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Colorado Springs
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Colorado Springs combines Pikes Peak scenery, Garden of the Gods, Western heritage and Olympic culture with memorable outdoor experiences in Colorado.

Mountain Setting and Open Landscapes

Colorado Springs spreads across the eastern foot of Pikes Peak, where the Great Plains rise towards the Rocky Mountains. The city is defined by broad skies, dry mountain air and dramatic red-rock formations, most famously at Garden of the Gods. Paved roads and walking trails provide close views of sandstone spires such as Balanced Rock and the Three Graces, while the surrounding foothills lead towards forests, canyons and high-country scenery.
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A Young City with Deep Roots

Founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, Colorado Springs developed as a planned settlement, railway town and health resort. Its historic districts preserve late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century buildings, particularly around downtown and Old Colorado City, the former commercial centre west of the modern city. The region also remains connected to the ancestral lands and continuing cultural presence of the Ute peoples, whose history predates American settlement by centuries.

Culture, Sport and the Contemporary City

Downtown Colorado Springs combines museums, independent shops, restaurants and public art with the formal civic spaces of Acacia Park and nearby Colorado College. The city has an unusual sporting identity: the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum reflect its important role in American elite sport. Military institutions, including the United States Air Force Academy and nearby installations, also shape local life. Together, these influences give Colorado Springs a character that is part frontier city, part mountain gateway and part national sporting centre.

When is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?

Best: June, August–September · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January48
February610
March1115
April1625
May2150
June (best)2740
July2960
August (best)2860
September (best)2440
October1825
November1015
December410

Getting to and around Colorado Springs

How to get there

Colorado Springs Airport is southeast of the city and provides commercial air connections, although the range of routes is smaller than at Denver International Airport. Denver's airport, approximately 70 miles north, is often the more useful gateway for international travellers, with road and shuttle connections towards Colorado Springs. Interstate 25 is the principal north–south road link, connecting the city with Denver and Pueblo. Long-distance coach services operate along the Front Range, while passenger rail is not a practical direct option into Colorado Springs; Amtrak's major Front Range service is accessed via stations in Denver or elsewhere in the region. Check current transport schedules before travelling.

Transportation

Central Colorado Springs, downtown, Old Colorado City and parts of the surrounding grid can be explored on foot, but the city's attractions are widely dispersed. Mountain Metro Transit operates local bus services, though routes and frequencies vary across the urban area. A car is often the most convenient way to reach Garden of the Gods, the United States Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and trailheads in the foothills; traffic and parking can be busy at popular sites. Taxis and app-based ride services are available, while cycling is practical on selected paths and quieter streets. Mountain roads require extra care in winter and during sudden storms.

Best attractions in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods is Colorado Springs' defining sightseeing landscape, with trails, scenic drives and towering red sandstone formations set against Pikes Peak. The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center interprets the geology and natural history of the area, while nearby Red Rock Canyon Open Space provides further walking and cycling routes. In the city centre, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum explores the history, technology and human stories of international sport through interactive galleries. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum presents regional history in the former El Paso County Courthouse, and the Western Museum of Mining and Industry examines the engineering and extraction industries that shaped the region. Families often visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, built on the mountainside with views across the plains, while the Broadmoor Seven Falls area offers a managed canyon setting south-west of the centre.

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Best landmarks in Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak is the dominant natural landmark associated with Colorado Springs, rising above the city and influencing its history, imagery and tourism, although the summit lies outside the municipal boundary. Within the city, Garden of the Gods is distinguished by dramatic red sandstone formations shaped by geological uplift and erosion. The United States Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel, with its soaring modernist form and distinctive multi-faith interior, is one of the region's best-known twentieth-century buildings, subject to current access arrangements. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum occupies the former El Paso County Courthouse, an important civic building in the city's historic centre. The Broadmoor, developed as a grand resort from the late nineteenth century, represents the area's transformation into a destination for health, leisure and affluent tourism. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum adds a contemporary cultural landmark dedicated to sporting history.

