55 Things to Do in Colorado Springs in 5 Days

There's no way anyone could experience them all in just one trip... or is there? Three intrepid adventurers, Tracy, Chelsy and Sarah, thought they would give this epic adventure a shot. See below for their roundup of the top 55 attractions to explore in Colorado Springs within five days and try the challenge for yourself. Remember to share your experience on social media by tagging #VisitCOS.

Complete your vacation planning by browsing the latest Colorado Springs deals and discounts and find the perfect accommodations for your family in our selection of hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and other lodging options.

Day 1

1. U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium

   Be immersed in far off lands at the U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium, whose panoramic projections and mesmerizing surround sound transport you to the depths of the ocean and to the deepest reaches of space.

2. Air Force Academy's Bomber Plane Display

   Get an up-close look at an authentic B-52 bomber at the Air Force Academy's Bomber Plane Display.

3. Western Museum of Mining & Industry

   Visit the Western Museum of Mining & Industry for an in-depth look at Colorado's mining history, with over 4,000 artifacts and machines.

4. ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy

   Trace the legacy of cowboys and rodeo champions throughout history at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy.

5. Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum

   Admire a collection of over 75 vintage motorcycles spanning seven decades at the free-to-visit Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum.

6. Glen Eyrie Castle

   Tour the majestic Glen Eyrie Castle, constructed by the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer.

7. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

   Learn about the region's earliest inhabitants through tours and hands-on experiences at the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site.

8. Garden of the Gods

   Explore and stand in awe of one of the most stunning geological wonders of the world — and TripAdvisor's #1 U.S. Park — Garden of the Gods.

9. Garden of the Gods Trading Post

   Shop for handmade Native American jewelry, crafts, and art, as well as other souvenirs at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

10. Flying W Ranch

    Swing by the Flying W Ranch to try your hand at roping animals, enjoy a chuckwagon dinner of smoked meats and enjoy a performance by the Flying W Wranglers.

Day 2

11. Cheyenne Mountain State Park

    Navigate 28 miles of trails at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, also home to campgrounds, an archery range and educational programs.

12. May Museum of Natural History (Bug Museum)

    Examine over 7,000 rare insects from around the world at the May Museum of Natural History (Bug Museum) — and don't forget to snap a photo with the Herkimer, "the world's largest beetle!"

13. Whitewater Rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions

    Paddle (or float) your way along the Arkansas River during a or other rafting partners.

14. Stand Up Paddleboarding with Dragonfly Paddle Yoga

    Relax on the water with a stand up paddle boarding session with Dragonfly Paddle Yoga.

15. Gondolas & Zip Line at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

    Take in breathtaking views via Aerial Gondolas — or, if you're a thrill seeker, a zip line — at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.

16. Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours

    Soar over the Royal Gorge Plateau on one of nine thrilling zip lines at Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours.

17. Royal Rush SkyCoaster

    Ride the Royal Rush SkyCoaster and dash 50 mph through the Rocky Mountain air and over the rim of Royal Gorge.

18. The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey

    Sip wine as you admire the Wet Mountains at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey.

19. Royal Gorge Bridge

    Cross the Royal Gorge Bridge and soak in panoramic views as you pass 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.

20. Skyline Drive

    Ride along the rollercoaster-like Skyline Drive carved into the side of a mountain for more sweeping views of Cañon City.

21. Royal Gorge Route Railroad

    Enjoy memorable meals alongside memorable views onboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, weaving alongside the Arkansas River.

22. Museum of Colorado Prisons

    Survey artifacts and learn about the history of the Colorado prison system at the Museum of Colorado Prisons, originally built in 1935 as the Women’s Correctional Facility.

23. Gold Belt Scenic Byway

    Travel the Gold Belt Scenic Byway and pass alongside former railroad and stagecoach routes that serviced the region's most prominent mining towns.

Day 3

24. Academy Riding Stables

    Explore Garden of the Gods Park on horseback led by a local wrangler from Academy Riding Stables.

25. Mineral Springs at Manitou Springs

    Taste the varying flavors and effervescence of the Manitou Springs Mineral Springs, rumored to have once possessed restorative powers.

