Questions about Windshield Tour

MonkeyToes

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
37
DS has received an appointment but has never visited the campus. We are scheduled for the Windshield Tour in a few weeks, and still hoping that things might open up a little bit more before we go.

I believe we can enter anytime between 10am-2 pm for the Windshield Tour, which should take approximately 90 minutes. Is there advantage to showing up at a particular time during that window? For example, if we are driving through at lunchtime will we see a formation going into lunch or something like that?

ANYTHING that DS can see to help him get a feel for life on campus would be helpful at this point.
 
The most likely scenario is that you won't be able to see cadets for the most part. Though, if you drive over to Arnold Hall and happened to get out of your car at 11:45, you would see Noon Meal Formation. There is a popular overlook just West of the chapel (currently the big white box) that is perfect for viewing. Even if you are not supposed to get out of your car, I'd say it is fine as long as you act confident and as if you belong. The lookout spot referenced will also be your best chance to see the inner part of the cadet area (Mitch's, Fairchild, Tzo).

Hope yall enjoy your visit.
 
DS has received an appointment but has never visited the campus. We are scheduled for the Windshield Tour in a few weeks, and still hoping that things might open up a little bit more before we go.

I believe we can enter anytime between 10am-2 pm for the Windshield Tour, which should take approximately 90 minutes. Is there advantage to showing up at a particular time during that window? For example, if we are driving through at lunchtime will we see a formation going into lunch or something like that?

ANYTHING that DS can see to help him get a feel for life on campus would be helpful at this point.
Did you “register” for a windshield tour or.....?
 
I would be interested to know if anyone else has taken this windshield tour and if they found it helpful.
Our family has taken this tour back in feb just before the massive snow storm hit. We drove from Texas, loved the visit everybit of it even though we could not meet any cadets. No regrets at all and as soon as we came back, she saw her portal updated to appointee. Before the visit, USAFA was her third choice ( USNA being #1). Now USAFA is #1 as USNA chances are slim.
 
I would be interested to know if anyone else has taken this windshield tour and if they found it helpful.
Coming from a student and a hopeful for the class of 2026, I would definitely recommend taking a windshield tour if you get the chance, ESPECIALLY if you have never been on campus or around the area. My family and I were able to tour around Christmas last year, and the tour was so much better than I was expecting. Even though we were not able to get up close and personal with the TZO and everything around it, what we were able to see reminded me of why I want to attend the Academy. I feel like for many hopeful cadets USAFA becomes a fictitious place that we could only dream about, so for me to be able to experience it firsthand allowed me to get a sense of what my future might look like as a cadet. I was also surprised by how much I liked the Colorado Springs area, and in hindsight I am glad that we stayed for a day or two after the tour to get a feel for the town. My family loved the Garden of the Gods, and I had one of the best hamburgers of my life at a restaurant not too far from the Academy. All in all, like I said, the windshield tour is currently the best option when it comes to seeing the base, and I would highly recommend it.
 
Our family has taken this tour back in feb just before the massive snow storm hit. We drove from Texas, loved the visit everybit of it even though we could not meet any cadets. No regrets at all and as soon as we came back, she saw her portal updated to appointee. Before the visit, USAFA was her third choice ( USNA being #1). Now USAFA is #1 as USNA chances are slim.
Exactly the same thing happened to my son, USAFA #3 choice, we went and visited (2 yrs ago), loved it and is now in his 2nd year.
 
Coming from a student and a hopeful for the class of 2026, I would definitely recommend taking a windshield tour if you get the chance, ESPECIALLY if you have never been on campus or around the area. My family and I were able to tour around Christmas last year, and the tour was so much better than I was expecting. Even though we were not able to get up close and personal with the TZO and everything around it, what we were able to see reminded me of why I want to attend the Academy. I feel like for many hopeful cadets USAFA becomes a fictitious place that we could only dream about, so for me to be able to experience it firsthand allowed me to get a sense of what my future might look like as a cadet. I was also surprised by how much I liked the Colorado Springs area, and in hindsight I am glad that we stayed for a day or two after the tour to get a feel for the town. My family loved the Garden of the Gods, and I had one of the best hamburgers of my life at a restaurant not too far from the Academy. All in all, like I said, the windshield tour is currently the best option when it comes to seeing the base, and I would highly recommend it.
I'm thinking of doing one of these tours over the summer if they are available. You mind letting me know what that restaurant is called? I would kill for a good burger right about now.
 
Really good breakfast at Omelets Etc., just a couple miles south of the North Gate. Be ready to wait a bit, because El Paso County is allowing dine-in and folks are hungry (pun intended) for exactly that.

For lunch or dinner, check out Bourbon Brothers, also just a couple miles away. Good barbecue and nice setting.

If you’re on the healthier side, suggest Modern Market, a Colorado special. Good meals, filling and tasty, with a dose of healthiness.
 
Windshield tour is definitely worth it. Stinks that the Chapel is enclosed in a big white construction box, though.... Get out, stretch your legs, and read every plaque on the way.... Stop at the AFA Overlook on I-25 and see all the parachuting action....
 
Best place for breakfast is Snooze. The burger could have been Crave Real Burgers?

 
I'm thinking of doing one of these tours over the summer if they are available. You mind letting me know what that restaurant is called? I would kill for a good burger right about now.
The restaurant was called Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar if I remember correctly. We ate in the outdoor covered seating, it was chilly in December but they had heaters out! It was recommended to us by a friend from the CO Springs area, and it didn’t disappoint.
 
Back
Top