{"id":3895,"date":"2019-12-20T03:39:35","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T03:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=3895"},"modified":"2021-07-24T04:28:27","modified_gmt":"2021-07-24T04:28:27","slug":"garden-of-the-gods-visitor-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/garden-of-the-gods-visitor-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0More information: disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center is the most visited attraction in the Colorado Springs region. Read our experience of this free education and nature center with interactive displays, spectacular views, photo opportunities, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering \u201cShould I visit the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center?\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, the Visitor Center alone is worth a stop. In my opinion, the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center rivals some famous National Parks like Arches National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center Colorado Springs <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When we visited the Garden of the Gods, I was amazed at the quality of the visitor center.  This is more than check-in and grab<\/g> a map, kind of place.  (Of course, you should get a map or download it here<\/a>.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are so many things to do for adults and kids.  Even the toddler and preschooler had to be coaxed out of the visitor center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The perspective from the terrace is a really spectacular view of the park with Pikes Peak in the back and changes with the daylight and seasons.  You can eat lunch at the cafe with a view of the rock formations.  We choose to picnic in the park instead of  eating<\/g> at the cafe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The kids loved the interactive exhibits.   There are 30 interactive exhibits including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geology Exhibits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Kid
Enjoying the Free Educational Geology Exhibit <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The five exhibits about the geology are displays of how the mountains, how the rocks in Garden of the Gods were formed, Colorado Geology.  The highlight is world’s<\/g> only known fossil of the Theiophytalia kerri<\/g>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flora & Fauna Gallery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Kids
Toddler and Preschooler Enjoying the free Wildlife Exhibit<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The wildlife display is an amazing collection of many different plants and animals of Colorado.  There are interactive displays of taxidermy, tracking wildlife, and education of scat.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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People & History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This exhibit does a wonderful job of telling the story of the Red Rock people, Colorado\u2019s Native Americans and the Early Explorers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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American Buffalo Exhibit <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Also, this exhibit highlights the buffalo as a prominent feature of the history of Colorado.  The information about the buffalo and what every single part was used for by the Native Americans was very educational.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kids posing for photo of Buffalo Sculpture<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The other exhibits include Tourism in Garden of the Gods, The Wall of Changing Seasons \u2013 Time Lapse Photography Exhibit, Fit for the Gods \u2013 A Photographic History of the Park and the Buffalo Photo op. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3D Dinosaur Mural<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We had a lot of fun with the 3D dinosaur mural.  Taking googfy photos over and over.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sisters having fun with the 3D Dinosaur Mural <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Geo-Trekker Theater. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learn how the amazing red rocks got there with the NEW Geo-Trekker theater experience, shown every 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HD Movie: “How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?” shown in the Geo-Trekker Theater. You do have to pay for tickets to the short movie ($5\/adults, $3\/children).. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Junior Range Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Also Garden of the Gods has their own Junior Ranger program.  You can pick up your booklets at the information desk and return it when finished to collect your junior ranger badge.  We are big fans of the Junior Ranger Programs at the state and national parks and were equally impressed with this one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gift Shop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No visitor center is complete without a Gift Shop.  This gift<\/g> shop has won awards in Colorado Springs.  The shop at the Visitor & Nature Center offers kids activities, geology gifts, books, apparel & keepsakes and<\/g> Native American pottery & jewelry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Planning Your Visit to the Garden of the Gods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Entrance
Entrance sign for the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Garden of the Gods Park and Visitor and Nature Center are free to the public. Its is located directly across the street from the Park’s main entrance at 1805 North 30th Street<\/p>\n\n\n\n