Pueblo makes a day trip from Colorado Springs centered on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, a public waterfront in downtown near the Historic Union Avenue District. Walk the Riverwalk, look for public art and add a museum visit to shape the day around your interests.
- Focus: the downtown Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo
- Riverwalk grounds: free and open 24 hours a day, every day
- Seasonal activities: excursion boats and Lake Elizabeth pedal boats operate from May through September
- Museum choices: the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America, Buell Children’s Museum or El Pueblo History Museum
How do you get from Colorado Springs to Pueblo?
Plan the trip around downtown Pueblo, where the Riverwalk and nearby attractions give you a compact set of stops. From WoodSpring Suites, a two-star hotel in Colorado Springs, head to Pueblo and make the waterfront your first destination; the facts here don’t specify a drive time or route.
Parking is available on surrounding streets and in designated areas, with both free and paid spaces; some have posted time limits. The City of Pueblo Main Street Garage is at 110 S Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003, and the Pueblo Convention Center Garage is at 320 Central Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003.
Cañon City and Royal Gorge are the focus of a separate day trip from Colorado Springs.
What can you do at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk?
The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo is a downtown public waterfront with accessible pathways and ramps throughout. Its outdoor grounds are free to visit and open 24 hours a day, every day.
The Riverwalk returned the Arkansas River to its historic location in downtown Pueblo after the river was diverted in the 1920s following a devastating flood. More than 60 recognized pieces of public art add points of interest along the grounds.
If you want a structured walk, the mile-long Walk of Valor has 11 historical stops across the Riverwalk and downtown Pueblo. Scan its QR codes with a smart device to access the route’s historical information. Bicycles and scooters aren’t permitted on the channel-level pink sidewalks, so you must walk your wheels there.
The Riverwalk channel is drained once a year, around January through March, for cleaning and maintenance before the summer season. Excursion boats and Lake Elizabeth pedal boats operate seasonally from May through September. The HARP Authority can answer questions about specific locations, events or accommodations at 719-595-0242.
Which Pueblo museum should you choose?
Pueblo offers museum stops with different focuses: hands-on STEAM experiences, a children’s museum and local history.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America
This Riverwalk-area attraction features hands-on exhibits, inventive machines and STEAM experiences. Its location makes it a natural addition to a day focused on the waterfront.
Buell Children’s Museum
The Buell Children’s Museum gives its hours as Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children, military and seniors age 65 and older; members enter free.
El Pueblo History Museum
El Pueblo History Museum includes a recreated 1840s adobe trading post and plaza, along with the archaeological excavation site of the original 1842 El Pueblo trading post. Visit Pueblo gives its hours as 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily, with closures on Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Where can you take a break downtown?
Keep your break near the Riverwalk and Historic Union Avenue District, where the waterfront and downtown streets sit close together. Public restrooms are available at Boettcher Natural Area, the Riverwalk Welcome Center at 101 S. Union Ave. and the Pueblo Toyota Riverwalk Boathouse at 130 Riverwalk Pl. Availability and hours can vary with maintenance, events and seasonal schedules.
Riverwalk excursion boats and Lake Elizabeth pedal boats run seasonally from May through September. If a boat ride matters to your plans, check the official site before you go; schedules can depend on the season and operating conditions.
How can you plan a flexible day in Pueblo?
A simple plan is to begin with the Riverwalk, add a museum that fits your group, then leave time for another stretch along the downtown waterfront. The outdoor grounds are open around the clock, so you can set the walking portion of the day at your own pace.
- Start at the Riverwalk. Walk the public paths and take in the waterfront and public art.
- Add a history walk or museum. Follow the Walk of Valor using its QR codes, or choose a museum stop based on its subject and hours.
- Check seasonal activities. Boat rides operate from May through September, while the Riverwalk channel is drained around January through March.
A one-day route through Colorado Springs from the north side focuses on the city rather than a Pueblo outing.
FAQs
Is the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo free?
Yes. The outdoor Riverwalk grounds are free to visit and open 24 hours a day, every day.
How long is the Walk of Valor?
The Walk of Valor is a mile-long route with 11 historical stops across the Riverwalk and downtown Pueblo. You access its information by scanning QR codes with a smart device.
When do Riverwalk boats operate?
Excursion boats and Lake Elizabeth pedal boats operate seasonally from May through September. Check the official site before you go for current operating details.
Is the Riverwalk accessible?
Accessible pathways and ramps are available throughout the Riverwalk. For questions about specific locations, events or accommodations, contact the HARP Authority at 719-595-0242.