3-Day Colorado Springs Itinerary For Families

This 3-day Colorado Springs itinerary for families is the perfect addition to your exploration of the Rocky Mountain State! With proximity to major cities such as Denver, which has Colorado’s biggest and most major airport, Colorado Springs is a kid-friendly paradise with lots of attractions for all ages. It’s an especially great place for outdoor activities, whether you want to go horseback riding, hiking, biking, or off-roading! On this Colorado Springs itinerary for families, we’ve included the city’s best attractions, plus some other fun things to do with kids. Not to mention, where to stay in Colorado Springs with kids. Keep reading to plan your next itinerary! 

Day 1: Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Downtown 

First on your Colorado Springs itinerary for families, head to Pikes Peak, the second-highest peak in Colorado and one of the most popular tourist destinations. The Pikes Peak Summit Highway offers panoramic views and stops along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch. 

Or, take the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway from the Cog Railway Depot in Manitou Springs. This hour-long route takes you through Pikes National Forest, along Ruxton Creek, by Diamond Rock, within Engelmann Canyon, and past Deer Park. Parents can appreciate the expansive scenery while kids spot elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife!

Afternoon Activity: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Animal lovers can’t miss an afternoon visit to The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs with kids in the summer! Located on Cheyenne Mountain just south of the city, kids can expect close encounters with giraffes, turtles, goats, and other adorable creatures. They’ll also love “Water’s Edge: Africa,” with hippos and penguins! Afterward, ride the zoo’s Historic Carousel and enjoy the incredible view. 

Additional Activity: Hiking Through Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Also south of Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain State Park showcases over 2,700 acres and 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. Some easy trails here include the 1.1-mile Zook Loop, the 1.6-mile Coyote Run Loop Trail, and the 3.7-mile Sundance Loop. In the spring or summer, enjoy beautiful views of the mountains as you pass through wildflower-filled prairies! 

Evening Activity: Downtown Colorado Springs

For dinner, head downtown to explore. You can check out restaurants like Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, which has kid-friendly food like chicken fingers, burgers, etc. 

Planning your Colorado Springs itinerary? Check out these 12 Adventurous Things To Do in Colorado Springs Kids Will Love!

Day 2: Garden of the Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds

On the second day of your Colorado Springs itinerary for families, visit Garden of the Gods, a nature center with breathtaking rock formations. You can go hiking, horseback riding, or even biking. Trails for all skill levels include the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a one-and-a-half-mile hike that’s both wheelchair and stroller accessible. Families can also go on guided electric bike tours, provided by Amp’d Adventures. Or, try horseback riding through the park with Academy Riding. 

Afternoon Activity: Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Another must-visit on any Colorado Springs itinerary for families is the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. These Puebloan dwellings are located in Manitou Springs, west of the city. 

They highlight the lives of the Anasazi people, which you can learn more about at the on-site museum. Another cool part about exploring here is that you can actually walk up to and through the dwellings to get a good look at them. Kids will also appreciate the fact that they can touch them as much as they want! While it’s a great place to visit, it probably won’t take you more than an hour. Maximize your time by planning an excursion to another Colorado Springs attraction, like the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. 

Additional Activity: Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. Located near the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, this multi-complex has a cave, a challenge course, and more adventure opportunities for children of all ages. 

To see the cave, we recommend the hour-long Discovery Tour. Older kids may be more interested in the Haunted Lantern Tour, where you can explore dark tunnels, curving passageways, and spooky stairs. Adventurous kids who are really up for a thrill can challenge themselves on the Terror-dactyl, which sits at the edge of a 100-foot cliff and launches you into the canon! 

Evening Activity: Manitou Springs

In the evening, families can explore the cute town of Manitou Springs, which features a variety of kid-friendly restaurants, like Savelli’s. Plus, kids will love visiting the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, where they can play vintage arcade games! 

Day 3: Helen Hunt Falls, Broadmoor Seven Falls, the Broadmoor

Save time to see the beauty of Helen Hunt Falls on your Colorado Springs itinerary for families. Located in North Cheyenne Canon Park just off North Cheyenne Canyon Road, this 35-foot waterfall requires you to drive through North Cheyenne Canyon and then hike up for an even better view.

Luckily, the walk to reach the falls isn’t too far from the Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center! (Ask for the coloring pages to keep little ones entertained!) Kids will love meandering through the trail and cooling down in the various streams and brooks. Keep an eye out for ponderosa bark, which you can scratch and sniff to reveal the sweet aroma of butterscotch or orange creamsicle. If you want to see a second waterfall, hike a little further (less than 0.5 miles) to Silver Cascade Falls. 

Afternoon Activity: Broadmoor Seven Falls

Have energy for some extra hiking? You can also visit the Broadmoor Seven Falls. Located in South Cheyenne Canon, this series of seven cascading waterfalls is man-made. 

To reach the falls, you’ll have to walk up two sets of stairs (there’s also an elevator available for the first half) and then walk briefly along the trail. It could get a little steep for younger children, but most ages should be fine walking up. Along the way, you can take in views of verdant valleys, unique rock formations, and golden prairies. There are also other activities, such as zip-lining, in the area. 

Evening Activity: The Broadmoor

In the evening, visit The Broadmoor to experience its incredible property! Located in Colorado Springs’ Old Broadmoor neighborhood, you don’t have to be a guest to visit. 

You’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time as you walk through this historic hotel on the banks of Lake Cheyenne, since it’s been open for over 100 years! It features many winding paths and beautifully manicured gardens, with a flowing fountain as the centerpiece. If you’re hungry for dinner, check out the on-site restaurants. Parents can grab a drink at the bar. 

Where To Stay In Colorado Springs With Kids

If you’re searching for the best hotels in Colorado Springs for families to add to your itinerary, look no further! To stay on the beautiful shores of Cheyenne Lake, book the iconic Broadmoor, which has summer activities for all ages. For a homier feel, try the Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort, located on a private lake. Want to stay inside a private country club near the best sights in town? You’ll like the Gardens of the Gods Resort and Club. Of course, kids will love the indoor water park at the Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs! Read our 7 Hotels in Colorado Springs that Families Will Love for more suggestions on where to stay! 

Happy Travels! 

We hope you liked this 3-Day Colorado Springs Itinerary For Families! From Garden of the Gods to Pikes Peak, there are so many ways to entertain kids in this outdoor paradise. Enjoy your family vacation to Colorado! 

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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