Family Reunion in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a city of about 500,000 with the character of a smaller mountain town — walkable historic neighborhoods, a strong outdoor culture, and the Front Range of the Rockies as an immediate backdrop. Unlike Breckenridge, Aspen, or Vail, it is accessible at a relatively comfortable altitude — high enough to feel genuinely Western and mountain-fresh, but not so high that altitude sickness is a concern for most visitors. (Pikes Peak's 14,115-foot summit is a different story — take the cog railway or drive up, allow time to acclimatize at the summit, and have a plan for those who may feel altitude effects.)

Garden of the Gods is the defining Colorado Springs attraction — a city park (yes, free admission) of extraordinary red sandstone formations rising against the white backdrop of Pikes Peak. The park's 15 miles of trails include everything from paved accessible paths to technical climbing routes, making it genuinely multi-generational. The Trading Post visitor center has a café and exhibits. A family reunion morning at Garden of the Gods, with the formations in morning light, is a memory-making experience.

The Broadmoor, a Forbes Five-Star resort at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, is the grand option for a Colorado Springs reunion. The resort has been hosting groups and celebrations since 1918 — multiple accommodation buildings, seven restaurants, two pools, a spa, a full-service events team, and more golf than you can play in a week. It is a splurge destination, but the group sales team is experienced and can put together packages that work for family reunions. For budget-focused groups, Colorado Springs has strong hotel inventory across every price point, and large vacation rental homes are available in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The military presence in Colorado Springs — it is home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, NORAD, and the US Air Force Academy — gives the city a particular resonance for military families. The Air Force Academy grounds are open for visitors, with a striking modernist chapel and flight line views. The US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, which opened in 2020, is an extraordinary museum experience that works for all ages and is one of the finest new museums in the country.

What Kind of Reunion Works Here?

Colorado Springs works well for families who want a genuine mountain experience without the pure backcountry isolation of a more remote Rocky Mountain destination. It is ideal for families with military connections (the city has one of the highest veteran populations in the country), families who want the Rocky Mountain setting with city amenities, and multi-generational groups of 20 to 100 where accessibility matters — several major attractions (Garden of the Gods paved trail, Pikes Peak cog railway, Olympic Museum) require no hiking ability.

Outdoor-oriented families get plenty of options: Pikes Peak, hiking in Mueller State Park and the Florissant Fossil Beds, white-water rafting on the Arkansas River (accessible from the Royal Gorge area, 45 minutes west), and mountain biking on the Palmer Park trail system within the city. Less active family members find the city itself highly walkable, with excellent coffee shops, galleries, and the Manitou Springs arts district at the foot of Pikes Peak.

Summer (June through August) is the best season for most activities. July is peak season but Colorado's famous afternoon thunderstorms (build in the mountains and roll down by 2pm) mean morning starts are essential for outdoor days. September is an excellent alternative — aspen foliage begins in the mountains, crowds thin, and temperatures are perfect.

Getting There & Getting Around

• 1

  Colorado Springs Airport (COS) receives direct flights from Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, and several other hubs — increasingly well-connected as the city has grown. Denver International (DEN) is 75 miles north (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and has more direct flight options, making a Denver arrival followed by a drive south an attractive option.

• 2

  A car per family unit is essential. Colorado Springs is a spread-out city. However, many attractions cluster in the west side near Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and The Broadmoor — if you base lodging in that area, you can minimize driving for several days.

• 3

  For groups staying at The Broadmoor, the resort shuttle system handles in-resort transportation and can arrange transportation to off-site attractions. For independently lodged groups, consider a charter van for group activity days to keep the convoy manageable.

• 4

  Book Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets well in advance — the railway (which reopened after a major rebuild in 2021) is very popular and online reservations are required. Summit temperatures are 30 to 40 degrees cooler than the city — bring layers even in July.

• 5

  The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is worth including for families with young children — it is one of the highest elevation zoos in America and has remarkable mountain views from multiple areas. Group ticket rates are available.

Frequently Asked Questions