One of the reasons why we moved here and why I love my city is so much is because of the endless things to do with our family!

Here are 20 of the FREE things to do in Colorado Springs:

Outdoor activities:

• Garden of the Gods

This is a national landmark for a good reason. It should be on every person’s bucket list and I love that it’s right here in town. Every time we visit we see new things. The main parking lot has a bathroom, and the hike from there is stroller friendly! Start there, but I hope you’ll take time to visit every part of this park! Balanced Rock and Siamese twins are two of our favorite spots. What’s your favorite part of Garden of the Gods?

• America the Beautiful park

A huge playground for kids with a gorgeous view. A large grassy area and a unique water sculpture for kids to play in during the summer.

• Pulpit Rock

You’ll see this phenomenal rock structure as you drive down the highway. Click here to see pictures and read all the details about our adventure to the top of this rock.

• Red Rock Canyon

This a gorgeous place to hike with trails that are easy or difficult, short or long – you choose!  We love this place! My mom said it’s better than Garden of the Gods because it’s more “natural.”

• Helen Hunt Falls

You can enjoy a little museum and pretty view from the base of the falls or take a short and beautiful walk to the top of the falls.

• Seven Bridges

If you drive past Helen Hunt falls and park at the top of the hill, there is a gorgeous hike to take with your family. My little ones only made it to the first of the ‘seven bridges’, but we loved the hike and enjoyed playing in the creek at the first bridge.

• Palmer Park

Drive to the top for an amazing view! Take a hike around the area, then drive to the bottom and play at the huge playground on Maizeland Road.

• Venezia Park

This is a fantastic, brand new park! It has a splash pad, sandy area, playground, picnic area, places to play basketball, soccer, and tennis; there are biking and hiking trails…it’s incredible! Have you been here yet? Here’s a video of our visit there:

• Goose Gossage Sports Complex

We love to bring our bikes and play at the skate park. There’s a nice playground here too, though!

• Fox Run Regional Park

A beautiful park where you can explore and play!

Indoor activities:

• Pioneer Museum

This is a gorgeous building right down town. It’s a free museum that is full of interesting facts and displays that teach about the history of Colorado Springs. My boys enjoy playing in the children’s play area, going to story hour, and riding the old elevator. (This is also a good place to go WITHOUT kids so that you can read and enjoy each exhibit a little more thoroughly.)

• Penrose Heritage Museum

This is a museum you will go through pretty fast, but if you are in the Broadmoor area, or have an interest in cars, this is a neat museum worth checking out! My boys still talk about it. It shows old race cars, including one that CRASHED with the video showing how it happened.

• Focus on the Family

Focus on the family has an incredible indoor play area with a giant four-story slide. There’s also an ice cream/snack shop and a bookstore so you may want to bring a few dollars with you, but it’s not necessary. You can play for FREE. Focus on the Family is such an amazing ministry, and it’s a fun place to visit if you are in town.

• Library

We are blessed with an INCREDIBLE network of libraries in Colorado Springs! Besides being able to check out movies and books – You can attend dance classes, story time, or just play on the computers and with their toys! They have free classes for all ages!!

• Compassion International

Take a tour of their facility and see what they do around the world! It’s interesting and fun for all ages.

• United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) –

You can hike, visit the beautiful chapel, the visitor center, one of the playgrounds, or go to a game! This place is HUGE and worth visiting! Go to usafa.edu/visitors to see everything you can do here!

• Garden of the Gods Nature Center

A great view of Garden of the Gods park, interesting things to see inside, and history to learn.

Activities that have Indoor and Outdoor Space:

• Bear Creek Nature Center

A pretty place to hike outdoors and explore the exhibits indoors!

• Starsmore Nature Center and Cheyenne canyon

This stone building was originally the home of the Starsmore family.  It serves as an introduction to Cheyenne Cañon and its beautiful waterfalls, rock formations, and trails. In the nature center you can get a map of the area, bird watch, and play with the hands-on exhibits.

• Air and Space Museum and Peterson Air Force Base

An aviation museum with lots of history to learn and planes to see. (Need to register 24 hours in advance to get on base)

If you’d like to purchase Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore, click here, submit $10 and I will ship out your SIGNED copy! 

Click here for the best hikes to take in Colorado Springs!

Click here for 10 Bucket list items to do in Colorado Springs 

Click here for the best places to EAT in Colorado Springs

Click here for the best things to do in Manitou Springs

Click here for FREE things to do in Breckenridge, CO

For 50+ activities to do with your kids, click here! 

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