What to do when you're in the area!
The following is a combination of parents’ recommendations, suggestions, and opinions compiled from the web and from the Yahoo Parents Groups as well as from our own members. This list is ever-changing, but we hope it helps.
Outdoor Recreation Center at Vandenberg Hall - They have equipment to rent to military members.
Cinemark Tinseltown – Movie theaters in the Springs cinemark.com/theatrelistfull.aspx
White Water Rafting - canoncitycolorado.com/activitiesraftandrail.aspx
Raft & rail trip, class III's mostly, with a few IV"s. canyonmarine.com
Royal Gorge - the world's highest suspension bridge, about 1 1/2 hour drive from the Springs. During the month of May all military and their families are 1/2 price. royalgorgebridge.com
Arkansas River Tours down in Cotapaxi, about 1 1/2 hr. drive from COS.
Pikes Peak Cog Railroad - cograilway.com/ The ride isn't cheap (and it's slow for those with a "need for speed"), but it beats driving (the driver needs to keep his/her eyes on the road!). If you do choose to drive, fill-up first!
Garden of the Gods - gardenofgods.com/parkinfo/index.cfm interesting to drive thru or hike thru, etc.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - cmzoo.org/
Manitou Springs - has some quaint shops/jewelry stores/t-shirt places-might be a place to walk around one morning when your cadet is busy if he's not a shopper.
"Cave of the Winds" is cool (literally and figuratively). A little pricey, but there are various levels of tours through the caves costing different prices.
Cripple Creek – various attractions including museums, gold mining camp, etc. visitcripplecreek.com
Horseback riding - Academy Riding Stables. The views are wonderful and the horses are pretty good 800-700-0410 or 719-333-4607.
Bike Trails - There is a bike trail that goes along the stream the length of Colorado Springs and up to USAFA. There is a place to rent bikes on Commerce Drive right next to the trail criterium-bicycles.com/index.html
Shopping – many stores on Powers and there are two malls, one is close to USAFA, The Citadel off of N. Academy.
Shopping suggestion - shop.usafa.org/ go to Doolittle Hall/AOG and look at their small store, also the Visitor Center on base.
Brunswick bowling bonuszone.com/ submit email address and fill out a short form with name and address, & immediately print out a coupon to go bowling for 1 hour for free!! (shoe rental not included). Directions: Academy Blvd via Exit 150 toward CO-83. Turn Right onto N Union Blvd 2.5 miles. Turn left onto N Circle Drive 2.5 miles. End at 999 N Circle Dr, Colorado Springs.
US Olympic Training Village. visitcos.com/olympic-training-center
The Broadmoor Hotel - Soda at the Broadmoor's outside patio bar, fun to sit in front of the lake and people watch. They have rocking chairs and an outdoor fireplace or walk around the little lake. It's a gorgeous hotel; you don't need to stay there to spend some time there. Some folks rent the little paddleboats. broadmoor.com/