Hidden Gems and Activities in Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods. Pikes Peak. The Manitou Incline. Colorado Springs is known for its beautiful terrain, active community, and world-renowned recreation. But the little-known gems are sometimes even more exciting, and they are abundant in the Pikes Peak region.
Whether you want to step on the same grounds once traveled by some of the world’s greatest minds or discover some of the newest space technologies, you’ll find an abundance of captivating attractions and activities in Colorado Springs.
John May Museum Center
Release your inhibitions and dive into a world of insects — behind a pane of glass, of course. The John May Museum Center, known by many as simply the “Bug Museum,” offers one of the largest collections of tropical bugs in the world with a display of more than 7,000 insects. From bizarre beetles to spiders the size of your hand, the May Museum Center is a haven for bug enthusiasts and entomologists alike.
The museum sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains. You’ll be greeted by a ten-foot-tall statue of the world’s largest beetle, the Dynastes Hercules (which is also viewable in the museum’s collection). Visit with your school group or family, and don’t forget to explore the surrounding thousand-acre Golden Eagle Ranch afterward with its abundant wildlife and hiking trails.
Miramont Castle
With over 14,000 square feet of space and 40 authentically furnished Victorian-era rooms, you can feel like royalty for the day at Miramont Castle. Explore meticulously crafted architecture throughout the four-story building, including eight-sided and sixteen-sided rooms, a solarium which was once a conservatory, a grand staircase, and close to ten design styles used throughout the premises.
Make reservations for a visit to the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room, where you can imagine yourself an English socialite while indulging in a light Victorian Tea or High Tea. The castle gardens are also available for weddings and other special occasions, offering majestic spring and summer month blooms with the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.
Space Foundation Discovery Center
The Pikes Peak region’s premier science and technology center, the Space Foundation Discovery Center, offers interactive science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education. Stimulate your mind with diverse exhibits including the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center, where you can have hands-on experience with state-of-the-art modeling and visualization software or program robotic land rovers for use on Martian terrain. Or discover the NOAA-developed Science on a Sphere — the centerpiece of Northrop Grumman Science Center and the world’s first spherical projection system capable of rendering real-images of the sun, moon and planets.
The Space Foundation Discovery Center also provides a Leadership Academy Program, where students from Pre-K-12 can learn how to resolve some of the most pressing challenges of space travel. Visitors can also book the space for private parties.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
The call of the wild is everywhere at Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center — one of the few U.S. sanctuaries certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Reserve a tour and feel your heart melt while petting Keyni or Makuee, two of the conservation’s wolves. Learn about the history and contemporary truths of animals in wildlife and captivity. You can even have your photograph professionally taken with one of CWCC’s many coyotes, foxes, and wolves. The facility is also available for birthday parties, family reunions, senior outings and many other events.
Western Museum of Mining & Industry
A major playfield in the transformation of the American West, Colorado Springs offers notable history. Experience the 19th century frontier at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, featuring more than 10 exhibits including a walk-through mine drift, working steam engines, and Colorado’s largest collection of fluorescent minerals. The museum was a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award recipient and was named one of the Top 20 Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs by U.S. News & World Report. The museum hosts weddings, birthday parties, and school trips.
Edward C. Rochette Money Museum
The Edward C Rochette Money Museum is America’s largest museum dedicated to numismatics. The museum offers three galleries, including an exhibit that explores the history and leadership of America from colonial times through the present day. Since 1967, the museum has showcased an extensive collection of currency and even has its own mini-mint — a 19th century screw press used to craft coinage.
A diverse range of activities in Colorado Springs create an environment where fresh adventures are always just around the corner. Learn more about living and working in the Pikes Peak region and find your ideal living community in Colorado Springs.