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Unique Event Venues in Colorado Springs

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Event Venues in Colorado Springs

If you’re looking for event venues in Colorado Springs that are unique, fun or just plain different from hotel conference rooms and park pavilions you’re used to, you’ll want to check out this list. We know for a fact that hosting events like weddings, memorial services, family reunions, birthday parties and anniversaries can be stressful. Trying to make special only adds to the pressure. 

The venues on this list provide a memorable place to spend time with your guests and they include friendly, dedicated service to ensure your event goes well. Even better, they may be easier to book due to their unique venue — not many people know you can host an event at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Considering the limitations on hosting events anywhere else in the Garden of the Gods, that’s a big deal! Read on to get to know more about these unexpected Colorado Springs event venues. 

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo wedding photo with giraffe

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the more sought-after event venues in Colorado Springs, from children’s birthday parties to weddings to corporate holiday parties. It really is a venue for everyone and they provide incredible service to make it truly memorable. 

It’s probably pretty obvious why the zoo is such a great venue but we’re going to go ahead and tell you all about it anyway. We’ll start with the animals. Yes, yes, the views, the woods, it’s beautiful. But it also has giraffes, meerkats, elephants and wolves. The zoo is home to 170 species and depending on the timing of your event, you’ll probably get to see at least a few of them. Smaller parties may even allow you to participate in animal enrichment or an animal encounter led by a zookeeper. 

Now about the venue as a whole. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is North America’s only mountainside zoo and the views of Colorado Springs that unfold below are nothing short of spectacular. That means the zoo is pretty hilly but they will provide assistance for guess with mobility needs. There are elevators and other features to maximize accessibility so you can include everyone in your special event. 

There are two indoor venues that can host parties of up to 200 guests. The Safari Lodge and the Lodge at Moose Lake are very popular wedding reception venues and you can even buy out the entire zoo for a large-scale private event. There are options for catering by award-winning chefs and many other amenities you might not expect from a local zoo. 

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garden of the gods trading post

Garden of the Gods Trading Post

When you think of the Garden of the Gods Trading Post, you probably think of fresh fudge, cool art and thousands of items spread across the expansive store. Those are certainly our favorite things about making a visit after a day spent hiking and exploring the park. However, this massive shop also hosts events.

The Trading Post is located in the southwest corner of the Garden of the Gods, right next to the not-so-secret entrance that’s popular with locals and well-informed visitors. It also sits near one of the park’s most famous formations, Balanced Rock. While the size of the building has expanded over the years, the core historic shop is still, as is the tranquil courtyard. 

Large events are hosted in the Peak View Conference Center, with capacity for up to 120 guests. You will have access to your own private garden, as well as gorgeous views of America’s Mountain. For small groups, the Post has two outdoor locations. The venue has some catering options — they host luncheons for tour groups and other large parties. 

The Trading Post is one of the only places you can party just footsteps from one of most popular free parks in the world. The Garden of the Gods does not allow receptions and only allows small weddings or events in specific locations. If you’ve had your heart set on getting married in the Garden of the Gods, we highly recommend that you contact the Trading Post to learn about options for hosting your reception. 

 

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Miramont Castle

You don’t have to travel far to host an event in a castle in Colorado Springs. Miramont Castle, located near the Incline and the Cog Railway, is quite the surprise in a region not exactly known for royal infrastructure. It truly is an amazing space for celebration.

Miramont Castle provides multiple event spaces on its grounds, including the Great Hall, Solarium and Castle Gardens. They also host events in the lushly appointed Queen’s Parlour Tea Room, a lovely, intimate space that seats up to 30. Whichever area you select, you’ll be surrounded with beautiful architecture. 

In the summer, the gardens around the castle are in full bloom with colorful flowers and native plants. The big garden is popular for receptions and can host up to 70 people. They provide excellent opportunities to create memorable photos, so don’t forget the cameras. 

The Queen’s Parlour is particularly special for smaller events. Their teas are delicious and the High Tea is filling, with tea sandwiches, scones and tiny desserts. Consider the tearoom for baby showers, birthdays, girls’ day out and other small groups. Book early for tearoom events. It is very popular.  

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echo canyon glamping tent

Echo Canyon and Royal Gorge Cabins

Royal Gorge Cabins is a unique combination of glampground and luxury cabins located near Cañon City. If the name “Echo Canyon” sounds familiar, you might recognize it from a less leisurely activity — white water rafting. Worry not, your stay at Royal Gorge Cabins will be far less adrenalized.

This venue has lots of opportunities for creating a fun experience for group overnights like family reunions, tour groups, relaxing retreats, girls’ weekends and so much more. If you plan right, large groups can secure the majority of the available accommodations for themselves and host a virtually private party. 

The most unique part of this venue is the glamping tents. It’s hard to call them tents because they are so comfortably appointed, but they still do count. The beds are soft, they are equipped with heaters and you can easily find yourself wondering if wilderness camping might not be so bad. 

If even glamping is too much for your group, the luxury cabins are even better. After all, they do have walls. Alternatively, the venue also has the dynamic Pinion House, which can sleep up to 10.  

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Royal Gorge Park Sunrise

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Need to host a corporate event like a holiday party or a retreat? What about an adventure outing for your scouts or youth group? The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is a venue with diverse possibilities for all of you event needs. It also just happens to be one of Southern Colorado’s most popular area attractions. 