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Explore Colorado Springs on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Colorado Springs

Best restaurants in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs' dining scene reflects its position between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, with Southwestern flavours, Colorado beef, green chile, craft beer and coffeehouse culture appearing alongside widely varied international cooking. Downtown and nearby North Tejon Street contain many of the city's independent restaurants and relaxed cafés, while Old Colorado City combines eating with historic streets and local retail. The Broadmoor area has a more formal dining tradition, and the northern suburbs offer modern restaurants serving families, students and military communities. Breweries and taprooms are an important part of the local food landscape, often pairing beer with burgers, tacos, pizza or contemporary small plates. Farmers' markets and seasonal produce connect dining with Colorado agriculture, though the exact vendors and schedules change through the year. Visitors should expect sales tax and customary gratuity to be added to many restaurant bills.

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Best bars in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has a measured evening scene rather than a concentrated late-night club district. Downtown is the main after-dark area, with neighbourhood bars, cocktail rooms, breweries, live-music venues and relaxed spaces around Tejon Street and the adjacent streets. Old Colorado City offers pubs, tasting rooms and restaurants in a historic setting, while the University of Colorado Colorado Springs area contributes a younger, student-oriented atmosphere. Local breweries and taprooms are especially characteristic, and evening entertainment also includes theatre, concerts and cultural programming rather than nightlife centred exclusively on dancing. Many venues are casual and spread out, so walking between them is easiest in the central districts; elsewhere, a taxi or app-based ride is more practical. Alcohol service follows Colorado law, and visitors should carry accepted identification and arrange transport responsibly.

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Best nightclubs in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has a measured evening scene rather than a concentrated late-night club district. Downtown is the main after-dark area, with neighbourhood bars, cocktail rooms, breweries, live-music venues and relaxed spaces around Tejon Street and the adjacent streets. Old Colorado City offers pubs, tasting rooms and restaurants in a historic setting, while the University of Colorado Colorado Springs area contributes a younger, student-oriented atmosphere. Local breweries and taprooms are especially characteristic, and evening entertainment also includes theatre, concerts and cultural programming rather than nightlife centred exclusively on dancing. Many venues are casual and spread out, so walking between them is easiest in the central districts; elsewhere, a taxi or app-based ride is more practical. Alcohol service follows Colorado law, and visitors should carry accepted identification and arrange transport responsibly.

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Best shops in Colorado Springs

Downtown Colorado Springs and North Tejon Street provide the broadest selection of independent shops, galleries, bookshops, cafés and locally made goods, while Old Colorado City has a more historic commercial streetscape filled with boutiques, antiques, art and gift shops. Typical purchases include Colorado-made food and drink, outdoor equipment, Western-influenced clothing, handmade jewellery, ceramics and artwork inspired by Pikes Peak and the red-rock landscape. The region's farmers' markets offer seasonal produce and small-scale food products when operating, and larger shopping areas lie along major roads outside the historic core. Shopping is generally informal and locally oriented rather than concentrated in a single luxury district. Sales tax is commonly added at the till, and opening patterns vary among independent businesses, particularly outside the main daytime and weekend periods.

