US Air Force Academy

Address:Colorado Springs, Colorado

Visit the training grounds of some of America's finest men and women in uniform, at the US Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs. The 18,000 acres set against the beautiful Colorado Rockies, attracts more than a million visitors a year. People come from near and far to see the interestingly designed campus complete with exhibits, memorials, activities and beautiful grounds. Entrance to the US Air Force Academy is free. Wear good walking shoes and bring water. Getting from point A to point B can be a bit of a trek in some places. Backpacks and large bags are not allowed in the Visitor Center, the paved nature trail, or the Cadet Chapel.

The only way to enter the academy is from the North Gate. This gives you the chance to pose for a picture next to a B-52 bomber! A short hike on a nature trail brings you to the visitors' center. The museum and exhibit area feature displays on history and cadet life. Self-guided tours of the visitors' center are available. Sit back in the theater for a short movie highlighting the academy experience. A snack bar is available if you get the munchies. Take a piece of the US Air Force Academy home with you by buying something from the gift shop. Next to the visitors' center is Arnold Hall, a social center that houses historical exhibits, a cafeteria, and a theater. Once outdoors, look up at the skies every once in awhile. You will see cadets practicing parachuting and flying Thunderbird jets. If you are in the academy by lunchtime, you may be able to see the cadet wing marching to lunch from the Honor Court wall in the cadet Area, where the Academy's honor code is inscribed. Many displays throughout the cadet area commemorate heroes and air power pioneers.

The US Air Force Academy has many funky buildings, specifically in the cadet area. The buildings have a lot of aluminum on the exteriors, making them look like the outside of airplanes and space ships. The most visited of these buildings is the Cadet Chapel. 100 identical aluminum tetrahedrons, with colored glass in the spaces between the tetrahedrons, make up this chapel with 17 gorgeous spires reaching 150 feet into the sky. The Cadet Chapel is built on two levels. Upstairs is a 1,300 seat multi-denomination Protestant chapel, downstairs is a 500-seat Catholic chapel, a 100-seat Jewish chapel, and interfaith rooms used for services of other religions. Cadet Chapel Worship sessions are open to the public. Check the schedules if you plan on attending a worship ceremony.

The North Gate of the US Air Force Academy can be accessed from Exit 156B on Interstate 25, 14 miles north of downtown Colorado Springs. You can also get to the Academy from the South Gate, which can be accessed from Exit 150 on Interstate 25.