This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. Soothing hot springs. Majestic rocky mountains. Sweeping views. Fresh crisp air. Colorado. The centennial state has long been hailed as a winter wonderland; globally sought after for its quaint ski towns and picturesque wintertide landscapes. It’s not as commonly flocked to for its summer scene. However, it is equally as delightful and the weather is just perfect. Like, literally ideal for doing anything outdoors. So, what are the unique things to do in Colorado Springs for Summer? Colorado Springs is located on the eastern part of the state. Historically, many associate Colorado Springs with the Gold Rush era of the United States. Most are aware of the rich history of the area, but not as many realize what an absolute gem of a city it is to visit. Whether you’re seeking natural beauty, hiking, a quaint inn, to pamper yourself or to indulge the history buff in you, Colorado Springs has something to offer you. I classify this as a must do in Colorado Springs. It’s a unique thing to do in Colorado Springs not necessarily because it’s unlike any mountain you’ve ever visited before. It’s because you can drive to the summit and the drive to the top is an epic experience in itself. You do need to climb a bit to this spot though. Entrance is $15 per adult, $5 per child or $50 per carload (up to 5 people). It’s open year round, weather permitting! Tip: For safety purposes, there are strict vehicle guidelines to drive your car to the summit of Pikes Peak. It’s worth double checking, here. Alternatively, consider taking a tour with Pike’s Peak COG Railway! Any excuse to ride a train, right? Also, this tour includes a Garden of Gods tour, as well. You heard it here first, Manitou Springs in Colorado is a total hidden gem. This charming town is just 6 miles west of Colorado Springs. It’s extremely walkable and there are many quirky shops, eateries and things to see in close proximity of one another. I’ve stayed at the The Cliff’s House at Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs on a couple different trips. Staying here is an event all on its own. It’s a luxury 5 Star historic hotel, but the prices are accessible, and much more so if you’re only staying for a night or two. The inn has two restaurants. One is a casual ambiance, where you dine on the porch of the inn. You can sip something over a fire, or enjoy a nice meal. The other has a more formal flair, where you fine dine while listening to live music, indoors. The food is delicious… they serve an amazing breakfast spread that is included with the cost of your stay. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is a unique theme park located atop the hills of Manitou Springs. Whether you’re a grown up kid or an actual kid, you can have fun here. You can go zip lining or do a thrilling obstacle course. They also have a ride where you’re propelled off a 200 foot high cliff. We did the haunted cave tour which I highly recommend. It’s held in the old mineshaft features in the above right photo. There are no photos or videos allowed, so you’ll just have to take my word for it (and experience it for yourself). You carry your own candle lit lantern the entire tour. At times, you are in pitch darkness or have to crouch down tunnels that are just a few feet high. With a tour guide and small group, you explore not only the cave system, but all the scary stories from its past! If this is not a unique thing to do in Colorado Springs, I don’t know what is!? Tip: Make your trip itinerary planning easy and purchase your tickets in advance – here. One rarely, if ever, associates North America with castles… but, did you know that there are actually 145 of them in the United States? I’m sure your mind immediately wandered to Hertz Castle in California. However, did you know one of them is actually located right in Colorado Springs and is called Glen Eyrie? This is absolutely one of the most unique things to do in Colorado Springs! The castle was originally the home of General Palmer, who founded Colorado Springs. If you stay at the castle, you can stay in General Palmer’s former bedroom. It still has the original claw foot tub, bed frame and other details. Since the castle has been converted to a hotel, there is a restaurant, book store, coffee shop and cafe on site now. You don’t have to stay at Glen Eyrie in order to enjoy the beautiful grounds or explore. You can visit the property during the day and take an official tour of the castle. Our tour guide was personable and hilarious. You can also treat yourself to the high tea experience, take beautiful photos or go for a hike on the sprawling property. Tip: The first time we stayed at Glen Eyrie, we did not know that the Castle turned hotel is owned by a religious organization at the present time. While this did not bother us, it is imperative to note that that the ‘hosts’ of the castle are volunteers from the Christian church that currently owns the property. Even if I’m not staying at Glen Eyrie Castle, when in the Colorado Springs area, I’ve made it a point to stop in for their high tea experience, which is wonderful. Tip: the high tea menu changes seasonally. I last visited for the summer tea menu and it was divine. I recommend that you make reservations and you can only do so directly with the organization – here. Everyone loves Garden of the Gods. No, seriously, if someone goes to Colorado Springs, 99.9% of the time, they will absolutely visit Garden of the Gods. May I be perfectly honest? I was a bit underwhelmed. It’s kind of unfair to Garden of the Gods, because it reminded me somewhat of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, which is mesmerizing. Valley of Fire actually ruined me, because anything that looks similar to me now dulls in comparison. At least so far. But don’t let that discourage you from checking it out, because many seem to love it and you should definitely visit while in the Colorado Springs area. Tip: It’s open daily 9:00am – 6:00pm and it gets crowded… even during weekdays. If you want to take pictures, or, even just evade the masses, I’d definitely arrive right as the park opens if you can. Technically, the Stanley Hotel doesn’t really belong on this list because it isn’t in Colorado Springs. But, the reason why I included it is because it’s only two hours away by car, in Estes Park. And if you’re on a trip and you’re that close to The Stanley Hotel, you should go. The Stanley Hotel is considered by many to be the most haunted hotel in America. And can I tell you something? IT IS. It’s mega haunted. On the way home from a road trip to Colorado Springs, we decided to detour to visit the Stanley for one night before heading home. We ended up staying there for days, but that’s a story for another time. Have you ever visited any of these places in Colorado Springs? Overall, which activity interests you the most? Let me know in the comments, below. Otherwise, have a question? Ask away! Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!Pike’s Peak
Manitou Springs
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Glen Eyrie Castle
High Tea Experience at Glen Eyrie Castle
Garden of the Gods
The Stanley Hotel
Travel resources for YOU to plan an epic trip!
That haunted cave tour sounds terrifying! We lived in the area for two years and loved our summers there, plus I used to vacation there as a kid during the summer with my family. Summers in Colorado are amazing!
Hi Tracy! It was terrifying in the best way. It’s so fun, especially if you have a fun group. I will say that I don’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t like small spaces, as the tunnels can get shockingly low, small and dark. Summers in Colorado are so amazing! I didn’t know you used to live in Colorado Springs! I keep trying to convince my husband to move there.
Wow! Stunning places to visit. Colorado is on my bucket list! The cave tour sounds quite scary though! Thanks for the tips!
I didn’t know all these places were there. I will have to take a road trip sometime. Great photos!