26. The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway

    Reach the summit of Pikes Peak after a relaxing train ride onboard The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

27. Barr Trail

    Challenge yourself on the Barr Trail — a 12+ mile scenic journey with 7,500 feet of elevation gain, ultimately reaching the Pikes Peak summit.

28. Miramont Castle Museum

    Journey back to the Victorian era as you tour the Miramont Castle Museum, a National Historic Landmark consisting of nine architecture styles.

29. Manitou Springs Penny Arcade

    Embrace nostalgia and play over 400 classic amusement games like skeeball, pinball and shooting galleries at Manitou Springs Penny Arcade.

30. The Olive Tap

    Taste and purchase an impressive selection of premium olive oils and vinegars The Olive Tap.

31. Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

    Visit the 800-year-old Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings to tour the former homes of the Ancient Pueblan people and learn about Native American culture.

32. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

    Climb, leap, crawl, and zip through courses and attractions at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, or descend into the depths of Manitou Grand Caverns.

33. Wind Walker Challenge Course

    Climb through steel beams, ropes and ladders at the Wind Walker Challenge Course — a 3-story course teetering on the edge of Williams Canyon.

34. Penrose Heritage Carriage House Museum

    Tour the Penrose Heritage Carriage House Museum to learn about the history and heritage of the Pikes Peak region.

35. Ghost Town Museum

    Immerse yourself in a western ghost town at the Ghost Town Museum, home to 1800's and turn-of-the-century artifacts and equipment.

36. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

    Discover Colorado's prehistoric past at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, home to one of the world's wealthiest and most varied fossil deposits.

Day 4

37. Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center

    Wander through the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center and admire beautiful wolves, coyotes and foxes.

38. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine

    Dig for gold at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine as you learn about the region's mining history.

39. Cripple Creek Heritage Center

    Discover all there is to see and do in Cripple Creek and learn about local geology, animal life and history at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center.

40. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

    Enjoy a scenic steam train ride on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, which harkens back to the area's gold mining heyday.

41. Dinosaur Resource Center

    Enter the Cretaceous Period and view fossils at the Dinosaur Resource Center, a 20,000-square-foot museum consistently rated as one of the world's best dinosaur museum.

42. The North Pole & Santa’s Workshop

    Get into the holiday spirit at The North Pole, home to Santa’s Workshop and a variety of Christmas-themed amusements and shops.

43. Rock Climbing with Front Range Climbing Company

    Scale Colorado Springs' iconic rocky landscape on an all-levels rock climbing adventure with Front Range Climbing Company.

44. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

    Visit the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center to browse Native American, Hispanic and Spanish Colonial, and American art and enjoy theatre performances.

45. Money Museum

    Enrich your understanding of currency at the Money Museum, home to collections of rare coins and exhibits spanning three galleries.

46. U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

    Trace the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and learn about Team USA's legacy at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum — a must-visit while in Olympic City, USA.

47. Memorial Park Skate Park

    Skate your way through the 40,000-square-foot Memorial Park Skate Park, home to a street course, bowls and two vertical ramps.

48. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

    Dive deeper into the history and culture of the Colorado Springs region at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, housed in a 1903 El Paso County Courthouse.

Day 5

49. Pikes Peak Highway

    Ascend to the summit of Pikes Peak via jeep, bus or van with tours on Pikes Peak Highway.

50. Donuts at The Summit House

    Reward your ascent to the Pikes Peak summit with a sweet donut from The Summit House.

51. Pikes Peak Bike Ride with Challenge Unlimited

    Make your way down from Pikes Peak on a bike ride with Challenge Unlimited after ascending to the top by van or jeep.

52. Michael Garman's Magic Town

    Survey a miniature city at Michael Garman's Magic Town, featuring hundreds of 1:6 scale sculptures of characters, buildings, hotels and more.

53. World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame

    Spend time learning the intricacies of blade types and jumps at the World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame, which honors figure skating's greats.

54. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

    Feed giraffes, waddle with penguins, and come face-to-face with dozens of other animals at the family-friendly Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

55. The Broadmoor Seven Falls

    Visit The Broadmoor Seven Falls for one of the most picturesque hikes in all of Colorado Springs, featuring a series of cascading waterfalls in a wall box canyon.