Out of the Weather: 3-Day Kid-Friendly Indoor Itinerary Near Royal Gorge

Mother Nature Not Cooperating? This 3-Day Itinerary Has Your Getaway Covered.

3-Day Out of the Weather

We typically see beautiful weather in this part of Colorado, but if you happen to choose a time with rainy or snowy weather we’ve put together a three-day itinerary filled with indoor activities to keep kids and adults entertained while staying out of the elements.

*Important Tip: Due to normal daily closures of some of the attractions, you need to start this itinerary on a Thursday to follow it day by day as listed. Additionally, If the weather is iffy, it’s best to call the attractions you’re visiting before making the drive to Colorado Springs. Occasionally even major attractions will close due to weather. 

Self-Guided Activities and Self-Booked Tickets

Out of the Weather Itinerary

  • Olympic and Paralympic Museum – closed Tuesday – Wednesday
  • Happy Endings Caboose – closed Monday
  • Desert Reef Hot Springs – closed Tuesday
  • Space Foundation Discovery Center – closed Sunday – Monday

Day 1

  • Garden of the Gods – Drive a scenic one-hour-and-20-minute drive to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. This unique (and free!) park allows you to either drive through the red rock monoliths or park in one of the designated parking areas and explore the easy trails if the weather cooperates.
  • Garden of the Gods Trading Post or Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center – You’ll find something for everyone at the Trading Post; souvenirs, T-shirts, art, local history exhibits, a café, a coffee shop, and locally made fudge.
    The Visitor & Nature Center also features a gift and souvenir shop, as well as exhibits, galleries, a super cool short movie covering millions of years of local geology and information about the history of this incredible part of Colorado.
  • Cave of the Winds Mountain Park – Choose from a few unique and fascinating cave tours. You can also get your adrenaline pumping with thrilling rides along the rim of the impressive canyon.
  • U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum – See the history of Team USA in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and learn about some of the greatest athletes in the world. This incredible, high-tech museum features hands-on exhibits and will both entertain and educate your crew as you move through the 60,000-square-foot building.

DAY 2

  • Minutes from your cabin door you’ll find the Gold Mine Rock Shop located just west of the cabin property along Highway 50. Filled with a huge variety of rocks, gems, fossils, and jewelry, this rock shop has something for everyone. Alternate activities if needed include the Prison Museum or the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center.
  •  Historic Train Ride at the Royal Gorge Route Railroad – Arrive at the historic train depot in Cañon City at noon for your 12:30 train departure. Choose from several classes of service for your two-hour journey through the heart of the Royal Gorge. Incredible service, delicious meals and snacks, and a variety of beverages are available for purchase. Reserve in advance.
  • Happy Endings Caboose – Following your train ride, walk to the on-site Caboose. Kids can enjoy crêpes, ice cream, and other treats, while adults can choose from cocktails and Colorado craft beers. Closed on Monday.
  • Dinner at one of the local restaurants near Royal Gorge Cabins.
  • Desert Reef Hot Springs is for guests ages 18 and older. Families traveling with children can enjoy a movie in their cabin instead.
    Located in the secluded foothills near Florence, CO, Desert Reef is comprised of multiple soaking pools at temperatures ranging in the winter months from 100-104 degrees. Reservations required, clothing optional, ages 18+ only. Closed on Tuesdays.

DAY 3

  • Space Foundation Discovery Center – Dedicated to advancing STEM education, the Discovery Center is very much a hands-on kid-friendly environment fun for kids as well as adults. Test your drone flying skills in their new Drone Zone, control robotic rovers in a simulated Martian environment, see actual rocket boosters, satellites, space suits, and so much more. Closed Sunday and Monday.
  • Pikes Peak Cog Railway – Newly renovated depot, trains and track, the Cog Railway is the ultimate way to travel to the top of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. The 3.5-hour round trip offers spectacular mountain views and includes a 40-minute stop at the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, located at 14,115 feet above sea level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What indoor activities are featured in this itinerary?

Day 1 indoor activities include Garden of the Gods Trading Post or the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, Cave of the Winds, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum.

On Day 2, indoor venues include the Gold Mine Rock Shop and Prison Museum, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad with climate-controlled passenger cars, and Happy Endings Caboose. 

Day 3 finds you inside the Space Foundation Discovery Center followed by Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

Is the Colorado Gator Farm open year-round?

The Colorado Gator Farm is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Gator Farm is located about 2.5 hours from Royal Gorge Cabins near Alamosa, CO.

Is this itinerary appropriate for young children?

Absolutely! Most activities on the Out of the Weather itinerary are family-friendly, with options for both kids and adults. Families can explore interactive exhibits, visit local attractions, and enjoy a scenic train ride through the Royal Gorge.

One exception is Desert Reef Hot Springs, which is restricted to guests ages 18 and older. Families traveling with children can enjoy a movie night in their cabin instead.

Looking for another family-friendly option? Check out our Budget Getaway itinerary for more kid-pleasing activities and relaxed days of fun.

Does this work in summer too, on rainy days?

Definitely! This itinerary works just as well on a rainy summer day as it does on a snowy winter day. The indoor attractions offer plenty to do when the weather doesn’t cooperate, and Garden of the Gods can still be an option when conditions are favorable.

During summer, you can also stay in one of our canvas-wall glamping tents. Glamping near Cañon City lets you enjoy the outdoors with modern comforts, including electricity, Wi-Fi, evaporative coolers, and 24-hour access to the shower house.

How far are the featured venues from Royal Gorge Cabins?

Below are the approximate distances and drive times from Royal Gorge Cabins to each destination.

Garden of the Gods – 61 miles, 1 hr 20 min
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park – 63 miles, 1 hr 23 min
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum – 53 miles, 1 hr, 10 min
Gold Mine Rock Shop – less than one mile, 3 min
Prison Museum – 7 miles, 9 min
Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center – 8 miles, 9 min
Royal Gorge Route Railroad and Happy Endings Caboose – 8 miles, 10 min
Desert Reef Hot Springs – 21 miles, 34 min
Space Foundation Discovery Center – 60 miles, 1 hr 25 min
Pikes Peak Cog Railway – 61 miles, 1 hr 26 min

Rough weather - no problem in Royal Gorge Region

Rain and snow occasionally visit the Royal Gorge region, but this itinerary will give you the tools to find plenty to keep you busy when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. Rest assured, our cozy cabin rentals near the Royal Gorge offer a comfortable retreat, whatever the weather.

Check out additional indoor things to do near Cañon City if you’re on the hunt for other activities. Or view all off-season itineraries for more ideas.

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