Colorado Springs with Kids

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center is located within the Garden of The Gods Park, a registered National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Surrounded by impressive sandstone rock formations with views of snow-capped Pikes Peak against a brilliant blue sky, visitors will be in for some wonderfully-dramatic views. The Center offers solo-adventurers, groups of friends, and families traveling with the children a great opportunity to learn about the park through dynamic and interactive museum exhibits, HD movies at the Geo-Trekker Theatre, and free park maps. Open-Air Trolley, Segway, and Jeep tours are a great way to explore the park when traveling with kids, and are available by reservation.

1805 North 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-634-6666, Garden of the Gods Video

America the Beautiful Park Fantasy Playground

America the Beautiful Park Fantasy Playground is a playground and intimate community park that is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The playground is equipped with turntables hammocks, and spinner bowls that provide plenty of thrills for all who play. Nearly 100 students from Washington Elementary, Globe Charter, Columbia Elementary, and Bristol Elementary schools helped create some of the park’s interactive art pieces, called Quirks. The park features additional amenities beyond the playground, such as restroom facilities, walking paths, and a picnic pavilion. Visitors will also have access to Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and the Midland Trail. Families who are traveling to Colorado Springs with kids will want to add this unique experience to the list.

126 Cimino Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-385-2489

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a sprawling, 1,474-acre city park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The park is situated along the western portion of the city, south of U.S. Route 24 and adjacent to Manitou Springs. Red Rock Canyon is made up of a series of ridges and canyons that were sculpted by the erosion of the region’s uplifted rock strata. The canyons and ridges offer sheltered enclaves and beautiful views for inspiration, different types of terrain for various recreation, and a piece of sedimentary geology dating back more than 240 million years on display for education. It’s a perfect day-trip for the whole family (kids included), with opportunities for climbing, hiking, and horseback riding.

3550 West High Street, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-385-5940

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Situated at an elevation of nearly 6,800 feet, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is recognized as America’s highest zoo in relation to sea level. This sprawling zoological park is located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. The zoo is home to a variety of fish, mammals, plants, reptiles, amphibians, and birds for visitors to explore and learn about. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo features a number of kid-centric activities, such as Budgie Buddies, Animal Shows, Giraffe Feeding, and the Mountaineer Sky Ride. The zoo also offers ‘EdVentures’ for kids and teens, where they can partake in School Break Camps, Starlight Safari Evenings, Keeper Shadows, Internships, and fun Summer Camps.

4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-633-9925

May Natural History Museum

May Natural History Museum is an enduring roadside museum that features a collection of various tropical insects in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This premier insect museum is situated at the bottom of the Rocky Mountains and features one of the world’s largest displays of tropical insects. This is a fun little stop for anyone traveling with children, as they’ll be wowed by the museum’s 7,000 insects on display. They’ll be able to see and learn about everything from large tropical spiders and insects to thousands of vibrantly-colorful moths and butterflies. School groups and families have been visiting this fascinating roadside museum for decades.

710 Rock Creek Canyon Road, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-576-0450

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad reveals wonderful scenery around every curve of the track as the 100-year-old steam locomotive transports visitors back to the days of gold mining in Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado. The track heads south out of Cripple Creek, continues beyond the old Midland Terminal Wye, then over a trestle that’s been reconstructed and past several historic mines, before terminating near Anaconda – a deserted mining camp. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes, and children under the age of three ride for free. This roundtrip railroad excursion is a great experience – a real treat for history and railroad buffs, children, and the entire family.

520 East Carr Avenue, Cripple Creek, CO, Phone: 719-689-2640

Ghost Town Museum

Ghost Town Museum is a model town that features historic structures and artifacts in Colorado Springs. The museum is committed to offering an authentic Wild West experience to visitors and families within the Pikes Peak region. The artifacts and buildings that were recovered from the Pikes Peak area have been preserved in an indoor environment for generations. There are several fun activities that are perfect for families traveling with kids, such as cranking a butter churn, taking some shots at the shooting gallery, playing antique arcade games, and panning for real gold. The museum is also equipped with a gift shop that has t-shirts, treasures, trinkets, and much more.

400 South 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-634-0696

Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center

Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center is a sprawling regional park that is located in Colorado Springs. There are miles and miles of scenic trails that are perfect for walking, running, hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The ponderosa pine forests, scrub oak thicket, mountain creek, meadows, and abundant wildlife within the foothills attract adults and children from all over to come and explore Bear Creek Regional Park. The Nature Center assists in educating the general public, families, and kids on nature related topics through a number of interactive exhibits, birding classes, nature camps, and a working honey bee hive.

