Colorado Springs: Nature and Art/Broadmoor Combo Segway Tour

Colorado Springs looks different from a Segway. Two and a half hours takes you from creekside paths in North Cheyenne Cañon Park to the grand streets of Broadmoor, with local stories tying it all together. I like the unusual mix of nature and architecture, and the chance to see Starr Kempf’s giant wind-powered sculptures. The main drawback is that this is an active outing, so it is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back or heart problems.

The group is limited to six, which gives the guide room to help you get comfortable on the Segway and answer questions. Steve has earned especially warm praise for making people feel at ease, while Happy has been praised as both a patient teacher and an excellent guide. At $129 per person, the tour is not cheap, but the small group, equipment, guide, bottled water, and unusual route make it a fair choice for visitors who want more than a standard city ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Starr Kempf’s kinetic sculptures: See enormous metal artworks that move with the wind and learn why they once caused controversy.
• Off-road Segway riding: The Segway X2 takes you along nature trails beside South Cheyenne Cañon Creek.
• Two very different Colorado Springs districts: The route shifts from park trails and historic sites to Broadmoor mansions, schools, and clubs.
• Small groups of six: A compact group makes instruction and conversation easier than on a large vehicle tour.
• Local guides with strong people skills: Steve and Happy are singled out for their warmth, teaching, and command of local stories.
• A demanding but rewarding outing: Open-toed shoes are not allowed, and the tour is not suitable for people with certain medical conditions.

Why this Segway tour has an unusual route

Many Colorado Springs tours focus on mountain views, military history, or the city center. This one takes a more local route. You begin in South Cheyenne Cañon, follow the creek, visit a former private residence now used as a visitor center, see outdoor art, and then roll into one of the city’s most polished neighborhoods.

That change of scenery is the point. The first part feels close to nature, with the trail and creek shaping the ride. The second part gives you a look at Broadmoor’s old homes and private clubs. You are not simply circling one attraction. You are seeing how Colorado Springs moves from public parkland to carefully maintained residential streets.

I also like the scale of the experience. With no more than six participants, the guide can keep an eye on the group and talk without shouting. That matters on a Segway, where you are learning a physical skill while trying to absorb information.

The tour lasts 150 minutes. That is long enough to cover both areas without feeling like a quick introductory spin, but it also means you should be ready to stay active for the full outing. The route includes off-road riding, so this is not just a paved promenade.

Starting at South Cheyenne Cañon Picnic Grounds

Tours begin at the South Cheyenne Cañon Picnic Grounds. To find the meeting point, turn left at the corner of Cheyenne Boulevard and Evans Avenue, then look for signs for Cheyenne Cañon Segways and the parking lot on the right.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to arrange your own way to the starting point, so allow enough time to find the correct turn and parking area. This is a useful detail to handle before the tour day, since arriving late could be awkward with a small group and a set departure time.

The equipment is supplied. You receive a Segway, helmet, bottled water, radio receiver, and earbud, along with the guided tour. The radio setup is practical because it lets you hear the guide while moving, rather than trying to gather around at every stop.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not permitted, and sensible footwear will make the off-road portion more comfortable. The tour provider does not list hotel transportation, so this is best planned as an independent activity rather than one part of a hotel pickup circuit.

Along South Cheyenne Creek to Starsmore Discovery Center

The ride begins along South Cheyenne Creek. This gives you an early chance to settle into the Segway while moving through a park setting instead of immediately entering city traffic or a crowded attraction.

The first notable stop is Starsmore Discovery Center. The building has an interesting past: it began as a private residence and later became a park visitor center. That change gives the guide a natural way to explain how the area developed and how a personal home became part of the public park experience.

I like stops such as this because they add a human scale to the setting. You are not only looking at trees and trails. You are seeing a place shaped by private ownership, public use, and local preservation. The guide also shares stories about Colorado Springs and the colorful people connected with its past, so this section is likely to feel more personal than a simple list of dates.

From there, you head toward the Cheyenne Cañon Inn. The itinerary does not treat this as a long indoor visit, so think of it as one point in a moving tour rather than a museum stop. The value comes from seeing several landmarks in sequence while the guide connects them.

The surprising story behind Starr Kempf’s sculptures

The Starr Kempf sculptures are one of the most distinctive parts of the ride. These are huge outdoor kinetic works made from metal and powered by the wind. Their size makes them easy to remember, but the story behind them gives the stop its bite.

You also hear about the controversy surrounding the sculptures. That detail matters. Art in a public or residential setting does not always receive instant approval, and the disagreement gives you a glimpse of local attitudes, property concerns, and the way an artist’s work can change a place.

This is not a routine stop on a city sightseeing bus. You are seeing art in an outdoor setting, then hearing how the work affected the surrounding community. I would consider it one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour instead of a generic Segway loop.

The sculptures also provide a natural pause before the more active section. You can look closely at their scale and design, listen to the guide, and then continue onto the trails. The combination of art and movement gives the tour a personality that many short city activities lack.

Off-road on the Segway X2 trail

Next comes the off-road section along the nature trails beside South Cheyenne Cañon Creek. The tour uses the Segway X2, an off-road capable model, rather than limiting the ride to smooth streets.

That does not mean you should picture a rugged expedition. It does mean the route has a more natural feel than a sidewalk-only tour. The creek and trail become part of the ride, and you get to move through North Cheyenne Cañon Park instead of simply viewing it from a road.

If you have never used a Segway, the teaching ability of the guide matters here. Happy is specifically praised for helping people learn and for explaining the area well. A small group also helps because the guide can focus on individual participants instead of rushing a large line through the route.

