Colorado Springs in Colorado is a city renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. It was founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, and Colorado Springs was initially established as a resort town. Palmer envisioned a community that would attract visitors seeking the health benefits of the region’s dry climate and scenic surroundings, and the city’s early growth was fueled by the arrival of the railroad, which brought both tourists and settlers.

Colorado Springs quickly became a center of mining and military activities. The nearby Cripple Creek Gold Rush in the 1890s brought prosperity to the area, and the city became home to several military installations during World War II and the Cold War. Notably, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was established in the city, further cementing its strategic importance.

Downtown Colorado Springs lies is the heart of the city with Tejon Street serving as the main thoroughfare. This busy street is lined with a mix of historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. A walk down Tejon Street offers a perfect blend of the old and new, showcasing the city’s evolution over the years. The street is also home to several key landmarks, making it a great starting point for visitors exploring Colorado Springs.

One of the most iconic buildings in Colorado Springs is the Pioneers Museum, housed in the former El Paso County Courthouse along Tejon Street. The historic granite building, with its distinctive clock tower, served as a courthouse from 1903 to 1973. Today you can explore the history of Pikes Peak region through extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits. The Pioneers Museum is situated within the Alamo Square Park, where you can see some sculptures and a 1900 E. Howard & Co. street clock.

If you want to visit more museums, there are several options. United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum opened in 2020, and it is dedicated to American Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their stories. Olympic medals and Olympic torches are just a few of the exhibits. You can also go to Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College with a great collection containing works of art from several Native American cultures, Hispanic and Spanish Colonial, and 20th Century American art.

There are plenty to see outside the downtown area too. To the west is Old Colorado City, which was founded as a town in 1859. It grew with the mines and as a supply hub and as a gold ore processing center beginning in the 1890s. There were opium dens, bordellos, and saloons, and it is now a tourist area, with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants in the neighborhood business district. The best way to explore Old Colorado City is by foot along Colorado Avenue.

The luxurious and iconic Broadmoor Hotel is to the southwest of the city center. It is a resort that has been a symbol of elegance and hospitality since it opened in 1918. It is situated at Cheyenne Lake at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, and its visitors have included many heads of state, celebrities, and professional sports stars. The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun is close by. It is a commemorative tower and chapel on Cheyenne Mountain, completed in 1937. The observation deck overlooks The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, and Garden of the Gods.

The Garden of the Gods is a park which is designated a National Natural Landmark. It covers a large area in the mountains with impressive red rock formations. There is a Visitor and Nature Center and famous formations like the Three Graces and the Balanced Rock. From the Gardens of the Gods, you can head to Glen Eyrie Castle, built in 1871 by General Palmer. It is an English Tudor-style castle offers guided tours and is set against the backdrop of the northwest foothills.