There never seems to be much free time when you’re attending a conference, but I still checked a few guidebooks out of the library. On the plane, it was immediately obvious that Garden of the Gods is REQUIRED stop in Colorado Springs. I made sure to visit the very first day we drove into town. There are numerous family tourist attractions in this area, but this park of towering red rocks (up to 300′) is positively breathtaking. Even better, there is no entrance fee and you’re allowed to wander freely between and onto some of these sandstone formations.