245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-520-6387

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a United States National Monument that is located in Florissant, Colorado. Situated beneath a verdant mountain valley within central Colorado, visitors will find one of the most diverse and richest fossil deposits in the entire world. There are numerous petrified redwood stumps and thousands of plant and insect fossils that reveal the fascinating story of an extremely different, prehistoric Colorado. Families traveling with children will want to check out the visitor center; kids typically enjoy exploring the fossil displays and interactive exhibits there. They can also earn cute badges by completing a fun and informative Junior Ranger book.

15807 County Road 1, Florissant, CO, Phone: 719-748-3253

Memorial Park

Memorial Park is a sprawling lakeside park located in Colorado Springs. This multi-use park features multiple tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, multi-use sports fields, and sand volleyball courts. There is also a bicycle velodrome, aquatic center, and ice skating center. The park is equipped with picnic areas and a modern playground that can all be reserved for larger groups. In the heart of the park sits Prospect Lake, which is surrounded by the 1.25-mile Prospect Lake Fitness Trail, perfect for walking, jogging, and biking. Kids with skateboards, inline skates, and BMX bikes will be thrilled with the park’s complimentary 40,000-square-foot Memorial Park Skate Park.

1605 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-385-5940

Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum

Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum is a museum that is located inside of the Colorado Springs Fire Department headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. When Dr. Williams passed, he specified that he wanted his vast collection of various fire memorabilia used exclusively for establishing a new fire museum. Kids who might be interested in becoming firefighters one day will thoroughly enjoy exploring the museum’s many pieces of firefighting apparatus and artifacts on display. Much of the museums memorabilia originated from the Colorado Springs Fire Department when Dr. Williams was the department’s physician. The rest of it came from other members of his family who had also served in the fire department.

375 Printers Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-385-5950

Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center

Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center is a wonderfully informative nature and visitor center that is located in Colorado Springs. The stone building was once the residence of the Starsmore family; it has been cherished as an important local landmark for a number of years. The structure was bought by the City of Colorado Springs in 1992, then moved to its current location. The center plays an intricate role in introducing Cheyenne Cañon and its wildflowers, rock formations, wildlife, and beautiful waterfalls to all who visit. The park offers a number of fascinating programs, such as the Junior Ranger Program, Tipi Raising & Ute Heritage Workshop, and the Cheyenne Cañon Camp.

2120 South Cheyenne Canon Road, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-385-6086

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is a history museum that is located in Colorado Springs. It happens to be the only institution that researches, collects, and interprets the robust history that is found within Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. Every year, the museum brings in over 90,000 visitors who want to learn about the community’s history, what it’s like today, and what it can be in the future. The museum features a number of fascinating exhibits for families, school groups, and adult groups or individuals to explore, such as the Francis Drexel Smith: A Legacy on Canvas, Any Place North and West: African Americans in Colorado Springs, and Cultural Crossroads: Highlights from the Collection.

215 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-385-5990

Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a wildly popular tourist attraction in Colorado Springs. The railway has been in operation since the summer of 1891, transporting visitors to the summit of Pikes Peak, at an astounding 14,115 feet above sea level. Families have enjoyed this scenic journey for generations, seated comfortably on the planet’s highest cog train.

Throughout the journey, passengers will encounter four distinctive habitats ranging from lush high plains to fragile alpine tundra. Dense pine forests and pristine aspen groves give way to enchanting mountain streams and sweeping boulder canyons as passengers climb beyond the timberline. The train ride is truly an awesome adventure, and one that can be enjoyed at all ages.

515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO, Phone: 719-685-5401

Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is one of the most unique outdoor spaces within El Paso County, Colorado. The Paint Mines got their name from the colorful clays collected by Native American Indians to create paint. Oxidized iron compounds can be found in the many layers of clay on the canyon walls, causing bright bands of color. The 750-acre park is situated in the northeast part of the county. The paint mines show evidence of human activity dating back over 9,000 years ago. It’s a fun day trip with the family. Kids will enjoy hiking through the hoodoos and spires, and viewing the bright yellows and lavenders of the canyon walls.

29950 Paint Mine Road, Calhan, CO, Phone: 719-520-7529

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is a cave system and adventure/thrill park that is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado. This family-friendly attraction offers varying levels of cave tours, such as the hour-long Discovery Tour, the 90-minute Lantern Tour, and 2.5-hour Caving 101 expedition. This park provides the perfect location for entertaining the family for the entire day, especially those traveling with children. There are numerous thrill rides and adventure areas within the park, including the Magic Lantern Theatre, Via Ferrata Canyon Tours, The Bat-A-Pult, Wind Walker Challenge Course, Terror-Dactyl, and more. The park also features stunning views, a gift shop, and Caver’s Café.

