults (12 and over) are $10 and Children (4-11) cost $7.50.
Day 3 – Royal Gorge
Royal Gorge and Bridge Park
Although it’s not actually in the city, Royal Gorge and Bridge is a gorgeous scene worth a short (1 hr) drive when you are in Colorado Springs with kids
I wrote all the details about this park on this post. Cost is $26 for adults over 13 and $21 for kids 6-12. Ziplines, Skycoaster and Via Ferrata are extra costs.
Skyline Drive from Florence to Canon City
Right before you get to Florence, there is a sign to turn left for Skyline Drive. Don’t miss it! This is a one-way road that climbs a mountain and drives along a ridge. You can see out both sides of the car down to the valley. It is thrilling and beautiful!
Town of Victor
If you have an extra hour to drive the scenic Phantom Road to the old mining town of Victor. Parts of the road is unpaved. You will be treated to scenic pullouts as you ascend several thousand feet. In Victor, Take a look at the old gold mining pits.
America the Beautiful Park
Once you are back in Colorado Springs with kids if you still have time or energy, try out a free park! After an hour in the car, the kids might like America the Beautiful Park. You’ll be greeted with a giant sculpture memorial and a fun little playground for the kids.
Day 4 Day Trip to Castle Rock
About 40 minutes north of Colorado Springs you’ll find the beautiful small town of Castle Rock. This is a perfect mini-adventure from Colorado Springs.
Phillip S Miller Park
This park offers four different levels of play and unique fun. The is a climbing rope with a bell to ring when you make it to the top. We loved the spiderweb play, a long steep slide, hammock swings, and a 4 person teeter-totter. There were many play equipment that we had never seen before and took us a while to explore how to play.
The park also offers a splash pad but in a separate location from the playground.
Despite this being a unique and fun playground, my older kids were enamored by the ropes and Ninja courses nearby. If you’re looking for more extreme fun than a really cool park, these would be really fun. The Park offers Zipline Tours, Ninja Warrior course, rock climbing wall, bungee jumping tower and Epic Ropes Course right next to the playground. Find info and prices here.
Mini Incline
Across the parking lot from the playground, you’ll see a mini-incline hike. Ascending 200 steps to the top of a small hill you’ll be able to see the park from a cool perspective. If the Incline in Manitou Springs was too steep or long for your family, this one is perfect!
After the stunning views at the top, you can climb down the stairs the way you came, zipline down (buy tickets in advance from the park), or hike downhill on the switchback trail.
Outlet shopping
You’ll find a giant outlet mall with all the food options you’d ever want. We got our back to school shopping done!
Hike to Castle Rock
When you drive into Castle Rock, you can’t miss the reason for the name of this city. If you park in the neighborhood near rock park and just head on the trails straight to the rock (not the loop) it only takes ½ mile. We timed this just right to see the sun setting from the majestic rock.
It isn’t too steep, and you can see your goal the whole way so everyone was motivated and kept going. The trail is loose sand and gravel, so wear decent shoes, my toddler kept slipping.
Exploring and climbing on rocks and boulders always captures our kids time and attention. Is every kid like this or just our family? We climbed and bouldered for over an hour.
Make a loop all the way around the rock for a variety of climbing options.
Day 5 Choose Your Own Adventure
We only had 4 days in Colorado Springs, but I think another day or 2 would be great! Other sights we didn’t get to see but would like to next time we visit Colorado Springs with kids.
Watch the flights at the Air Force Base
Stay at the Broadmoor and hike the 7 waterfalls
Hike the Helen Hunt trail
Discover the Animals at Cheyenne Zoo
Visit the Olympic Training Center
What else would you add? Did you love the adventure and fun of Colorado Springs with kids?
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