Enjoy days’ worth of free and affordable fun
Updated: June 29, 2026
You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a great trip to Colorado Springs!
Beautiful, natural scenery, low-cost activities and plenty of adventure can all fit within your budget. Every activity listed in this itinerary is either free admission or charges less than $15 per person, often with senior, student, military or child discounts available. So, get ready to have a ball on a budget with this one!
The Pikes Peak Region has a variety of nicely priced lodging options for you to peruse. One way to score a great lodging deal is to visit September through May, when rates are lower and there are fewer visitors. Or, take a page out of Europe’s book and plan an economical stay at RAD Hostel! Options include private rooms, dorm rooms and car camping. Plus, you’ll get access to a communal kitchen, work space, lounge and outdoor space.
If camping is your vibe, book a spot at one of the area’s many great campgrounds!
Browse all lodging options and categories here.
If you want to explore the region’s fabulous craft beverage scene, we recommend signing up for the free Crafts & Drafts Passport! Get great deals like buy-one, get-one-free drinks and more at breweries, distilleries and wineries all around Colorado Springs. There’s also a milkshake offer from The Milkshake Factory for those who prefer their drinks alcohol-free.
If you're looking for restaurants, peruse our Casual/Family Dining category to get a sense of beloved, fuss-free eateries that have delicious offerings. Don’t forget to check out our Best Happy Hours blog, to see where you can score yummy drinks and appetizers at a lower price point.
Browse all dining options and categories here.
AM: Hike through Garden of the Gods Park
AM: Picnic and see the animals at Rock Ledge Ranch
PM: Visit the Space Foundation Discovery Center
For your first stop, see Garden of the Gods Park! It’s our city’s most popular attraction for a reason: it’s beautiful, accessible and was declared from its founding that it’d be free to the public forever. Stop by the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center first to view the museum-quality exhibit and get a digital map of the park. You can view a 14-minute movie about how the red rocks got there for $6 or less per ticket. Take in the unbelievable red rock views as you navigate various paved walkways and trails. You can’t find a better deal than this!
Once you’ve sufficiently explored the park, pop on over Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, right next to Garden of the Gods. It’s free to access the trails and enjoy the scenery, but in the summer, the living history experience requires a small admission fee. Either way, you can take a peaceful walk, see farm animals and enjoy your lunch at a shaded picnic table while you watch ducks play in the pond.
Conclude your day with an out-of-this-world educational experience at the Space Foundation Discovery Center! The immersive exhibits and interactive labs make this place an unforgettable stop for all ages. You’ll be captivated by artifacts of space travel’s past, cutting-edge current technology and plans for future missions.
AM: Visit a nature center
AM: Take it easy and explore the museums in the Old North End
PM: Take an Art on the Streets self-guided tour
Start your morning with a visit to one of our renowned nature centers. Both Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers provide educational exhibits, fun events and free access to the parks they’re located in. If you have a furry friend, Bear Creek Park is the obvious choice: it has a dog park along with tons of other amenities like an archery range and pickleball courts. If you’re interested in spotting some aquatic wildlife, don’t miss Fountain Creek Park, with its lush marshes and ponds teeming with fish, turtles and waterfowl.
Next, explore the Old North End and nearby historic neighborhoods just north of Downtown Colorado Springs. This district is incredibly scenic: you could spend a whole day walking the beautiful Colorado College campus, full of stunning homes, museums and churches. You can take a fascinating look into the history of currency at the Money Museum, home of the American Numismatic Association. Ironically, admission is very affordable, and the museum often has free days! You’ll be amazed at how the exhibits converge currency, history, science and art. Just down the street is the McAllister House Museum, the oldest home in Colorado Springs. Marvel at the Victorian architecture and pristine artifacts as you envision yourself in the city’s beginnings.
Hope you brought your walking shoes! You’ll be spending the rest of the evening exploring the public art in Downtown Colorado Springs. For your self-guided Art on the Streets tour, consult the public art map and have fun hunting for sculptures, murals and other unique installations by artists from all over the world! If you like, you could also tour the art with a PikeRide e-bike that can be rented at stations throughout the Downtown area.
AM: Hike Helen Hunt Falls
AM: Visit the May Natural History Museum
PM: Take a trip to Magic Town and explore Old Colorado City
This morning, go chasing waterfalls! Named for one of Colorado Springs’ most iconic historic women, Helen Hunt Falls is a stunningly scenic waterfall in North Cheyenne Cañon Park. It’s right at a major trailhead, not far from the parking lot. You can see the waterfall and leave or stay for a trek on one of the park’s many trails.
After your hike, make a trip to one of the region’s quirkiest attractions: The May Natural History Museum, lovingly referred to as “the bug museum” (can you guess what they have inside?). This must-see stop started as one man's traveling show full of exotic insects that he caught himself from remote places all over the world. Today, it’s considered the biggest private insect collection in the country. This hidden gem has seasonal hours, so make sure you check their website before you go. You can’t leave without snapping a selfie with Herkimer, the world’s largest beetle statue. Don’t worry, he’s friendly!
End the day with another unique attraction: the Michael Garman Museum and Gallery (home of “Magic Town”). Get lost in an entire city of hand-painted miniatures. The whimsy here is unmatched! You’ll even get free popcorn and a scavenger hunt challenge with each admission. Afterwards, walk through Old Colorado City, a charming historic district with tons of character, shopping, galleries and restaurants.
AM: Check out the Hosmer Visitor Center
AM: Catch a screening at the USAFA planetarium
PM: Putt putt at Adventure Mini Golf
Head up north to see one of Colorado Springs’ newest attractions: Hosmer Visitor Center, located right outside the U.S. Air Force Academy’s North Gate. Hosmer proudly displays immersive exhibits that take visitors on a journey through the life of an Air Force cadet. Plus, it’s open seven days a week with free admission! Once you’ve made it through all exhibits, take in the sprawling mountain views from the atrium. Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop.
Next, venture on campus to the Academy’s planetarium! The planetarium screens educational programs daily. Depending on the day, visitors can experience an immersive film about astronomy, history, meteorology and more, complete with reclining theater seats and 8k projectors. Check the USAFA website for admission guidelines, as reservations and background checks may be required several days in advance to get on base.
Who doesn’t love putt putt? For the evening, have some fun at Adventure Mini Golf. Four themed courses with fun sculptures set before beautiful views of Pikes Peak make for the perfect conclusion to your Colorado Springs adventure!
If you’re looking for some fun local happenings to inspire the timing of your trip, check out these signature Pikes Peak Region events!
September 5 — 7, 2026
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is the biggest hot air balloon festival in the state of Colorado – and…
May 23 — 25, 2026
From its humble beginnings, Territory Days has grown from a small neighborhood craft fair into a popular three-day street festival.
June 17, 2026
Wake up early and bring your appetite! It’s time for one of Colorado Springs’ most beloved traditions.
February 14, 2026
Learn about our majestic state mammal and spot them in their natural habitat.
Year Round
Browse the local art galleries and art studios along W. Colorado Avenue in Historic Old Colorado City.
Looking for even more? Check out these resources to plan additional days in the Pikes Peak Region. And don't forget – you can always use our AI chatbot Penny in the bottom righthand corner to further assist you in your trip planning.
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