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Colorado Springs essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, museums, restaurants, shops and larger attractions, although small vendors, some trailhead facilities and occasional independent businesses may prefer or require cash. ATMs are available throughout the city, including in commercial districts, but international visitors should check their bank's foreign-exchange and withdrawal charges. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for many personal services, with the amount generally based on the quality of service and shown separately from sales tax. Prices displayed on menus and shelves may not include Colorado and local sales taxes.
Safety
Colorado Springs is a spread-out city where ordinary urban precautions are appropriate: keep belongings secure, avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars and take care in quieter areas after dark. Outdoor conditions require equal attention. High altitude, strong sun, dehydration, steep trails, loose rock and rapidly changing mountain weather can turn a short walk into a demanding outing, so carry water and check conditions before setting off. Stay on designated paths, observe wildlife guidance and do not approach animals. Drivers should expect changing weather on foothill roads, while pedestrians and cyclists should take care around busy arterial streets.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance anywhere in Colorado Springs and the wider United States. Give the exact address or trail location, describe the emergency clearly and remain available for questions. For outdoor incidents, note the nearest trailhead, road, landmark or GPS position, as mountain terrain can make location difficult. Emergency departments and urgent-care services operate in the metropolitan area, but visitors should use emergency departments for serious or life-threatening conditions and seek routine care through other services when appropriate. Travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation is sensible for visitors undertaking hiking, climbing or other strenuous activities.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect public land rules, stay on marked trails and leave rocks, plants and historic features undisturbed. At Indigenous, military and religious sites, follow photography and access instructions rather than assuming every area is open to visitors. Colorado Springs is informal, but normal courtesy matters on buses, in queues and in shared outdoor spaces; keep dogs leashed where required and clean up after them. Alcohol consumption is regulated, and smoking or vaping is restricted in many public and indoor areas. Tipping is customary for table service, taxis and similar services, while it is not a legal obligation. Do not underestimate sun, altitude or weather simply because the city is warm.
Local Tips
Downtown works well as a cultural starting point, with the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and nearby civic spaces within a manageable area. Old Colorado City offers a different atmosphere, with historic commercial streets and independent businesses west of the centre. Garden of the Gods is best understood as a road-and-trail landscape rather than a single viewpoint, so allow time for several stops and check whether seasonal access arrangements have changed. The foothills and mountain roads are more exposed than the city, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in warmer months. Build flexibility into outdoor plans rather than relying on a tightly timed itinerary.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[hau-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see ya]
YesYup[yuhp]
NoNope[nōp]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You're welcome[plēz/yur wel-kəm]
Thank youThanks[thangs]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[pär-dn mē]
How are you?How's it going?[hauz it gō-ing]
Fine. And you?Fine. And you?[fīn. and yū]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[yə spēk iŋ-glish]
I don't understandI don't get it[ai dōnt get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check the menu?[kan ai chek thē men-yū]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[ai dōnt ēt mēt]
Cheers!Cheers![chirz]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'm ready to pay[aim red-ē tu pei]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Get lost![get lost]
Call the Police!Call the cops![kawl thē käps]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![get ə däk]
I'm lostI'm lost[aim lost]
I'm illI'm sick[aim sik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[ai wän-ə bī]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[jəst brauz-ing]
How much is it?How much does it cost?[hau məch duz it kawst]
That's too expensiveThat's too pricey[thats tuu prai-si]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a discount?[kan yə giv mē ə dis-käunt]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[wats thē tīm]
It's one o'clockIt's one[its wən]
Half past (10)Ten thirty[ten thur-tee]
MorningMorning[morn-ing]
AfternoonAfternoon[af-tər-noon]
EveningEvening[e-vn-ing]
YesterdayYesterday[yest-ər-dā]
TodayToday[tə-day]
TomorrowTomorrow[tə-mor-o]
1One[wən]
2Two[tu]
3Three[three]
4Four[for]
5Five[fīv]
6Six[siks]
7Seven[sev-ən]
8Eight[āt]
9Nine[nīn]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wherz thē]
What's the address?What's the address?[wats thē ə-drĕs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[kan you sho mē (on thē map)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[whens thē nekst (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[ə tik-it (tu)]

History of Colorado Springs

Ute Homelands and Early Encounters

The Colorado Springs region lies within the wider Indigenous homelands of the Ute peoples, including bands whose seasonal movements connected the mountains, foothills and plains. Ute communities used the landscape for hunting, gathering and travel long before American settlement, and their cultural presence continues in Colorado today. Spanish and later American explorers entered the area during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, followed by increasing pressure from migration, mining and territorial expansion. The landscape around Pikes Peak became known to outsiders through exploration routes and the wider nineteenth-century fascination with the Rocky Mountains. Any account of the city's origins therefore begins before its formal incorporation, with a landscape shaped by Indigenous knowledge and disrupted by the policies and settlement patterns of the United States.

