Old Colorado City

Colorado Springs
Photo by Mike K
Shops, restaurants, galleries and historic buildings attract crowds to this former gold rush town near the center of modern-day Colorado Springs.

Browse shops, specialty boutiques and learn about the history of Colorado Springs when you visit its oldest district, Old Colorado City. The historic area was founded in 1859, the first settlement in the Pikes Peak region.

A good place to start your exploration is at Old Colorado City History Center Museum. Study artifacts and photographs that tell the story of the early years of Colorado City, the former name of this historic district.

As you make your way along the streets, look for some of the old buildings.  Go to Bancroft Park for the Garvin Cabin which was constructed in the year Colorado City was founded. See an example of Victorian architecture in the building that used to be Jacob Schmidt's Saloon and Beer Hall. Visit the 1891 Templeton Building that was once the location of a gentleman’s club. Stop by the Old Colorado City Library. It operates out of a 1904 Carnegie Library, built with money donated by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

See the neighborhood in miniature at the Michael Garman Museum and Gallery. There are scale models of 18 buildings and hundreds of handmade sculptures that honor American heroes. Watch and listen to holograms of residents telling stories of life in the city.

Many visitors come to the old city for its shops. The streets are lined with independent stores and boutiques selling unique gifts, souvenirs, jewelry and antiques. Buy fresh local produce at the farmer’s market, held on Saturday mornings between June and October. If you want to take home an original piece of art, there are lots of art galleries to explore.

Embark on an art walk, which takes place on the first Friday of every month from  April to December. The self-guided tour features several streets of galleries and artist studios.

If you are here on the Memorial Day weekend, join in with the annual celebrations of the city's founding.

Old Colorado City is approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) to the west of the center of Colorado Springs. Drivers will find free parking in some of the side streets.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Colorado City

Villa Motel at Manitou Springs
Villa Motel at Manitou Springs
2 out of 5
481 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO
The price is P7,917 per night from 18 Jun to 19 Jun
P7,917
per night
18 Jun - 19 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Manitou Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"Warm welcome, very nice room. This is the place to stay in Manitou Springs."

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024

Villa Motel at Manitou Springs
Cheyenne Mountain Resort, A Dolce by Wyndham
Cheyenne Mountain Resort, A Dolce by Wyndham
4 out of 5
3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is P11,560 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
P11,560
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Book a stay at this beach resort in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,227 reviews)
"Just wow! Everything was outstanding and the best hotel breakfast I’ve ever had"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024

Cheyenne Mountain Resort, A Dolce by Wyndham
The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
3.5 out of 5
8110 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is P9,448 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
P9,448
per night
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,993 reviews)
Great hotel, rude customer service at check in
"This was a great hotel! Doesn't look too promising on the outside, but the inside makes up for it! Check in was the only downside of the whole stay. The ladies that checked us in were so rude! With that being said, breakfast is fantastic and the hotel ia very inviting and warm. The pool was great ..."

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2024

The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
3 out of 5
3150 N Chestnut St, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is P8,928 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
P8,928
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,051 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Great breakfast! Clean and quiet."

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2024

Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
Magnuson Grand Pikes Peak
Magnuson Grand Pikes Peak
2.5 out of 5
45 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO
The price is P9,869 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
P9,869
per night
9 Jul - 10 Jul
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Manitou Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,157 reviews)
"Nice staff."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024

Magnuson Grand Pikes Peak
Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown
Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown
3 out of 5
201 East Kiowa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is P9,659 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
P9,659
per night
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (647 reviews)
Awesome!!!
"Lola greeted us at the front desk. She was so genuine and kind. We had an unexpected need to stay overnight in Colorado Sprints and didn’t even have our toothbrush’s or a charging cord for our phones and she gave us both. And, even lent us her personal charging cord! Way over and beyond helpful. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2024

Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Colorado City

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Gold Hill Mesa

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Gold Hill Mesa and surrounding area, you can visit Norris Penrose Event Center and Ghost Town Museum.

Gold Hill Mesa
Ghost Town Museum which includes signage as well as a family

Midland

While visiting Midland, you might make a stop by sights like Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Ghost Town Museum.

Midland
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Westside

When in Westside, you can plan a visit to Monument Valley Park and Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westside
Downtown Colorado Springs featuring signage and a statue or sculpture

Downtown Colorado Springs

Travelers come to Downtown Colorado Springs for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Pikes Peak Center and Monument Valley Park while you're in town.

Downtown Colorado Springs
Glen Eyrie Castle featuring a garden, heritage architecture and chateau or palace

West Colorado Springs

While visiting West Colorado Springs, you might make a stop by sights like Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie Castle.

West Colorado Springs
North Cheyenne Canyon Park

#ColoradoSprings

Skyway

If you're spending some time in Skyway, Chloey's and Bella's Dog Beach and Bear Creek Nature Center are top sights worth seeing.

Skyway

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