Updated: November 22, 2024
Towering at more than 14,000-feet on the Colorado Rockies Front Range, Pikes Peak is a bucket-list destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you’re looking to learn about the local environment and wildlife, experience white knuckle thrills, or bond with your family, the Pikes Peak Region offers tons of attractions and adventures for an unforgettable trip. Here are the top experiences to try when you visit:
Create unforgettable memories when you visit America’s Mountain: Pikes Peak. Drive the 19 miles to the top, making frequent stops on the pull-offs to get out, stretch your legs, and take stunning photos to look back on later. Pikes Peak is also the perfect spot to learn about the history, geology, nature, and wildlife in Colorado!
Plan to spend an afternoon at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, home to more than 750 animals and America’s only mountain zoo. Feed the giraffes, ride the historic carousel and be sure to check out the incredible views.
If you want to celebrate the holiday season year-round, take those good boys and girls to Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole, where they can enjoy Christmas-themed rides and of course see the elves in action.
In Pikes Peak, you can even turn a family dinner into a fun event. Flying W Ranch offers traditional Chuckwagon cookouts complete with cowboy singalongs and delicious home-cooked food.
Experience the mighty crashing waters of The Broadmoor Seven Falls in Pikes Peak. Drawing in families from all over the world, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking scenery, unique hiking trails, a gift shop, Restaurant 1858, and more.
The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is ideal for families who want to relax after a long day of playing in Pikes Peak. Enjoy the 25,000 square feet of space, indulge yourself in a delicious treat from Colorado City Creamery, and shop for unique gifts and souvenirs to remember your trip by.
Old Colorado City, once planned to become the capital of Colorado, is a unique city full of history and small-town charm. Enjoy the area’s eclectic boutiques, award-winning dining options, striking local art galleries, and other family-friendly activities on your next visit.
Admire more than 100,000 fascinating insects on display at the "Bug Museum." With 7,000+ species of beautiful butterflies, moths, bizarre beetles, and giant spiders, it's a captivating destination for bug enthusiasts and scientists alike.
Launch into an interstellar adventure at the Space Foundation Discovery Center, an interactive learning center offering space-themed programming for all ages. From special events for young explorers to adults-only evenings, the Discovery Center provides an engaging cosmic experience year-round.
Immerse yourself in Olympic glory with a 360-degree digital experience and interactive sports simulations at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Explore 13 interactive, galleries featuring one of the world's most valuable Olympic medal collections, and test your skills in six Olympic sports, including alpine skiing and archery.
You can view all the best family-friendly things to do here.
Whitewater rafting is a favorite Colorado pastime, and Echo Canyon River Expeditions can help you check this adventure off your bucket list. Choose from half, full, and even multi-day excursions for a heart-pounding good time.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is another must-see for thrill-seekers. If you’re feeling really brave, ride the Terror-Dactyl, which launches screaming passengers across Williams Canyon at 100-miles-per-hour! There’s also a gentler Bat-a-Pult aerial adventure plus a world-class climbing course, cave tours, and more.
Hit the road or take to the skies with Adventures Out West. This tour provider and outfitter offers hot air balloon rides for awesome views of Pikes Peak, some of the best zipline experiences in Colorado, off-road jeep tours, rafting trips, guided hikes, and more.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is another sight to behold, crossing the Arkansas River at a height of 956 feet. Adrenaline junkies will love riding the Skycoaster or Cloudscraper ZipRider. There is also a mountaineering experience, gondola ride, and even a playland for little ones to enjoy.
Experience the wild side of Colorado when you join The Broadmoor Outfitters for thrilling outdoor adventure and unmatched hospitality. You will have access to some of the best instructors in the area, available to help you get started on Stand Up Paddleboarding, ziplining, and some of the more unique activities available like falconry, mountain biking, and paintball.
Embark on a guided horseback ride through Garden of the Gods and discover the natural beauty of the region. This is the perfect outing for families and can be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced riders.
