Visiting Colorado Springs

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Colorado Springs Fun Facts

  • Colorado Springs is Colorado's second-largest city
  • Elevation is 6,035 feet
  • Population - City: 414,658; Metro Area: 626,227
  • Average yearly snowfall is 37 inches
  • Average yearly days of sunshine: 300+
  • 156 state, county, and city parks

Five Fun Things to Do in Colorado Springs

Summit Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak towers over the city from its 14,110 foot height. This famous landmark is perhaps best known as the spot which inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful. From the summit, one can indeed see spacious skies and off in the vast distance, amber waves of grain. There are two options for reaching the summit: the Pikes Peak Highway or the Cog Railway. From this very nice train, you can relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery, especially once you break out of the forest at timberline—11,500 feet. The 9-mile route takes 75 minutes. [more information]

 

See Where Olympians Train. The U.S. Olympic Complex is the headquarters for the U.S. Olympic Committee administration and the Olympic Training Center programs. Free guided tours are conducted annually—beginning at the Visitor Center. This $8-million facility also includes the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, a 225-seat auditorium, interactive kiosks, memorabilia displays, an indoor/outdoor café area, the U.S. Olympic Spirit Store, and much more. Free guided tours include a 12-minute film and 45-minute walking tour of the complex. [more information]

Visit the Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods Park is a 1,323-acre registered National Natural Landmark of both scenic and recreational opportunities. Imagine dramatic views, 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak. [more information]

 

Climb With the Zoo Animals. No visit to the Pikes Peak region is complete without a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo—America's only mountain zoo! Experience unforgettable adventures combining breathtaking mountain scenery with more than 700 animals from around the world, including the opportunity to hand-feed our magnificent giraffe herd (the largest of any zoo in the world!) All of your favorites are here at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, from giraffes and lions to monkeys, penguins, hippos and bears. It's also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see more than 30 endangered species like the Amur tiger and lowland gorilla. [more information]

Take in an Exhibit. Colorado Springs is home to many museums, including the Pioneers Museum, Ghost Town Museum, McAllister House Museum, Miramont Castle, ProRodeo Hall of Fame, the Fine Arts Center, and more.

 

For more Colorado Springs tourism information, including recommendations for dining and attractions, please visit Experience Colorado Springs.

Images courtesy of Colorado Springs CVB.