General Palmer Founds Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, an English-born railway entrepreneur and Civil War veteran who envisioned a carefully planned community beside the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. Palmer promoted the settlement as a temperate, orderly place with broad streets, trees and access to mountain scenery. The new city was established east of the existing settlement of Colorado City, which had grown during the early territorial period and later became part of Colorado Springs. Palmer's planning principles, including generous streets and parkland, remain visible in the city's urban layout. Railway access encouraged trade, migration and investment, while the setting beneath Pikes Peak quickly became central to the city's identity.

Railways, Resorts and the Health Trade

During the late nineteenth century, Colorado Springs expanded as railway connections strengthened and visitors arrived for the scenery, climate and emerging health resorts. The dry air was marketed particularly to people seeking relief from tuberculosis, and sanatoriums and related services became part of the local economy. Wealth from railways, mining and regional commerce supported substantial homes, hotels and civic buildings, especially in the older central districts. At the same time, Colorado City retained its own commercial character before being annexed by Colorado Springs in 1917. The period left a visible architectural legacy, from Victorian residences to substantial public and institutional buildings, and established tourism as a lasting element of the city's economy.

Modern Industry and Military Expansion

Colorado Springs changed substantially during the twentieth century as roads, aviation, defence and public institutions reshaped the regional economy. Fort Carson was established south of the city during the Second World War, while Peterson Air Force Base and other military installations reinforced the area's strategic importance. The United States Air Force Academy was established in 1954 north of Colorado Springs, bringing a prominent modern campus and a continuing military presence. In 1958, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, was created as a joint United States–Canadian aerospace warning organisation; its command centre later operated from Cheyenne Mountain. These developments accelerated suburban growth and connected the city to national defence and aerospace networks.

Olympic Identity and Urban Growth

Colorado Springs became increasingly associated with organised sport after the United States Olympic Committee established its headquarters in the city in 1978, followed by the development of the United States Olympic Training Center. The city later became home to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, extending that identity into public culture and tourism. Late twentieth-century growth spread housing, retail and employment across the foothills and plains, while historic areas such as downtown and Old Colorado City underwent preservation and revitalisation. The result is a city whose contemporary form reflects several overlapping histories: planned railway settlement, health resort, military centre, sporting headquarters and gateway to the natural landscape of the Front Range.

Colorado Springs in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Colorado Springs

Discover Colorado Springs with Evendo: Your 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, shops, dining, and more.

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • High-quality images and descriptions
  • Local tips and advice
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More about the Evendo app

Evendo is your comprehensive, free travel guide to Colorado Springs. Find detailed info on attractions, landmarks, dining, and more. Download now and start exploring!

  • Interactive maps and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
  • User-friendly interface
  • 'Near Me' feature for nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips
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Planning a trip to Colorado Springs? With Evendo, your ultimate travel guide, you can make the most of your visit to this beautiful city. From the stunning Garden of the Gods to the historic Manitou Springs, our app provides you with detailed information on all the top attractions, landmarks, and activities that Colorado Springs has to offer.

Explore famous sites like Pikes Peak, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Whether you're into hiking, history, or just want to enjoy some great food, Evendo has got you covered. Discover the best local restaurants such as the Rabbit Hole and Four by Brother Luck, or find the perfect hotel to relax after a day of adventure.

With Evendo, you can easily book tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more hassle of searching for what to do and how to get there. Our app provides you with rich details including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact information, making it easy to plan and organize your trip.

Our user-friendly interface and features like the 'Near Me' function ensure that you can navigate through the city and find nearby attractions effortlessly. Plus, with curated local tips, you can experience Colorado Springs like a true local. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Download Evendo now and start your adventure in Colorado Springs!

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