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15 Attractions Under $15 in Colorado Springs
Friends, thrift-lovers and fun-seekers, step right up and enjoy savings so unbelievable, you’ll have to experience them yourself. We know how difficult it can be to plan an affordable vacation or a day out with the family, so we’ve decided to make it easy for you. We’ve picked 15 of Colorado Springs’ favorite attractions for you to enjoy and each one comes with an admission price under $15. Moms on a budget, bargain hunters, penny-pinchers and dutiful dads will love these savvy savings, and so will everyone who gets to enjoy them! Get out your wallet, but be prepared because these fun and affordable Colorado Springs attractions won’t make it too much lighter at day’s end.
1. Space Foundation Discovery Center
The Space Foundation is one of our favorite vacation bargains. Not only is your admission under $15, it also includes the multitude of space-themed daytime events offered each month. Regular activities include Science on a Sphere, perusing space artifacts and hands-on fun like Mission to Europa. Want an even deeper discount? Check out their Family Star Parties. Outside, you’ll enjoy FREE access to view the stars with whatever gear the Discovery Center has out for the night. You’ll also learn about other space phenomena, usually tailored to real-time events in space. If you venture inside, you’ll get all the cool perks mentioned earlier at half the price of regular admission. Score!
2. Historic Cripple Creek
Take a winding drive west to this historic mountain town, a huge part of Colorado’s Gold Rush history. Wander the town and check out its historic buildings, search for the wild donkeys that roam the hills and streets. Then check out one of the town’s attractions, like its real gold mine, open-air train and history museum. If you want to have even more fun, head up during one of Cripple Creek’s famous events. There’s at least one each month in the winter and even more in the summer. They include car shows, motorcycle rallies and the much-loved (and totally free) Donkey Derby Days.
3. Miramont Castle
Miramont Castle has been bringing the royal treatment to Manitou Springs ever since its construction by Father John Baptiste Francolon in 1895. This unique structure is comprised of architectural ideas from around the globe, offering visitors 14,000 square feet and nine separate styles. Several of the castle’s 40 rooms have as many as eight sides and one has 16! There’s a stunning garden in the warm months, a solarium and even an underground tunnel that used to be used to trek to the sanitarium. If your budget allows, pop in for a spot of tea at the Queen’s Parlour Tearoom, a Victorian delight in its own right. Have tea first and you’ll get an additional $1 off your admission.
4. Wild West Ghost Town Museum
We like this attraction because it’s an indoor location, making it a great — and affordable — escape for the days when Colorado weather is being persnickety. Real structures from Colorado’s wilder pioneering days fill the museum and each of those structures is packed with thousands of artifacts from the era. Kids go bonkers for gold panning and for the museum’s antique arcade and shooting gallery. They can also try butter churning and other old-school tools that might make them think twice about being grumpy the next time their movie is buffering or the oven takes too long to heat up.
5. May Natural History Museum
This attraction continues to hold on to its well-earned billing as the most unique attraction in the Pikes Peak region. It’s not every day that you’ll be able to find thousands upon thousands of insects all housed together in one spot. Don’t worry about any bugs creeping or crawling, though. The museum has them all safely mounted and under glass! The May Museum showcases a collection that took decades to build and consists of insects from all over the planet. Look for the giant (seriously, it’s bigger than your hand) walking stick. You can also meet creepy spiders you’d normally avoid and vibrant and colorful butterflies. There are also beetles the size of your fist and one the size of a car (that last one is human-made, but still).
6. ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Cowboys and cowgirls are an important part of history, and Colorado history in particular. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame celebrates the accomplishments of these famous heroes with photos, artifacts and entertaining events and exhibits. You can also learn about the history of the American cowboy, the evolution of the sport and a whole lot more. If you just can’t get enough, Heritage Hall is filled with saddles, ropes, clothing, belt buckles and all the other accoutrements of riding, roping and ranging. Retired rodeo horses chill in the livestock exhibit in the summer, which means all pony-loving kids will get to meet celebrities of the four-legged variety.
7. Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Not only is this unique attraction budget-friendly, it’s parent-friendly. What do we mean? Well, it’s actually okay if you touch things. Kids can climb and explore everything in these ancient dwellings without a care in the world. In short, parents do not need to fear entering some sort of Hall of Shame because their kiddos touched a wall or stumbled into something. In addition to stressless fun, everyone will get an education on the historic peoples of the region — their lives, their culture and more.
8. Old Colorado City
Life may be getting more expensive, but the joy of strolling down a friendly street is still free! Old Colorado City is a fantastic place to spend the day, with affordable dining for a variety of budgets and a wide range of boutiques and shops to explore. Old Colorado City also has fun events all year long, including Territory Days, Mad Hatter Day and food and wine festivals.
