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My Colorado Springs Bucket List

I’ve been daydreaming about taking the family to Colorado Springs lately. I’m thinking of an unforgettable summer vacation with a little adventure mixed in with breath-taking scenery. Lucky for me, Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau has asked me to share my Colorado Springs bucket list with you all. Think your family would like hiking, zip lines, waterfalls, and animal encounters in Colorado? Keep reading!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own. 

My Colorado Springs Bucket List

colorado springs bucket list 2

Gorgeous hikes

There are a ton of trails to choose from when visiting Colorado Springs. I’m eyeing ones that take me to a waterfall. Seven Falls looks astounding (entrance fee required). How could I go to Colorado Springs and not trekking around Garden of the Gods? The Siamese Twins Trail, Garden of the Gods looks like a spectacular hike. I heard the visitor and nature center is fun to stop in first before going into the park. There are interactive exhibits and Geo-Trekker movie. And of course, seeing Pikes Peak is a must, too.

The Garden of the Gods has to be on every Colorado Springs bucket list.
Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

Eat Good Eats

Every bucket list of mine includes restaurants I’d love to visit. I checked tons of posts about must-visit restaurants (I’m drooling over every suggestion in this Denver Zagat post) and, of course, scouted out the best ice cream (I’m thinking Josh & John’s Ice Cream).

I’m also pretty sure I need to take the kids to The Airplane Restaurant – it’s in a real 1953 Boeing KC-97 tanker.

Related post: See more bucket list eats on this Colorado Bucket List.

Royal Gorge Ride

I thought Royal Gorge was only a bridge you walked across, but now I see you can practically fly across the gorge.

I think my family will stick to the calm aerial gondola ride instead of trying America’s highest zipline. Either way, we’re in for spectacular views. (There’s also a skycoaster ride if you really want to feel like you’re flying)

Crossing the bridge at Royal Gorge offers families quite a view.
Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

Animals up-close

Zoos have become so much more than passive viewing attractions. I’d love to feed an elephant at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (see all the animal feeding times here).

And since this is a bucket list, I think it would be the ultimate experience signing up for one of their Animal Encounters, which is a private enrichment opportunity for a small group with an animal of their choosing.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has up-close animal encounters.
Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

Thrill ride on the river

There are quite a few white water rafting outfitters in the Colorado Springs area. My goal is to find one that operates on a river that’s pretty kid-friendly while still offering a bit of a thrill ride. You know, something scenic with a low difficulty level.

Related post: 5 Fun Water Activities In Colorado Springs

Explore cliff dwellings

My son is big on history and architecture, so visiting Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a must for us. Summer is a great time to visit since there are American Indian dances and wolf encounters.

Time a visit to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings to be in the summer where families can watch American Indian dances and view wolf encounters.
Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

Find the springs

To find the springs of Colorado Springs, we actually need to head to Manitou Springs. There are eight mineral springs to find there, and they’re free to explore. Bring a cup to sample the water.

Play old-school games

I’ve introduced my kids to “Frogger,” this winter, so why not go to a place like the family-owned Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs, where they have games like “PacMan.”

Manitou Springs coin ride
Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

Dream of sports greatness

Colorado Springs is home to one of the country’s Olympic training centers. I’d love to take a tour and see some of my heroes have trained.

Do everything at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

When I say “Do everything at Cave of the Winds,” I mean I want take a cave tour (Cave 101 sounds incredible … and muddy) AND do the adventurous rides there.

Check out what they have going on outdoors: The Bat-A-Pult, The Terror-Dactyl, and the Wind Walker Challenge Course. These are definitely rides for older kids.

The ropes course at Cave of the Winds has quite the view.
Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com
I'm planning a vacation to Colorado Springs and this is my bucket list! A collection of the ultimate things to do in Colorado Springs, including outdoor adventures, must-see vistas, and kid-friendly, unforgettable attractions. #Colorado #ColoradoSprings #USA #USATravel #outdoors #familytravel

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Rich Kopp

Monday 13th of July 2020

My son, now lives in Colorado Springs and we plan to go out there next year, so I will come back to your page for things to do. I went to Denver for video school years ago in the AF , I went to 7 falls back then it was truly great. You have do a lot of climbing to see it all.

Susan

Saturday 16th of June 2018

I so wanted to visit Colorado Springs on a recent Southwest US road trip but ran out of time! Looks like you had a great time. Will save these tips for my next visit to Colorado!

Kim

Sunday 17th of June 2018

Sounds like you'll need to plan another road trip!

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