Travel Guide: Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs
Planning a trip to the Pikes Peak Region?
With stunning mountain views, outdoor adventures, and vibrant downtown scenes, figuring out how to experience all three while visiting Colorado Springs and surrounding areas is key to making the most of your time here.
Downtown Colorado Springs
This visitor guide breaks down the best ways to explore Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs without a car, from bike share options and pedestrian-friendly areas to public transit and local rides.
Car-free travel is not only possible, it’s the best way to explore the breathtaking scenery of the Pikes Peak Region. Whether you're looking for a stress-free way to navigate our downtown areas or seeking a scenic ride through our area’s top attractions, here’s everything you need to know about getting around Colorado Springs and surrounding areas to make your adventure as rewarding as possible.
Electric Bike Share
The Best Way to Get Around
Bancroft Park eBike Station in Old Colorado City
While much of the area is well-suited for walking, bike share provides fun and efficient connectivity between attractions and walkable areas.
Save time parking and start riding in minutes.
Many tourist attractions and local-favorites sit within each downtown corridor. And if you’re looking to get from place to place efficiently, take a group ride, or to venture out into Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City, renting an electric-assist bicycle is a fun and simple way to avoid traffic and make the journey as fun as reaching the destination.
By opting for sustainable, active transportation, you’re immersing yourself in the beauty of the region while reducing your environmental impact and supporting the local community.
PikeRide is Colorado Springs’ first and only fully-operational bike share with over 250 ebikes and nearly 100 stations around Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. eBikes can be rented and returned to any station in minutes, all you’ll need is a smart phone to download the PikeRide app and start riding in minutes.
Stations are carefully placed near popular attractions, top visitor hotels, bus stops, and local businesses to ensure you can reach wherever you’re looking to go without restriction.
See bikes available to rent in real-time within the app, and effortlessly plan your route based on reaching a station near your destination. Also, consider a ride on PikeRide as the attraction, ride through Garden of the Gods with class 1 e-assist.
In an area as scenic and full of attractions as the Pikes Peak Region, micromobility, like ebikes, offers an easy and efficient way to get around without a car.
Flexible Day Pass Options
Planning a day trip to Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs? PikeRide offers convenient 24 Hour Passes perfect for visitors exploring the city. Riders can use the default Pay As You Go option to pay by the minute, and for those looking to ride longer while cutting costs, simply purchase your day pass in the PikeRide app when ready to begin your ride.
30 for 30 Pass - Unlimited 30-minute rides within 24 hours, perfect for exploring local businesses and attractions.
4 Hour Adventure Pass - 4 hours of ride time within 24 hours, perfect for our Garden of the Gods ride, Manitou Springs ride, or any rides longer than 30 minutes.
Transportation Tip: You can bike from downtown Colorado Springs to Manitou in about 30 minutes. Check out our route to Manitou Springs and other curated rides following the cycling friendly routes. Our self-guided tours help you see your favorite attractions while you’re visiting, whether you’re looking for a museum, brunch, brewery, or art on the streets tour.
PikeRide is a nonprofit, community-driven electric bike share that directly reinvests into the region. Every ride supports local sustainability initiatives, transportation accessibility, and ongoing efforts to improve access to affordable, car-free mobility. PikeRide is local to Colorado Springs with staff happy to provide assistance and answer questions about your adventure.
Useful pages for visitors: FAQs | Visitors | Where to Ride
Explore Walkable Areas
Exploring Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs by foot or on two wheels is a great way to simplify your travel and make your experience more rewarding. Travel like a local, and you never know which hidden gems and local-favorites you’ll find on your journey around town.
Garden of the Gods
Downtown Colorado Springs
With almost 90 PikeRide stations in the downtown Colorado Springs area alone, the heart of the city is great for biking and walking - offering more than 180 independent shops, local restaurants, craft breweries, and art galleries. Hop from cafe patios to rooftop bars while taking in the views of Pikes Peak, and check out local events to attend during your visit.
Manitou Springs
This historic mountain town is perfect for exploring without a car. Drink from the natural mineral springs and stroll past quirky boutiques, locally-owned restaurants, and gorgeous scenery. This charming town is a haven for walkers, and is even home to great hiking trails, the Manitou Incline, and 9 PikeRide stations to make getting around a breeze.
It’s important to note that while the main center of Manitou Springs is fairly flat and easily walkable, other areas include steeper hills which may be challenging for visitors with mobility concerns.
Old Colorado City
While it may sit just between downtown Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City is worth spending more time in than just passing through. Explore the first permanent town established in the Pikes Peak Region - a perfect blend of small town charm, a vibrant creative scene, and historic character. Established in 1859, Old Colorado City is lined with artisan shops and galleries, local bakeries and cafes, cozy pubs, and more.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is not only an affordable way to get around Colorado Springs, but it’s also a sustainable choice that helps reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. When paired with bike share, it creates a convenient first mile/last mile solution, allowing you to take the bus to a general area and use an ebike to ride to the final stretch of your destination.
For those looking to travel beyond PikeRide’s service area or to reach places beyond walkable distances, Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) offers special bus services perfect for visitors to the Pikes Peak Region.
The Zeb
This free downtown Colorado Springs shuttle service runs along Tejon Street every 7 to 10 minutes. Conveniently get around between Cache La Poudre and Rio Grande streets with stops near Weidner Field, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and Colorado College. Check hours and stops during your trip on the MMT website.
Manitou Shuttle
Manitou Springs parking is limited especially in peak travel seasons. Visitors are encouraged to bike, carpool, or take the free Manitou shuttle. MMT has partnered with Manitou Springs to provide free year-round shuttles, making travel convenient and affordable. View operating hours, routes, and up-to-date schedules on the MMT website.
Bustang and Snowstang
Bustang provides convenient connectivity to visitors staying in Colorado Springs and looking to reach further distances across the state, such as Denver and Fort Collins. This regional bus service provides affordable, stress-free travel, making it a great option for day trips and weekend getaways without the hassle of renting a car.
Bustang provides unique travel options, such as Bustang Outrider to connect riders to rural Colorado and even Denver International Airport, and Snowstang which takes riders from the Denver Metro Area to popular ski resorts and back during the ski season. For more details, visit the Bustang website.
Visiting the Pikes Peak Region is about more than just getting from place to place, so make sure to take advantage of the mountain air and gorgeous scenery while you’re visiting, especially as you get from point A to point B.
The best of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs are waiting - download the PikeRide app now to prepare for your adventure!
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