Attractions & Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs

Attractions and Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day

You don’t have to spend Thanksgiving Day indoors glued to parades and college football. There are several attractions and restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day in Colorado Springs. Not everyone wants to be stuck in the kitchen or idly playing Yahtzee with every cousin that was born before 2015. Some people just want a chance to breath or enjoy that oh-so-rare moment where there are no urgent matters to manage. We’re here to help. Banish cabin fever or banish yourself from the kitchen with these popular attractions and restaurants that stand ready to rescue you on Thanksgiving Day!

Get Some Fresh Air at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open on Thanksgiving Day and we can’t think of a better place to send all those kids and bored adults to burn off energy. Not everyone can fit in the kitchen and not everyone wants to watch the Thanksgiving parades on TV. Why not just get outside and meet some new furry friends? The zoo is quiet because not many people think it’s open for business. That means more time with the giraffes and gorillas and less time fighting crowds. 

Thanksgiving can be a bit cold, so dress in layers of clothing and pack some hot cocoa. The zoo is open until 5 p.m., so you can even eat an early dinner and have everyone head out together. Or … send off anyone in the house who’s getting too whiny or too hyper and enjoy the silence as you cook the turkey for the fourteenth hour. Maybe take a nap. No one will be there to judge you or wake you up to ask when dinner will be ready. 

Thrill and Chill at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

America’s bridge never closes which means you can have an awe-inspiring day before chowing down on your favorite Thanksgiving Day meal. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park offers visitors a beautiful place to bring any out-of-town visitors. They can experience a whole new side of Colorado — rustic canyons, crashing waters and wide-ranging views of those famous fruited plains. The Royal Gorge really gives visitors a taste of Southern Colorado’s unique scenery and spectacular fashion. 

In addition to visual beauty and feats of human ingenuity, the park is just plain fun. Park admission includes unlimited rides in the gondolas that carry you from rim to rim over the crashing Arkansas River. There are also thrill rides that will fling or sip you out 1,000 feet over those same rapids, albeit a bit more quickly. There’s a kiddie zone and lots of places to snap photos so maybe get some of those epic family shots for social media while you’re there. 

Dine So Fine at the Cliff House in Manitou Springs

If you don’t want to cook but still want the best, there’s the Cliff House in Manitou Springs. The Cliff House is known for their exceptional holiday menus and Thanksgiving certainly lives up to the fame. You can have your classic favorites like turkey and stuffing or less traditional options such as salmon or lamb. Dessert is a magnificent finish that gives sweet lovers a great final course. This dinner is surprisingly affordable, so reservations are essential. Make yours immediately because this dinner sells out quickly. Local’s tip: Call instead of using the online system. 

Gander in the Garden of the Gods

The Garden of the Gods Trading Post won’t be open until Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, but those graceful rock formations in the distance stand ready to greet you. The Garden of the Gods is open on Thanksgiving Day and it’s still as free as the day it was gifted to the city. Take a post-dinner hike along the interpretive trails and explore the massive red rocks that fill the world-famous park. 

If you really want to work up an appetite, take a lap around the park on your bike. The Garden has wide and rider-friendly lanes that run with the road. If you’re not quite up to the challenge (those hills are tough), you can rent a PikeRide. That extra e-bike assist will help you conquer those steeper climbs. Pick a bike with a good battery. There are stops in Old Colorado City near the road to the Garden and in Manitou Springs, which is near the local’s favorite entrance next to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. 

A Grand Buffet at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The Cheyenne Mountain Resort’s Thanksgiving buffet can only be described as outrageous. It’s the type of buffet that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a medieval movie’s royal dinner scene. While it is the priciest of all of the many restaurant options, it is also the most lavish. How lavish? Well, there’s an omelet station and all your brunch favorites, plus prime rib, cold shrimp, salad bar, dessert bar and even a kids’ station. Kiddos can load up on chicken fingers, mini pizzas and mini corn dogs.

Play in Palmer Park

Garden of the Gods isn’t the only fun and free park in the city. Palmer Park is another outstanding example of the huge amount of open recreational space in Colorado Springs. While it does not have the formations that make the Garden world-famous, it does have plenty of amenities for bored family members and rowdy children. The south entrance offers a huge playground, several open fields and a dog park. Yes, even the dogs can escape the house for a while. 

Deeper in the park, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails that will work for a variety of experience levels. The top of the park is accessible by car, so visitors with limited mobility can still enjoy the views. There is an off-leash dog area near the top of the park and a large pavilion on the north side. The north side also has a paved trail for cycling.  

Bounty at the Briarhurst

The Briarhurst Manor’s lavish buffet is a delicious sight to behold. And, like the Cliff House, you’ll want to make your reservations as soon as you read this. You’ll find a spread that goes far beyond the turkey and fixings — like prime rib, ham, lamb and seafood. Beyond all that meat, you’ll also be treated to hot waffles, charcuterie, omelettes, salads and so much more. This buffet is a special treat for a special day in a setting that feels cozy and refined. It’s located just outside of Manitou Springs, which means you can tank a post-dinner walk through the town and check out the holiday decor or sip on the springs. Many stores will be closed, but that will just give you a chance to plan for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

Take a Turkey Trot Before Dinner

One of the most-loved events in the Pikes Peak region is the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot hosted by the YMCA. This easy and family-friendly run is located at the Briargate Family YMCA and features a 5K and a kid-friendly Tiny Trot. Yes, it is as adorable as it sounds. The run is an easy, protected course that welcomes strollers, walkers, runners or anyone else who wants to rise early and burn some calories before a day of dining. You won’t just feel good when you participate, you’ll do good, too. Proceeds from the race help families in our community by providing them scholarships to the YMCA. You’ll be helping families with after-school care, healthy activities and a safe place to play together. 

We hope your holiday, whether you spend it at home, outside or in one of these amazing restaurants, is filled with all the things you are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!