Attractions & Activities in the Pikes Peak Region

Our local Visitor Information sites include:

Baby hippo Omo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo takes a nap

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the many Pikes Peak Region attractions celebrating new arrivals like little Omo, the hippo who was born in July of 2021

Eventful…opportunities abound in and around Colorado Springs, and we are waiting to assist you in planning your vacation and travel itinerary. For the active traveler, you might fancy hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, golf, tennis or a zipline adventure! Perhaps a walk through time to view amazing sandstone rock formations at nearby Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon or one of our many area parks is to your liking. Or, you might take a drive to the summit or climb aboard the COG railway up Pikes Peak to see purple mountain majesties. The opportunities for fun and sun are endless. Here in the Pikes Peak region and Colorado Springs area, we are blessed to have events and festivals all year long including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Territory Days, SpringsSpree, the Renaissance Festival, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Pikes Peak Marathon, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and parade, the El Paso County Fair, the Colorado Balloon Classic, the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, the Air Force Academy and Colorado College Graduations and Homecomings, the Colorado State Fair, the Emma Crawford Coffin races, the Holiday Festival of Lights and the annual Fruitcake Toss, just to name a few. Here you will find fun things to do, from the traditional to the unusual any time of year. There’s plenty to keep you busy with historic sites, sporting events at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, museums, antique and unique shopping districts, art and craft galleries, elegant and casual dining experiences, music festivals and concerts, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Broadway shows, top line performers and other cultural happenings, all within easy distance of our central location at Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast Inn. For upcoming and current events, Peak Radar offers an updated calendar of area activities.
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The annual Labor Day Liftoff is a fun and free local event and only a 5 mile drive from Holden House

Historical…knowledge and appreciation for heritage is what our inn is about, and we will share our love of local lore with you as our guest. Isabel Holden was one of the early pioneers of our region and built our home in 1902, when she moved to the city as a widow. Isabel and her husband Daniel homesteaded in Bijou Basin in the northeast area of El Paso County, where they ranched for many years. Daniel died in a cholera epidemic in 1896, and Isabel moved to town to provide a better education for their six children.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is just one of the many free county and city parks here in the Pikes Peak Region

Colorful…heritage is a hallmark of our area that was first home to the Ute, Cheyenne, Kiowa and Arapahoe peoples. The area developed when Civil War General William Jackson Palmer traveled in 1870 from his home in Pennsylvania to the Rocky Mountains. General Palmer started the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and began to develop a resort community, which due to the large number of Europeans, was nicknamed “Little London”. The General built Glen Eyrie Castle, now owned by the Navigators, for his wife “Queen” Palmer and his family near Garden of the Gods Park. During that time period, Colorado Springs became the top gold mining exchange center, becoming known for many of the nation’s millionaires. Colorado City (now historic “Old Colorado City”) was founded earlier in 1854 and supplied the mining camps as a commercial and entertainment area for the gold diggers of the era, who hoped to make their fortune in Cripple Creek. Colorado City was best known for its saloons, gaming halls and its “red-light” district, since Colorado Springs was designated “dry” by devout Quaker, General Palmer, who prohibited alcohol in the city limits of Colorado Springs. At the time, tunnels were constructed under Colorado Avenue so “respectable” gentleman could cross the street from one side to the other without being recognized. While the underground tunnels still exist today, they are now closed to pedestrians. Just as a point of reference, Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast Inn is located on the “respectable” side of the Avenue where larger homes were built by wealthier families.

The Old Colorado City historic district provides shops, restaurants, galleries and farmer’s market opportunities

Today…Old Colorado City is a restored historic district shops, restaurants and galleries. In the late 1800s, our area was popular with individuals who suffered from “consumption” (tuberculosis as we know it today), due to availability of the natural mineral spring waters, clean air and dry climate. History says that Katharine Lee Bates was inspired by her 1893 visit to Pikes Peak, writing the words to the hymn “America the Beautiful” to extend our hospitality from sea to shining sea. Our historic shopping and entertainment districts are just a short distance away including restored Old Colorado City and quaint Manitou Springs. You might want to climb aboard for a picturesque train ride through the Royal Gorge or take a chance at the slots in Cripple Creek’s historic gaming district. In present day, the Pikes Peak region provides a splendid and varied vacation spot for visitors to the area.

The Pikes Peak Region is known for its many cultural activities, live theater and musical performances. Check out these websites for more listings of upcoming events. Peak Radar (cultural events website portal), the Pikes Peak Center (a short 1-mile drive from Holden House and offers easy in easy out parking for performances) and The Broadmoor World Arena (a great sports, music and performance venue) provide links to a variety of activities. For additional events and information on the Pikes Peak Region, access the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at www.visitCOS.com and Pikes Peak Country Attractions at www.pikes-peak.com

Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA