Most people who come to Colorado Springs know about Garden of the Gods, the Manitou Incline, and Pikes Peak. Those are worth doing — but they're also what everyone does. Military families spending a full tour here have the time and proximity to find the spots that don't show up on the first page of search results. Here are the places and experiences that consistently surprise people who've been stationed here long enough to find them.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Cave of the Winds sits in Williams Canyon just above Manitou Springs and offers guided tours through a series of underground caverns with impressive geological formations. It's been a Colorado Springs attraction since the 1880s and has expanded over the years to include a via ferrata, a terror-dactyl swing, and other adventure experiences on the canyon rim above the cave. The cave itself is the most underrated part — genuinely impressive geology and a cool underground temperature that makes it a welcome escape on hot summer afternoons. Most visitors driving up Manitou Avenue blow right past the turnoff. Worth stopping.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sits on the mountain above the Broadmoor resort at 6,800 feet of elevation — the highest zoo in the United States — and consistently ranks among the top zoos in the country. It's not cheap, but it's genuinely exceptional, with open exhibits that let you feed giraffes at eye level and walk through naturalistic enclosures rather than peering through glass and bars. The views of Colorado Springs from the zoo grounds are remarkable on clear days. Military discounts are available and the Fort Carson ITT office occasionally has discounted tickets. It's the kind of place that out-of-town visitors consistently call the highlight of their trip.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds sits about 35 miles west of Colorado Springs near the town of Florissant and preserves one of the richest fossil deposits in the world — petrified redwood stumps, insect fossils, and plant impressions from 34 million years ago. The hiking trails are easy and well-maintained, the visitor center has excellent exhibits, and the whole park has a quiet, unhurried quality that's hard to find at more well-known national park sites. Active duty military and their families get free admission through the America the Beautiful pass. Most Colorado Springs residents have never been — which makes it one of the best-kept secrets in the region.
Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City along Colorado Avenue is the historic commercial district that predates Colorado Springs itself and has maintained its character while the rest of the city grew up around it. Independent galleries, locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, and retail fill the Victorian-era storefronts. It's walkable, interesting, and distinctly different from the chain-dominated commercial corridors that make up most of the south and east sides. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, just east of Old Colorado City, has a genuinely impressive permanent collection and changing exhibitions worth checking regularly during a long tour.
Pulpit Rock and Ute Valley Park
While most hikers are queuing up at the Incline and Garden of the Gods, Pulpit Rock Open Space on the north side of the city and Ute Valley Park near the Woodmen Road corridor offer quality trail systems with significantly fewer crowds. Pulpit Rock has a distinctive rock formation with city views at the summit accessible via a moderate 2-mile out-and-back. Ute Valley Park has miles of interconnected trails through classic Colorado Front Range terrain — ponderosa pines, rock outcroppings, and ridge views — with a fraction of the weekend traffic of the more famous parks. Both are free, both have parking, and both are worth knowing about for regular use throughout a tour.
Manitou Springs Itself
Most people treat Manitou Springs as a trailhead for the Incline and nothing else. That's a mistake. Manitou Springs is a genuinely interesting small city with a distinct arts and culture identity, natural mineral springs throughout the downtown, an arcade with classic games, independent restaurants across multiple cuisines, and a community vibe that's unlike anywhere else in the Colorado Springs metro. The Manitou Springs Christmas Parade is one of the more charming small-town holiday traditions in Colorado. The Emma Crawford Coffin Races in October are exactly as interesting as they sound. Spend a full afternoon wandering Manitou on foot at some point during your tour — it earns it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most underrated things to do in Colorado Springs?
Cave of the Winds, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pulpit Rock Open Space, and spending a full afternoon in Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs are consistently the experiences that surprise military families who've been stationed here long enough to find them.
Is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo worth visiting for military families?
Yes. It consistently ranks among the top zoos in the country, sits at 6,800 feet elevation, and has open exhibits that allow close interaction with animals. Military discounts are available and the Fort Carson ITT office occasionally has discounted tickets worth checking before you pay full price.
Is Florissant Fossil Beds free for military families?
Yes. Active duty military and their families receive free access to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument through the America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, available through most installation outdoor recreation offices.
Where can I hike near Colorado Springs without the crowds?
Pulpit Rock Open Space on the north side and Ute Valley Park near the Woodmen Road corridor both offer quality trail systems with significantly fewer crowds than Garden of the Gods and the Manitou Incline. Both are free and have parking available.
Posted by Luke Martin onEnjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates
Leave A Comment