Wondering if Old Colorado City is worth a full weekend, or just a quick stop for lunch? If you have driven past Colorado Avenue and assumed it is only a short shopping district, you might be missing one of the Westside’s most enjoyable ways to spend a day. From historic streets and local events to nearby trails and easy places to linger, here is how to make the most of a weekend in Old Colorado City. Let’s dive in.
Why Old Colorado City Stands Out
Old Colorado City is more than a historic name on a map. It traces its roots to 1859, when Colorado City became the first permanent town in the Pikes Peak region, and that history still shapes the feel of the district today.
As a National Historic District in western Colorado Springs, it blends preserved architecture with an active local business scene. The area is known for brick and tree-lined sidewalks, public art, galleries, restaurants, and more than 100 unique businesses along Colorado Avenue.
If you enjoy places that are easy to explore on foot, this is one of the district’s biggest draws. The layout supports a relaxed, walkable weekend where you can move from coffee to shopping, then on to art, food, and nearby outdoor stops without feeling rushed.
How To Spend a Saturday
Start at the Farmers Market
If you are visiting between June and October, Saturday morning is the perfect time to begin. The Old Colorado City Farmers Market takes place in Bancroft Park from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features more than 80 vendors plus food trucks.
That makes it a strong first stop if you want a lively local feel right away. You can grab breakfast, browse produce and handmade goods, and get a sense of the neighborhood’s community rhythm before the rest of the day unfolds.
Add the Craft Fair and History Center
Also on Saturdays from June through October, the Old Colorado City Historical Society hosts a weekly Craft Fair around the History Center. While you are there, you can also tour the museum, browse the bookshop and archives, and check for monthly programs.
This stop adds context to the day. Instead of only seeing storefronts, you get a better understanding of how the area developed and why preservation remains such a visible part of the neighborhood identity.
Spend Midday Exploring the Corridor
By late morning or early afternoon, Colorado Avenue becomes ideal for a slower walk. The district is known for its mix of shops, galleries, and places to eat, so you can shape the day around whatever feels most fun.
You might keep it simple with a coffee and window shopping, or make a longer outing of it with lunch and time in a few galleries. Because there are so many businesses in a compact area, it is easy to build your own version of a weekend itinerary.
Plan Around First Friday ArtWalk
Why It Is a Signature Event
If your weekend lines up with the first Friday of the month, make room for ArtWalk. This free, self-guided event is one of Old Colorado City’s best-known recurring experiences and brings together local artists, live demonstrations, and special offers along W. Colorado Avenue.
It is a good example of what makes the district feel different from a typical retail strip. The event creates movement between galleries, cafes, shops, and gathering spaces, giving the evening a more social and creative energy.
What a Friday Night Can Feel Like
Participating businesses have included galleries, museums, coffee spots, specialty shops, restaurants, and breweries. That variety matters because it means ArtWalk can work for different kinds of evenings, whether you want a casual stroll, a date night, or a relaxed start to the weekend.
You do not need a rigid plan for this kind of night. It works best when you leave room to wander, step inside places that catch your eye, and enjoy the fact that the district is set up for a self-guided experience.
Make It an All-Day Outing
Food and Drink Options
One reason Old Colorado City holds up as a true weekend destination is its range of dining and drink options. The district and visitor information highlight casual dining, sweet treats, coffee and tea shops, breweries, wine and cider options, bars, patio cafes, and live music.
That means you are not limited to a single meal before moving on. You can start with coffee, take a midday lunch break, grab something sweet in the afternoon, and return for dinner or drinks in the evening.
A Simple Weekend Flow
If you like structure, this is an easy way to build your day:
- Morning: Farmers Market or a coffee stop
- Late morning: History Center, Craft Fair, or galleries
- Afternoon: Shopping, casual lunch, and a slower walk through the district
- Evening: Dinner, drinks, dessert, or live music when available
The biggest advantage is flexibility. You can spend two hours here and enjoy it, or fill most of a day without repeating the same kind of activity.
Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
Summer Highlights
Old Colorado City’s calendar stays active through the year, and that is part of what keeps the district relevant beyond a one-time visit. In summer, Summer Nights in OCC runs every Thursday in June from 4 to 9 p.m. in Bancroft Park and surrounding Old Colorado City areas, with live music, local vendors, food, and performances at the bandshell.