100 Cave of the Winds Road, Manitou Springs, CO, Phone: 719-685-5444

American Numismatic Association

The American Numismatic Association is a non-profit organization that features a museum housed with money-related cultural and historical artifacts in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The museum explores the science, history, and art of currency and currency-related items. It is equipped with three main galleries that display spectacular exhibits filled with many precious rarities. The Kids Zone is an excellent place for children of all ages to learn about currency through interactive exhibits, fun activities, and free classes. The exhibits will teach them about world cultures, art, trade, geography, history, and much more. The museum also offers free field trips for schools, even reimbursing school districts for bus rental fees.

818 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 800-367-9723

New Santa Fe Regional Trail

New Santa Fe Regional Trail is a picturesque, mostly unpaved, 16-mile-long pathway that connects shimmering Palmer Lake to the city of Colorado Springs in Central Colorado. Situated along an old abandoned railroad, the trail heads south from Palmer Lake through piñon pine trees and grassy hillsides. Along the pathway, visitors will enjoy magnificent views of the sprawling valley below, as well as Colorado Springs to the South. Visitors will often see people walking or running on the trail for exercise, families with children biking along the pathway for a fun outdoor activity, and plenty of wildlife along the way.

199 County Line Road, Palmer Lake, CO, Phone: 719-481-2953

Broadmoor Seven Falls

Broadmoor Seven Falls is a collection of seven different cascading waterfalls along South Cheyenne Creek in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Seven Falls is the only Colorado waterfall to earn a spot on National Geographic’s coveted list of International Waterfalls. There are a number of fun and exciting adventures for groups of friends, families, and solo-travelers to enjoy at Seven Falls. There are two very scenic hikes to check out, the Trail to Inspiration Point (a one-hour round trip), and the Trail to Midnight Falls (a half-hour round trip). Kids love the zip-line tours and Seven Falls Shop. They’re particularly fond of the 1858 Food Truck’s homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese.

South Cheyenne Canyon Road, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-476-6700

Academy Riding Stable

Academy Riding Stable is a horseback riding service and tour operator that is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The academy offers two separate, scenic horseback riding adventures that are fun for all ages. The hour-long scenic ride includes a safety briefing, a professionally guided horseback riding tour though picturesque Garden of the Gods Park, and commentary on the area’s flora and fauna, history, and unique sights. The academy provides an excellent way for children to be introduced to horses and riding, gifting them with lifelong memories. Travelers looking for that one-of-a-kind way of exploring Garden of the Gods Park have found it at Academy Riding Stables.

4 El Paso Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO, Phone: 719-633-5667

The North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop

The The North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop is a Christmas and North Pole-themed family amusement park that is located in Cascade, Colorado. This enchanting theme park has a little something in it for each family member. Families can bring the kids to meet Santa Clause and his North Pole elves; soar through the air on the Enterprise Space Shuttle; or enjoy unique and whimsical rides on the Antique Carousel and Christmas Tree Ride. Visitors can also explore the skies on the Aerial Tram, or stay grounded on the Miniature Train. The theme park is equipped with over two dozen rides that are perfect for all ages. Visitors won’t want to miss out on feeding the adorable llamas and goats.

5050 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, CO, Phone: 719-684-9432

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is a museum that focuses primarily on exhibiting fossil organisms from North America’s Late Cretaceous Period, including fish, marine reptiles, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs. The museum is located in Woodland Park, approximately 10 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. Visitors can check out the museum’s operating fossil laboratory, where recently discovered and important specimens are freed from rock matrices and restored. Children always enjoy the museum’s hands-on educational activities and play area. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the museum, getting in-depth information on the fossil skeletons displayed. The museum is ADA accessible, offers group discounts, and is equipped with a gift shop.

201 South Fairview Street, Woodland Park, CO, Phone: 719-686-1820

Manitou Springs Penny Arcade

Manitou Springs Penny Arcade is a large arcade room filled with hundreds of video games that still cost as little as one cent. This is an excellent family-friendly attraction in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and one that can keep the kids entertained for hours on end. The Penny Arcade is almost as much an arcade museum as it is an active gaming room, as visitors will be able to travel through arcade history with games dating back to the early 1930s – some possibly even earlier. Children (and adults) will have over 20 pinball machines and 30 unique racing games to choose from. Beyond the hours of entertainment for the kids, parents will appreciate how easy it is on their wallets.

900 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO, Phone: 719-685-9815

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Manitou Cliff Dwellings are a collection of museums and relocated Anasazi cliff dwelling remains that are located just northwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The group of dwellings and museums is conveniently situated just off of U.S. Highway 24 in Manitou Springs. The Anasazi Museum and cliff-dwellings were established in 1904, and first opened to the general public in 1907. This is an excellent family-friendly experience, especially for kids, as they can explore historic cultural displays, along with the ancient Anasazi peoples’ fascinating architecture. The museum also features school tours for children that are highlighted by guided tours, museum exploration, informative movies, and personalized pottery paintings.

10 Cliff Road, Manitou Springs, CO, Phone: 719-685-5242