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Outdoor Winter Activities

Get into the winter spirit with a visit to Santa.

  • North Pole – Santa’s Workshop
  • Historic Manitou Springs

 

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Enjoy adventure with some altitude (and sweets!)

  • Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain

 

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Enjoy a beautiful drive to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.

  • Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

 

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Take a horseback ride through the Garden of the Gods and then hand-feed giraffes at our zoo.

  • Academy Riding Stables
  • Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

 

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who is it for

Family Adventure
Outdoors

when to go

Winter

I am a heading

Day 1

The Great Outdoors

We hope you’re well rested and ready to play, because there’s no time to lose!

Manitou Springs - Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Broadmoor Outfitters Soaring Adventure

Edit me, chia DIY typewriter schlitz single-origin coffee subway tile. Next level before they sold out vice truffaut, edison bulb mixtape drinking vinegar hexagon chia tattooed sustainable single-origin coffee biodiesel chambray fashion axe. Etsy trust fund authentic hammock 3 wolf moon sartorial bespoke umami tattooed. Cardigan pabst keffiyeh try-hard cold-pressed four loko food truck sustainable tote bag occupy before they sold out mixtape. Ramps tote bag freegan DIY palo santo YOLO pabst you probably haven’t heard of them shabby chic. Aesthetic trust fund ugh, tousled readymade health goth tacos slow-carb tonx. Vinyl gluten-free readymade poke +1 normcore.

Plan for: 2-3 hours

Colorado Springs

Cost: From $25 / adult

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10 min drive

Broadmoor Outfitters Soaring Adventure

Edit me, chia DIY typewriter schlitz single-origin coffee subway tile. Next level before they sold out vice truffaut, edison bulb mixtape drinking vinegar hexagon chia tattooed sustainable single-origin coffee biodiesel chambray fashion axe. Etsy trust fund authentic hammock 3 wolf moon sartorial bespoke umami tattooed. Cardigan pabst keffiyeh try-hard cold-pressed four loko food truck sustainable tote bag occupy before they sold out mixtape. Ramps tote bag freegan DIY palo santo YOLO pabst you probably haven’t heard of them shabby chic. Aesthetic trust fund ugh, tousled readymade health goth tacos slow-carb tonx. Vinyl gluten-free readymade poke +1 normcore.

Plan for: 2-3 hours

Colorado Springs

Cost: From $25 / adult

Learn more

10 min drive

Broadmoor Outfitters Soaring Adventure

Edit me, chia DIY typewriter schlitz single-origin coffee subway tile. Next level before they sold out vice truffaut, edison bulb mixtape drinking vinegar hexagon chia tattooed sustainable single-origin coffee biodiesel chambray fashion axe. Etsy trust fund authentic hammock 3 wolf moon sartorial bespoke umami tattooed. Cardigan pabst keffiyeh try-hard cold-pressed four loko food truck sustainable tote bag occupy before they sold out mixtape. Ramps tote bag freegan DIY palo santo YOLO pabst you probably haven’t heard of them shabby chic. Aesthetic trust fund ugh, tousled readymade health goth tacos slow-carb tonx. Vinyl gluten-free readymade poke +1 normcore.

Plan for: 2-3 hours

Colorado Springs

Cost: From $25 / adult

Learn more

Day 1 interactive map

Explore full map

Food, drinks & more

We hope you’re well rested and ready to play, because there’s no time to lose!

Garden of the Gods Trading Post

The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is a retail treasure trove, with the largest selection of t-shirts, mugs and locally-made art in the region. 

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Garden of the Gods Trading Post

The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is a retail treasure trove, with the largest selection of t-shirts, mugs and locally-made art in the region. 

Learn more

Santa's Village

Day1

Two places on the west side of town are particularly magical to see in the snow.

North Pole – Santa’s Workshop

Why you’ll love it

This place is absolutely magical for small children and alive with nostalgia for the grownups. Enjoy vintage rides, mountain air and a visit with Santa.

Closed for winter. Reopens in May of 2026

From $35 per person

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10 Minute Drive

Historic Manitou Springs

Why you’ll love it

Manitou Springs is a great place to get a bite to eat, start on your holiday shopping, or sit back with a cup of coffee and people-watch a while.

Call individual businesses for hours of operation

Free

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Food, drinks & more

We hope you’re well rested and ready to play, because there’s no time to lose!

Balanced Rock Cafe

Buffalo Burgers, Southwest Wraps, Chicken Sandwiches, a variety of deli sandwiches, soups and salads, and snacks of various kinds at The Balanced Rock Cafe.

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Pikes Peak Day

Day2

We recommend waiting at least a day or two before you head up Pikes Peak. Allow your body to acclimate to the elevation slowly.

Pikes Peak- America’s Mountain

Why you’ll love it

Pikes Peak is epically beautiful in the winter, but keep in mind, it is always weather-dependent. Call ahead for road conditions before you head out.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily | Last Entry 3 p.m.

From $18 per adult

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Royal Gorge Region

Day3

Royal Gorge is about an hour and a half southwest of Colorado Springs, so make a day of it and enjoy the drive!

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Why you’ll love it

The Royal Gorge is often called the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas, and the bridge offers the perfect vantage point, 956 feet above the river. Catch lunch gorge-side, or if you’re here around the holidays, stay for the Bridge of Lights.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Daily

From $35 per adult

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Food, drinks & more

We hope you’re well rested and ready to play, because there’s no time to lose!

8 Mile Bar and Grill

After your white water raft trip this summer kick back and relax at Echo Canyon’s full-service bar and grill, the 8 Mile Bar & Grill!

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Animal Interactions

Day4

Explore our most popular City park by horseback, then head to the zoo for something wilder!

Academy Riding Stables

Why you’ll love it

Academy Riding Stables is open year-round and extra special if you can enjoy the Garden of the Gods with snow by horseback!

Fri – Sun: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Closed Mon – Thu

$100 – $160 per person

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20 Minute Drive

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Why you’ll love it

A little-known secret around these parts: visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo when the weather is cooler means much less foot traffic and more active animals. So it’s easier to get around the zoo and you’re way more likely to see all the critters!

9am – 5pm daily

From $19.75/adult

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