Memorial Day Weekend brings Territory Days, which the district calls Colorado’s largest street fair. It is a three-day festival with more than 180 food and craft booths, making it one of the biggest annual draws in the area.
Fall and Winter Events
The district does not go quiet when the weather changes. Seasonal programming includes Scarecrow Days, Pumpkins in the Park, and The Christmas Stroll, which features Santa, live reindeer, carolers, street musicians, and free parking.
For you as a visitor, this means there is usually a reason to return in a different season. Old Colorado City works well as a repeat destination because the atmosphere shifts throughout the year while the walkable core stays familiar.
Add Nature to Your Weekend
Garden of the Gods Nearby
If you want outdoor time before or after exploring the district, Old Colorado City has a major advantage. Garden of the Gods is close by, free to the public, and designated a National Natural Landmark.
The park includes 15 miles of trails, including the 1.5-mile paved Perkins Central Garden Trail. The visitor center also offers maps, exhibits, guided walks, and interpretive programming, which can make it an easy add-on for first-time visitors.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is another strong Westside option nearby. The city lists dirt trails for pedestrians, bikes, horses, and leashed dogs, plus an off-leash dog area, picnic pavilion, rock climbing, and connections to other trail systems.
There is also a meaningful local tie here. The land once supplied building materials for Old Colorado City and surrounding communities in the late 1800s, so the outdoor experience connects back to the district’s historic story.
Parking and Getting Around
Is Old Colorado City Walkable?
Yes, that is one of its strongest features. The district is built around strolling, and once you park, it is easy to cover a lot of ground on foot along the main corridor.
That walkability is part of why weekends feel easy here. You are not constantly getting back in the car between stops, which helps the area feel more relaxed than a spread-out shopping pattern.
Parking Tips
Old Colorado City offers both on-street and off-street parking. The City of Colorado Springs also notes that metered parking in the district can be paid through ParkMobile, and the city has added a PikeRide ebike station in the 26th parking lot to improve access.
If you are visiting during Territory Days, plan ahead. Street parking is very limited during that event, and the official event information notes a free shuttle from the downtown C.A.B. Garage.
Why This Matters for Buyers
Neighborhood guides are about more than finding something to do on a Saturday. If you are thinking about buying in Colorado Springs, understanding how an area feels on a normal weekend can tell you a lot about lifestyle, convenience, and how often you might actually use the places nearby.
Old Colorado City offers a blend that many buyers value: local history, a walkable main street, independent businesses, regular community events, and quick access to outdoor recreation. If that balance fits the way you want to live, it is worth exploring in person and comparing to other parts of the Pikes Peak region.
Whether you are relocating, buying your first home, or narrowing down Colorado Springs neighborhoods, having a local guide can help you connect the map to real day-to-day living. If you want help thinking through neighborhoods, lifestyle fit, and your next move, reach out to Aidan Peña.
FAQs
Is Old Colorado City in Colorado Springs walkable for a weekend visit?
- Yes. The district is known for its brick and tree-lined sidewalks, compact business corridor, and easy access to shops, galleries, restaurants, and events on foot.
What can you do on a Saturday in Old Colorado City?
- Between June and October, you can visit the Farmers Market in Bancroft Park from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., browse the weekly Craft Fair, explore the History Center, shop along Colorado Avenue, and stay for food, drinks, or live music later in the day.
Is there enough to do in Old Colorado City for a full day?
- Yes. The area has more than 100 unique businesses, plus galleries, dining, coffee shops, sweet treats, seasonal events, and nearby outdoor destinations that can easily turn a short stop into a full-day outing.
What is First Friday ArtWalk in Old Colorado City?
- It is a free, self-guided monthly event along W. Colorado Avenue featuring local artists, live demonstrations, and special offers at participating businesses.
Are there outdoor spots near Old Colorado City?
- Yes. Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon Open Space are both nearby, giving you quick access to trails, scenic views, and outdoor recreation before or after time in the district.
Where do you park in Old Colorado City for weekend visits?
- The district offers on-street and off-street parking, and metered parking can be paid through ParkMobile. During Territory Days, street parking is very limited, and a free shuttle runs from the downtown C.A.B. Garage.
