COS End-of-August Family Weekend Guide: What to Do Before September Arrives

August is running out of days, and Colorado Springs is still delivering the kind of weather and programming that makes late summer worth showing up for. This weekend offers a mix of free outdoor activities, guided experiences, and library programs that work across a wide range of ages. Here is what is happening and where to find it.

US Olympic Museum — "Discover Legends"

The US Olympic and Paralympic Museum in downtown Colorado Springs is running its "Discover Legends" guided experience through the end of August. The 90-minute tour is available daily starting at noon and takes families through exhibits featuring exclusive memorabilia and artifacts from Olympic and Paralympic champions. The museum is one of the more underrated family destinations in Colorado Springs — the exhibits are engaging for children and adults, and the interactive elements hold attention across age groups.

The museum is located in downtown Colorado Springs. Tickets are required; check usopm.org for pricing and availability before you go.

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is free, open daily, and one of the most accessible outdoor spaces in Colorado Springs for families with children of any age. The red sandstone formations are the backdrop for paved walking paths (stroller-friendly) and more challenging hiking routes for older children. Wildlife sightings — deer, raptors, and occasional mule deer at dusk — are common.

The Visitor and Nature Center is also free and includes interactive exhibits about the park's geology and ecology. Arrive early on weekend mornings for parking — the main lot can fill by mid-morning on summer weekends. The park is located at 1805 N. 30th St. in Colorado Springs.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers 28 miles of trail on the southwest side of Colorado Springs, with options ranging from flat loops to elevation-gain hikes that reward the effort with views. Wildlife viewing is reliable at this park — mule deer are frequently spotted on the lower trails. The park also allows mountain biking on designated trails.

Entry requires a daily parks pass or an America the Beautiful Annual Pass (National Parks Pass), which is accepted at the entrance. The park is at 410 JL Ranch Heights Rd., Colorado Springs. Hours vary by season — check cpw.state.co.us before you go.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

CMZoo's Little Paws Nature Preschool opened on August 24 — Colorado Springs' first state-accredited outdoor preschool for ages 3–5. While the preschool program itself requires enrollment, the broader zoo is open for families this weekend. CMZoo runs ongoing educational programming and exhibits through the summer and into fall. Located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd.; check cmzoo.org for hours and admission.

Pikes Peak Library District — Free Programs

The Pikes Peak Library District runs free programming at multiple branches through the end of August. This weekend:

• Storytime (Friday, 10:30 AM): Cheyenne Mountain Library, 1785 S. 8th St., and Old Colorado City Library, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave.
• Sensory Storytime (Saturday, 10:30 AM): Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. — designed for children who benefit from a calmer, sensory-aware environment.
• Paws to Read (Saturday, 10:30 AM): Old Colorado City Library, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave. — children read aloud to trained therapy dogs.

All programs are free and open to Colorado Springs families. No registration required for most — check ppld.org for updates before attending.

What's Next

September brings fall programming from most Colorado Springs venues — PPLD releases its fall storytime schedule in late August, CMZoo transitions to fall hours, and the parks remain open into October with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Keep an eye on ppld.org, visitcos.com, and cmzoo.org for September listings as they are posted.