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Colorado Springs Attractions
Sightseeing
Sightseeing tours of the Pikes Peak region with stops at attractions in and around Colorado Springs are offered by Gray Line, (719) 633-1747 or (800) 345-8197, and Pikes Peak Tours, (719) 633-1181. Some excursions include a trek to the summit of Pikes Peak.
Tours of Peterson Air Force Base can be arranged in advance for groups of 15 or more people; phone (719) 556-4696.
Sports and Recreation
The surrounding lands of the Pike National Forest provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Green Mountain Falls and Woodland Park are northwest of the city. Hiking and horseback riding on the Barr National Recreation Trail are enjoyable ways to travel to the summit of Pikes Peak. Camping also is popular in this area.
Horseback riding can be arranged at a variety of stables in the area. A list is available at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau; phone (719) 635-7506, (800) 888-4748 or (800) 368-4748.
Golf enthusiasts have their choice of three 18-hole championship golf courses at the Broadmoor resort, (719) 577-5775, or the 18-hole championship Pete Dye course at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, (719) 538-4000. Golfers also can tee off at the Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Course (27 holes), E. Espaņola and N. Prospect streets, (719) 385-6938; or the Pine Creek Golf Course (18 holes), 9850 Divot Trail, (719) 594-9999. The Valley Hi Municipal Course (18 holes), 610 Chelton Rd., (719) 385-6919, also has a swimming pool and driving range. Vineyard Golf Club (nine holes) is at 3819 Janitell Rd., (719) 226-2466.
Most city parks have tennis courts and bicycling trails. The Broadmoor resort also has tennis courts. Guided 20-mile mountain biking trips from the 14,110-summit of Pikes Peak are offered daily late April through early October by Challenge Unlimited; phone (719) 633-6399 or (800) 798-5954. Swimming is available at several indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities operated by the City of Colorado Springs; phone (719) 385-5984.
Hometown fans come out to cheer the Air Force Academy football team, phone (719) 472-1895, the Colorado Sky Sox baseball team, phone (719) 591-7699, and the Colorado College hockey team, phone (719) 389-6324.
Shopping
Malls and shopping centers provide most of the shopping opportunities in Colorado Springs. Some of the popular centers include Chapel Hills Mall, Academy and Briargate boulevards; The Citadel, N. Academy Boulevard and US 24; The Shops at Briargate, Briargate Parkway and Highway 83; and downtown Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak and Tejon.
Some others include Shops at the Bluffs, Academy Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway; Rustic Hills, Palmer Park and Academy Boulevard; and Broadmoor Towne Center, S. Nevada Avenue and Southgate Road.
A 19th-century haven of fur trappers, cowboys, gamblers and a few outlaws and gunfighters, Old Colorado City Historic District, between 24th and 28th streets, now houses specialty shops. The Garden of the Gods Trading Post, built in the late 1920s to resemble Pueblo Indian houses, offers Indian arts, crafts, jewelry, rugs and pottery as well as signed prints by well-known artists.
Performing Arts
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., is the scene of theatrical performances as well as concerts, dance productions and film showings. The Civic Music Theater also holds performances at the fine arts center throughout the year.
Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., plays host to more than 200 performances a year, running the gamut from ballet, opera, theater and the symphony to country and rock music. Festival of World Theater, at various locations, stages more than 30 productions each summer that appeal to a variety of ages.
Colorado Springs World Arena features top-name performers in both theatrical productions and concerts, ice hockey and skating shows. The Iron Springs Chateau and Playhouse dinner theater is at 444 Ruxton Ave. Plays also are staged at Colorado College and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Check the local newspapers for complete listings of current events.
Special Events
Two street festivals featuring local vendors and entertainment herald the arrival of spring to Colorado Springs. Territory Days in Old Colorado City takes place in May, and June brings Spring Spree to downtown Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs' sports facilities play host to athletic events throughout the year, but the major events take place in summer. The Ride for the Brand Rodeo features team competition in July, and August heralds the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at the Norris-Penrose Events Center. It attracts top rodeo cowboys from around the country. A Rodeo Parade takes place the Saturday prior to Rodeo Week in downtown Colorado Springs. The Pikes Peak Little Britches Rodeo is held in late July and early August at Spencer Penrose Stadium. Sports fans also will enjoy the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July on Pikes Peak Highway and the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon at Pikes Peak in August.
Over the Labor Day weekend, watch more than 100 colorful balloons ascend in Memorial Park during the Colorado Balloon Classic. The Festival of Lights Parade downtown ushers in the holiday season in early December.
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