3 Cool Things to Do in Colorado Springs in 24 Hours
Ok, we all know Colorado is beautiful, Denver is a really cool city, and there are a ton of mountain towns throughout Colorado to check out. But what if you only had 24 hours in Colorado Springs? Whether you have a long layover in CO Springs or are just driving through and want to see the sights, this is the perfect list of 4 MUST SEE things to do in Colorado Springs.
So let’s get to it.
Garden of the Gods
IYKYK. This one might be obvious, but I really can’t even describe how beautiful the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is. Pictures certainly don’t do it justice so there’s no way my words could either, but I’ll try.
If you are a nature girlie (or guy – broski?), you MUST go out and see this. You will see natural rock formations, plenty of animals (did I scream when I saw big horn sheep – absolutely), and breathtaking landscapes on your way to and from the landmark.
I’ll be honest, you could spend the whole day here. There are a ton of events like yoga, guided hikes, and so much more. We even saw TWO weddings in the couple of hours we were there. So it’s a busy place. If you are more into the nature scape and less of the activities, you could spend a good hour or two, grab some incredible pics, and be on your way.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Another great place for photos and views is the Manitou Cliff Dwellings in Manitou Springs Colorado Springs. (I really don’t know if you could find a spot in all of Colorado Springs that doesn’t have good views, but that’s beside the point).
Just south of the Garden of the Gods, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are (like it sounds) preserved cliff dwellings AKA homes built into the cliff, which was inhabited by local Colorado tribes all the way up until the 1980s.
Now, as a tribal member and someone who is fairly involved in the Native American community, I will say it was a little cheesy. Very touristy, which makes sense. But it was nice to see something dedicated to Indigenous heritage that was very busy with people from all over.
You can walk through the actual dwellings and read about what each type of room was used for. My favorite part (as a plant mom and someone who does indigenous planting in my own garden) was the native plants outside the dwellings with labels to tell what they were and how they were used by the indigenous tribes.
It’s a great place for kids and adults alike! We spent about 2 hours there but you could breeze through it a bit quicker if you need to.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
You may be thinking “if I’ve seen one zoo I’ve seen them all”. WRONG. All zoos are unique and the zoo in Colorado Springs is one of the best in the country!
Voted number 4 on USA TODAY’s 10 Best Zoos in the US in 2023, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs offers unique interactive opportunities with several animals, like feeding giraffes, elephants, and rhinos, plus a ton of activities for adults and kids.
There are several other attractions outside of your typical zoo animals, like taking a ski lift over the zoo to see Colorado Springs from a unique perspective. You can also see the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, a historic landmark dedicated to Will Rogers. This monument allows you to see Colorado Springs at 8,136 feet.
If you did all of the activities, you could spend the entire day at the zoo, but you could definitely make a quicker trip if you are only in Colorado Springs for 24 hours. But this top-rated zoo is not one to miss.
If you are visiting Colorado Springs or the surrounding areas, I hope you find this information helpful and can get the most out of your time there.
