Colorado Springs & USAF Academy

Set against the towering red rock spires of Garden of the Gods and the snow-dusted peak of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs blends rugged alpine beauty with a rich military aviation legacy. The centerpiece is the United States Air Force Academy, renowned for its modernist mid-century Cadet Chapel, striking flight-training grounds, and cadet heritage exhibits. Beyond military history, the city offers scenic drives, historic mining culture in nearby Manitou Springs, and Olympic athletic legacy at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. It delivers high-altitude adventure balanced with architectural and national pride.

Cheyenne Mountain Complex

Cheyenne Mountain stands as a monumental Cold War engineering wonder, tunneled deep within solid granite southwest of Colorado Springs. While the operational command bunker remains an active, secure military fortress, its presence anchors the entire region’s strategic defense identity. Exploring the surrounding Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers panoramic vistas over the plains and trail networks traversing rugged foothills beneath this legendary installation. It is an evocative stop for military enthusiasts fascinated by mid-century engineering and high-security defense history.