Free Things to Do
When in Colorado, take a hike! Hiking is an excellent free activity, and Colorado Springs is home to trails appropriate for all ages and skill levels. To start, Garden of the Gods Park is popular for a reason. With its breathtaking rock formations and paved trails, this city park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Pikes Peak is one of Colorado Springs’ most iconic attractions and offers great intermediate trails. Paint Mines Interpretive Park is one of the most unique natural attractions in the state and can be explored via easy trails. Find our top hiking trails here. Do you or someone in your family use a mobility aid or have a kiddo in a stroller? Our list of accessible hiking trails offers some ideas that will ensure everyone in your group can enjoy our beautiful outdoors.
Nature lovers can broaden their knowledge at one of our region’s many nature centers, like Bear Creek Nature Center, Fountain Creek Nature Center and Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. These places are hotspots for education and are free to visit. Check their calendars for fun, low-cost events like arts and crafts, puppet shows and nature walks.
Dive deep into Pikes Peak Region history at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Housed inside the town’s original courthouse, this free museum boasts stunning historic architecture, engaging rotating exhibits and regular programming for all ages.
If you’re looking for an artistic experience, a First Friday Art Walk is an exciting and free way to immerse yourself in the Pikes Peak Region’s creative scene. On the first Friday of every month, art galleries in Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs stay open into the evening to celebrate the opening of new exhibits. If you go on an art walk, you’ll find several galleries within walking distance from each other hosting celebrations, often with drinks, entertainment and the opportunity to meet the presenting artists!
During summertime, the Pikes Peak Region boasts tons of free outdoor concerts. Grab your lawn chair, a picnic blanket and the whole family. PeakRadar.com, the region’s local events calendar, keeps track of all of these events in their convenient Free Outdoor Summer Concert Guide.
With 14 branches in El Paso County, you’re never far from the Pikes Peak Library District. Though bookworms may delight in events like reading groups, the library also offers free yoga classes, crafting activities and more for kids, teens and adults.
You're likely already aware that Colorado Springs is the proud home of the U.S. Air Force Academy, but did you know that you can visit the campus’ planetarium for free? The planetarium screens educational programs daily. Experience an immersive film about astronomy, history, meteorology and more, complete with reclining theater seats and 8k projectors. Check the USAFA website for admission guidelines, as reservations or background checks may be required several days in advance.
Low-Cost Activities (Under $20)
The May Natural History Museum houses more than 7,000 species of bugs, including beetles, butterflies and moths. Not only can you marvel at one of the largest private collections of insects in the world, but you can meet Herkimer, the world’s largest beetle statue.
Admission: $10 to $13 per person (5 and under free with family)
Who doesn’t love a game of mini golf? At Adventure Miniature Golf, you can play four 18-hole courses for an affordable price. Laugh at all the fun themed sculptures and take in the great view of Pikes Peak.
Admission: $5 to $8 per person
Get lost in the immersive exhibits at the Space Foundation Discovery Center. This space museum and science center will take your whole family on an interactive journey through our own planet and the space beyond.
Admission: $3 to $13 per person (3 and under free)
Dive into the history of the world through currency at the Money Museum, run by the American Numismatic Association. The largest museum of its kind in the United States, this institution offers a fascinating glimpse of rare artifacts.
Admission: $5 to $8 per person (12 and under free)
Do you dream of living in the Wild West? Explore an authentically preserved ghost town at the Ghost Town Museum. The whole family can partake in hands-on activities like panning for gold, churning butter or playing at an old-time arcade.
Admission: $5.50 to $8.50 per person (6 and under free)
Scheels is more than a sporting goods store. It's a place you can spend a whole afternoon marveling at the 16,000-gallon aquarium, taxidermy animal displays and fun photo ops. For only a few dollars, your whole family can ride the 65-foot Ferris wheel, play arcade games and grab some sweets from the candy shop.
Admission: Free (Ferris wheel rides are $1 per person)
Take a trip to Magic Town. The Michael Garman Museum and Gallery is located in beautiful Old Colorado City and offers a truly unique experience. Explore a town of intricate miniature sculptures and get lost in the world of the town’s residents.
Admission: $6 to $10 per person (5 and under free)
Head just half an hour west of Colorado Springs and you’ll find the Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park. You’ll get an up-close look at fossils from North America’s Cretaceous Period at one of the top 10 rated dinosaur museums in the U.S.
Admission: $9 to $13 (4 and under free)
