Last summer we spent a week in the amazing city of Colorado Springs with our kids. There are so many stunning places to visit in Colorado, it was really hard to pick one place to visit when we were planning our trip. Since this was our first time in the state, we wanted a family-friendly location since our kids were just 1, 3 and 5 at the time and we hadn’t done much hiking in the past.
Well, we picked perfectly! Colorado Springs is the ultimate place for families with babies, toddlers and little kids. We jam packed our schedule full of fun, and there were still so many things we didn’t get to see and do! We visited at the end of July to escape the Midwest heat, and the weather was perfect.
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The Cheyenne Mountain zoo is so unique, you will definitely not want to miss this great family-friendly stop! Located on the side of a mountain overlooking Colorado Springs, if you come for the views alone, you will not be disappointed.
Make sure to grab a couple bundles of lettuce to hand-feed the giraffes- it is definitely one of the highlights of this zoo! There are so many giraffes, and they grab the lettuce right out of your hand! Also, don’t miss a ride on the Mountaineer Sky Ride. This chair-lift style ride gives you spectacular views of both the zoo and the mountain. Make sure to reserve tickets before your visit here.
The penny arcades in Manitou Springs is like a walk down memory lane, with hundreds of old arcade games, kiddie rides, and lots of shops with tasty treats. Games vary in price from 1 cent to a couple of dollars. This place is so much fun for both kids and adults, we actually came back another day while we were in town!
If your kids love Christmas, do not miss this unique amusement park, located at the foot of Pikes Peak. Home to Santa’s village and themed all things holiday, this is such a fun place to visit. There are over 2 dozen rides designed specifically for kids, including several open to kids of all ages and heights. You also don’t want to miss the fun shows, unique shopping including glass blowing and custom ornaments, and of course a visit with Santa. Note that they are not open during the winter months after the Christmas season, so make sure to check their website before visiting to verify hours.
If your kids are train obsessed like mine, do not miss the chance to take them on a real life, open air train ride through the magnificent Royal Gorge. The train depot is located in Canyon City, about an hour drive from Colorado Springs. The train ride is about 2 hours roundtrip, and offers stunning views from inside the gorge. You can order from their full menu and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner while on the train. Don’t forget to head out to the open air car during the ride to enjoy the views unobstructed- it’s truly breathtaking! Book tickets here.
Check out this unique cave on the family tour- a 60 minute walking tour of a lit portion of the cave. You can learn about the history and geology of the cave and see some of the stunning formations. While you are waiting for your tour to start, let your kids mine some gems in their gem mining station or check out the wind walker or zip line.
This 1,400 acre city park in Colorado Springs is the perfect place for kids of all ages to get some fresh air and wiggles out. It’s full of stunning sandstone rock formations and has multiple trails of varying difficulty levels. The day we visited, there was hardly anyone there and we had the trails to ourselves. We loved exploring the beautiful rock formations, the lush summer greenery, and saw lots of wildlife as well. We didn’t have to hike long or far to see lots of beautiful views, which makes this a perfect place to wander with littles.
Another stunningly beautiful park full of red rock formations and breathtaking views, your kids will have a blast wandering around and admiring the scenery. There are lots of places to climb, jump and crawl. It does get rather crowded, so make sure to get here early to find parking and beat the crowds.
Tunnel drive is a flat, 2-mile hike that is located about 1 mile from downtown Canyon City, about an hour outside of Colorado Springs. You have stunning views of the Arkansas River and surrounding canyon, and you walk through three granite-blasted tunnels along the path. It’s very kid friendly, and you can easily bring your stroller or wagon along the smooth walking path. Our favorite part of this hike was all of the wildlife we saw- several mountain goats, deer and eagles, along with tons of gorgeous cacti and wildflowers. If you are planning on visiting the Royal Gorge, make sure you add this awesome hike to your itinerary!
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Colorado Springs with kids! Do you have any other favorite things to do here? Let me know in the comments!