City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (719) 333-2025

Description: Military buffs (and college football fans) won’t want to miss a visit to the nation’s youngest military academy, the prestigious US Air Force Academy, one of the region’s top attractions. A vast complex of buildings and open space, it has an informative visitor center where you learn all about what has happened, and is still happening, here. The 31,600-square-foot Barry Goldwater Visitor’s Center contains exhibits, a snack bar, and a gift shop. A one-third-mile paved nature trail east of the facility allows visitors to walk to the architecturally stunning Cadet Chapel. A 14-minute film about the academy experience is shown regularly in the 250-seat theater. During the school year, catch the cadets on parade. If you’re in town during an Air Force football game, do your best to get tickets! They put on a good show. Their basketball team and hockey team are top-notch, too. All visitors must show their driver’s licenses to the guard and can expect to have their vehicle inspected or other random security measures taken prior to entering the Academy. Visitors who refuse to comply with security measures will not be allowed access on base. Closed to visitors on major holidays.