Visiting Colorado Springs with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Stop at the free Visitor and Nature Center.

#2West side

Garden of the Gods Park

#3Downtown, 20 N. Cascade Ave.

Penrose Library

Toddler Time is Tuesday mornings.

FreeIndoor

#4North, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr.

Library 21c

Baby Time runs Monday mornings.

FreeIndoor

MORNINGCheyenne Mountain ZooBook a timed ticket · Southwest, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd.

Nap breaks built in

One day or two in COS

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day

LUNCHPoor Richard’sPizza downtown · Downtown

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPGarden of the Gods ParkRed-rock walk · West side · Free

If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGSpace Foundation Discovery CenterTue–Sat from 10 · West side, 4425 Arrowswest Dr. · $7 kids, $13 adults

LUNCHUrban Egg (Downtown)Brunch until 2:30 · Downtown

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPLibrary 21cLibrary time · North, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. · Free

Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

DOWNTOWNPenrose LibraryDowntown is central to both the zoo and Garden of the Gods.Near Penrose Library

Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Breakfast · DowntownUrban Egg (Downtown)Near Penrose Library

Café · DowntownPoor Richard’sNear Penrose Library

Plan B

Rainy-day backup plan

If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in COS.

Downtown, 20 N. Cascade Ave.Penrose LibraryIndoors.FreeIndoor

North, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr.Library 21cIndoors.FreeIndoor

Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Zoo tickets

The zoo uses advance timed tickets, and big events sell out.

Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in COS

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in COSBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 prices

Christmas lights in COSDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices

On a budget

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Spend less without skipping the good stuff.

West sideGarden of the Gods ParkFree forever.Free

Downtown, 20 N. Cascade Ave.Penrose LibraryFree.FreeIndoor

North, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr.Library 21cFree.FreeIndoor

All free things to do in Colorado Springs →

This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Colorado Springs. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Sat Noon–6pm

Pumpkins in the Park

Old Colorado City’s free fall festival in Bancroft Park: pumpkins, games, crafts, music and costumes for the whole family.

Bancroft Park, Old Colorado City · Colorado Springs

Trunk or Treat at Garden of the Gods

#2Sun 1–4pm

Dress up and trick-or-treat from decorated trunks in the visitor center lot, with free Nature’s Educators “Animals of Halloween” programs inside.

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center · Colorado Springs

Jack-o-Lantern Trail at Fountain Creek Nature Center

#3Sat 5:30–7:30pm

Walk a trail lined with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, make a craft, hear stories and roast a marshmallow. Costumes encouraged.

Fountain Creek Nature Center · Fountain

$5 per person

#4Fri 9:30am–2pm; Sat–Sun 9:30am–4pm

Venetucci Farm Pumpkin Fest: Witches & Wizards Weekend

The farm’s pumpkin patch weekend, with hayrides, a spooky trail, a hay pyramid and yard games, plus witch and wizard stories in the reading nook. Costumes welcome.

Venetucci Farm · Colorado Springs

$8 grounds admission

Center-wide trick-or-treating at participating shops and restaurants, Toy Story themed this year (any costume welcome). Start at Pikes Peak Patio next to Ted’s Montana Grill.

#5Sat 3–5pm

Boo at Briargate

The Promenade Shops at Briargate · Colorado Springs