Summer is here, and the kids are eager to get outside after being cooped up all winter. Colorado Springs offers many outdoor attractions that kids and adults will enjoy. No matter what your price range is, there is always something to do. You can stay wet or dry, run around or relax in the shade. Wherever your ally is, Colorado Springs has something that’s up it.
Memorial Park is downtown where Pikes Peak meets Union. There is plenty of grass to run around on and plenty of room to play ball. You should definitely bring some sunscreen though, as there’s not much shade. Memorial Park features an outdoor velodrome for bikers, as well as an indoor pool and ice rink. The beautiful memorials are a great way to educate children about patriotism and the sacrifices people have made for our freedom. There is a rather large playground with equipment for big kids and tiny tots near the lake. Lots of trees keep this area shady. If a picnic lunch sounds good, you’re in luck, as there are picnic tables all over the park. You should also bring a bag of bread, because the ducks and geese are always hungry and will certainly come up to inspect you for food. On the other side of prospect lake, for a fee of only about $3, you can go swimming and lay about on the beach in the sun.
Cottonwood Creek Recreational Center is located off of Dublin between Powers and Academy. In addition to an indoor swimming pool, the park features basketball courts, plenty of grass, and a few picnic tables. The main attraction is the large playground with equipment for kids of all ages. There are even some gigantic slides that are out of this world! There are so many play sets that it will take your kid quite a while to do it all. It would take hours for anyone to get bored at this playground. You might actually get to rest on a bench for a while and indulge in a book while your kids run around. There’s not much shade, though, so bring a sunhat.
Wilson Ranch is to the northwest, off of Alleghany and Centennial. There is a large outdoor pool here that charges the same fee as every other in Colorado Springs: $5.50. There are plenty of lawn chairs to lounge in and some vending machines in case you get hungry. There’s not much shade, but it’s not too hard to keep cool. The pool is like a mini-water park, all in one pool. There are three lanes for swimming laps, but that’s not what really thrills kids. They’ll enjoy the lazy river, spinning whirlpool, water slide, and giant wet jungle gym. Tiny tots will love the wading pool, and adults can sit on underwater benches to stay cool while the kids play. This facility also has a playground and small skate park. Why not dry off on the swings before piling into the car to head home?
Palmer Park is off of Maizeland where it meets Academy. It has both a soccer and baseball field. The playground has lots of swings for little ones and older kids. The equipment is of various sizes and will appeal to children of many different abilities. There are picnic tables under awnings, including a large area near the park where groups of people can gather for birthday parties and the like. This park has a seesaw, monkey bars, and many slides. Up the way, you’ll find lots of nature trails and a fantastic lookout over the city at the top of the hill. The dogs will enjoy this outing as well if you bring them to the dog park, where they can socialize with other pups, run free, and climb on logs. It even has a combination human and canine water fountain. Palmer Park certainly is fun for the whole family.
Acacia Park is downtown off of Platte. This is a nice shady spot where people enjoy coming to play catch, walk their dogs in the grass, and read under trees. There’s a small stage where you may sometimes catch entertainers performing. There are many benches and picnic tables for your enjoyment. The playground is small, but adequate for climbing and sliding. The best feature of Acacia Park is Uncle Wilber, a fountain that operates during the summer. Water shoots up out of the ground at various intervals, and every hour Uncle Wilber emerges with a riddle, a song, and more water. The park is beautifully decorated and is in the midst of our lovely downtown area.
If you have some time, drive down to Pueblo to the Riverwalk. It is beautiful with tons of unique decorations, vegetation, and wildlife. It’s a great place for a picnic or family pictures. There is a fountain where water comes out of the ground that kids will love. Boats are available for rent. There are also many activities held here throughout the year. It’s 45 minutes outside of the springs, but well worth the drive.
Did you think parks were the only outdoor attractions of Colorado Springs? You thought wrong. I haven’t even told you about the zoo, the pools, and the amusement park. That’s right. Now we’re getting to the good stuff. Unless you’ve already decided to pack your bags and head for Memorial Park? No? Then I’ll go on!
If you want to go swimming, there is a pool off of Chelton near where it meets Airport. Valley Hi charges the same price as other pools in the country: $5.50. It’s an outdoor pool, and unlike most of the other pools here, the water doesn’t seem to be heated. That makes a dip here much more refreshing on a hot day. They have a grass hill and lounge chairs for you to set up your ‘base’ for the day. The pool is not very large, but it does have two water slides. There is a wading pool for babies and toddlers, too.
The flea market is lots of fun. It is open every weekend and only costs $1 to get in. Your kids may not like the shopping, as great as it is, but there is still plenty for them to enjoy. Toddlers and small children can go a few rounds on the boats for only $1. Five minutes in the jumping castle is, likewise, $1 and will be a thrill for older kids. For those who meet the height requirements, a dollar will buy a few trips down the enormous slide. There are usually bands playing, and the snack bar sells all your kids favorites from hot dogs and hamburgers to slushies and ice cream.
Do you just want to get wet? Dance around a bit at the fountain by the movie theatre. The Carmike Cinema off of Academy and Barnes has a fountain in front of it. Water shoots from the ground at various heights and intervals. You can do some shopping and grab a bite to eat, then let the kids get wet and wild for a few minutes.
Do your kids like animals? Drive up the hill and visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for kids, and free for those 2 and under. They also offer a military discount of $2. The zoo is usually open from 9 am to 5-6 pm, with some exceptions. The zoo features My Big Backyard, a petting zoo with chickens, koi, goats, rabbits, and other creatures. There’s a playground and a carousel. The zoo has plenty of snack bars located all around the park. Your child can enjoy feeding a giraffe, watching the hippos get fed, and hearing the tiger roar. There is lots to see here, and it’s only a quick drive away!
Joyrides is a small amusement park here in Colorado Springs. They have an indoor arcade, but most of their attractions are outside. It is easy to find, located off of Platte between the Murray and Powers intersections. Their prices aren’t too shabby, and neither are the rides. There are go carts and bumper boats for older kids. Younger ones will enjoy the mini rollercoaster. This isn’t all they have to offer, so go check it out for yourself. At the end of the day, your kids will be exhausted, and you may even get some peace and quiet once you’re home.
The Colorado Springs Ghost Town Museum is located off of South 21st Street. In the summer, it’s open 9-6 on weekdays and 11-6 on Sundays. The winter hours are 10-5 on weekdays and 11-5 on Sundays. Admission is only $6.50 for grownups and $4 for kids. Children five and under get in free. This attraction features a full ghost town, where you can really get a taste of the Wild West. You’ll also have the opportunity to pan for gold!
As you can see, there’s a lot to do here in Colorado Springs. Some things are free, and some cost a little bit of money–but not much. No matter what you have in mind for the day, Colorado Springs offers it. From feeding giraffes to panning for gold, Colorado Springs is the place to do it. If your kids are tired of being cooped up in the house, get them outside. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