9. Garden of the Gods Trading Post
Garden of the Gods Trading Post may often be considered a store and not an attraction, but that consideration is mistaken. Visiting this over 100-year-old link to Colorado Springs’ early days is a must-have experience. It’s the largest shop and gallery in the state and they are not playing around in living up to those bragging rights. You’ll be treated to 25,000 square feet of shopping fun with over 90,000 unique items, even the most budget-conscious of shoppers is sure to go home with a purchase or gift they’ll love without regret. Peruse the art gallery, shop for souvenirs that won’t bust your bank account or simply relax on the patio and admire the towering rock formations of Garden of the Gods.
10. Historic Manitou Springs
Sip, shop and sidle your way through this nifty little town. When we say sip, we could mean wine (there are lots of places to stop), but we’re actually talking about the numerous mineral springs that are found throughout the town. Currently, there are eight and locals will tell you that each has its own unique taste caused by the water interacting with different minerals. Don’t be surprised by a few bubbles, they’re supposed to have some effervescence.
11. Western Museum of Mining and Industry
Colorado is a state with a rich mining history. The Western Museum of Mining and Industry provides visitors with a fun, engaging and hands-on educational experience that focuses on the state’s long history as a producer of important metals and minerals. Visitors can explore the grounds and check out real mining equipment. They can also see working machinery. One of the best things about a visit to the Mining Museum is gold panning! Visitors can try their luck at searching for gold just like the early prospectors. It’s a fan favorite for kids and plenty of adults, too. Gold panning is included in admission so it’s also another great way to save while maximizing your fun in Colorado Springs. The museum is also home to the historic Reynolds House, a real Victorian farmhouse that has withstood the test of time. Touring the house is only an extra $3 and you still will not go over $15 a person if you add it to an adult admission.
12. Garden of the Gods
When it comes to affordable attractions, you cannot beat the Garden of the Gods. That’s because it’s free! The Garden was gifted to the city with the stipulation that the park would always be free to visitors. That includes the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. The latter has educational information about the park, as well as a nice gift shop.
But it’s the natural rock formations themselves that offer true amazement. The towering red rocks are millions of years old! Visitors can hike, walk the paved trails, pretend to hold up Balanced Rock and snap tons of photos all for free. In the busy season, the park operates a free shuttle to make parking and exploring a lot easier for visitors. There are also bike lanes along the main roads if you would like to ride bikes or rent a PikeRide. Considering that the park is free, you may want to pay the Garden of the Gods Trading Post a visit and splurge on ice cream or coffee.
13. The Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum
Get to know the diverse people who came to the West to find their futures when you pay a visit to the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. Located in Downtown Colorado Springs, this museum is an excellent stop to make as you sip, dine and shop downtown. It is housed in the historic El Paso Country Courthouse building that dates back to the early 1900s. The museum has a lot of artifacts that are relevant to the Pikes Peak region. Visitors can check out Van Briggle pottery, artifacts from the indigenous Utes who lived in the region long before the pioneers, plus many other historic items that are relevant to the area. The museum strives to show the many cultures and peoples who created the community we now call Colorado Springs, including tours, talks and exhibits. In short, you get a lot for paying a little.
14. Paint Mines Interpretive Park
The Pikes Peak region has many parks, but one of the most unique is the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Tucked away in the rolling grassy plains in eastern El Paso County, the park is a colorful and delightful surprise. Pinks, oranges and browns stripe tall white spires and canyon walls, creating a beautiful effect that is truly breathtaking.
The colors are so vibrant that the Native Americans used them to create paint — hence the park’s very accurate name. The Paint Mines offer about four miles of trails that explore the surrounding grasslands and the formations. Visitors will also find educational signage that talks about the region’s history. The park is free all year long and opens dusk until dawn daily. Local tip: Leave the pets at home. No dogs, horses or any other furry friends are permitted and you cannot (and should not) leave them in the car while you explore. This is to protect the park’s natural wonders and keep the space preserved for future generations to enjoy.
15. Pikes Peak — America's Mountain
If you happen to be visiting us between December 1st and May 1st, tickets to drive yourself up Pikes Peak — America’s Mountain are only $10 for adults, and kids 6-15 are only $5! Even during the busy summer months, adult tickets are only $15. You can also save extra if you have a carload. It’s important to note that Pikes Peak is ALWAYS weather dependent. We’ve seen it snow on the summit in July, so be sure to call ahead for road conditions: 719-385-7325. If you can get at least 13 of the total 19 miles, it’s still well worth the trip. If we’ve had a good snow and it’s open less than that, you might want to wait till the next day. The folks who run the highway do a great job of clearing it as quickly as they can.