The park is home to one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, which stretches over a 1,000-foot chasm broken by the crashing rapids of the Arkansas River. Pretty cool already, right? However, there’s a lot more across that bridge. 

There are multiple venues within the park to meet your needs. The staff can set-up, support and tear down as part of your rental package, too. The Royal Gorge even has catering available onsite, with options for a full bar.  

That takes care of the basics, but there are a few other neat features you can add. For example, you can add on zipline experiences, rides or via ferrata. Imagine how thrilled — quite literally — your guests will be over a chance to ride the Royal Rush Skycoaster. Or, consider how a via ferrata climb could enhance your team-building initiatives. The venue really does offer an experience unlike any other!

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prorodeo cowboy ball

Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame

This venue was designed to honor the greatest in professional rodeo, so their event space is definitely ready for big productions. The Pro Rodeo Hall of fame is highly equipped to support award ceremonies, corporate parties, holiday parties, wedding receptions, training programs, retreats and so much more. 

The venue has multiple stages, tables, chairs, podiums, mics and mic systems and projection screens, plus add-ons like tents, heaters and selfie stations. They can accommodate parking for up to 200 cars (complimentary) and you’re allowed to use the grounds during your event.

The ability to use the grounds is a big benefit. The Hall of Fame has beautiful gardens for taking photos. Brides love all of the flowers that bloom during the peak of summer. In fact, many areas of the Hall of Fame are quite pretty. There are also often horses onsite that guests can stroll over and visit during the event.

The best part about renting this venue is the cost. Rates are very affordable for the number of amenities that come standard with your package. They share many of their fees clearly on their website and outline the amenities before you ever have to make a single call. 

The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame really has perfected the art of supporting their hosts. If you have been looking for a venue capable of handling complex events, this is the place to start.  

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Cripple Creek Historic Tour

City of Cripple Creek

The City of Cripple Creek is home to multiple venues that are perfect for hosting several different types of events. We love that the city offers these options — up in the mountains beyond Divide, it can be difficult to find venues capable of hosting and their services make it so much easier for locals to celebrate or honor life events. 

Of course the city is quite welcoming to any visitors who want to host their special event in the historic mining district. They’re quite used to being the life of the party. Cripple Creek hosts both the ice castles and an ice festival, not to mention the Donkey Derby Days, holiday headframe tours and several motorcycle and car events.

The main venue is the District Museum. It can host up to 100 people, although the venue recommends keeping your list around 80 to maximize space for your guests. The Butte Theater can also be rented for trainings, meetings, presentations and other events that need to host a crowd. The theater is a historic building right in the heart of town and the interior is impressive. 

Let’s not forget the aesthetics of hosting in a historic town. You will not want for rustic photos opps. It may not be as close as event venues in Colorado Springs, but you won’t get that real mountain feel anywhere else. From the shuttered mines to the original buildings, you’ll get plenty of great shots to commemorate your event. 

 

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Western Museum of Mining and Industry

The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is one of the best kept secrets for venues in the Pikes Peak region. It’s conveniently located right off of I-25 near the Air Force Academy on the north side of Colorado Springs. That makes it quite convenient for guests coming from Castle Rock and Denver, or for guests who might fly in from Denver International Airport. 

One of the most popular sites at the Mining Museum is the Reynold’s Ranch Hay Barn. It can hosts up to 120 seated guest and has doors that open on both sides of the barn so that guests can mingle in comfort. It has both a bar and a sound system and some spectacular views of the mountains. 

If you’re hosting a smaller event, the Ore Building hosts up to 60 guests. Other small sites are also available. On the opposite side of the spectrum, you can also rent the entire field. It can host up to 500 people and has welcomed the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival and their own Fall Festival. 

The grounds of the museum are expansive and the old mining equipment presents many opportunities for cool photos, in addition to the aforementioned mountain views. The area is a sight to behold at sunset, if you’re hoping for some golden hour shots. 

 

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flying w ranch outdoor wranglers

The Flying W Ranch

It should come as no surprise that a ranch that has hosted millions of visitors to their chuckwagon knows how to throw a party. This legacy venue has one of the most unique and popular event venues in Colorado Springs for decades. Generations of families have ventured to the singalongs and suppers and many have returned to host weddings and celebrations, too. 

The property is 1,400 acres and it is, without a doubt, one pretty patch of land here in the Pikes Peak region. Despite flooding and other disasters, the Flying W has maintained a gorgeous space! The property’s size and the staff’s experience managing large groups makes it an ideal location for larger events. They’ve hosted rodeos, pow-wows and many other festivals since they converted it from a working ranch. To give you an idea, the outdoor capacity for this venue is 6,000 guests!

The ranch offers options for activities, including performances by the world-famous Flying W Wranglers. They can also hike, ride horses or join the campfire, depending on your event. Many of the spaces can be customized to fit the purpose and theme, too. If you were planning for a ranch theme, you won’t have much to do. This venue has upscale country down pat. The team at Flying W truly does work hard to make every event meaningful. 

Catering is another great reason to consider the Flying W. Their chuckwagon supper is certainly tasty, but they do offer other dining options, like Kansas City steaks or duck terrine appetizers. They have a whole culinary team ready to make you fantastic food. 

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