The off-road section is also where you should be honest about your comfort level. This tour involves standing and controlling a moving vehicle for 150 minutes. People with back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy should not book it. The supplied information does not promise a gentler alternate route, so do not assume the off-road portion can simply be skipped.

From Penrose House into Broadmoor

After the park and creek, the tour shifts into Broadmoor. This change is one of its best features. You go from open park trails to a district shaped by grand homes, formal streets, historic schools, and private clubs.

The first named sight is Penrose House. From there, the guide takes you around the historic mansions and other landmarks near The Broadmoor resort. The emphasis is on seeing the area from the outside while hearing the stories behind its buildings and past residents.

This is where the Segway format becomes useful. You cover more ground than you would comfortably walk in the same time, yet you remain close enough to notice the designs of individual homes. You can keep moving through the district without turning the outing into a formal architecture lecture.

The area is also associated with wealth and exclusivity, and the tour gives you a look at that side of Colorado Springs without requiring access to private properties. You see the public-facing streets, buildings, and clubs, while the guide supplies context about the people and institutions that shaped them.

Passing Cheyenne Mountain Country Club

The route passes the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, described as the second-oldest country club in the United States. That is a small but useful piece of context. It shows how long the Broadmoor area has been tied to private recreation and established local society.

You should not expect a club tour or interior access. The attraction is in passing the site, seeing where it fits within the neighborhood, and hearing why it matters. That format suits the overall experience, which is built around moving through the city rather than stopping for long visits inside each landmark.

I appreciate that the route includes this kind of detail. The country club, Penrose House, schools, and mansions tell a different story from the creek and park. Together, they show Colorado Springs as both a gateway to outdoor spaces and a city with a long-established upper-end residential district.

Pine Grove and the final stretch

The ride finishes by gliding down Pine Grove, where the houses have an eclectic mix of designs. This is a fitting ending because it moves away from the biggest landmarks and lets you see the neighborhood’s variety.

The word eclectic matters here. The point is not that every house follows one grand style. Instead, you get a range of designs along a single route, which gives the final section a more lived-in feel than a procession of formal mansions.

By this point, the tour has covered creekside nature, a former private home, outdoor sculpture, off-road trails, historic residences, clubs, and residential streets. The route feels varied without requiring a separate transfer between each section. That variety is the best argument for the $129 price.

The guide can make or break the experience

This tour depends heavily on the guide. The experience combines instruction, local storytelling, route management, and safety awareness. A guide who can do all four well makes the ride feel relaxed and social.

Steve receives especially strong praise for making people feel like friends and for knowing Colorado Springs well. One useful detail is that local neighbors seemed to recognize him as he passed, which suggests he has genuine ties to the area rather than simply reading a script.

Happy is also praised as a strong teacher and guide. If you are nervous about learning the Segway, that is encouraging. The small group format gives the guide a better chance to help you get settled before the route becomes more active.

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide and an English audio receiver with an earbud. The audio equipment should help you catch stories while rolling, though you still need to stay alert to the route and your surroundings.

Is $129 a fair price?

At $129 per person, this is a mid-to-high-priced activity for a 150-minute outing. You are paying for more than a basic vehicle rental: the Segway, helmet, water, radio equipment, guide, and a route that combines park trails with Broadmoor landmarks are included.

The small maximum group of six improves the value. You are not placed in a long procession where the guide has little time for questions. The price also makes more sense if you want one activity that covers several sides of Colorado Springs instead of booking separate park and neighborhood tours.

Still, the cost may feel high if you mainly want a quick introduction to Segways. The experience is best value for someone who cares about the stories, art, architecture, and route. If you are interested only in riding, a shorter or less expensive option might suit you better.

The booking terms add some flexibility. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance qualify for a full refund. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when choosing a date.

Who should book this Colorado Springs tour?

I would recommend it to adults and older teens who want an active way to see several parts of the city. It suits you especially well if you enjoy local anecdotes, unusual public art, historic homes, and small groups.

It is also a good fit for someone who has already seen the main attractions and wants a different route. The Starr Kempf sculptures alone give the outing a more original flavor than a standard city ride.

I would think twice if you dislike standing for long periods, feel uneasy on uneven trails, or want a fully relaxed sightseeing experience. Pregnant people and anyone with back or heart problems should not book it, based on the stated restrictions.

You also need to be comfortable spending 150 minutes outdoors on a moving Segway. The tour is designed as one continuous experience, not a series of long indoor breaks.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Colorado Springs in three dimensions: creek trails under your wheels, giant metal sculptures turning in the wind, and Broadmoor’s grand homes passing by at a comfortable pace. The small group and highly praised guides, especially Steve and Happy, add real value.

Skip it if you need hotel pickup, cannot wear closed-toe shoes, or are looking for a gentle sightseeing ride with little physical effort. For the right participant, the $129 cost buys a varied route and a guide-led look at parts of the city that are easy to miss from a car.

FAQ

Where does the Segway tour begin?

Tours begin at the South Cheyenne Cañon Picnic Grounds. Turn left at Cheyenne Boulevard and Evans Avenue, then follow the signs for Cheyenne Cañon Segways and the parking lot on the right.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts 150 minutes, or two and a half hours.

What areas does the tour visit?

The route includes North Cheyenne Cañon Park, South Cheyenne Creek, Starsmore Discovery Center, the Cheyenne Cañon Inn, Starr Kempf’s sculptures, and the Broadmoor area.

Does the tour include off-road riding?

Yes. You ride an off-road capable Segway X2 on nature trails beside South Cheyenne Cañon Creek.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a Segway, helmet, bottled water, radio receiver, earbud, and guided tour.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the South Cheyenne Cañon Picnic Grounds.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is limited to six participants.

What should I wear?

Open-toed shoes are not allowed. You need to wear closed-toe shoes.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems or heart problems.