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All the United States Colorado Colorado Springs

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Colorado Springs

13 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Updated May 30, 2024

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Cosmic Colorado: A Stargazer’s Guide to the Centennial State

Sponsored by Visit Colorado

It’s tough to measure awe, but we’ll give it a shot. Imagine jaw-dropping views of stars, planets, flying meteors, and other celestial wonders illuminating the night sky over a rugged mountainscape. In Colorado, you can see all of this and more at one of its many Dark Sky places. For anyone entranced by the wonders of stargazing, the state has nearly ten percent of the world’s Dark Sky Parks and Communities, places untouched by light pollution. To put it another way, Colorado boasts nearly 300,000 acres of dreamy campgrounds, gleaming waterways, and beaches beneath star-freckled skies. That’s a lifetime of awe right there. So what makes the Centennial State so perfect for stargazing? Thank the high altitude, remote towns, and wide-open landscapes. All those ingredients ensure vivid views of the universe beyond. Then, of course, there are the landscapes. From the sprawling sand dunes of the San Luis Valley, to the ancient cliff dwellings of the desert southwest, the state is covered in picture-perfect backdrops. Consider the Colorado sky your silver screen, and these nine destinations your front-row seats to the show of a lifetime. Here are some of the best places to stargaze in Colorado.

View Itinerary

Unusual Attractions in Colorado Springs

Early morning snow flurries begin to transform one of Colorado Springs’ most spectacular locations.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Garden of the Gods

Strange red rock formations that have been attributed to a higher power for hundreds of years.
The blast door at the entrance.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Cheyenne Mountain Complex

The superstar of Cold War nuclear bunkers has been featured in countless films but is now barely operational.
The KC97 Statofreigher from the street

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado’s Airplane Restaurant

This Boeing KC-97 tanker is now a restaurant for aviation lovers.
Gold Camp Road Tunnels

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Old Gold Camp Road Tunnels

The haunted reputation of these abandoned Colorado train tunnels is probably not helped by the terrifying spiked fence.
Starr Kempf’s Kinetic Sculptures

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Starr Kempf's Kinetic Sculptures

The moving metal works of one troubled artist can still be viewed on his front lawn... for now.
A tuberculosis hut converted into a visitor center at Rock Ledge Ranch

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Tuberculosis Huts

Small teepee-like houses built for TB patients have become sheds, studios, and bus stops around Colorado Springs.
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

This grand stone tower was dedicated to a famed American humorist almost by coincidence.
May Natural History Museum

Colorado Springs, Colorado

May Natural History Museum

Hidden beyond a kitschy giant beetle is this remarkably sprawling collection of preserved insects.
See All 13 Things To Do in Colorado Springs

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Colorado Springs

The KC97 Statofreigher from the street

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado’s Airplane Restaurant

This Boeing KC-97 tanker is now a restaurant for aviation lovers.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Colorado Springs, Colorado

A
Art 3
Roadside Attractions 2
Museums 2
Collections 2
Subterranean Sites 2

Colorado Springs Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. darksandal
    1
  2. danielrthorne
    1
  3. smash0gre
    1
  4. kalistongue
    1
  5. aimzatron
    1
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Add an unusual place to Colorado Springs.

Places Edited

  1. Martin
    5
  2. ickaimp
    5
  3. Rick Sheridan
    4
  4. breaingram
    3
  5. Alara
    2

Places Visited

  1. Traveling Maven
    13
  2. GRH
    13
  3. SenorVerde
    12
  4. aoseal
    11
  5. yvonnemerkle
    11
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Recent Colorado Springs Activity

  • TheCanTravelers

    wants to go to Colorado’s Airplane Restaurant

    about 22 hours ago
  • jasperandersoj

    wants to go to Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

    about 21 hours ago
  • jasperandersoj

    wants to go to Colorado’s Airplane Restaurant

    about 21 hours ago
  • jasperandersoj

    wants to go to Old Gold Camp Road Tunnels

    about 21 hours ago
  • thebutterflieskillme

    wants to go to Old Gold Camp Road Tunnels

    about 19 hours ago

Stories About Colorado Springs

Kummakivi (Finnish for “strange rock”) was deposited by a glacier.

Why Scientists Fall for Precariously Balanced Rocks

“They’re nature’s hilarious accidents."
by Sabrina Imbler
January 9, 2020

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