Old Colorado City, CO

Colorado Springs

Photo provided by VisitCOS.com
Photo by Mike K
Photo by Raisa Wells
Photo by Born To Roam
Photo by Born To Roam

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


Old Colorado City Hotel Deals

Garden of the Gods Motel
Garden of the Gods Motel
2 out of 5
2922 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is ₩135,099 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
₩135,099
₩148,880 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (724 reviews)
"Definitely stay again. Its older place but so clean. Refreshment food bag was awesome."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Garden of the Gods Motel
Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
2.5 out of 5
7245 Commerce Center Dr, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is ₩104,182 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩104,182
₩114,808 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,027 reviews)
Fantastic Hotel!
"The nicest room we've stayed in in quite awhile. SO quiet, comfy beds, great a/c, nice bathroom, TV worked, good lighting. Would have liked a few breakfast options with fewer carbs/sugar. My wife is diabetic, and most everything offered was pastry, bread, sugary cereal. Also, very limited seating ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Spark by Hilton Colorado Springs I 25 Central
Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gods
Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gods
2.5 out of 5
555 W Garden Of Gods Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is ₩133,915 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
₩133,915
₩147,573 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
includes taxes & fees
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 helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,345 reviews)
Great Choice!
"The rooms were very clean. The location was great! The view was beautiful! The breakfast was yummy!"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gods
The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
3.5 out of 5
8110 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₩172,282 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
₩172,282
₩189,855 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,514 reviews)
Not a bad hotel
"Looks like it was very nice but has been there for awhile. Could use some new carpet and cleaning. Other than that was a very nice hotel. The staff was very nice and the location was great for the AF Academy."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

The Academy Hotel Colorado Springs
Hotel Polaris
Hotel Polaris
4.5 out of 5
8989 N Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is ₩219,244 per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
₩219,244
₩294,478 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Colorado Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Western Museum of Mining and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (246 reviews)
"Amazing property with tons of amenities."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Hotel Polaris
Best Western Plus Fillmore Inn & Suites
Best Western Plus Fillmore Inn & Suites
3 out of 5
3150 N Chestnut St, Colorado Springs, CO
The price is ₩223,086 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩223,086
₩245,839 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,154 reviews)
"Hhhhb"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Best Western Plus Fillmore Inn & Suites
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 neighborhoods 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
Sunset in the springs

Westside

When in Westside, you can plan a visit to Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Ghost Town Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westside
Downtown Colorado Springs featuring signage and a statue or sculpture

Downtown Colorado Springs

4.5/5(239 area reviews)

Travelers come to Downtown Colorado Springs for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Pikes Peak Center and Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum 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, Bear Creek Nature Center and Chloey's and Bella's Dog Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Skyway

Old Colorado City, CO