• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-466664089174
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/rocky-mountains/colorado-springs",
      "destination": "Colorado-Springs",
      "title": "colorado-springs",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Colorado-Springs",
      "region": "The-Rocky-Mountains",
      "country": "The-USA",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Colorado Springs

Colorado

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.


Shop Book
Skiers and snowboarders ascend the Alpine Springs chairlift at the Aspen Snowmass ski resort, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado on a partly cloudy winter day.

Shutterstock

Overview

Colorado Springs is an interesting beast. The town has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, but still retains some of its small-town charms. It's absolutely gorgeous, with Pikes Peak hanging over the city, the vertical sandstone towers of the Garden of the Gods, and cute little neighborhoods that make it feel like a cozy mountain town. It's also home to a big military presence and ultra-right wing evangelicals. Beyond the politics, taking a day or two to explore everything the town and its environs have to offer, should make it onto any Colorado Top Five list.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Colorado Springs? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

highlights

  1. 1Unwinding Scandinavian-style with saunas and cold plunges at a beloved Nordic spa
  2. 2Visiting a local oyster farm to taste fresh shellfish straight from the source
  3. 3Sailing Penobscot Bay as the sun sets on Camden Harbor
from $3,795

per person

Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-536724022358
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/rocky-mountains/colorado-springs",
      "destination": "Colorado-Springs",
      "title": "colorado-springs",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Colorado-Springs",
      "region": "The-Rocky-Mountains",
      "country": "The-USA",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Colorado Springs has both urban pleasures and easy access to inspiring nature. Here are the best things to do in this mountain city.


Read full article

Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip to Colorado Springs with this seasonal guide.


Read full article

Free Things to Do

Visit the US Air Force Academy, explore Manitou Springs, admire the architecture and art at the Broadmoor hotel, and more.


Read full article

Day Trips

There's plenty to do in Colorado Springs, but daytrippers will find all sorts of adventures in the surrounding countryside. Here's our day trip top five.


Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-746951848810
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/rocky-mountains/colorado-springs",
      "destination": "Colorado-Springs",
      "title": "colorado-springs",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Colorado-Springs",
      "region": "The-Rocky-Mountains",
      "country": "The-USA",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Colorado Springs

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-2857949071
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/rocky-mountains/colorado-springs",
      "destination": "Colorado-Springs",
      "title": "colorado-springs",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Colorado-Springs",
      "region": "The-Rocky-Mountains",
      "country": "The-USA",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }