First, the most useful thing you'll ever learn here: the mountains are west. If you can see Pikes Peak, you know which way you're facing. Everything else is easier from there.
📍 Westside · Visitor & Nature Center at 1805 N. 30th St.
Why go: Towering red rocks with Pikes Peak behind them. It's been free since 1909.
Do: Start at the free visitor center for a trail map, then walk the flat, paved Perkins Central Garden Trail.
Good to know: Park hours are 5 a.m.–9 p.m. Nov.–April and 5 a.m.–10 p.m. May–Oct. Go early on weekends.
Official site ↗📍 Manitou Springs · base off Ruxton Ave.
Why go: It's the town's favorite suffer-fest: 2,768 steps gaining 2,000 feet in less than a mile, on the old cable-car track. There's no time limit, so just finish.
Do: Reserve a free time slot and sign the online waiver (a new waiver every time). Park at the Dillon Mobility Hub, 134 Manitou Ave. (the city's preferred lot), or at Hiawatha Gardens, where a free shuttle runs from the Duck Stop to the Incline.
Good to know: Summer hours (May 1–Oct. 31) are 6 a.m.–6 p.m. Winter hours (Nov. 1–April 30) are 6 a.m.–3 p.m. Reservations for the next month open on the 1st. Don't park in the Barr Trail lot: Incline hikers parked there won't be allowed on. If you just arrived, wait a few days before you try it (see altitude, below).
Official site ↗📍 Pikes Peak – America's Mountain, west of Manitou via U.S. 24
Why go: You can drive to the 14,115-foot summit where "America the Beautiful" was inspired. There are high-altitude donuts at the top.
Do: Buy admission online ahead of time to speed up entry. Stop at Crystal Reservoir on the way.
Good to know: From Oct. 1 to the Thursday before Memorial Day, the uphill gate opens at 9 a.m., last entry is 3 p.m., the summit closes at 4 p.m. and the downhill gate closes at 5 p.m. Timed-entry permits aren't required for the rest of this season. Weather can close the summit, so check before you go.
Official site ↗📍 Manitou Springs · 515 Ruxton Ave.
Why go: The world's highest cog railway, climbing Pikes Peak since 1891. It's a 9-mile ride to 14,115 feet, about 3.5 hours round trip, and nobody has to drive the switchbacks.
Do: Book advance tickets, then explore Manitou Avenue before or after.
Official site ↗📍 Everywhere (the city sits at 6,035 ft)
Why go: Your body usually needs 24–36 hours to adjust, and the air is drier than you're used to.
Do: Drink about twice your normal water, stay below 7,000 feet your first day, and go easy on alcohol. Wear sunscreen (lips too) and sunglasses year-round. Dress in layers, because it's warm in the sun and chilly after sunset.
Good to know: With severe coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pain, get to a lower altitude quickly. Vision changes, confusion or slurred speech mean see a doctor right away.
Official site ↗📍 Downtown · Old Colorado City · Manitou Springs
Why go: As of March 2026, Mountain Metro's Route 3 is fare-free as a pilot. It links Downtown and Old Colorado City to the Dillon Mobility Hub in Manitou. The Route 33 Manitou shuttle is free through Oct. 24, 2026.
Do: Leave the car, ride to Manitou, and walk Manitou Avenue.
Official site ↗📍 Downtown · 131 E. Bijou St., across from Acacia Park
Why go: The lavender diner whose green chili has a serious reputation, with breakfast and lunch all day.
Order: Anything smothered. The house green chili comes in Hot and Medium, so start with Medium.
Good to know: Open every day, "7 am ish till 2 pm ish" (their words). The Costilla St. "castle" is private events only.
Official site ↗📍 Downtown / South Cascade · 702 S. Cascade Ave.
Why go: The Gazette calls it a quintessential Colorado Springs eatery that's too often overlooked, and it's the place for visiting parents, first dates or birthdays.
Order: The spicy Brazilian coconut shrimp soup, a Shuga's classic. Get the bowl.
Good to know: Indoor and outdoor seating, plus a yurt. Open 11 a.m.–midnight weekdays and 10 a.m.–midnight weekends.
Official site ↗📍 Ivywild · 1604 S. Cascade Ave.
Why go: The Springs' original craft brewery, since 1994, in a historic schoolhouse. It's where locals bring out-of-towners.
Order: A Laughing Lab Scottish Ale and BBQ from Spark Beer + BBQ.
Official site ↗Keep going: smothered breakfast burritos, the best tacos, patios & rooftops, hidden-gem hikes and kid-friendly weekends.
Every pick was checked against its official site or a recent local news report in October 2026. Hours, menus and trail conditions change, so tap through before you head out. Spot something out of date? Email hello@cosscoop.com.
Photo: Descending Pikes Peak Highway by G. Lamar, CC BY 2.0, cropped.
Join your neighbors, from the Westside to Briargate, for the best things to do, eat, walk and ride around Pikes Peak. It's a five-minute read.
