Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy

On our last day of vacation in Colorado Springs,we spent the morning at the US Air Force Academy. We started at the newly opened this year Visitors Center. They have it setup to show the 47 month journey that a cadet undertakes to graduate from arriving to commencement day. The highlight was speaking to 5 different recent graduates who were volunteering as docents that day. I asked them questions about their experiences and future plans (4 of the 5 were headed to flight school to be pilots). They were all such bright young people and we really enjoyed hearing their stories. We then headed on base (you have to do online application to get a base pass) to the elevated lookout area by Arnold Hall to watch the cadets line-up on the The Terrazzo and march through the quad to the noon meal accompanied by bugle and drum corp. They do this regimen every day that classes are in session unless there is very bad weather. A friend of mine who was a USAF Academy graduate said it is being a "viewer at the Zoo" :-) . It is quite a sight to see.

The visitors center was nice overall. My rating was on the fact that a US government facility (gift shop) would not accept US Government issued currency, credit only. I did not and will not make a purchase there or any other business that will not accept US government issued currency!

A fun and humbling experience, with tons of information, very well laid out, we wish we could have seen them fly but it was not good weather. Visit all the hangars if possible.

Great place to visit, but to get on base be sure to get a pass at least 24 hrs in advance. The views were spectacular and I loved seeing the history of planes and veterans. The planetarium is a must see- we got to see a great D-Day presentation

This property is just breathtaking! I’d been before, but my son is interested in going here so we came on an admissions tour. (His first time) Very through and made the kids understand how life is there and what to expect. We took an Uber here… I DO NOT recommend this, getting in and out of the facility is difficult if you aren’t driving yourself. Getting approval was an easy process, the gate lines were long, but moved quickly. We came in through the South Gate, along the drive I saw a black bear!!! Cool experience!

Don't go. Not allowed on base. Nothing on website says that civilians are not allowed on to the base. At least not that I easily saw listed on the website planning the visit. I think you might be able to visit if a member of the military.

I had planned a trip to tour the Air Force Academy but did not do my homework regarding public access. It was closed to the public -- no public tours. Huge disappointment. Apparently this has been in effect since January 2025. Try the Naval Academy. So much better.

I politely filled out an extremely long application. And was denied entry without a reason. Only if you travel to the base, are you allowed. It’s easier to just sneak in! Probably because I made fun of the Antarctic of Germans for being slightly more sophisticated in the uniform department. However, space force is doing a great job stepping it up. Carry-on ladies

Hi Friends, My family and I had planned to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy on July 8, 2025, as part of an effort to expose our young children to the values of service, discipline, and national pride. However, we were informed that access to the Visitor Center now requires sponsorship by a Department of Defense (DoD) ID holder. As taxpaying citizens who strongly support our military and its mission, we were disappointed to learn that we could not access a public facility intended to educate and inspire the public—especially our youth. It is disheartening to be turned away from a site that our taxes help maintain, particularly when trying to instill patriotism and respect for military service in our children. Unfortunately, this experience has made us question whether our contributions are being used in ways that reflect the values of openness and public engagement. While we continue to respect the role of the armed forces, it is difficult to offer support when even basic access to educational military landmarks is restricted in such a way. Best Regards, Eric

Extraordinary impression. The buildings have a design reminiscent of modern combat aircraft, what with all the metal structures. Just thinking that within these buildings young men and women are training to become the next generation of Air Force officers. The location in the immediate foothills of the Rocky Mountains is also inspiring. The views are very nice. The visitor center is kind of small for such an important institution. The theater shows a short video of cadet life over four years. There were no campus tours that I was aware of, though guide maps were available.