Best things to do with your Family in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a great place to visit with kids. At Cascade Escapes, our visiting families love exploring all the kid-friendly things to do around our cabins! There are so many things to see and do, from exploring the outdoors to visiting museums and attractions. Check out our list of the top kid-friendly things to do in our area.

Celebrate Christmas year-round at The North Pole Colorado

The North Pole in Colorado Springs is one of the closest attractions to Cascade Escapes Lodging options! This magical amusement park is a must-visit for any kid who loves Christmas. Open year-round, the park has over 20 rides including a Ferris wheel, train, carousel, and the candy cane coaster. Interactive exhibits include a post office where kids can mail their letters to Santa, Santa’s workshop and a candy shop.

Check out America’s Mountain: Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak is a must-do for any kid who loves hiking, biking, or trains. Our cabins are nestled at the base of this amazing mountain peak, making them the perfect jumping-off point for your family excursion to the top. We recommend reaching the 14,115-foot summit by car or rail to experience the breathtaking views as a family. The COG Railway is a favorite for families and train enthusiasts with spectacular views all the way to the top. Make sure to visit the Discovery Center to learn about the history and geology of Pikes Peak through interactive exhibits, theater, and gift shop.

Get spooked at the Ghost Town Wild West Museum

The Ghost Town Museum houses a collection of historic buildings and artifacts that have been rescued from the Pikes Peak region and relocated indoors. Kids will love getting a glimpse into the history of the old west as they explore the old buildings and exhibits on mining, ranching, and frontier life. There are also several interactive exhibits, including a General Store stocked with goods that would have been available in a Wild West town, a Saloon, a Jail, and a gold panning sluice.

Check out the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and Museum

This training center and museum is home to over 1,000 athletes from over 40 different sports. Lucky visitors might have the opportunity to watch athletes train in a variety of sports including track and field, swimming, gymnastics, and wrestling.  THE USOTC often hosts events where you can meet Olympians and Paralympians. The museum is a great place to learn the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as stories of the athletes who have competed in them. The USOTC is a great place to visit for anyone who is interested in sports. The center is open to the public for tours, and the museum is open to the public for free.

Explore the prehistoric at The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

This museum is home to a collection of dinosaur fossils and artifacts from North America’s Late Cretaceous period. Located in Woodland Park, just 15 minutes from Cascade Escape’s lodging options. Visitors can watch paleontologists at work in the fossil preparation lab and check out full-size replicas of T. Rex and Stegosaurus skeletons. The Children’s Discovery Room is a great place for kids to learn more while enjoying interactive exhibits, games, and activities.

Visit the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Located in nearby Manitou Springs, just 10 minutes from our mountain cabins, the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park combines educational cave tours through a variety of cave formations with exciting adventure activities including the vertical challenge zip line! Choose from a variety of cave tours from educational to spooky, Cave of the Winds has activities for family members of all ages.

Salute the cadets at the United States Air Force Academy

This prestigious military academy is open to the public for tours. Kids will love seeing the aircraft and learning about the history of the Air Force Academy. Lucky visitors may even see the cadets doing drills. Kids can even participate in a scavenger hunt which takes families on a tour of the visitor areas and allows kids the opportunity to win a prize!

Play Classic Arcade games at the Penny Arcade

The Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, located just 10 minutes from Zeb’s Cabin,  is a great place for kids to let loose and have some fun. Many families consider this a Must-Do attraction with hundreds of classic arcade games as well as a few newer ones. Prices range from just a penny to a dollar fifty depending on the game. A perfect rainy-day activity!

Visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Find out more about your favorite animal by visiting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  This world-renowned zoo is home to over 7000 animals from all around the world! Kids love seeing the giraffes, elephants, lions, and tigers. There are also interactive exhibits where kids learn about animals and their habitats.

Check out the petrified tree at the Florissant Fossil Beds

The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a great place to view fossils from the Eocene Epoch. The Big Stump is likely the oldest attraction on our list. This 34-million-year-old tree stump was formed long ago when a tree was buried in volcanic ash. This petrified shell is located in the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument about an hour southwest of Colorado Springs. You’ll also have a chance to handle real fossils!

Brave America’s highest zip line at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

The Cloudscraper Zip Line is a great way to experience the thrill of flying high above the Royal Gorge. The views from 1200 feet are amazing, allowing you to see for miles in every direction. The zipline is also a great way to get your adrenaline pumping. The minimum age to ride this zipline is 10 years old.

Children of all ages can enjoy the view from the Aerial Gondolas and spend time in the play area and carousel in the Children’s Playland. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park has activities the whole family can enjoy.

Visit the Broadmoor Seven Falls

These seven cascading waterfalls are located just outside of Colorado Springs. The base of the Seven Falls waterfall is accessible by a 0.8-mile paved road from the entry to the falls with a tram available for an additional fee for those who are physically unable to walk.  The tram drops off approximately 100 yards from the base of the falls. The top of the falls can be accessed by hiking trails, climbing up the 224 steps, or visiting the Eagle’s Nest view platform by taking the mountain elevator. You can only access the very top of the falls by climbing the main falls staircase.

Check Out the Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Just 10 minutes from our cabins, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are Puebloan ruins from approximately 800 years ago. Kids will love exploring the ruins, touching history, and learning the history of the ancestral people who lived there.

