The first day of school is fast approaching. Feel like making (or adding to your existing) summer “bucket list”? Put on your tourist hat and check out these local attractions.

1. Pikes Peak Cog RailwayWant to go to the top of this famous mountain but don’t want to climb it? Take your little ones on the cog railway.

515 Ruxton Ave.Manitou Springs(719) 685-5401

2. Rock Ledge Ranch

The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is an educational, nonprofit living history farm and museum that depicts life in the Pikes Peak region in four time periods. Learn more at www.rockledgeranch.com.

3202 Chambers WayColorado Springs(719) 578-6777

3. Cheyenne Mountain ZooSee the newest residents at the zoo: a hippo and a baby giraffe! More information at cmzoo.org.

4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RoadColorado Springs(719) 633-9925

4. Pioneers MuseumDiscover the world of early settlers and frontiersman in Colorado Springs. Admission is free. Closed Sundays. More at www.cspm.org.

215 S. Tejon St.Colorado Springs(719) 385-5990

5. Cave of the WindsTake a fun tour of the caves, and for those not afraid of heights, climb on the Wind Walker Course 600 feet over the rim of the canyon. You must be 48 inches or taller for the course. More at www.caveofthewinds.com.

100 Cave of the Winds RoadManitou Springs(719) 685-5444

6. Bear Creek Nature Center and Fountain Creek Nature CenterHike through the regional parks, visit the nature centers. Programs, events and more. Visit http://adm.elpasoco.com.

Bear Creek Nature Center:245 Bear Creek RoadColorado Springs(719) 520-6387

Fountain Creek Nature Center:320 Peppergrass LaneFountain520-6745

7. Seven FallsHave an enchanting hike by cascading waterfalls and the many trails and Seven Falls. More info at www.sevenfalls.com.

2850 S. Cheyenne Canyon RoadColorado Springs(719) 632-0752

8. Renaissance FestivalSee a big cat show, jousts, royalty and peasantry and all the excitement of this year’s Renaissance festival, weekends June-July.http://www.coloradorenaissance.com/Larkspur(303) 688-6010

9. Itz Family Food and FunEnjoy and evening of good food and fun for everyone at Itz! Bumper cars, bowling lanes and other rides await your arrival.

3035 New Center PointColorado Springs(719) 623-1550

10. Garden of the Gods

Go for a walk on one of the many trails in this beautiful city park. Stop by the visitor center to see how the rock formation was created and its history. More at www.gardenofgods.com.

Garden of the Gods ParkColorado Springs(719) 634-6666

11. Manitou Penny Arcade

Got change to kill? Go to the arcade in Manitou. Rides, games, Skee-Ball and more.

900 Manitou Ave.Manitou Springs(719) 685-9815

12. Skate City

Have fun on a roller skating rink, also featuring a snack bar, sound system, free wireless internet, two locations. More at www.skatecitycolorado.com.

1920 N. Academy Blvd.4575 Austin Bluffs ParkwayColorado Springs(719) 597-6066

13. Fox Run Regional Park

Have a picnic with your family, hike the trails through beautiful trees and rolling hills. Playgrounds and other rest areas lie to the south of the park.

Baptist Road and Roller Coaster RoadColorado Springs, CO

14. Miramont Castle Museum

Go back in time to experience life in the Victorian era. More information at miramontcastle.org.

9 Capitol Hill Ave.Manitou Springs(719) 685-1011

15. Deerfield Hills Community Center

Experience Deerfield Hill’s free water playground and spray ground. The water runs every day from June through August.

4290 Deerfield Hills RoadColorado Springs(719) 385-5996

16. Starsmore Discovery Center and  North Cheyenne Cañon

Activities for all ages at the center, free maps of Cheyenne Canyon, a bird-watching window, and nature exhibits.

2120 Cheyenne Canyon RoadColorado Springs719-385-6089

17. Sky Socks baseball

This minor league team is part of the Colorado Rockies franchise. More at http://coloradosprings.skysox.milb.com.

4385 Tutt Blvd.Colorado Springs(719) 591-7699

18. Air Force Academy Visitor CenterThe center offers a sneak peak into daily life at the Academy, plus history. More info by emailing pa.comrel@usafa.af.mil.

2346 Academy DriveAir Force Academy(719) 333-2025

19. Downtown fountainsThe various fountains downtown are a great place to relax and spend time with the kids on a hot day.

Julie Penrose Fountain

America the Beautiful Park, downtown

Uncle Wilber Fountain

Acacia Park, downtown