Top Things to do in El Paso County
Top Hotels in El Paso County
- 1. Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- 2. Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
- 3. SCP Colorado Springs Hotel
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites Colorado Springs
- 5. The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
- 6. Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- 7. Glen Eyrie Castle & Conference Center
- 8. The Mining Exchange a Wyndham Grand Hotel & Spa
- 9. Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort
- 10. The Cliff House at Pikes Peak
What to do and see in El Paso County, El Paso County: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in El Paso County, United States including Garden of the Gods, National Museum of World War II Aviation, Manitou Springs Incline, Barr Trail to Pikes Peak, United States Air Force Academy, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, Red Rock Canyon, The Paint Mines Interpretive Park.
Restaurants in El Paso County
1. Garden of the Gods
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17,122 reviews
Located at the base of Pikes Peak, this National Natural Landmark and popular park features stunning geological formations, rock climbing, nature trails and the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.
Reviewed By BrooklynDodgers13 - Henderson, United States
This is a tourist attraction. It is a lovely natural Red rocked City Park with lots of hiking ???? trails, beautiful rock formations such as the Siamese Twins, Sentinel Spires, the Scotsman, Giant Footprints, Cathedral Spires and of course, Balanced Rock. There are many ways to explore the Park. There are Jeep ???? Tours, you can hike, climb rocks or take the 1909 Trolley ???? like we did. The driver told us a lot of interesting historical facts. The only problem was she didn’t stop for any photos so we had to take them on the go. The Gift Shop was large with lots of merchandise. I purchased Huckleberry tea!
2. National Museum of World War II Aviation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,196 reviews
The Museum's new 40,000 sq ft hangar is now open at 775 Aviation Way on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4;30 PM. Face masks are requirement and reservation should be made ahead of time at worldwariiaviation.org. Visitors can walk around the museum on their own and hosts are available to answer questions .Tours for WestPac, a private WWII aircraft restoration company will be offered hourly.
Reviewed By CoryC2000
My wife and I visited this past summer and the museum volunteers were amazing at providing an interactive educational experience for us. They took time to answer questions and give us personal instruction about the various aircraft and equipment on display. One of the volunteers went the extra mile to take us into the museum restoration facility where we could see airplanes being restored to become museum displays or being restored to be flyable aircraft. Lots of great things to see. Worth your time!
3. Manitou Springs Incline
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 804 reviews
Reviewed By AshBernadette88 - Colorado Springs, United States
I've hiked the Manitou Incline several times over the past decade, but this was my first time hiking it since renovation. All of the dilapidated steps have been replaced, making for a much safer ascent, and markers are located every 100 steps allowing hikers to track progress. As always, this was very physically challenging but rewarding. The views of Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods are spectacular throughout the hike. There is plenty of room at the top for hikers to rest and have a snack. If you hike a bit further on (take a right at the fork, hike for a quarter mile), you will reach an outlook that provides unmatched views of Pikes Peak. Note that hikers who summit are discouraged from going DOWN the Incline; there is a connector trail that starts left of the summit that hooks up to Barr Trail for an easier descent. Make sure to bring water and a snack for the top, and dress in layers. If you are not fit or have an underlying health condition (i.e. asthma or diabetes), THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR YOU. For many hikers, however, the mental game provides the biggest challenge. Put away the ego, take breaks as needed, and you'll make it!
4. Barr Trail to Pikes Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By dhauptli
This is the best local hike outside of Garden of the Gods, as there are less tourists and the view is incredible. Take crampons or microspikes with you, as well as walking poles if you hike in winter months; Snow and ice in spots today, but worth the venture! Wear layers and bring some gloves as it's cold when you are not hiking in the sunshine. You or your friend may slip once or twice on ice, but you'll be alright. Still, this trail is worth the hike even if you only go for an hour or two. No one needs to hike 13 hours round trip to Pikes Peak and back to enjoy this trail. - Just get out there! Park the car in Manitou and walk up to the trail head, or find the free parking with free bus from town up to the Cog Railway and walk from there to the trailhead. The Incline meets the Barr Trail up the side of the mountain about 3 miles, but doesn't need to be hiked in winter as the snow and ice make it hazardous for most folks. If you are a thrill seeker, take the Incline Trail with spikes on your shoes. Wonderful view either trail you hike. ENJOY
5. United States Air Force Academy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,957 reviews
Visitors can tour this modern sprawling campus that includes the Academy, Falcon Stadium, a chapel and Arnold Hall, a museum honoring Air Force personnel.
Reviewed By hikinguniversity - Colorado Springs, United States
The historic United States Air Force Academy has so many things to offer, it really does need to be at the top of "to visit" list. *Hiking / mountain biking *Historical driving tour *Planetarium *Amazing Cemetery *Historic buildings These pictures are of the Cadet Chapel and Arnold Hall at night. The red tips on the Chapel are from a bonfire below in the courtyard. This was a rare night where 500 drones were used to make different designs in the sky.
6. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,949 reviews
Discovered in 1881, Cave of the Winds has been a premier Colorado attraction for more than a century. Explore amazing caverns, experience total cave darkness, and marvel at the beauty of formations hundreds of thousands of years old. Then step outside and walk on the wind on the Wind Walker Challenge Course, fly like a bat on the Bat-a-Pult, and dive into Williams Canyon on the one of a kind aerial dive ride, the TERROR-Dactyl. Lots of family fun, amazing views and memories to last a lifetime!
