Hosted by Courtney Gibbs · Real Broker, LLC. November in the Springs opens with the In Their Honor Veterans Day Parade down Tejon Street on Nov 7, lights the Acacia Park tree on Nov 13, and winds down with a Thanksgiving-morning 5K and The Nutcracker at Pikes Peak Center. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov 1, so the drive home from post gets dark early. Get the car winter-ready now.
Real events, verified on official pages: Fort Carson MWR, organizers, and city calendars. Dates checked Oct 16; confirm before you go.
Not sponsored. Not Yelp. Where we'd actually send you.
Military discounts change often — always ask at the counter. We only badge a spot when it's confirmed.
Evergreen spots worth your time — parks, trails, and local landmarks.
Free city park with towering red-rock formations and easy trails against a Pikes Peak backdrop. Your first-weekend must-do.
Drive the scenic highway or take the Cog Railway to the 14,115-ft summit. In November, snow can close the upper highway with little notice, so check conditions before you head up.
A grueling 2,744-step climb straight up. A local rite of passage for the fitness-minded. Reserve a time slot.
America's only mountain zoo — feed the giraffes and catch city views. Easy outing for all ages.
A world-class interactive museum downtown. Active military often get discounted admission — ask.
Two historic districts full of shops, galleries, and restaurants at the foot of the mountains. Great for a stroll.
Tour the stunning campus and the iconic Cadet Chapel. Free and worth the visit.
Waterfalls and canyon trails close to town. On cold days, watch for ice on the shaded stretches.
Founder and head brewer Steven Fuller served 14 years in the Army, with three tours in Iraq, and started Wackadoo in 2020 inside a VFW in Fountain. Today it's a Colorado Springs taproom with 20 house-made beers on tap, including its own non-alcoholic line, and its owner is also an Army veteran. Weekly game, chess and D&D nights make it an easy first stop for newcomers.
Current service members and their dependents can get the America the Beautiful Military Annual Pass for free, and veterans and Gold Star Family members qualify for a free lifetime pass. It covers entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites, and Veterans Day (Wed Nov 11) is a fee-free day at national parks anyway. Details are on nps.gov. One more November note: daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov 1, so check your headlights, wipers and tires before the dark commutes, and check CDOT's cotrip.org before any mountain drive.