1-Hour Broadmoor History Segway Tour

Broadmoor looks like a place made for slow sightseeing, with elegant homes, broad streets, gardens, golf greens, and mountain views. A Segway lets you cover this polished Colorado Springs neighborhood without the legwork of a walking tour. I especially like the small six-person group, which gives your guide room to watch traffic and help you get comfortable on the machine.

I also like the oddball stops: Starr Kempf’s giant wind-powered metal sculptures and the apple trees at Penrose House. Guide Happy Steve, also identified as Steve, gives a careful riding lesson before setting off and keeps an eye on traffic along the way. The main drawback is that this is a short overview, not a full Broadmoor history tour, and poor weather can cancel it.

Key points to know before you book

• Starr Kempf’s wind sculptures bring an unusual art stop and a story about local controversy.
• The Donald Ross golf course adds a look at Broadmoor’s original 17th green and 18th tee.
• Penrose House, or El Pomar, offers apple trees, a fountain, and often deer in the shade.
• A full Segway lesson comes first, making the ride approachable for first-time users.
• Groups are capped at six, so the guide can offer more attention than on a large coach tour.
• The $89 price buys a quick, focused outing, best for seeing several Broadmoor highlights in about one to two hours.

Why a Segway suits the Broadmoor neighborhood

Broadmoor is spread out enough that walking between its points of interest can eat up time. On foot, you may see one or two major sights before your energy and attention fade. On a Segway, you can move between the sculptures, golf course, and Penrose House with much less effort.

That does not mean the ride is a thrill attraction. The value is practical. You get a moving tour through a handsome residential and resort area, with enough speed to cover ground and enough time to hear short stories from your guide.

The tour begins at North Cheyenne Cañon Park, at 2120 South Cheyenne Canyon Road. It ends at the same meeting point, which makes your transportation plan simple. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify routes or schedules, so check those before you go.

The activity lasts about one to two hours. The advertised ride itself is called a one-hour tour, so I would plan for a little extra time for arrival, helmet fitting, instruction, and getting the group moving.

Getting comfortable on the Segway with Happy Steve

The first part matters more than it may sound. A Segway responds to your balance and body movement, so you need a proper introduction before heading into neighborhood streets. Happy Steve gives a thorough lesson and provides a helmet before the ride begins.

That training is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You do not need to arrive as a Segway expert. The information provided says most people can take part, and the detailed instruction helps first-time riders get their bearings before the sightseeing starts.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. If you feel uneasy during the lesson, say so before the group leaves. A small group gives Happy Steve a better chance to notice when someone needs another explanation or a little more practice.

The guide also watches traffic while sharing facts and stories. That combination is important. A tour through streets is not just about steering the machine. You need someone paying attention to cars, corners, and the group while still making the ride feel like a tour rather than a safety drill.

Starr Kempf’s metal sculptures bring an unusual first stop

The first featured stop is Starr Kempf’s Metal Sculptures. These are large wind-powered structures created by artist Starr Kempf. They are not ordinary garden decorations. Their size, movement, and shape make them a memorable change of pace from the formal buildings and manicured grounds around Broadmoor.

Your guide explains the controversy connected with the sculptures. That detail gives the stop some weight. You are not simply pausing to photograph unusual metalwork. You hear how an artwork could create debate in a neighborhood known for careful presentation and private residences.

The stop lasts about five minutes and has no separate admission charge. That short pause is enough to see the work and hear the basic story, but it is not a gallery visit or an extended art lecture. If you want an in-depth account of Kempf’s career or the dispute, you will need to seek that out separately.

Still, this is a smart choice for a short tour. It adds personality early in the ride and gives you a sight you would be unlikely to encounter on a standard city highlights route.

Riding past the Donald Ross golf course

The route continues through the Broadmoor area and passes the 17th green and 18th tee box of the original Donald Ross designed golf course. The course is one of the neighborhood’s defining features, and the route lets you see it in place rather than treating golf history as an abstract lecture.

Donald Ross is known here because the original course design remains part of Broadmoor’s identity. Your guide explains the golf course as you ride, giving you context for the fairways and the role they play in the area.

This part of the ride is more of a passing viewpoint than a formal stop. That is worth knowing before you book. You will not be spending a long time on the golf course, and the supplied details do not promise entry or access to play. You pass key points from the road, hear about the design, and continue through the neighborhood.

For anyone interested in golf, architecture, or resort planning, this adds useful context. For someone hoping for a full tour of the course, it will feel brief.

Penrose House and the apple trees of El Pomar

The ride pauses around the entrance to Penrose House Conference Center, also called El Pomar. The property was the private residence of Spencer and Julie Penrose, and the name El Pomar connects to the apple trees on the grounds.