See all of the most thrilling experiences in Pikes Peak here.
At the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, you can literally walk through history and touch the past. These preserved Ancient Puebloan structures date back hundreds of years and offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of indigenous people.
Since 1891, the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway has operated as the world’s highest cog railway and takes visitors up to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.
For even more historic architecture and fun, spend a day strolling through downtown Historic Manitou Springs, where you’ll find plenty of galleries, shops, and dining.
Historic Cripple Creek is another well-preserved Western town with plenty of family-friendly fun year-round.
With the Pikes Peak Tour by Gray Line, you can leave the driving to the experts and enjoy a tour of Pikes Peak for all its worth. Gray Line Tours, which has a 42-year history, makes your tour of the area a leisurely adventure, giving you plenty of time to take in all of Pikes Peak’s beauty and history.
Unearth Colorado Springs' industrial past at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, an expansive 27-acre campus, featuring 12,200 square feet of exhibits. See historic machinery, explore a model mining drift and gold panning stations. Engaging guided tours and educational events bring the area's rich mining heritage to life.
Lasso the spirit of the American West at this comprehensive shrine to rodeo culture. Peruse 5 distinct exhibits and over 300 inductee collections, tracing the sport's evolution from its rugged origins to modern-day spectacle.
Descend 100 feet into the earth and journey back to the 1890s in this authentic gold mine experience. Marvel at vintage air-powered equipment, discover gleaming gold veins, and explore diverse mining techniques from a bygone era.
Transport yourself to the Victorian era within the walls of Miramont Castle, boasting 33 rooms adorned with period-authentic furnishings and the Queen's Parlor Tea Room where you can enjoy a relaxing tea time and feast on Victorian fare.
Since 1967, this narrow gauge railroad has whisked visitors from Cripple Creek's train depot past historic mines to the ghost town of Anaconda. Revel in breathtaking vistas while riding this open-air, coal-fired locomotive.
Stroll through the Ghost Town Museum to admire authentic artifacts rescued from the Pikes Peak region. Little ones will have a blast panning for gold, cranking a butter churn, and playing antique arcade games.
Find out more about historical attractions around the Pikes Peak Region here.
Ready to plan your next adventure in the Pikes Peak Region near Colorado Springs? You can find things to do, lodging options, and even more travel inspiration here.
*This blog post is sponsored by Pikes Peak Region Attractions.
Ghost Town Museum400 S 21st St
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad520 E Carr St
Cripple Creek, Colorado 80813
Miramont Castle Museum - Manitou Springs Historical Society9 Capitol Hill Ave
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tours9388 Hwy 67
Cripple Creek, Colorado 80813
ProRodeo Hall of Fame101 Pro Rodeo Dr
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919
Western Museum of Mining & Industry225 North Gate Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921
City of Cripple Creek337 E Bennett Ave
Cripple Creek, Colorado 80813
Visit Manitou Springs354 Manitou Ave
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
Manitou Cliff Dwellings10 Cliff Dwellings Rd, US Hwy 24 West
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway515 Ruxton Ave
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
Academy Riding Stables4 El Paso Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904
Royal Gorge Region424 Main Street
Canon City, Colorado 81212
Adventures Out West925 S 8th St
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park100 Cave of the Winds Rd
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
Echo Canyon River Expeditions45000 W US Highway 50
Canon City, Colorado 81212
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum200 S Sierra Madre St
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
Space Foundation Discovery Center4425 Arrowswest Dr
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907
May Natural History Museum710 Rock Creek Canyon
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80926
Old Colorado CityColorado Ave West of I-25 to 28th St
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904
Garden of the Gods Trading Post324 Beckers Ln
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
The Broadmoor Seven Falls1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd.
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905
North Pole - Santa's Workshop5050 Pikes Peak Hwy
Cascade, Colorado 80809
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo4250 Cheyenne Mtn Zoo Rd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
Pikes Peak - America's Mountain5069 Pikes Peak Hwy
Cascade, Colorado 80809
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