Reviewed By jmosesee - Cahuita, Costa Rica
We had a great time. Matt and Wesley were kind and patient as our guides on the Via Ferrata Tour, Carissa was funny and authoritative as our guide for the Lantern Tour, and the Wind Walker playground is also amazing.
7. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,707 reviews
Colorado Springs is home to America’s mountain zoo. Located at 6,714 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers breathtaking views of the city and of its 750 animals. The unique design of the Zoo’s animal exhibits gets guests closer than ever before. Hand-feed one of the largest reticulated giraffe herds in the world, watch grizzlies swim with trout, hop next to red-necked wallabies and get hands on with some of the Zoo’s smaller residents in The Loft. Have a WILD adventure at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – see the animals, ride an antique carousel, eat a gourmet lunch at the Grizzly Grill and ride the Mountaineer Sky Ride to the Zoo’s summit. Visit 365 days a year for family fun at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Reviewed By cubie2017 - El Paso, United States
Went there after the hail storm and you can still see the damage. Loved the ski lift ride that takes you over the zoo and you get beautiful views of the city. Feeding g the giraffes was a treat and the elephant show was fun. Highly recommend it!
8. Pikes Peak - America's Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,607 reviews
Welcome to Pikes Peak - America's Mountain! The Pikes Peak Highway entrance is conveniently located 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24. The beauty of being so close to the city is that you can spend your time enjoying the mountain instead of getting to the mountains. Plan for your round trip journey to the summit to take 2-3 hours. The safe, scenic highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy Pikes Peak at your leisure. From the gateway at an elevation of 7,400 feet, you'll encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland of scenic beauty, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds...All along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America's most famous mountain. Along the way, you'll discover the North Slope Recreation Area, Crystal Reservoir Gift Shop, Historic Glen Cove Inn, and the Summit House. There are three lakes for fishing, picnic areas, hiking trails, and breathtaking views. Stop and watch one of our "Meet the Ranger" Interpretive Programs and learn about the history, myths, flora and fauna on the mountain. All offer visitor services and basic necessities to make your day both enjoyable and memorable.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Since the popular Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway, the world's highest cog railroad, is undergoing repairs and is out of service until 2019, it makes the trip to the summit of Pikes Peak a very daunting challenge. Do you hike the Barr Trail or drive the Pikes Peak Highway? The historic slogan of the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858, Pikes Peak or Bust, seems very appropriate today. The last time my wife and I visited Colorado Springs, I took the cog railway to the top. My wife chose to have lunch at the Broadmoor. It was a wonderful experience. From the summit of the 14,114-foot mountain, I still recall looking to the west and seeing the outlines of Cripple Creek, the historic mining town we had visited the day before. Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Located in Pike National Forest, 12 miles west of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, it is named in honor of famed explorer Zebulon Pike, who was unable to reach the summit in 1806. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961, Pikes Peak is one of Colorado's 54 14ers, mountains that rise more than 14,000 feet above seal level. Edwin James was the first European American to reach the summit in 1820. In 1913, William Wayne Brown drove his car, the Bear Cat, 20 miles to the summit in five hours and 28 minutes. There are three visitor centers on Pikes Peak--at six miles, at 12 miles and the summit. Over 600,000 people annual visit the top of the mountain. A new summit complex is currently under construction and will be completed in 2020. The cog railway makes for an interesting trip, going from one climate to another (it's always chilly at the top, even in July) and going through forest land, then above the tree line where there are no trees. The views at the summit, of course, are unobstructed. And they are breath-taking.
9. Red Rock Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,138 reviews
Reviewed By jmpncsu - Raleigh, United States
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a Colorado Springs city park with miles of trails through beautiful red rock spires and ridges. The landscape is similar to nearby Garden of the Gods, but with smaller rock formations. Although not as impressive, it's also a lot less crowded and much better for a nice quiet hike. Unfortunately, rock scrambling is prohibited and technical rock climbing is only allowed by permit. Overall, a great place in Colorado Springs to take a hike and enjoy the beautiful red rock formations without the excessive crowds of Garden of the Gods.
10. The Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Hours: Dawn To Dark. NO PETS Admission is Free! Located in the northeast section of the County near Calhan with approximately 750 acres. The paint mines have evidence of human life as far back as 9,000 years ago. The colorful clays were used by Native Americans. The park features fantastic geological formations including spires and hoodoos that were formed through erosive action that created incised gullies and exposed layers of seienite clay and jasper. The park includes a restroom facility, four miles of trails, interpretive signage, and many natural wonders.
Reviewed By 321MarkA - Larkspur, United States
Excellent areas to visit, close to Denver and Colorado Springs in eastern El Paso county. The area is reasonably sized to allow for exploration in a few hours. There are several miles of walking trails among the formations and there is a bit of elevation change, so while strenuous, if you are not used to walking up and down hills on dirt, you will find yourself out of breath at times. There no trees and/or shade (except in the shadows of the rocks), so bring your favorite sun protection product. The formations are in a sort of small valley, so breezes could be limited making it warmer than the surrounding ridges. Parking lots are small and if the lot closest to Calhon is full, just drive a bit further for additional lots. The beauty of this place is that it is largely undeveloped. There are a few picnic tables (in the sun), rest rooms, and some benches to sit on along the trails, but it is largely natural and fascinating. DON'T walk on, climb, or deface the the hooloos and rocks. They are fragile and crumble easily and can be a touch dangerous as they are slippery. While we were there, some folks who ignored the warning signs allowed children to climb the rocks and several times, we heard the cries of little ones as they slipped and fell off.