Pan for gold at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry

Learn the history of mining and industry in the American West with artifacts and exhibits like the Osgood Steam Shovel, a Gold Panning area, the Model of the Homestake Gold Mine, and a short mine train ride that takes visitors through many of the museum’s exhibits.

Blast off at the Space Foundation Discovery Center

This science and space museum is dedicated to aerospace exploration and education, hosting a variety of exhibits, shows, events, and activities. Explore the history of space exploration from the early days of rocketry to the latest missions. Get hands-on with science in the hands-on exhibits or visit the Space Foundation Theatre

Hike, Bike, or Drive through the beautiful Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a must-see national natural landmark for visitors of all ages. The park is home to towering sandstone rock formations that are perfect for hiking and exploring. Several hiking and biking trails also lead to stunning viewpoints of the city and surrounding mountains. No trip to Garden of the Gods is complete without a stop at the Trading Post. Here you can indulge in their famous fudge, recharge with a coffee, pastry, or ice cream at the Kissing Camels Coffee Shop, or grab a meal at the Balanced Rock Cafe. Shopping at the Trading Post offers every kind of souvenir from t-shirts to fine art in their 25,000 sq ft of shopping space.

Have a howling good time at Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center

This non-profit organization provides a home for wolves and other wild animals that have been rescued or rehabilitated.  The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is located in the Pike National Forest about 45 minutes from Colorado Springs. Wolf walks are a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the wolves. Walks are led by experienced staff members who can answer questions about the wolves and their behavior.

Learn more about Mr. Crab’s biggest love at the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum

Learn the diverse history of money and the art, science, and history that went into making it. Dive into the history of American medals and how they influenced money in the United States. Kids 12 and under can visit the Money Museum for free.

Have tea in a Castle at Glen Eyrie Castle or Miramont Castle

Glen Eyrie Castle was built in the late 1800s by the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer. The castle is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Indulge in afternoon tea in the Castle Music Room with our handcrafted teas and indulgent sandwiches, canapes, soups, salads, and sweets.

Miramont Castle was built in the late 1890s and exhibits a fusion architectural style that incorporates Medieval, Romanesque, Queen Anne, Gothic, Elizabethan, Moorish, and Tudor influences.  Visit the Queen’s Parlor Tea Room at Miramont Castle for a modern take on a multi-course Victorian tea. Visit their website for information on the variety of tea offerings and reservations.

Explore Old Colorado City

Old Colorado City is a historic district full of shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and galleries. Spend the day exploring the Old Colorado City Jail, Firehouse, and Opera House, or book a ghost tour to hear all the spooky stories about the ghosts that still haunt the city.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is full of kid-friendly restaurants for your family to enjoy. This list includes a few favorites in the area.

The Airplane Restaurant

The Airplane Restaurant celebrates the history of flight with displays, pictures, and rare artifacts visitors can enjoy while eating in the restaurant. If you want to eat INSIDE the airplane plan to come at an off time or wait a bit longer, only 42 of the restaurant’s 275 seats are located inside the Boeing KC-97 tanker.

Pizzeria Rustica

A favorite in nearby Old Colorado City, Pizzeria Rustica offers Neapolitan wood-fired pizza the whole family will love. Hand-stretched dough and high-quality ingredients help make Pizzeria Rustica everyone’s favorite pizza.

Amy’s Donuts

Find a new favorite donut at Amy’s Donuts. Check the menu to see what gourmet, filled, and glazed options they have right now, or enjoy an old favorite from their traditional selections.

Poor Richard’s

For New York style pizza and a variety of other options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus, try Poor Richard’s in Colorado Springs. Regularly featured on best-of lists since opening in 1977 with options the whole family will love!

King’s Chef Diner

Enjoy breakfast or lunch in a castle-shaped diner at King’s Chef Diner. With 2 locations in Colorado Springs, check out the castle location at 110 E Costilla St for the classic experience. Breakfast and Lunch are available all day.

Free Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Colorado Springs

Spend a day at the Focus on the Family Center

This 47-acre campus has activities to keep the whole family busy! Take a self-guided tour of the headquarters building, home to the radio and television studios, and learn about the ministry work before visiting the Welcome Center where the bookstore, café, Kid’s Korner, and Soda Shoppe await with a three-story slide, toddler play area, and more. Parking and Admission are free.

Hike through History at Paint Mines Interpretive Park

This lesser-known natural wonder, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, is located about 20 miles northeast of Colorado Springs. This beautiful park is well worth the trip, named after the colorful clays collected from the site by Native Americans who used the clay to make paint. These brightly colored bands provide a stunning backdrop you won’t want to miss. Featuring a variety of colorful rock formations including hoodoos, spires, and balanced rocks.

Looking for more Free Things to do on your visit? Our Free Things to Do in Colorado Springs Blog is COMING SOON!

Frequently Asked Questions for things to do in Colorado Springs

When is the best time to visit Colorado?

Colorado Springs is beautiful in every season, but most recommend visiting in the Spring or early Fall to take advantage of comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds for the busiest attractions. Those wishing to avoid snow should come between June and October when snow is less likely but never impossible. Those wishing to avoid the hottest months should skip July and August.

What can you do for free in Colorado Springs?

Looking for free activities to fill your Colorado Springs vacation? Our Free Things to Do blog is coming soon!

Is Colorado Springs kid friendly?

Colorado Springs is a great place to visit with kids! No matter your age or interest Colorado Springs has museums, attractions, activities, and natural wonders to interest every member of your family!