The apple orchard gives the property a more personal detail than a simple mansion or conference center label. You can see the trees that helped give the house its name, along with a beautiful fountain. Deer are often found resting in the shade, though that is a possibility rather than a promise.

The stop takes about three minutes and has no separate admission charge. You should think of it as a quick look from the entrance area, not a house tour. The available information does not say that you enter the building, so plan to view the setting from outside.

This is one of the more appealing contrasts in the route. Broadmoor can feel formal and grand, while the apple trees and possible deer give El Pomar a quieter, more lived-in character. You get a glimpse of the people and place behind the polished public image.

What $89 means in practical terms

The cost is $89 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Colorado Springs, but price alone misses what you are buying. The fee covers the Segway, helmet, instruction, guide service, and a small-group route through several Broadmoor points of interest.

I see the value mainly in the combination of movement and access to local context. A walking tour may cost less in some places, but it will not cover the same amount of ground with the same ease. A larger vehicle tour may cover more distance, but it can feel less personal and may not pause at these particular neighborhood sights.

The small group is central to the price. With a maximum of six people, you are not being managed as part of a large line of riders. Happy Steve can keep an eye on the group, explain the controls, and spend extra time when someone needs help.

The tour makes less sense if you want a long, detailed history lesson or a full day of sightseeing. It is a compact introduction. You are paying for an active way to see Broadmoor, not for extensive access to private properties or lengthy visits at each stop.

The experience is commonly booked about 26 days ahead. That suggests you should not assume you can wait until the last minute, especially if your Colorado Springs schedule is fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This tour suits you if you want to see more than you could comfortably cover on foot and like the idea of learning while moving. It is also a good fit if you are new to Segways and want a lesson before riding in the neighborhood.

I would recommend it for:

• People with limited time in Colorado Springs who want a compact Broadmoor introduction
• Couples and small groups who prefer a personal guide
• Visitors interested in local art, golf history, and historic properties
• Anyone who finds a long walking tour tiring
• First-time Segway riders who value careful instruction
• Families or mixed-age groups whose members can participate in the activity

The tour may not suit you if you dislike riding devices, want to spend a long time at one site, or expect to enter Penrose House or tour the golf course. The pace is designed to connect several sights, not examine one in depth.

The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed requirements for age, height, weight, or balance. If any of those issues matter for you, contact Cheyenne Cañon Segways before booking.

Timing, weather, and the small practical details

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That makes weather an important part of your planning, particularly in Colorado, where conditions can change quickly.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Bring your mobile ticket and arrive ready for the initial lesson. A helmet is provided. The meeting point is North Cheyenne Cañon Park, not Penrose House or the Broadmoor property, so double-check your route before setting out.

Because the ride returns to the starting point, you do not need to arrange a pickup at the end. That is convenient if you have a car nearby or are using public transportation. The supplied details confirm access near public transportation but do not provide a parking guarantee or a specific transit line.

How this tour compares with walking around Broadmoor

A self-guided walk gives you complete freedom. You can stop for as long as you like, change direction, and linger wherever a building or garden catches your eye. It also costs less, since you are not paying for a vehicle, equipment, or guide.

The Segway tour gives you something a walk cannot: a planned route that connects several points without requiring as much physical effort. You also receive stories about the metal sculptures, golf course, and Penrose House while you are seeing them.

The trade-off is time at each sight. Five minutes at the sculptures and three minutes around Penrose House are enough for an introduction, but not for deep study. You will need to accept the guide’s rhythm and stay with the group.

That balance is fair for a short activity. I would use this tour as a first look at Broadmoor, then return independently to any place that deserves more time.

My call: book it if you want an active Broadmoor sampler

Book this tour if you want an easy way to cover Broadmoor’s main highlights, appreciate local stories, and try a Segway with close guidance. The strongest reasons are the six-person limit, the careful training from Happy Steve, and the unusual mix of art, golf, apple trees, and possible deer.

At $89, it is best value for someone who would otherwise struggle to see these points on foot or who wants a guided introduction without committing half a day. I would skip it if you want indoor access, long visits, or a detailed study of the Penrose family and Donald Ross.

For a short Colorado Springs itinerary, this is a lively and practical way to get your bearings in Broadmoor. Just allow for the weather, book ahead if your dates are firm, and remember that the experience is a quick neighborhood ride rather than a full historical tour.

FAQ

How long does the Broadmoor Segway tour last?

The experience takes approximately one to two hours. The tour is advertised as a one-hour ride, with additional time likely needed for the lesson and preparation.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $89 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour starts at North Cheyenne Cañon Park, 2120 South Cheyenne Canyon Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906.

Where does the tour finish?

The experience ends back at the North Cheyenne Cañon Park meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of six participants.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet is provided before the Segway ride begins.

Do I need prior Segway experience?

No prior experience is stated as required. The tour includes a Segway riding lesson before departure, and most people can participate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.