Go Wild
Sixty years ago, the City of Colorado Springs accepted the challenges of operating the Pikes Peak Highway because of the amazing attraction America’s Mountain holds for locals and visitors alike. The highway serves as a jumping-off point for bicycling, hiking, skiing, fishing and exploring local history.
The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center hosts a café, gift shop, and activities for guests of all ages, including information displays, movies, free nature walks and presentations. The Starsmore Nature Center, offering activities for all ages as an introduction to waterfalls, rock formations, wildflowers and wildlife, and Helen Hunt Falls Visitor’s Center also make fascinating day trips and are located in beautiful North Cheyenne Cañon Park.
The City cares for approximately 1,200 acres of diverse open space from grasslands carpeted with wildflowers to the cool shade of creekside trees and rock formations stretching to the sky. Colorado Springs is consistently rated one of the best cities for dogs and the City has six dog runs/parks where you're welcome to hike with your dog off-leash when your pet is kept under control and cleaned up after properly.
Expanding Horizons
The Pioneers Museum has over 40,000 objects in its collection including nationally significant collections of quilts, Van Briggle art pottery, regional art and hundreds of items representative of the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho cultures. Or, experience the spirited history of the Pikes Peak Region at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Visit the 1860s Galloway Homestead, the 1880s Chambers Farm and the 1907 Orchard House with knowledgeable interpreters who bring the local history to life. For history of a more heated nature, visit the Colorado Springs Fire Department Museum.
Colorado Spring’s budding cultural scene supports a constant plethora of performing and visual art activities. Visit the community-wide PeakRadar.com web site for a directory of upcoming cultural events. The City’s own historic 1923 City Auditorium also plays host to a wide variety of community opportunities.
Get Going
Exploring Colorado Springs by bicycle can be done via 70 miles of on-street bike lanes, 118 miles of urban bicycle trails and 61 miles of un-paved mountain bike trails. If you prefer to travel by foot, the City also cares for 105 miles of urban trail great for walking or running and 160 miles of park hiking trails.
The City manages seven regional parks, eight community parks, and 136 neighborhood parks. The Memorial Park Skate Park features 40,000 square feet of obstacles, bowls and pools that attract inline skaters, skateboarders and BMX bikers from across the country.
The summer Spray Ground playground has 16 different water spray features containing over 50 individual spray nozzles. Uncle Wilber Fountain, located in Acacia Park in vibrant Downtown, features spray jets also popular with children for summertime fun.
The City manages two indoor and four outdoor pool facilities with public swims, lessons, birthday parties and fitness opportunities. You can find water in its more solid form at Sertich Ice Arena where they offer public skating, birthday party packages, lessons and adult open hockey. The City also offers a wide variety of other recreation and sports programs for children and adults.
The City also owns and operates two beautiful golf courses for players of all abilities.
