If you’re traveling with little kids or teens, or maybe both, we’ve got you covered. This month, we’ve selected our Top 5 things to do as a family right here in beautiful Colorado Springs. While the list could be forced into a long weekend trip, none of these activities should be rushed. Given the season, we’ve filled the list with outdoor adventures, high-adrenaline rushes, and historical treasures that are mostly free for the whole family. Of course, when you stay at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, it’s all practically in your backyard.
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Zipline through the treetops! Broadmoor Soaring Adventure invites the bravest adventurers to enjoy unforgettable family fun. It’s a great activity to do year-round in Colorado Springs with kids, as long as they meet the age and weight requirement (90 lbs). The Fins Course Scenic Zipline Tour was voted Tripadvisor’s 2021 Travelers' Choice: Top Overall Experiences in the WORLD award, ranking #10 out of the 25 activities listed. By the books, the Fins Course (intermediate-advanced) includes 5 ziplines that range from 250 to 1800 ft long, soaring to heights of more than 500 ft, two rope bridges, zipping at speeds of 45 mph, and a 180 ft assisted rappel. If you’re a family of beginners seeking an adrenaline rush, try the Woods Course for beginners. This course includes 5 ziplines that range from 250 to 1500 ft long, heights of 150 ft, and soaring at speeds of 45 mph over a waterfall. If you have the time, you can book a combination of the two.
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Getting to the top of Pikes Peak Mountain, by any method, is a must-do for ANY family. Riding up and down can look a few different ways. Riding the Cog round trip is one method. What’s that, you ask? Hop on the brand-new Pikes Peak Cog Railway and ride to the peak from Manitou Springs. You’ll climb the 14,114 feet and enjoy 360 vistas from Pikes Peak- America’s Mountain. And when you’re at the top, you’ll get to visit the brand-new welcome center. You can also Cog up, as they say, and bike down! Ride with gravity along the unforgettable 13.8 miles downhill from the summit of Pikes Peak to Crystal Creek Reservoir. It’s a guided ride that offers some of the most exhilarating sweeping views of Colorado’s magnificent rugged mountain landscape you’ll see anywhere. Finally, you can drive! The Pikes Peak Highway provides gorgeous scenery and wildlife sightings along the curvy, thrilling 19-mile trip to the summit. The terrain and scenery change as you go higher so opt to listen to the audio tour as you climb. The road opens as weather permits so be sure to check the Pikes Peak Highway hours of operation and cost per person when you’re making your plans.
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We’ve featured Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in our blogs many times, but our Top 5 would have a glaring omission without it! It’s America’s only Mountain Zoo and is currently ranked 6th best zoo in the nation. Built into the side of Cheyenne Mountain, you and your little ones will burn some calories as you climb up and down to meet giraffes, rhinos, hippos, penguins, grizzlies, goats, elephants, and so many more animals. Pay a small fee to feed the animals and ride the sky chair with the kids while you’re there. Hungry? The Zoo serves up some good eats for humans, too. Learn about the different animals, hours, and entrance fees by visiting the Zoo website.
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Garden of the Gods is incredible, accessible, and free! Towering red rocks and flat nature trails make this the perfect natural playground for the whole family. A couple of hiking trails we like that are just a mile roundtrip include the Central Garden and Scotsman trails. If your kids are a little older and you have more time, you might try for the 4-mile Garden of the Gods loop. You can ride bikes through this natural wonder, too. The guided bike tour is a non-technical 5-mile ride through the Garden of the Gods with a professional showing you the best views. Technical climbing is allowed with submitted registration and proper gear. Segway tours and guided nature hikes are also possible in the park. And if that’s not enough, the neighboring Rock Ledge Ranch also offers a Living History Tour.
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Rounding out our Top 5, Red Rock Canyon Open Space is another free entry where your kids can play in big Colorado outdoors. Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a 1,474-acre city park sitting on the west side of Colorado Springs, just before you get to Manitou Springs off of U.S. Route 24. Some call it the little sister of the Garden of the Gods, but consider it a blank canvas for picnicking, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and letting your kids run free.
Our Top 5 isn’t an exhaustive list, of course, but it should give you and your active family a lot to work with. Fill the weekend and come back for more! Find what you like and discover something else you love along the way. Whatever you do, and wherever you explore, stay with us at Cheyenne Mountain Resort during your stay.
