FREE TIME - Experience Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods Park

Ranked as Trip Advisor’s No. 1 park in the United States, Garden of the Gods is a geological wonder. Located about a 15-minute drive from the site of the 2024 FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference, Garden of the Gods is known for its jagged red rock formations that were created millions of years ago and is a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing and horseback riding. The park’s visitor and nature center is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Pikes Peak

At 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The 19-mile trip through Pikes Peak Highway grants stunning views of the mountains. From the summit, visitors can see five states and browse through the visitors center, which offers engaging interpretive exhibits and indoor and outdoor dining. Admission is $10 and the last entry is at 3 p.m. The peak closes at 5 p.m. daily.

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Located about a 20-minute drive from Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Cave of the Winds is a complex cave system that is open to visitors. Two cave tours are available and the attraction also offers zip lining, climbing walls and the TERRO-dactyl, a ride that launches passengers 150 feet into a canyon at speeds nearing 100 mph.

U.S. Air Force Academy

The U.S. Air Force Academy trains the next generation of officers for the military branch. Sitting on 18,500 acres of breathtaking mountain panoramas, portions of the academy are open to visitors of self-guided tours, hiking, or fishing and hunting. The Barry Goldwater Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers exhibits on cadet life and the architecturally renowned Cadet Chapel. There is also a full-dome theater that shows IMAX films free to the public.

National Museum of WWII Aviation

The National Museum of World War II Aviation opened in 2012 to document the role that military aviation played in the emergence of the United States as a world power. The museum tells the story of the tremendous technological advancements in aviation during World War II and the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who won the air war. House are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and pre-paid admission is $15 ($13 for military veterans).